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Tamil Nadu Holidays Temple Tours of India Chennai Pondicherry Ooty

Tamil Nadu South India Temple Tours & Holidays: Chennai + Puducherry + Kerala

Temples of Southern India + Kerala Houseboat + Kumarakom
Tamil Nadu South India Temple Tours Holidays Chennai Puducherry Kerala
16 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,987
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
IPV16C
• Tamil Nadu South India
• Chennai (Madras)
• Mahabalipuram Port
• Puducherry
• Thanjavur
• Chettinad
• Madurai
• Rice Houseboat
• Kumarakom
• South India Temple Tours

Our Tamil Nadu south India temple tours & holidays will introduce you to the incredible architecture & history of this region. From Chennai (formerly Madras), travel with your own private driver/guides to the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, French-influenced Puducherry & the temples of Thanjavur & Madurai. End your holiday in Kerala, where you can stay overnight on a traditional Rice Houseboat. English speaking driver/guides & all sightseeing included.

Day 1
You will be met at Chennai Airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the city, formerly called Madras and the state capital of Tamil Nadu.
 
Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is a major commercial, cultural, economic and educational centre, as well as being famous for its Madras curry.
Day 2
This morning enjoy a half day tour of the thriving city of Chennai.
 
We start with a visit to the Government Museum, which has some fascinating exhibits about ancient Chennai. We also visit Fort St George which dates back to the 17th century and is filled with memorabilia. Here you can see St. Mary’s Church, the first Christian church consecrated on Indian soil.
 
Our next stop is at the splendid St Thomas Cathedral Basilica, built in the 19th century by early Portuguese explorers over the tomb of Saint Thomas the apostle. It is one of the most sacred Christian sites in India and one of the world's few surviving apostolic burial sites.
 
Afterwards we drive along the marina to the ancient Kapaleeshwar Temple at Mylapore. This shrine to the Hindu god Shiva is over 2,000 years old and showcases the architectural splendour of the Dravidian period.
 
You afternoon is free for independent exploration or relaxation.
 
Note: All temples and museums are closed on Fridays.
Day 3
This morning your driver will introduce you to the beauty of Tamil Nadu state, as we leave Chennai and travel 1.5-hours to the ancient port of Mahabalipuram, with its huge casuarina trees and silvery sandy beaches. Here a group of temples were hewn out of rock along the Coromandel Coast during the 7th and 8th centuries by the Pallavas kings. These intricately carved structures, mostly in granite, are among the oldest surviving examples of South Indian architecture.
 
Now a World Heritage site, the Shore Temple is the oldest of these monuments but, unlike the other, it is built - not carved from rock - and contains a Vishnu Temple and two Shiva temples (a 3-in-1 abode of the gods). More than one hundred stone relief figures of people, animals and gods can be seen here. You can also admire the five Rathas (stone chariots) and the mythology associated with the 'Descent of the River Ganges' and the 'Penance of Arjuna' carved in stone.
 
Another curiosity in the town is Krishna's Butterball - a very large boulder balanced precariously on a small hill, that looks as if it could roll at any moment.
Day 4
Today we leave Mahabalipuram and travel 2.5-hours to the city of Puducherry, fondly called "Pondy".
 
Pondicherry was a market place in Roman times and has been controlled by many kings, emperors and sultans in its rich history. During the colonial era it was a French territory, with occasional interuption from the British and Dutch until it was incorporated into the Indian Union.
Day 5
This morning you will be taken on a tour of Puducherry.
 
We start with a visit to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram - a spiritual centre that is the home to more than 1,500 followers from around the world. Afterwards we take a walk through the French Quarter with its old buildings, visit the Sacred Heart Basilica and stroll along the Promenade with its monuments. You can also see Government Park, the Manakula Vinayagar Temple and the Roman Rolland Library.
 
Afternoon is at leisure to relax at your hotel and in the evening you can dine in a local restaurant.
Day 6
Today we travel 4.5-hours via Chidambaram, known for its famous Thillai Nataraja Temple, to Thanjavur (previously known as Tanjore), which is an important centre of southern Indian religion, art and architecture.
 
Thanjavur is home to one of the three exceptional Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
 
On arrival we visit the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Museum, with its fascinating collection of 19th century royal artefacts.
 
Note: Thanjavur Palace is closed on public holidays.
Day 7
We spend today exploring the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. These magnificent 11th and 12th century Hindu temples were contructed during the Chola dynasty, which stretched all over southern India and its neighbouring islands.
 
There are three great temples. The Brihadisvara Temple complex at Thanjavur, known locally as 'The Big Temple', is one of the largest Hindu temples in India. It is enclosed within two courtyards and has an exquisitely decorated shrine. Built using granite, the tower above the shrine is one of the tallest in South India.
 
The Brihadisvara Temple complex at Gangaikondacholisvaram has a 53-m vimana (sanctum tower) with recessed corners and a graceful upward curve, which contrasts sharply with the straight and severe tower at Thanjavur.
 
The Dharasuram Temple complex at Airavatesvara features a 24-m vimana and a stone image of Shiva. These temples showcase the brilliant achievements of the Chola dynasty in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting.
Day 8
This morning we drive 1.5-hours from Thanjavur to Tiruchirappalli (known locally as Trichy), an ancient city with many historic monuments and now an important industrial and educational hub in Tamil Nadu state.
 
After checking into your hotel enjoy a city tour of the museums and art galleries of Trichy, including the Rock Fort and Sri Jambukeshwara Temple - one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu.
 
We also visit the 600-acre island town of Srirangam that is enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sriranganathaswami Temple.
Day 9
This morning we leave Trichy and drive 2-hours to Chettinad.
 
On arrival we view the majestic architecture of Chettinad Palace, which was constructed in 1912 with contributions from all around the world. We also visit Chettinad Museum, which showcases local history and culture.
 
Afterwards we check in to our hotel in this town that is also renowned for its spicy chicken curry.
Day 10
We leave Chettinad this morning and drive 2.5-hours to Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of the Vaigai River.
 
As we leave Chettinad we visit the magnificent Vairavanpatti Temple, which was built in 19th century and is full of wonderful paintings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. There is a natural spring behind the temple, which is believed to have miraculous healing properties.
 
We then continue to Madurai, which is the centre of the Tamil language and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The skyline of this ancient city is dominated by the 14 colourful gopurams (gateway towers) of the Meenakshi Temple. Covered in bright carvings of Hindu gods, the Dravidian-style temple is a major pilgrimage site, visited by millions of Hindus from around the world - particularly during the Chithirai Festival each April/May, which celebrates Meenakshi and Lord Vishna.
 
Later in the day we get a glimpse of Madurai's devout religious culture on a visit to the atmospheric Meenakshi Temple at prayer time, to observe an unforgettable aarti ceremony.
Day 11
This morning we explore the historic city of Madurai and the impressive Meenakshi Temple.
 
We also visit the the crumbling Tirumalai Nayak Palace and the Gandhi Memporial Museum, which presents a comprehensive account of the life of this great man.
 
The afternoon is free to explore the city further with your driver or relax at your hotel.
Day 12
This morning drive 5-hours from Madurai to Periyar National Park in the Western Ghats mountains, located in the beautiful southern state of Kerala - fondly called "God's own Country".
 
Situated in the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills, this park forms the watershed for two important rivers - the Periyar and Pamba. It is home to several rare and endangered species including tigers, although they are rarely seen.
 
On arrival check into your hotel, with balance of day at leisure.
 
Note: Kerala is a 'dry' state. All 5-star hotels have alcohol licences and restricted items (eg wine & beer) are served in some mid-range properties, but this does vary by hotel & you will not find any beach bars serving alcohol. You therefore need to ask your driver to stop at a liquor store before arriving at your hotel, so you can purchase your preferred drink, to enjoy in the privacy of your room before dinner.
Day 13
This morning enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar, a haven for bird life including herons, hornbills and egrets and where you may see wild elephants coming down to the lake for a drink.
 
Afterwards we drive 4-hours to Alleppey set on Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater (fresh water lake) in India. This network of backwaters, lakes and rivers stretches over 930 miles (1,500 km) and provides a vital waterway for transporting people and their produce.
 
Here you board your private air-conditioned Rice Houseboat, once used to transport goods from isolated interior villages to the larger towns but now largely used for pleasure. As the water is level with the land here, spend the afternoon relaxing and watching the agricultural lives of the people who live along the canals and work in the rice paddy fields, as you cruise through the Kerala Backwaters.
 
In the evening see the sun setting over the tranquil backwaters and enjoy dining on delicious local Kerala cuisine prepared by your chef.
 
Note: No alcohol is served on the houseboat, but you can buy beer at the jetty before boarding.
Day 14
After breakfast disembark at the merchant town of Alleppey and transfer 1.5-hours to the small town of Kumarakom, situated on Vembanad Lake - the largest backwater in India.
 
Check into your hotel and relax surrounded by these tranquil waters.
Days 15 To 16
Today is free to relax and enjoy the leisurely lifestyle and wonderful food of Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake - an important habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and shrimps.
 
Kerala is renowned for its yoga and Ayurvedic spa treatments. Bird watching is also outstanding, with nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary offering a safe refuge for many migratory birds. Sunset boat rides, pedal boats and fishing are available from some hotels (pay locally).
Day 17
Transfer 2.5-hours to Kochi Airport for your flight home.