Southern Odyssey

1. 01
   Day 1Arrival in Chennai+

   On arrival in Chennai, our representative meets and greets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Overnight in Chennai.

   

2. 02
   Day 2Chennai – Mahabalipuram+

   After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram (60 km · about 2 hrs). Visit the Shore Temple, built of granite blocks in the 8th century AD; the Five Rathas, with Krishna’s Butter Ball and the chariots; and Arjuna’s Penance, a masterpiece of Indian rock-cut relief. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

   

3. 03
   Day 3Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry+

   After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry (95 km · about 2 hrs), a French colonial settlement until 1954. Its French Quarter keeps tree-lined streets, mustard-coloured villas and chic boutiques. Visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville; the evening is free for the beach or yoga. Overnight in Pondicherry.

   

4. 04
   Day 4Pondicherry – Thanjavur – Tiruchirappalli+

   After breakfast, drive to Chidambaram (60 km · about 1.5 hrs) for the Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Shiva as lord of the dance. Continue to Thanjavur (100 km · about 2 hrs), ancient capital of the Chola kings, to see the Fort Palace, the museum and the Brihadeeswara Temple on the banks of the Cauvery. Drive on to Tiruchirappalli (65 km · about 1.5 hrs). Dinner and overnight in Tiruchirappalli.

   

5. 05
   Day 5Tiruchirappalli – Madurai+

   After breakfast, visit Srirangam, an island temple complex in the Cauvery covering over 600 acres, with seven concentric walls and 21 gopurams, one covered in gold. Also visit the Jambukeswarar Temple and the Rock Fort Temple. Drive to Madurai (130 km · about 2 hrs) and visit the Meenakshi Temple on the banks of the Vaigai. Dinner and overnight in Madurai.

   

6. 06
   Day 6Madurai – Rameswaram – Madurai+

   After breakfast, a full-day excursion to Rameswaram on Pamban Island, known for the Ramanathaswamy Temple with its ornate corridors, sculpted pillars and sacred tanks. See Agni Theertham, where devotees bathe, and Gandamadana Parvatham, a hill said to bear an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet. Drive back to Madurai. Dinner and overnight in Madurai.

   

7. 07
   Day 7Madurai+

   After breakfast, a full day in Madurai, southern India’s oldest centre of pilgrimage and learning. Visit the Meenakshi Temple, the Thirumalai Nayak Palace (1636), the Gandhi Museum and the Mariamman Teppakulam tank, built in 1646 and fed by channels from the Vaigai. Dinner and overnight in Madurai.

   

8. 08
   Day 8Madurai – Chennai+

   After breakfast, fly to Chennai. Visit the Bronze Gallery and Madras Museum, then drive through Egmore to George Town and Fort St. George, home of the state legislature and St. Mary’s Church, consecrated in 1680. Drive along Marina Beach to San Thome Cathedral and end at the Kapaleeswarar Temple. Dinner and overnight in Chennai.

   

9. 09
   Day 9Chennai – Kanchipuram – Onward+

   After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram (70 km · about 2 hrs), one of the seven sacred cities of India. Visit the Kailasanatha and Ekambareswarar temples, dedicated to Shiva, and Vaikuntha Perumal, dedicated to Vishnu, and see the famous silk weaving handed down through generations. Return to Chennai for your onward flight.

   

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