DAY 1: ARRIVE CHENNAI
You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon go on a sightseeing tour of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu state. Chennai is India’s southern gateway city and one of the biggest centres of trade and communications.
Santhome Cathedral Church – This Basilica is situated on the southern tip of Marina in Chennai. It is a towering basilica built on the spot where St. Thomas (an apostle of Jesus Christ) was buried. It is the church of the Archbishop of Chennai – pastoral head of the Catholic community in the region.
St. Thomas Mount Church is located near Meenambakkam airport in Chennai. The Portuguese built it in 1523. It is a small relic-filled church, which stands at the summit of the 300 foot high St. Thomas Mount.
Fort St. George is located on the Rajaji Salai road in Chennai. The fort was one among the first few bastions that were built by the East India Company in 1640 to protect its interests in India from rival companies. This fortification also marks the making of Madras (Chennai) as a modern city.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: CHENNAI – KANCHIPURAM – TIRUPATI
After breakfast departure by road to Tirupathi, en route vising Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram was under the Pallavas from the 6th to 8th century AD and later became the citadel of the Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries. Kanchipuram has magnificent temples of unique architectural beauty bearing eloquent testimony to its glorious Dravidian heritage. All the religious cities in India support one of the two sects in Hinduism – Vaishnavism and Shaivism, but Kanchipuram has blended itself equally to both the sects, dividing itself into Vishnu Kanchi, surrounding the Varadaraja Temple, and Shiva Kanchi, surrounding the Ekambareshwar (also spelt as Ekambareshwa) Temple, while the Kamakshi Amman Temple stands in between as a place of Shakti worship. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3: TIRUPATHI – THIRUVANNAMALAI
Early morning pay a visit to the famous Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple, which is world famous amongs Hindus. After breakfast, depart by road to Thiruvannamalai. Thruvannamalai (formerly know as Trinomalee) has over 100 temples and is a popular destination. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Rest of the day free for spiritual activities. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 4: THIRUVANNAMALAI – PONDICHERRY
After breakfast departure by road to Pondicherry, en-route visiting Gingee where stands the most beautiful 14th century fort. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon take a sightseeing tour of Pondicherry, visiting Auroville and Sri Aurobindo Ashram and explore the archaeological excavations and French period furniture.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5: PONDICHERRY – MAHABALIPURAM (110KM)
After breakfast depart by road to Mahabalipuram and upon arrival check in at the hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram – a quite seaside resort with a unique and glorious 7th century Shore Temple and some of the most beautiful rock-cut caves in the world. Visit the Krishna, Varaha and Mahishasura Mardhini Mandapas besides the famous stone bas-relief, Arjuna’s Penance.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 6: MAHABALIPURAM
Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the day free and at leisure.
Overnight at the resort.
Day 7: MAHABALIPURAM-CHENNAI-DEPARTURE
After breakfast, depart and transfer to the airport to board your flight for your onward destination or back home.
END OF TOUR
