Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. After freshening up, proceed for half day city tour visiting the museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the flower and Fruit Market, High Court, fort Museum, Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral. Overnight stay at Chennai

Chennai : is the present gateway to the South of India and is about 350 yrs old. Chennai is ever growing, changing and pulsating with new activities. It is the fourth largest city in India.

Day 02 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram by road enroute visiting Kanchipuram (80 km + 58 kms)
After an early breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram enroute visiting Kanchipuram. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.

Kanchipuram :
This golden city was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 20 remain. It is also famed for its hand-woven cottens and Kanchivaram silk. The famous temples to visit are the Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple and the Perumal Temple.

Mahabalipuram :
Mahabalipuram was once the main sea port of the Pallava dynasty and has exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures and bas-reliefs. It is now a world heritage site.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry by road (138 kms)
Morning proceed for a half day tour of Mahabalipuram, visiting the Cave temple, Five Rathas,Arjuna's penance and the famous Shore Temple. Afternoon proceed to Pondicherry. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.

Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas-relief is the pride of Mamallapuram. This huge whale-back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demigods, men, beasts and birds.

Five Rathas are five monolithic temples, each created in a different style. They are also known as the Pancha Pandava Rathas.

The Shore Temple belongs to the early 8th century and is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The monuments are flood-lit at night, making it possible to enjoy their beauty after sunset.

Pondicherry a former French colony, presents an unusual combination of European culture and Indian traditions. The main attraction here is the Aurobindo Ashram, which draws devotees from all over the world.

Auroville literally means the 'City of Dawn'. Named after Sri Aurobindo. It will bring together those who believe in a progressive universal harmony and want to work for it. In fact "the first condition for living in Auroville is to be convinced of the essential unity of mankind and the will to collaborate in the material realization of that unity

Day 04 : Pondicherry
Morning visit the Aurobido Ashram which forms the nucleus of many activities in Pondicherry, the Pondicherry Marine Drive, with a 1.5 kms long promenade is the best place to stroll in on an evening. The Pondicherry Museum is a treasure trove of antique with a section on French India which is housed in rooms done up in typical French style. Archaeology, geology, sculpture, weapons, handicrafts and art are some of the other sections. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Pondicherry

Day 05 : Pondicherry – Kumbakonam by road (150 kms)
Morning depart for Kumbakonam enroute visit the Chidambaram, where the Nataraja Temple is located. Later visit Gangai Kondacholapuram and Darasuram. Overnight stay at Kumbakonam

Chidambaram is regarded the holy town of great importance, as it is believed to be the sacred site with center or navel of the universe, connecting the heaven, the earth and the subterranean world of Patala is the place where Lord Shiva is believed to have performance of joy.

Kumbakonam is the temple city of South India. The city is famous for the MAHAMAHAM festival that is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank located in the heart of it. There are as many as sixty temples, in and around Kumbakonam within a radius of 40 Kms are the Navagraha temples.

Gangai Kondacholapuram The name is formed from a string of four words, working backwards, meaning the city (puram) of the Cholas to which was brought (konda) the Ganga (river). Rajendra I was a mighty Chola ruler and, like his predecessor Rajraja, his overriding concern was to expand the territorial boundaries of his empire. In one expedition he took his army successfully along the east coast of India up to the Ganga. While it is an ancient practice for all pilgrims to return home with a jar of Ganga-jal, it is said that Rajendra Chola brought back with him enough holy water from the Ganga to fill the temple tank.

Darasuram dates back to Raja Raja II's period (12th century AD). This temple is smaller than the Gangai Konda Choleeswaram. Darasuram is described as a sculptor's dream re-lived in stone. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. Paintings and sculptured panels abound here, causing this shrine to be a veritable storehouse of art. The Vimana is only about 80 feet in height. In front of the temple are stone panels which produce tones of varying pitches when struck.

Day 06 : Kumbakonam - Tanjore – Trichy by road (100km)
Morning proceed to Trichy, enroute visiting the famous Brahadeeswarar temple at Tanjore. Evening a city tour of Trichy visiting the Rock Fort and Srirangam temples. Overnight stay at Trichy

Thanjavur (Tanjore) Located on the eastern cost of central Tamil Nadu, is a fertile plain which is referred to as the 'rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu. It has the distinction of having been the capital of the Cholas, one of the greatest dynasties of the South. The Cholas were great temple builders and Tanjavur bears witness to this being dotted with no fewer than 74 temples - the most famous of which is the Brahadeeswarar temple, a World Heritage monument.

Brahadeeswarar temple this is a magnificent Shiva temple built in 1003 AD by king Rajaraja I, the Chola king and the Palace with the vast labyrinthine buildings, enormous corridors, big halls, watch towers, moat, fort and courtyards.

Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) is situated on the banks of the Cauvery River. It was a Chola citadel and was briefly ruled by the Pallavas and the Pandyas. Today, Trichy is a blend of history, a pilgrim center and a thriving commercial city.

Rock Fort Temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathy, 434 steps cut into the Rocky side of a hill and interspersed which shrines, lead to the temple.

Srirangam a massive temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu which contains within its walls a bazaar as well

Day 07 : Trichy- Madurai by surface (142 kms)
Morning drive to Madurai. Later visit the Meenakshi Temple and the Tirumala Nayak Palace. Overnight stay at Madurai.

Madurai is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai the Temple and the old city are on the southern bank.

Great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side).

Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo sacracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches.

Day 08 : Madurai airport
In time transfer to Madurai airport or proceed for onward journey.