Tamilnadu Tour,Tamilnadu India Tour,Tamilnadu Tour Package,Tamil Nadu Tour in India

Tamilnadu Tour

Duration : 17 Days / 16 Nights
Destinaions Covered : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram Excursion - Mahabalipuram - Trichy - Tanjore - Karaikudi- Cardamom House, Athol - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam - Houseboat- Alleppey- Cochin - Chennai

Museum, Chennai

Day 01 : Arrival in Chennai
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing and acclimatising, overnight in Chennai.

Day 02 : Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Today you can explore Chennai visiting the Museum, Fort St George, St Marys Church and Kapaleeshwara Temple. You will also have time for some shopping. Late in the day, you will drive 90minutes south to Mahabalipuram and overnight here.

Day 03 : Mahabalipuram
In the morning, relax by the beach or visit some of the many tailoring establishments round town who will make you a set of clothes at a very reasonable price. Take an afternoon tour of the amazing rock cut sculptures dating back to the 7th Century in including the World Heritage listed Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance, the largest bas relief carving in the world. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 04 : Kanchipuram Excursion - Mahabalipuram
Kanchipuram is one of the 7 Sacred Cities of India. As well as housing a wealth of temples, its significance as a pilgrimage site remains to the present. Return to Mahabalipuram and overnight here.

Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram

Day 05 : Mahabalipuram - Trichy
After some more time to relax by the beach, drive through the rich agricultural heartland of Tamil Nadu to Trichy. On arrival enjoy a tour of the massive and ornate Sriranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest in Asia, and at sunset climb the 437 steps of Rock Fort for spectacular views over the city and its surrounds. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 06 : Trichy -Tanjore
After a leisurely morning, take the short drive to Tanjore, home to another World Heritage listed temple- Brihadishwara- perhaps the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. An afternoon tour here as the sun sets is truly memorable. Overnight in Tanjore.

Option - If you are interested in birdlife, you may wish to spend an extra night in Tanjore and make the 180km return journey to the Calimere Bird Sanctuary. This coastal reserve is home to huge flocks of migratory birds in the winter months (November- February).

Day 07 : Tanjore - Karaikudi
After breakfast, drive 3 hours/ 100km to the small town of Karaikudi in the Chettinad district. This area has a unique history as the seat of a small caste of merchants whose links with traders from around the world saw them produce some of the most ornate and sumptuous homes in all of south India. Explore the streets of the town and visit the extravagant Chettinad Palace. Overnight in Karaikudi.

Day 08 : Karaikudi - Cardamom House, Athol
This morning visit the hand painted tile factory near to town, and enjoy another delicious Chettinad style meal before making the drive to Cardamom House where you will overnight.

Day 09 & 10 : Cardamom House
Cardamom House is a unique and relaxed home stay established and run by a retired English doctor ably assisted by a team of locals. This is a true haven of tranquillity set in a quiet valley with wonderful views. This is a perfect place to relax, or if you are feeling energetic, take a guided walk or longer trek in the hills nearby. The bird watching here is quite remarkable with a wide variety of species found in close proximity. 2 more nights at Cardamom House.

Day 11 : Athol - Madurai
After breakfast, drive 90 minutes to Madurai. In the afternoon take in a sightseeing tour of the city including the Nayak Palace and famous Sri Meenakshi Temple. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 12 : Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Today you will leave Tamil Nadu, but not before visiting the southern most tip of the Indian subcontinent. Here the waters of the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean meet at a spot most sacred to Hindus and a major pilgrimage site.

By late afternoon, after a visit to the ornate Padmanabapuram Teak Palace, you will reach Kovalam Beach on the shore of the Lakshadweep Sea. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 13 : Kovalam
A day to indulge yourself with an Ayurvedic Massage, watch the local fishermen or just relax by the beach. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 14 : Kovalam - Houseboat
After breakfast, drive 90 minutes north to Thottapally where you will board a traditional (and private) Keralan Houseboat- your home for the next day. While on board your crew will prepare delicious meals and you can just relax and watch the world go by. Overnight on the Houseboat.

Day 15 : Houseboat - Alleppey - Cochin
Disembark your houseboat (probably reluctantly!) at Alleppey and drive north to Cochin. After time at leisure, in the evening you will have the opportunity to attend a performance of traditional Kathakali dance, by professional dancers in the comfort of an air-conditioned auditorium. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 16 : Cochin
The historic port city of Cochin is a unique blend of religious and cultural influences. Today you will have the whole day to take a tour of the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis church, the Chinese fishing nets on the harbour and more besides. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 17 : Cochin - Chennai Departure
You will have the morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Chennai. Here you will be met and transferred to your international flight for departure to your home port. This tour can also connect to any of our north India tours, or to a package in northern Kerala and Karnataka.

NOTE : Please note that this, and all other itineraries on this website, are suggested programmes only and can be modified to suit your individual needs and interests.