South India Cultural Tour

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Chennai, is a journey to timeless India, a kaleidoscope of moods. Rich in the treasure of history, from temples and shrines to forts and palaces, the landscape of the past lives easily with the present. Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu This gateway to the South is about 350 yrs old. Chennai is ever growing, changing and pulsating with new activities.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Chennai visiting museumto see the Art and Bronze Gallery (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays), Fort St. George Museum Marina Beach, Santhome Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : Chennai - Tirupathi - Chennai by surface (152 kms one way)
After breakfast proceed for same day excursion to Tirupathi. Tirupathi is considered the richest temple in this part of the globe. The Balaji Temple is visited by millions of devotees from all over the world throughout the year. Facilities to enable them to have a darshan (viewing the idol) are very well organized. A common sight here is of thousand heads, as many as devotees feel this is a must before entering the temple portals. On the first day of the year,hundreds of thousands of devotees flock here for an annual festival. Evening darshan at the temple.
Return to Chennai for overnight stay.

Day 03 : Chennai - Mahabaipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai by surface (152 kms)
After breakfast proceed for excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. The former was the main port of the Pallava Dynasty and has exquisite rock-cut monuments, monolithic structures and bas-reliefs. It is also beach resort, Kanchipuram, the Golden City was one of the seven sacred cities of India and once had 1000 temples. Now only 200 remains. It is also famed for it’s hand-woven cottons and Kanjvaram silk.
Return to Chennai for overnight stay.

Day 04 : Chennai - Madurai by flight
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Madurai. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Once the capital of Pandyas Madurai is today the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the Meenakshi Temple with its towering gopurams and rare sculptures.

Afternoon proceed for half day city tour visiting the Great Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo sacracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes and arches ,the Pazhamudir Solai Temple, and the Kallazhagar Koil. Overnight at the hotel

Day 05 : Madurai- Chennai by flight
In time transfer to airport to connect flight for Chennai.

Day 06 : Depart Chennai
In time transfer to board flight for Delhi.

End of the programme. Check-in and check-out time is 12 noon at all hotels.