Programme:

Day 01: Arrival at Chennai

After arrival at the Chennai airport, transfer to the hotel and accommodation. In the afternoon, a half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai and visit to the San Thomas Basilica build in the 16^th century over the grave of Apostle Saint Thomas. Then you will see the Marina Beach - India’s longest urban beach, Aringar Anna Zoological Park – the 1^st public zoo in India, Big Mosque or Muttukadu Lake. Overnight.  

Day 02: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (150 km/4 hrs drive)

After breakfast, a drive to Mahabalipuram. Pass through the Kanchipuram, a significant pilgrim site for followers of Vishnuism and Shaivism and one of the holiest cities of the whole subcontinent. You will see various temples such as Ekambareswarar Temple or Kailasanathar Temple etc. At the same time, you will have opportunity to choose one of the famous local saris which made Kanchipuram famous across the whole of India. In the afternoon, a transfer to Mahabalipuram and overnight.

Day 03: Mahabalipuram

After breakfast, a visit of the “city of stonemasons” Mahabalipuram, which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around the whole city you will find many temples, monoliths, stone chariots and decorated caves. Visit to the Shore Temple built in the 8^th century which is considered as the oldest stone temple in South India, famous bas-reliefs Krishna Mandapa or Arjuna's Penance, Tiger's Cave built by Pallava rulers or Crocodile Bank Trust. Optional swimming at the local sandy beaches. Overnight.

Day 04: Mahabalipuram - Puducherry (100 km/3 hrs)

After breakfast, a drive to Puducherry (Pondicherry) - an Indian union territory and former capital of French India. Visit to the utopic Auroville City - a Universal Town founded by Sri Aurobindo Society which brings people of different countries, religions and beliefs together. Then visit to the Aurobindo Ashram open for meditation, Light House Beach, Nehru Street, Botanical Garden or Vanniya Perumal Temple. Overnight.

Day 05: Puducherry - Gangaikondacholapuram - Darasuram - Thanjavur (200 km/4 hrs)

After breakfast, a visit of the unique temple in Gangaikondacholapuram built in the 11^th century by King Rajendra I. Its dominant feature is the 55 m-tall pyramid tower and also the biggest Shiva Lingam in all south Indian temples. Then a drive to Darasuram, a town known for its Airavatesvara temple (UNESCO) dedicated to Lord Shiva and constructed by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12^th century. In the evening, arrival in Thanjavur and overnight.

Day 06: Thanjavur - Tiruchirappalli (57km/1 hrs)

After breakfast, you will explore the “Rice Bowl” of Tamilnadu, city Thanjavur. Visit the Brihadeeswarar temple (UNESCO) or Royal Palace with beautifully decorated Durbar Hall or museum with the unique collection of Chola bronze statues. In the afternoon, drive to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) and overnight.

Day 07: Tiruchirappalli - Rameshwaram (228 km/4 hrs)

After breakfast get ready for the Tiruchirappalli tour, where you will visit one of the most impressive temple complexes in South India and a holy place of Vishnuism – the vast Ranganathaswamy Temple which is surrounded with huge pyramid towers. Then you will climb to hoary Rock Fort temple with a beautiful view of the city or visit the Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Drive to Rameswaram and overnight.

Day 08: Rameswaram - Kanyakumari (309 km/5 hrs)

After breakfast, transfer to the Pamban Island which is only 20 km away from Sri Lanka. Set foot in the most divine sand and get rid of all your sins by visiting the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple and swim in its 22 holy theerthams (basins). You will not miss even the interesting Ganhamadana Parvatam Temple with Rama´s footprints and science wonder “swimming stones” or Dhanushkodi Beach Point with the view of “Adam´s Bridge”.  Then drive to Kanyakumari and overnight.

Day 09: Kanyakumari - Madurai (245 km/4 hrs)

Breakfast. City Kanyakumari lying on the southernmost promontory of India is attractive for Hindu pilgrims and tourists as well. Watching of sunrise or sunset from the point where the waters of Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal meet one another is a very romantic moment. You will get a boat to visit two small holy islands with huge Thiruvalluvar effigy, adventurous Vivekananda rock and serene Kumari Amman temple. After this drive to Madurai and overnight.

Day 10: Madurai - Coimbatore (213 km/5 hrs)

After breakfast, a visit to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in South India and lying on the banks of River Vaigai. Pearl of this “temple city” is the vast Meenakshi Temple of which towers are decorated with hundreds of colourful mythological figures. Almost constant rituals and processions spread to the surrounding streets also complete this extraordinary atmosphere. Visit to Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, a palace built in the 17^th century in Dravidian and Islamic architecture styles, or famous markets with fabrics, jewels and many other handicrafts. Drive to Coimbatore and overnight.

Day 11: Coimbatore

After breakfast and a short visit to Coimbatore, a drive to hill station Ooty (Udhagamandalam) lying in a heart of Nilgiri Hills. Hillsides covered by tea plantations, green hills with its forests and meadows attract tourist from around the whole world. In Ooty you can find interesting colonial buildings, a botanical garden or St. Stephen’s Church. Overnight.

Day 12: Ooty – Mettupalayam - Coimbatore

After breakfast you will have an opportunity to take a ride in famous narrow-gauge Nilgiri Blue Mountain Railway (UNESCO), nicknamed the “Toy train”, which is the last operating steam railway in South Asia. The views from this unique railway which climbs over the hills, passes 16 tunnels and 19 bridges are really fantastic. The “Toy Train” finishes in Mettupalayam station from where you will continue back to Coimbatore to get a night sleeper train to Chennai.    

Day 13: Chennai

In the morning, an arrival to Chennai. Completion of Chennai sightseeing, shopping activities in a local market or another optional programme according to your wishes. Transfer to the airport and departure.