Classic Tamil Nadu

TRIP | CLASSIC TAMIL NADU

Chennai (2) - Mamallapuram (1) - Pondicherry (2) - Thanjavur (2) - Karaikudi (2) - Madurai (1) - Athoor (2) - Palani Hills (2) - Chennai

Like the variably paced segments of a rapturous Carnatic song, this two-week trip offers you a string of individually distinctive experiences, but all connected to each other to form a beautiful appreciation of the unique history, religion, culture and cuisine of the Tamil people. In Chennai, witness the beginnings of an empire that came to rule India and receive an introduction to Hinduism as practised here. Travel south along the Coromandel Coast as you explore ancient kingdoms and colonies at Mamallapuram and Pondicherry.

From here you enter the soul of the Tamil country at Tanjore with its awe-inspiring 1000-year old temples, rich arts and craft. As you travel further south, stumble across 100-room early 20th century mansions, built by the prosperous Chettiars and get introduced to a surprisingly rich Tamil cuisine. Then visit one of the world’s oldest cities dating back to the dawn of the last millennium, where in the sacred halls of the Meenakshi Temple, haunting evening rituals give you a glimpse of a more ancient past.

Lastly, travel up to the hills of the Western Ghats at a plantation retreat, replete with the famous spices that brought ancient and modern adventurers to Tamil shores.

This two week trip offers you a string of individual distinctive experiences, all connected to each other to form a beautiful appreciation of the unique history, religion, culture and cuisine of the Tamil people.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
August - March

IDEAL FOR
Couples

BASICS
14-nights; road-based

PRICES START FROM
INR 104,000 per person

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO CHENNAI

Arrive into Chennai and transfer to your hotel. Make your first afternoon exploration of Chennai starting with its colonial history, beginning at the Fort St George, and other vestiges of the British Raj. Evening tea at a club or one of the garden cafes in Chennai.

DAY 2: IN CHENNAI

Today you will explore the spiritual heart of Chennai. Start early and visit the Hindu, Catholic and Islamic Quarters of Chennai. First see the magnificent Mylapore Temple and its surroundings, then the Santhome Cathedral & Luz Church (where Christianity had its roots in India), and then finally the Islamic heart of the city at the Royapettah Mosque. Have authentic South Indian vegetarian meals before heading back to your hotel. In the late afternoon, go on a self-guided shopping trip with our curated list of silk, jewellery & craft stores popular with Chennai locals.

DAY 3: DRIVE TO MAMALLAPURAM

This morning you are transferred 60 km south of Chennai to the 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas – Mamallapuram. Enroute, stop and see Dakshina Chitra, an open-air museum devoted to the architecture, livelihoods, art and craft of South India. In the afternoon, visit the UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Mamallapuram, followed by a personalised visit to a sculptors workshop where you can actually get hands-on!

DAY 4: DRIVE TO PONDICHERRY

A 2 hours scenic drive along the East Coast Road will take you to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), established by the French East India Company in the 18th century. In the afternoon, take a guided visit of the French & Tamil Quarters, as you explore the architecture, urban planning and everyday life of Pondicherry - old and new!

DAY 5: IN PONDICHERRY. VISIT AUROVILLE

In the morning, visit Auroville, the international commune built in 1968 and still attracting people from all over the world to relocate and live here. Experience Auroville through the eyes of an insider expert as they share the creativity and sustainability of this beautiful experiment in living, followed by lunch at a community-based organic food restaurant. In the evening, go on a walk along the city's beach promenade and have dinner at one of many quaint French bistros or courtyard restaurants.

DAY 6: DRIVE TO THANJAVUR VIA DARASURAM AND GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM

Early morning this day, drive south to finally reach Thanjavur in the heart of the Cauvery Delta. Your morning drive brings you with your tour expert to the smaller but magnificent UNESCO-cited Chola-era temple in the tiny village of Gangaikonda Cholapuram, 1.5 hours north of Thanjavur. The tongue-twisting name means, “The town of the Chola who conquered the Ganges”. Stop for lunch at Kumbakonam and then visit the UNESCO-cited Airavateshwara Temple, in the village of Darasuram forming the triad of Chola's building achievements. Your final stop along the north bank of the Cauvery River is at Swamimalai, a small hamlet that is home to Tamil Nadu's famous bronze sculpting tradition, where you experience the process of creating magnificent bronze idols of Hindu gods.

DAY 7: IN THANJAVUR

Thanjavur is home to the mighty Brihadeeswara Temple, built over 1000-years ago by the Chola King, Rajaraja I and is considered one of the world’s major architectural feats. Visit this temple in the morning for an unforgettable experience with your expert guide. Follow this with a visit to the Tanjore Palace, home to one of the finest collection of bronzes in the world. Have lunch at a restaurant and drop in to see and experience the fine art of Tanjore paintings at a family run workshop that has been preserving this art form for centuries.

DAY 8: DRIVE FROM TANJORE TO KARAIKUDI

Drive 2.5 hours south of Tanjore and arrive at Karaikudi – the home to the Chettiars, a community of Tamil traders. In the afternoon, take a guided visit to Karaikudi and Kanadukathan, visiting some of the palatial homes and mansions with a local Chettiar expert that gives you insights into legacy of this vibrant and prosperous community. Shop for the famous Chettinad sari at one of the local shops and also stop at a tile manufacturing unit at Athangudi.

DAY 9: IN KARAIKUDI

Today, with your local expert, stop at an Ayyanar Temple famous for its terracotta horses, then visit the artisan village where these and other terracotta images are created. Explore one of the local weekly markets called a santhai. Shop for hand spun cotton fabrics, palmyra leaf baskets, and locally-grown food produce that comes from village farms. In the afternoon, visit a wood carving workshop, the home and studio of a renowned Tanjore artist, and the kitchens of a woman entrepreneur who turns out amazing savoury snacks.

DAY 10: DRIVE TO MADURAI

Drive from Karaikudi and reach Madurai, one of the oldest cities in South Asia. In the late afternoon, go on a guided visit Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar Temple, built to its current form in the 15th century AD. Also explore the markets of Old Madurai around the main temple.

DAY 11: MADURAI TO ATHOOR

Today you travel north-west of Madurai to Athoor. Located just over an hour’s drive from Madurai, Athoor is a small village in the foothills of the Palani Range. Spend 2-nights here experiencing the way of life that is pure Tamilnadu - an agrarian village community.

DAY 12: IN ATHOOR

Enjoy the delicious food at your farm stay, great village and countryside walks.

DAY 13: ATHOOR TO PALANI HILLS

From the foothills, travel further up to Palani Hills, a spur of the mighty Western Ghats that run north-south in India. Weather is pleasant throughout the year with temperature hovering around 23 degree. Stay on a coffee estate, tucked far away from the maddening crowd, where you can find orange, pepper, banana, avocado, jackfruit and pomegranate groves.