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Temple Trail : 6 Days Exploring Tamilnadu Temples

  • Mamallapuram 1 night
  • Pondicherry 1 night
  • Tanjavur 1 night
  • Madurai 2 nights
  • Tour Itinerary
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Indus Holidays Best Seller
Suitable for

Families / Groups

Duration

5 Nights 6 Days

Category

Temple / Heritage

Package type

Customisable

The Temple Trail is a short trip which captures the rich and varied highlights of Tamil Nadu in a fascinating tour. The holiday will showcase temples, ancient arts, local life and a carefully protected culture in a fashion that will inspire, educate and entertain.

Starting from

20000

/person

Experience Highlights

  • Temple
  • Architecture
  • UNESCO Site
  • Experience the architectural marvel of the temple at Madurai and the town's jasmine scented by-lanes
  • Cover 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites on your tour: Legendary Stone carving sites at Mahabalipuram and the great living Chola temple sites
  • Appreciate the ancient Chola art of bronze casting used to make the beautiful Hindu idols
  • 'The City of Dawn', Auroville, will introduce you to a unique concept of global community living
  • Visit to 8 famous temples and cultural centres including the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world at Trichy

A little Extra

Join Indus plus

Join Indus plus to enjoy all these benefits and more. Sounds good? More

For Indus guests

Free room upgrades at select stays

Booked by 150 travellers in 2021

Tour Summary

  • 6 Days
  • 5 Destinations
  • Short daily travel
  • Day 1 - Chennai - Mamallapuram
  • Day 2 - Mamallapuram - Pondicherry
  • Day 3 - Pondicherry - Tanjavur
  • Day 4 - Tanjavur - Madurai
  • Day 5 - Explore Madurai
  • Day 6 - Departure from Madurai

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

  • Chennai to Mamallapuram
  • 1 hr
  • 60 kms

Touch down at Chennai - the gateway to South India, where you will be met by our friendly representative. Take a quick orientation tour as you discover Chennai's neighbourhoods and its role as a keeper of South Indian tradition.

  • Take a peek into colonial Madras though its majestic buildings starting with the excellent British-built Government Museum which is noted for its Chola Bronze Gallery.
  • The neo-gothic style San Thome Cathedral and majestic colonial Fort St George are great remnants of the past.
  • Later in the day, walk through the beat and pulse of the bustling Mylapore to discover various customs of the Tamils. If possible visit the impressive Kapaleeshwarar temple, with its rainbow-coloured gopuram and pillared mandapas.
  • Evening, head to Mamallapuram and relax at your resort.
  • Do consider dinner with a view at one of the famous seafood hang-outs by the beach side (payable locally).

Stay at Mamallapuram

Grande Bay Resort

(See our stay selections)

Grande Studio

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Most monuments in Mahabalipuram are monolithic, i.e. carved out of single rock.

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Mahabalipuram

View more tips

 

 

Activity Add-ons

Day 2

  • Mamallapuram to Pondicherry
  • 2 hrs
  • 100 kms

We start today's tour after a lovely breakfast in your hotel. Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) is an enclave of seafood, sun and sand. The town is famous for its ancient rock carvings and is still the best place to see artisans chip away at exquisite sculptures in stone.

  • Experience seekers and history buffs will find heaven at Mamallapuram experiencing Pallava stone work at the UNESCO Heritage Sites.
  • Explore the magnificence of Pallava architecture at the 3 monuments: Shore temple (magnificent ruins of a dual shrine), Arjuna's Penance (bas relief on the face of a huge rock) and the Panch Rathas.
  • The stunning work carved on living rock around 1200 years ago show scenes of everyday life.
  • Next, we head to the French quartet of Pondicherry. The unmistakable and charmingly distinct European feel of Pondicherry makes for an excellent outing.
  • Visit Auroville township, home to an international community (from 43 nations) dedicated to peace and sustainable living.
  • Spend today evening exploring the French colonial town especially the seafront promenade, white mustard buildings and heritage of white town. Relax at your hotel for the night.

Stay at Pondicherry

Anandha Inn

(See our stay selections)

Superior Room

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Did you know that Pondicherry's Independence day is on August 16?

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Pondicherry

View more tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Add-ons

Day 3

  • Pondicherry to Thanjavur
  • 4.5 hrs
  • 220 kms

Today we drive into the present-day rice bowl of Tamilnadu - Thanjavur which has a fascinating past to showcase. We touch upon the grand work of the Chola Empire as the day pans out.

  • Enroute Thanjavur, stop by Kumbakonam.
  • Your first stop, Gangaikonda Cholapuram - 'City of the Chola who Conquered the Ganges', is steeped in the empire's mighty history despite being in ruins today.
  • The smaller but more intricately carved temple at Darasuram was conceptualised as a chariot with wheels. The glories of the Cholas still live in these world heritage temples.
  • Later today head to Thanjavur, the ancient capital of the Chola Kings and important centre of South Indian art. The Tanjore school of painting is famous for depicting Lord Krishna in white.
  • Once at Thanjavur, explore the Brihadishwara Temple: 'Big temple' with the largest temple tower.
  • By far the most spectacular of Chola temples, the Brihadishwara is capped by a monolithic 80 ton cupola made of a single granite rock. The temple also houses one of Asia's largest stone Nandi (bull) statues.
  • Curiously the temple architecture is such that at any time of the day, it never creates a shadow on the ground.
  • Relax for the night at your resort.

Stay at Tanjavur

Sangam Hotel

(See our stay selections)

Executive Room

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Thanjavur is the present day rice bowl of Tamilnadu

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Thanjavur

View more tips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity Add-ons

Day 4

  • Thanjavur to Madurai
  • 3.5 hrs
  • 200 kms

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and by 9 am we begin our journey to Madurai via Trichy the erstwhile citadel of the Pallava kings

  • Explore the Royal Palace in Thanjavur (Optional).
  • The royal palace preserves memories of many powerful dynasties. The Saraswati Mahal Library Museum houses over 30000 Indian and European manuscripts. The Art Gallery contains a collection of superb Chola bronzes and stone carvings.
  • Head to Trichy to visit Ranganathaswamy temple, the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.
  • With an area of 160 acres, this reclining Vishnu shrine which has 21 towers and fifty shrines looks more like a self-enclosed city! This temple also features a hall of thousand pillars with sculptures of riders on horses.
  • The Rockfort temple is also an attraction in Trichy.
  • There are close to 600 steps to climb to reach the top with multiple shrines and caves along the way. The top will give you a beautiful aerial view of Trichy
  • On arrival at Madurai, check-in to the resort and relax for the night.

Stay at Madurai

Star Regency

(See our stay selections)

Deluxe Room

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Madurai is particularly famous for cotton fabric, hand-woven silk, bronze work and stone carvings.

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Madurai

View more tips

    If you are interested in seeing Indian temple rituals, then don't miss the night ceremony here. The bronze of lord Shiva is brought on a chariot to his wife Meenakshi's bed chamber amidst much chanting, drums, horns and gathering of devotees. An absolute must-see!

    Hand loom textiles can be purchased from Puthu Mandapam. Kumaran Silks and Alankar Textiles are famous for sarees. To buy handicrafts, Government Poompuhar Handicrafts Shop , Khadi Gramayog Bhavan and Cottage Arts Emporium are the best places in Madurai.

Activity Add-ons

Day 5

  • Explore Madurai
  • Full Day
  • In Town

Today we explore of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai. An ancient centre of Tamil Knowledge, centre of power of many dynasties and the seat of divinity from time immemorial, The main attraction here is Meeakshi temple, the abode of fish eyed Goddess. The imposing 15-acre temple complex ornate by gateway towers with exquisitely multi-coloured images of gods, demons and mythical figures is an architectural marvel.

  • Start with the famous Meenakshi temple, which is an architectural marvel.
  • Enter through the busy eastern entrance (a lot of craft shops here) and move on to see the 1000 pillar hall (Ayiramkal mandapam) sculpted with life size ornamented figures.
  • After Darshan, spend time at the massive temple tank and leave the temple through the hall with magnificently painted ceilings.
  • Consider visiting the famous Tirumala Nayak Palace, the 17th century palace of Tirumalai Nayak.
  • Also spend time at the Gandhi museum which presents detailed accounts of the Indian freedom struggle and has rare Gandhi memorabilia.
  • Relax for the night at your hotel.

 

Stay at Madurai

Star Regency

(See our stay selections)

Deluxe Room

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Madurai is particularly famous for cotton fabric, hand-woven silk, bronze work and stone carvings.

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Madurai

View more tips

    If you are interested in seeing Indian temple rituals, then don't miss the night ceremony here. The bronze of lord Shiva is brought on a chariot to his wife Meenakshi's bed chamber amidst much chanting, drums, horns and gathering of devotees. An absolute must-see!

    Hand loom textiles can be purchased from Puthu Mandapam. Kumaran Silks and Alankar Textiles are famous for sarees. To buy handicrafts, Government Poompuhar Handicrafts Shop , Khadi Gramayog Bhavan and Cottage Arts Emporium are the best places in Madurai.

Activity Add-ons

Day 6

  • Departure from Madurai
  • Full Day
  • In Town

Have an enjoyable breakfast and head back to Madurai. We will drop you at the airport/railway station for your flight/train back home with memories to last for a lifetime.

Departure from Madurai

Insider Tips by Indus Indus Holidays

Madurai is particularly famous for cotton fabric, hand-woven silk, bronze work and stone carvings.

All such local insider tips is here: Local's guide to Madurai

View more tips

    If you are interested in seeing Indian temple rituals, then don't miss the night ceremony here. The bronze of lord Shiva is brought on a chariot to his wife Meenakshi's bed chamber amidst much chanting, drums, horns and gathering of devotees. An absolute must-see!

    Hand loom textiles can be purchased from Puthu Mandapam. Kumaran Silks and Alankar Textiles are famous for sarees. To buy handicrafts, Government Poompuhar Handicrafts Shop , Khadi Gramayog Bhavan and Cottage Arts Emporium are the best places in Madurai.

Activity Add-ons

Offers & Packages

Liked this itinerary? Let us have a friendly chat to find out how we can help

  • Mamallapuram 1 night
  • Pondicherry 1 night
  • Tanjavur 1 night
  • Madurai 2 nights

5 Nights Deluxe Package

Starting From

20000 / person

These are indicative Rates (per person). Subject to variation based on choice of stay, group size, activities, dates, routes, transportation and other price hikes.

5 Nights Luxury Package

Starting From

27000 / person

These are indicative Rates (per person). Subject to variation based on choice of stay, group size, activities, dates, routes, transportation and other price hikes.

5 Nights Premium Package

Starting From

34000 / person

These are indicative Rates (per person). Subject to variation based on choice of stay, group size, activities, dates, routes, transportation and other price hikes.

5 Nights Standard Package (For Groups)

Starting From

15000 / person

These are indicative Rates (per person). Subject to variation based on choice of stay, group size, activities, dates, routes, transportation and other price hikes.

We handle each booking individually to get best possible prices and inclusions. This means our negotiating power can often lower prices or get more inclusions than indicated here. Give us a try!

Route map

Talk to an Expert

Prasanth Madhavan

Prasanth has planned 1100+ holidays to Kerala.
Take his friendly advice for a memorable trip.

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Q & A for Temple Trail (5 Nights) by Indus Holidays

Can I customise my itinerary with a few stays of my choice?

Answered by Prasanth Madhavan

Definitely! As we specialise in customised holiday planning to Kerala & South India for the last 20 years, we can offer almost any stay option. We have long-standing direct relationships with resorts, homestays & hotels in this region which allow us to deliver privilege services at unbeatable rates.

If you want to change the stay options in our offers, your trip designer will work with you till you are happy with the package. More importantly, our experts give you unbiased insights and highlights of each stay option from direct experience to help you make better choices.

What is the holiday booking procedure?

Answered by Resmi Kakkat

You can submit an enquiry here anytime or contact our destination experts directly. One of Indus’ Trip Designers will call you back to understand your requirement and will make an offer within 2 hours. Our experts will also make suitable recommendations on stay options, day activities, itinerary options and transportation to assist you further in customising the holiday to your requirements. Once it is perfect, send a confirmation and we will take care of the rest.

What are the payment options you offer?

Answered by Goldin Syriac

We offer all major payment options including credit cards , debit cards , wire transfer, net banking and UPI. Service charges from the bank may be applicable on select payment methods.

Can my driver speak hindi? Do you offer taxi services only?

Answered by Divya Hrishikesh

Yes, our transportation team carefully chooses and trains our driver partners to deliver the high touch experiences we offer. They are highly co-operative, friendly and can speak in hindi and English. You will also find our cabs to be well maintained, safe and reliable.

When you book hotels, activities and taxi together with Indus, we will be able to offer you a better overall deal than what you get directly. Also you get the added benefit of Indus’ responsive customer relations team for on-tour support. So, currently our trained drivers are available only for our package customers.