Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Chennai, India
A whirlwind on the south-east coast, Chennai is one of India’s most spectacular cities, reclining for miles along the golden sands of Marina Beach. Haggle over a fine-silk kurta (the traditional collarless shirt) in Pondy Bazaar or tour the city’s wealth of Dravidian temples and Raj relics. See the Bay of Bengal, visit Geore’s marketplace and Shiva Temple, or beat a tasty trail through the city’s hectic streets where vendors ladle out bowls of punchy idli sambar – steamed savory cakes in a lentil stew – and serve vada fritters straight from the fryer.
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2 Chennai – Fast-Paced Gateway To Tamil Nadu
Embark on a tour of Chennai’s historic sights: discover Fort St George, built in 1640 as the first British fortress in India, now home to a remarkable collection of Raj memorabilia; the National Museum and Art Gallery, replete with impressive bronze art from the ancient Chola Empire; and the peaceful Santhome Cathedral, said to be the burial place of St Thomas the Apostle. Pause at the vibrant Mylapore Temple, then finish at St. Mary’s Church.
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3 Pondicherry – Exploring Ancient Mahabalipuram
Travel south from Chennai to Mahabalipuram, once a thriving coastal port. Trace the lines of traditional South Indian architecture in its ancient temples and stone reliefs. Stand before the Five Rathas, a cluster of monolithic shrines and animal figures shaped from single granite boulder, listen to the breakers at the Shore Temple and pause at the immense rock-cut fresco. Continue on to the former French colonial bastion of Pondicherry.
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4 Pondicherry – French Flair Meets The Tamil Spirit
Pondicherry was under French rule until 1954, a history savored in the fragrant bakeries of the White Town and seen in the grand, European-style hotels festooned with bougainvillea. Take in The French Institute’s rare book collection, the Botanical Gardens and the Pondicherry Museum, with its Franco-Indian sculptures and paintings. After a visit to Goubert market in Pondicherry's Tamil quarter to hand-pick your vegetables, hotel Palais de Mahe's head chef will demonstrate their culinary skills before teaching you how to cook signature dishes such as vendakai masala (okra stew) or South-style kozhambu (fish curry).
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5 Pondicherry – Utopian Enclave Of Auroville
This morning, visit Auroville, an experimental, New Age community that attracts devotees from over 45 nations who come to follow the teachings of “The Mother.” Gaze upon the vast and spectacular Matrimandir hall, a huge golden globe used as a meditation center and tour the utopian community for a deeper understanding of its colorful bohemian residents, 60% of whom are internationals.
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6 Trichy – Chidambaram And Nataraja Temple
On the way to Trichy, stop in Chidambaram, a beautiful town full of historical treasures. One of its highlights is the 10th-century Nataraja Temple, famed for its bronze and bejeweled dancing Shiva. Learn about this mammoth architectural feat, and how the temple was designed to mirror different parts of the spiritual body and observe the daily Brahmin rituals. Continue on to Trichy (also known as Tiruchirappalli), set on the banks of the Cauvery River in the heart of Tamil Nadu.
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7 Trichy – Ancient Capital Of Thanjavur
Embark on a day trip to Thanjavur (formerly Tanjore), ancient capital of the Cholas. A highlight of any journey through the south, the centuries-old, UNESCO-listed temples and maze-like palaces are some of the finest anywhere in India, some of them still busy places of Hindu worship. Take time to admire the ornately frescoed walls and countless carvings and inscriptions: designs that would become a benchmark for Hindu architecture all over southern Asia. This afternoon return to Trichy and continue on the temple trail, exploring the massive Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, home to 49 separate shrines, and the Rock Fort Temple perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city.
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8 Madurai – A Taste Of Tamil Country
En route to Madurai, pause in Chettinad, a region renowned for its cuisine, crafts, architecture and stunning temples. Start your guided tour with a classic Tamil lunch followed by a visit to a tile factory and a weaving center where wonderfully soft cotton saris are crafted. Continue on to the colorful towers of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, and the bustling modern town that surrounds it, as your guide reveals the history and mythology of the city and its fascinating links with the Roman Empire.
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9 Madurai – The Sacred Soul Of Tamil Nadu
For over 2,000 years, Madurai has danced on the banks of the Vaigai River, the sacred soul of Tamil Nadu and a grand seat of learning. One of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, it is both a cradle of the Tamil language and a metropolis of devotion. Visit the vivid-hued Meenakshi Amman Temple for a puja ceremony, in which an idol of Shiva is carried in a colorful musical procession from the temple sanctum to a shrine to the goddess Meenakshi.
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10 Depart Chennai
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