Classic South India Heritage Trail

Duration: 06 Nights - 07 Days
Places Covered: Chennai - Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry - Thanjavur - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kanyakumari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Chennai (Capital of Tamil Nadu)

Upon arrival in Chennai, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Later, proceed for sightseeing:

• Visit Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world
• Explore Kapaleeshwarar Temple, an exquisite example of Dravidian architecture
• Drive past Fort St. George, the first British fortress in India (optional visit)

Overnight stay in Chennai

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Day 02: Chennai → Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (160 Kms / 3-4 Hrs Approx)

Post breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO site filled with rock-cut architecture:

• Visit the ancient Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal
• Explore the Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas), monolithic rock-cut temples
• See Arjuna’s Penance, a massive open-air rock relief

Continue drive to Pondicherry (Puducherry), known for its French colonial charm.

• Walk through the French Quarter (White Town)
• Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Promenade Beach
• Evening at leisure at seaside cafés or markets

Overnight stay in Pondicherry

Day 03: Pondicherry – Thanjavur (180 km / 4.5–5 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu.

• Visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Chola architectural marvel
• Explore the Thanjavur Royal Palace & Art Gallery
• Visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library, one of Asia’s oldest libraries

Overnight stay in Thanjavur

Day 04: Thanjavur – Madurai (190 km / 4–5 hrs)

Post breakfast, drive to Madurai, the ancient city known for its temples.

• Visit the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Parvati
• Explore Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, a beautiful Indo-Saracenic palace
• Evening free to stroll in Madurai’s colorful bazaars

Overnight stay in Madurai

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Day 05: Madurai – Rameshwaram (170 km / 4 hrs)

After breakfast, head to Rameshwaram, an island town and important Hindu pilgrimage site.

• Visit the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple, famous for its 1,000+ pillar corridor
• Explore Agni Theertham, a sacred seaside bathing ghat
• Visit the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, known for its eerie beauty and mythological relevance

Overnight stay in Rameshwaram

Day 06: Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari (310 km / 6.5–7 hrs)

After early breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India.

• Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial (ferry ride)
• See the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue in the sea
• Visit the Kanyakumari Temple (Kumari Amman Temple)
• Witness the spectacular sunset at the point where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet

Overnight stay in Kanyakumari

Day 07: Departure from Trivandrum or Kanyakumari

Distance: Kanyakumari – Trivandrum (90 km / 2.5 hrs)

Morning enjoy sunrise over the ocean (optional). After breakfast, transfer to Trivandrum Airport for onward flight.
Tour concludes with wonderful memories of Tamil Nadu's spiritual, historical, and coastal richness.