Unforgettable Tamil Unique Tour Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights Destination Cover: Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Pondicherry/ Chidambaram / Tanjore / Trichy/ Tiruchirappalli/ Madurai/ Kanniyakumari / Chennai

Tamil Nadu is a land of temples, beaches and the fascinating sea that covers a vast coastline of the State. Touring Tamil Nadu is no less then being in Paradise where every destination is delightful and has lot of natural beauties to offer.

Day 1 - Chennai Arrival

Highlights:

• Arrival to Chennai.
• Luncheon party at the Hotel.
• Sightseeing of Chennai.
• Watch the Sunset at Marina Beach.

Morning is arrival to the Chennai International Airport where our guides receive you and then drive you to the hotel. Here, in hotel, you are given a grand reception followed with puja and aarti. The reception then manifests itself in the form of a luncheon party that is made complete with sumptuous cuisines. We then take you for sightseeing of Chennai that includes Fort St. George and Marina Beach. The rest of the sightseeing of Chennai is kept for the next day. Fort St. George houses St Mary's Church and Fort Museum. Watch out for the tombstones in the courtyard of Saint Mary's Church as they are the oldest Bristish tombstones in India. On visiting the Museum of the Fort you find that the ramparts of the museum decorated with Tipu Sultan's Cannons. Also observe minutely the exhibits of Weapons, Uniforms, Coins, Costumes, Medals and other artifacts dating back to the British period. We then drive you to Marina Beach in the evening. It is absolutely mesmerizing to see the Sunset at the horizon in the Sea. Spend some time with the ebullient waves of the Sea and then we return back to the hotel for the night's stay.

Day 2 - Chennai Sightseeing

Highlights:

• Sightseeing of Chennai.
• Visit to San Thome Basilica.
• Visit to Elliots Beach.
• Seeing the Light House of Chennai.

Morning wake with a hot bed tea. This day is kept for sightseeing of Chennai so get yourself ready for the outing. We start our sightseeing with visit to San Thome Basilica. Here, notice the beautiful stained glass window and wooden plaques at the Central Hall as they reminisces the life of Christ. The statue of mother Mary here is brought from Portugal. We then take you to the Theosophical Society where you also get to see the Adyar Banyan Tree – the largest tree in World. We then drive you to Valluvar Kottam – a monument built in memory of the poet - saint Tiruvalluvar. Enter the auditorium here as it is the largest in Asia. We then continue drive to Gandhi Memorial followed by Kala Kshetra famous for revitalizing Bharat Natyam Dance forms and then to Mylapore Temple.
After lunch, we take you to Elliots Beach where you also get to see the Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple. The Light house of Chennai is also very famous and we visit this place in the evening. We then return back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 3 - Chennai – Mahabalipuram

Highlights:

• Drive to Mahabalipuram.
• Sightseeing of Beaches.
• Stay at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.

Morning we drive you to Mahabalipuram and explore the City with a half day tour of the city. On arrival to Mahabalipuram, check into the hotel and then we set out for viewing the beautiful temples of the City. Arjuna's Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Five Rathas and Beaches are inexplicably the best sights of Mahabalipuram. Krishna Mandapam and the Rathas are cut out of rocks. So, watch out for the intricate rock cuttings of the structures. Later, in the evening, we take you to the Mahabalipuram beach to spend the evening in this exotic beach. Then return back to hotel and retire to your room after a delicious dinner.

Day 4 - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

Highlights:

• Tour to Beaches of Mahabalipuram.
• Drive to Pondicherry.
• Stay at the hotel in Pondicherry.
• Boat cruise in the Chunnambur Water Sport Centre.

Morning, we once again take you to the beaches of Mahabalipuram where you can involve yourself in snorkeling, swimming and other water sports. Then return back to the hotel and enjoy the lunch. Get yourself ready for now we are going to take you to Pondicherry. As we drive ourselves to Pondicherry watch out for the beautiful molding of the plains and valleys of the region. The scenic natural beauty is absolutely spell-binding.On arrival to Pondicherry, check into the hotel. Rest for a while and then we take you to Pondicherry Museum. In this museum, scan for the Chola bronzes and sculptures, glimpses of French Heritage, specimens of Modern and Traditional Handicraft, Paintings and Armouries. We then take you for a boat cruise in the Chunnambur Water Sport Centre. Later, return back to the hotel for the night's rest.

Day 5 - Pondicherry - Chidambaram – Tanjore

Highlights:

• Drive to Auroville Ashram.
• Meditation in the Ashram.
• Drive to Thirukameswarer Temple.
• Drive to Tanjore en-routing Chidanbaram.

Wake up very early in the morning as we are going to take you to Auroville Ashram. Meditate in the Ashram and then we take you to the Botanical Garden that preserves a wide variety of exotic species. We then continue drive to Thirukameswarar temple and later to the mansion of Ananda Rangapillai. After lunch, we drive to Tanjore and on the way we en-route Chidambaram also known as Thillai. The Nataraja Temple covered with its golden plates is famous here. We then continue drive to Tanjore. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Day 6 - Tanjore - Trichy

Highlights:

• Brahadeswara Temple Visit.
• Photography in Temples.
• Shopping in Tanjore.
• Drive to Trichy.
• Cultural Programme in the hotel.

Morning, after breakfast, we take you to Brahadeswara temple. Watch the temple tower that rises up to a height of 15 mts. The carvings and paintings of the temple is also very beautifully done and so it would be very nice if you indulge yourself in photography in the temple. We then take you for shopping in Tanjore. Buy the Thanjavoor Paintings as Tanjore is very famous for it. After lunch, we drive you to Trichy. On arrival, we check into the hotel. A cultural programme follows in the hotel and this is followed by a very sumptuous dinner. Overnight is in the hotel.

Day 7 - Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Sightseeing

Highlights:

• Visit to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple.
• Visit the Jambukeshwara Temple.
• Drive to Virmalai Sanctuary.

Morning after breakfast we take you to Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Walk in the sprawling campus of the temple and feel the imposing spirituality everywhere in the temple. We then take you to Jambukeshwara Temple. Watch out for the natural spring underneath the partially submerged Shiva Linga in the water. We then take you to Rock fort temple – a landmark of city of Trichy. The temple being 83 mts high can be easily spotted from any place in Trichy. Climb 344 steps in order to reach the temple.
Then, after lunch, we drive to Virmalai Sanctuary. Spot peacocks and capture pictures of them. Another attraction of the Sanctuary is the Murugan Temple within the Sanctuary. Later return back to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8 - Trichy - Madurai

Highlights:

• Drive to Madurai.
• Visit to Gandhi Museum.
• Shopping in Madurai.
• Visit to Thirupparankunram Temple.
• Night's Rest at the hotel.

After breakfast in the morning, we drive you to Madurai. On arrival, check into hotel. Have your lunch and rest for a while. We then take you to Gandhi Museum that is famous for its gallery of Khadi and Village industries. We then take you for shopping in Madurai. Pick the famous Brass Lamp of Madurai. In the evening, we take you to Thirupparankunram Temple to watch the rituals that are performed in the evening. It is absolutely enthralling to watch the temple ceremonies and the worshiping of the Gods in the temple. Later return back to the hotel for the night's rest.

Day 9 - Madurai - Kanniyakumari

Highlights:

• Morning is Sightseeing of Madurai.
• Visit to Meenakshi Temple.
• Tour of Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank.
• Sound and Light Programme at Thirumalai Nayak Palace.

Morning after breakfast, we start sightseeing of Madurai. We start by paying a visit to Meenakshi Temple. This is Madurai's most important landmark and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Watch out for the 33 million carvings in the temple as this temple is known to have the best architecture. We then take you to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank – a huge 300 m by 285 m tank. This place is known to held the famous Teppam Float Festival. We then continue drive to Thirumalai Nayak Palace where a sound and light programme is enchanting. After the show, we start for a drive to Kanniyakumari in the evening and reach Kanniyakumari the next morning.

Day 10 - Kanniyakumari - Chennai

Highlights:

• Morning Arrive to Kanniyakumari.
• Visit to the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Meditate on the Rock where Vivekananda Meditated.
• Board the Train that takes you to Chennai.

On arrival to 'Kanniyakumari – the tip of South India' in the morning, we check into the hotel. Henceforth, we start sightseeing of Kanniyakumari. We start with sightseeing of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial where still some ashes of Gandhiji remains and is kept in an urn. Our next trip is to the rock memorial where Swami Vivekananda is known to have meditated before attending the parliament of religions in Chicago. Try out yourself to meditate on the same place. We also drive you to Sri Sthanumalayan Temple at Suchindrum where the old Roman stone-inscriptions and 2000 year old sacred tree are the main attractions. We then take you to Udayagiri Fort - a fort of about 90 acres land area where the East India Company troops were stationed in 19th century. Watch the fort from close quarters and from here we take to see Mathur Hanging Bridge. Return to the hotel for lunch. Then check out of the hotel and board the train that takes you to Chennai. Overnight is onboard the train.

Day 11 - Chennai - Onwards

Highlights:

• Drive to Marina Beach.
• Sun Bath on the Beach.
• Water Sports on Beaches.
• Fly to Onward Destination.

Morning on arrival to Chennai, we check into the Hotel. We then take you to Marina Beach in Chennai. Spend some time in the sands of the beach. Have Sun bath and enjoy yourself with fascinating water sports. Then return back to the hotel for a sumptuous lunch. We then drive you to the airport where a flight takes you to your onward destination.

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The ‘Unforgettable Tamil’ presents the best of Southern India to you together with the enchanting experience of seas, holy temples and picturesque Valleys. The tour is designed in a way so as to give you maximum time to explore the beauty of south while sparing the nights for your relaxation. A number of world heritage monuments are included in the itinerary to add a touch of inspiration to your holiday. A wide range of watersport facilities are also provided so that you don’t have to compromise. Some of the Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu doesn’t allow foreigners to enter into the sanctum sanctorum. In that case, tourists can go for our second alternative - shopping. A midnight barbeque is also organized on the chaste sands of beaches of Tamil Nadu where you can enjoy your hearts out under the vast canopy of Indian stars. I was in India on assignment and alone. Being away from home led to homesickness to start with but I decided to do something about it. I decided to backpack whenever I had the chance. For a few weeks I diligently visited one Indian metro after another till I was pining for a unique weekend getaway. An invitation from my Indian colleague, Mr. Anand Shivnarayan to Andaman was revealing! Since we didn’t had enough time, we went with Shubhyatra’s ‘Unforgettable Tamil Tour’. Mahabalipuram was amazing! I also picked up two handcrafted Sal wood horses and a pair of bronze earrings from the government Emporia. To my despair, I was not allowed to enter some temples in Madhurai, and kicked that afternoon on a boat with the local fishermen, also arranged by our guide ‘Mahali’. A visit to Auroville Ashram in Pondicherry was rejuvenating as I spend most of the time there meditating amidst the green gardens of the Ashram. And of course, a visit to the marina beach in Chennai left an indelible impression on me as I truly believe this beach to be one of the best beaches of the world. Besides, the midnight barbecue on the moonlit shores of beaches of Tamil Nadu was an awesome experience. Before completing, I can only say that the trip to South India with Shubhyatra was indeed unforgettable and refreshing... Michael Ranganathan, California. » Exotic Rajasthan & The Taj A memorable journey to the Monument of Love through the pristine sands and beautiful gateways of Rajasthan. Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 599 » Heritage Rajasthan Tour A journey to the heart of Rajasthan. Heritages that are equally antique and interesting will take you to the forgotten chapters of hisory. Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 899 » Wildlife Safari Tour An exotic safari to the dark jungles of India, where you can have a spine-chilling experience of seeing tigers hunt before your peeled eyes! Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 799 » Glorious Kerala Get into an exhilarating ride on Kerala backwaters blended perfectly with the adventure of Periyar jungles for a thrill-pack holiday. Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 399 » Southern Splendours Get an out of the world experience in Tamil Nadu, the land of ornately sculptured temples and rich culture, and Kerala, where swaying palm trees take you to a dreamland of snake boats. Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 899 » Unforgettable South & Beaches Live life at Goa beaches, chase your dreams in the temples of Tamil Nadu and lose yourself in the spine-chilling jungles of Kerala with the unforgettable South tour. Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights Price Starts From: US$ 999 Get More Tours...