Mumbai with Tamil Nadu Tour

Morning buffet breakfast at hotel, Later excursion to Elephanta Caves - The island was the capital of powerful coastal kingdom and the excavation of the caves from the 6th century hints at the glory of the kingdom. Centuries later, when the Portuguese took possession of the island, they named it after a monolith of an elephant, which they had found there.

After supper transfer airport to board flight for Chennai.

Leave Mumbai by Jet Airways flight 9W 487 at 2020 hrs.

Arrive Chennai at 2200 hrs. Meet and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel.

Formerly Madras is now Chennai. The city traces its origin to 1639 when Francis Day a trader with the British East India Company, built a trading post – Fort St. George, near the village of Madraspatnam. Today Chennai is the fourth largest city of India with a population of 5,5 million people. Also called as “Hollywood of India” it is the center for making South Indian films.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, half day city tour visiting Kapaleshvara Temple in Millipore, dedicated to God Shiva and offers a good example of South Indian colorful temple architecture. An opportunity to mingle with the pilgrims. Fort St. George – a British trading post and powerful bastion and entrance to South India. The 16th century Portuguese old Cathedral of St. Thomas Church in which the remnants of St. Thomas is buried who came to India in 52 AD. Pass by the University built in Indo-Sarscenic style, as well as 5 km long Marina Beach, a lovely esplanade by the sea, and National Museum with sculptures from Pallava, Pandava and Chola time which houses archaeology, art, exceptionally beautiful bronzes statues, with exhibits of stone and iron age.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram. En-route visit Kachipuram.

Kanchipuram (64km), the “Golden City”, was once the capital of the Pallavas and the Cholas. These two powerful ruling dynasties gave the city its numerous temples and tanks. The city is also famous for its “Kancheepuram Silk”. It has still has 150 active temples, dedicated various gods and goddesses. Kancheepuram is also one of 7 holy cities in India. In Kanchipuram visit the Kailashnath Temple, one of the oldest temples, built in the 7th century AD. It is built of sand stone and house some of the most elegant sculptures of Natraja (Shiva in Kosmic dance). Finally visit Ekambareshwara-Temple, the biggest in the city, are large complexes with mandapas, tanks and sculptured halls with devotees who still flock here. It has an ancient mango tree, and it’s believed that its branches represent the four Vedas and its fruits are said to have a different taste.

Later proceed to Mahabalipuram. Visit the magnificent rock temples and carvings in Mahabalipuram. Five Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their wife. The Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7th century. Bhagiratha’s Penance is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myraid characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Pondicherry, the last French settlement in India till 1954. Despite its invigorating seafront and relaxing atmosphere the town is visited above all for the Sri Aurobindo Ashram which draws visitors from all over the world. Before checking into the hotel you visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual centre founded by Sri Aurobindo and his chief disciple Mirra Alfassa. Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was an early 20th century Bengali revolutionary and philosopher who struggled for freedom from British colonial power. He started the Ashram to put into practice his ideals of a peaceful community. In this aim he found a lifelong French companion in Mirra Alfassa, who became universally known as the Mother. After his death the Mother continued as the spiritual successor and charismatic figure of Pondicherry.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Trichy.

Arrive Trichy and check in at hotel.

Afternoon Visit the Rock Fort built on a 84m high rock, from where you can have a memorable view of the surroundings, although you need to climb 437 rock cut steps.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, drive to Madurai.

Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. Here, the Dravidian culture reached its zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers. Its narrow overcrowded streets seem to be bursting at the seams with activity. Southern India’s oldest center for pilgrimage and learning

Later visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo-Saracenic style built in 1636, with huge domes and 240 columns rising to 12 m, a beautiful garden and a attached museum. The celestial Pavilion, an arcaded octagonal structure is curiously constructed in brick and mortar without any supporting rafters. Later visit Meenakshi – Temple, an outstanding example of the Dravidian temple architecture from the Vijaynagar kingdom. Meenakshi, the fish eyed goddess and the consort of Shiva has a temple to the south and Sundareswarar (Shiva) a temple to the west. One of the biggest temples of India. Its nine “Gopuram”-Temple towers (23-30m) have wonderful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals from the Hindu mythology.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai.

Upon arrival Mumbai city tour visiting Victoria Railways Station, Mani Bhawan, Prince of Wales Museum.

After dinner transfer to international airport to board flight for onward destination.

Fly back to your country.