Welcome to Chennai! It’s a city where history is imbibed within the shades of modernity, where the Dravidian culture has fused well with the tints of internationality. With all the modern amenities present in today’s city of Chennai, with the flyovers, shopping malls, multiplexes and all, the city has become a center of attraction of many tourists all around the world. But if we take an overview of Chennai and the glorious past of the city it will perhaps reveal some other untold stories. Madras or Chennai was established in 1639. On Aug 22nd, 1639 when Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, two representatives of East India Company built a trade on the land that was granted to them. Today’s Chennai celebrates its birthday on 22nd August. In the year of 1640, the Fort St George, which is currently the legislative and administrative center of the city of Chennai, was formed. St. Thomas, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ is thought to have visited Chennai and taken his last breath over there. As a memoir, two neighborhoods of Chennai has been named after him.
Mylapore:Chennai's historic neighborhood of Mylapore is often referred to as the soul of the city
Fort Saint George:A legacy of the British East India Company, which completed constructing it in 1653, Fort Saint George is now home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat.
Madras High Court:Located just outside Fort Saint George, in George Town, the massive Madras High Court is one of the largest judicial buildings in the world.
George town Market and Bazaars:The congested lanes of George Town are occupied by some fascinating street stalls and markets, including vibrant vegetable, flower, and spice markets.
Day 1
Arrival at Chennai Airport and transfer to Hotel. Day is at your disposal to enjoy at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2
After a refreshing breakfast proceed for a local sightseeing tour of Chennai (Madras) - the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. The city apart from being a major commercial hub of South India is also a centre for South Indian art, architecture, music, dance, culture, traditions and festivals. There are many places of tourist attraction in and around the city - Marina beach (a gorgeous 11 km shoreline), Kabaleeswarar Temple, Santhome Cathedral, Sree Parthasarathy Temple, Government Museum, Fort Museum, National Art Gallery, St. Thomas Mount, Valluvar Kottam, Fort St. George and St. Mary’s Church, Guindy Deer & Snake Parks, Little Mount Shrine, Kalakshetra, Sittratangam and Zoological Park. Return for an overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
After an early morning breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Tirupathi; on arrival check-in into hotel. Afternoon proceed for a local sightseeing tour of Tirupathi. The temple town of Tirupathi is a major Hindu pilgrimage center famous for its Lord Venkateswara Temple. The temple, said to be the richest in India, has a history dating back to the 9th Century A.D, when Pallavas, the rulers of Kancheepuram, patronized the temple. The temple attained the zenith of its glory in the 15th century AD under the royal patronage of the Vijayanagara Emperors. Return for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Mahabalipuram (en-route visit the temple town of Kanchipuram), on arrival check-in into hotel. Afternoon, proceed for a local sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram. The town, famous for its stone carvings, is situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal, 58 km south of Chennai. Once a thriving port city under the Pallava Empire this UNESCO world heritage site has many rock-cut monuments dating from 7th – 9th century AD. Places of tourist interest include the Shore Temples, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishnamandapam, Mandapams, Rathas, Crocodile Farm, Covelong beach, and Thirukkazhukundram. Return for an overnight at the hotel.
Day 5
After a refreshing breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Pondicherry; on arrival check-in into hotel. Day is at your disposal to enjoy at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 6
After the morning breakfast embark on an exciting sightseeing tour of Pondicherry. Pondicherry, known as ‘The French Riviera of the East’, was a French colony until it was integrated into India as a Union territory in 1954. The town still remarkably preserves its French heritage in its many colonial monuments, cuisines, language, customs and traditions. Places of tourist interest include the Sree Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, The French Institute and the Raj Nivas. Overnight at hotel.
Day-7
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Chennai Airport for your onward journey.
