Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai
You'll arrive at Chennai airport and head to your hotel for check-in. The afternoon takes you on a half-day city tour where you'll visit Fort St. George, the historic colonial structure, and then stop at Kapaleeswarar Temple, a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva. The evening is open for you to either explore on your own or relax at your hotel.
- Start point
- Chennai International Airport (MAA), Great Southern Trunk Rd, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (Arrival transfer from airport to hotel.)
Included Activities
- Half-day city tour
- Visit Fort St. George
- Visit Kapaleeswarar Temple
Landmarks Fort St. George Kapaleeswarar Temple - Day 2
Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, you're off to Kanchipuram, known as the City of Temples. There you'll see Kailasanathar Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple, both honoring Lord Shiva with intricate temple architecture. From there, you'll drive to Mahabalipuram where you'll walk around the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and check out the Five Rathas, a collection of rock-cut temples carved from single stone blocks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kailasanathar Temple
- Visit Ekambareswarar Temple
- Visit Shore Temple
- Visit Five Rathas
Landmarks Kailasanathar Temple Ekambareswarar Temple Shore Temple Five Rathas 
- Day 3
Pondicherry
You'll head to Pondicherry after breakfast, exploring this former French colonial town. The day includes time at Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual retreat founded in 1926, and Auroville, an experimental community started in 1968. Later, you'll walk through the French Quarter with its European-style architecture and tree-lined streets before your evening settles in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Aurobindo Ashram
- Visit Auroville
- Stroll through French Quarter
Landmarks Aurobindo Ashram Auroville 
- Day 4
Thanjavur
Your drive to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu's cultural heart, includes stops along the way. You'll see the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, then visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a UNESCO site that once served as the Chola dynasty's capital. The Darasuram Temple rounds out the day, showing off impressive examples of Dravidian architectural style.
Included Activities
- Visit Nataraja Temple
- Visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Visit Darasuram Temple
Landmarks Nataraja Temple Gangaikonda Cholapuram Darasuram Temple - Day 5
Trichy
You start with a visit to Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, a remarkable example of South Indian temple design. Then you'll head to Trichy where you can climb up to the Rock Fort Temple perched on a 272-foot rock formation, and walk through Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of India's largest temple complexes with sprawling courtyards and elaborate halls.
Included Activities
- Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple
- Visit Rock Fort Temple
- Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
Landmarks Brihadeeswarar Temple Rock Fort Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple - Day 6
Madurai
After breakfast, you'll travel to Madurai, an ancient city in South India. You'll explore the Meenakshi Amman Temple with its colorful gopurams (tower gateways) honoring the goddess Meenakshi, and tour Tirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th-century structure known for its impressive architecture. If you're interested, there's an option to visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum to see displays about Indian cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Visit Tirumalai Nayak Palace
Optional Activities
- Visit Gandhi Memorial Museum
Landmarks Meenakshi Amman Temple Tirumalai Nayak Palace Gandhi Memorial Museum 
- Day 7
Madurai
You'll have a relaxed breakfast and check out from your hotel. Your transfer to Madurai airport happens based on your flight schedule, taking you back to Chennai and wrapping up your South India Temple Trail journey.
- End point
- Madurai Airport (IXM), Perungudi, Tamil Nadu, India (Departure transfer to Madurai airport to board flight for Chennai)
- Meals
- Breakfast
