7-Day Tamil Nadu Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Tamil Nadu tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaTamil Nadu travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Tamil Nadu, incl. Chennai and Madurai

  Tamil Nadu's temple heritage comes alive from Chennai's Kapaleeshwarar Temple to Kanyakumari's Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The week-long tour includes Madurai's Meenakshi Temple and Rameshwaram's Ramanathaswamy Temple, with stays at selected properties like Poppys.

  

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  • Day 1

    Chennai

    Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple before 9 AM to avoid heat and crowds. A previous visitor noted: "The intricate Dravidian architecture is best photographed in morning light, and the temple is less crowded before tour groups arrive." Spend 2-3 hours at Marina Beach but skip the harsh midday sun from 12-3 PM. Plan to see San Thome Basilica before its 5 PM closing time.

    
  • Day 2

    Chennai to Trichy (330 km)

    Start early to avoid traffic on this 6-hour drive. At Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple wear shoes you can slip off easily. A visitor recommends: "The temple complex is massive – get a local guide to explain the 1000-year history and avoid getting lost in the seven concentric walls." For the Rock Fort's 400-step climb bring water and go in late afternoon when it's cooler.

    
  • Day 3

    Trichy to Tanjore (60 km)

    Take a quick morning drive to Tanjore. Plan about 3 hours for the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswahar Temple. The massive granite blocks look best in the 4 PM light. Women need scarves for shoulder coverage. Remember the Royal Palace museum doesn't open Fridays.

    
  • Day 4

    Madurai (190 km from Tanjore)

    Arrive by lunch to spend more time at the temples. The Meenakshi Temple's 14 gopurams look stunning in afternoon light. For the 6 PM aarti ceremony come 30 minutes early to get good spots. A visitor suggests: "The temple can be overwhelming; hire an authorized guide at the entrance to understand the significance of each shrine."

    
  • Day 5

    Rameshwaram (170 km from Madurai)

    The coastal journey takes 3 hours. Visit Ramanathaswamy Temple early when fewer people crowd the 22 holy wells. Wear light conservative clothes in the hot temple corridors. Check tide times for your visit to Dhanushkodi ruins.

    
  • Day 6

    Kanyakumari (300 km from Rameshwaram)

    Leave early for this long drive. Get your Vivekananda Rock Memorial ferry tickets right when you arrive to avoid long lines. For sunset viewing come 45 minutes early to find a spot. A traveler's tip: "The Gandhi Memorial is less visited but offers equally good sunset views with smaller crowds."

    
  • Day 7

    Trivandrum (110 km from Kanyakumari)

    A quick 2-hour drive ends your trip. If you're flying out later visit Padmanabhapuram Palace on the way. It opens at 9 AM and needs about 2 hours to explore.

    

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• 6 Days in South India Temple Route, incl. Chennai and Pondicherry

  Ancient monuments and colonial heritage merge in this 6-day circuit visiting Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Brihadeshwara complex, and Shore Temple. The route spans from Chennai's Fort St. George to Mahabalipuram's monuments, with luxury stays at ITC Grand Chola.

  

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  • Day 1

    Chennai

    Start at Fort St. George around 8:30 AM before the heat sets in. Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple after 2 PM when it's less crowded. Finish your day at Marina Beach around 6 PM when locals come out and temperatures cool down. You'll need slip-on shoes since you'll take them off often at temples.

    
  • Day 2

    Kanchipuram & Vellore (140 km)

    Leave Chennai by 7 AM to avoid traffic. Head straight to Kailasanathar Temple in Kanchipuram since it closes at noon. The drive to Vellore takes about 3 hours. When visiting the Golden Temple, wear light colors and covered shoulders. You can see Vellore Fort in late afternoon when the lighting makes for great photos.

    
  • Day 3

    Tiruvannamalai to Trichy (280 km)

    This is your longest travel day. Stop at Ramanasramam in Tiruvannamalai for 8 AM meditation. Visit Arunachaleswarar Temple before noon to avoid hot stone floors. The 6-hour drive to Trichy takes you through rural areas. Keep small bills ready for tolls.

    
  • Day 4

    Trichy & Thanjavur (60 km)

    Climb Rock Fort Temple's 437 steps early in the morning. Get a local guide at Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple to help you explore its massive grounds. Save 2-3 hours for the impressive Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur.

    
  • Day 5

    Temple Circuit to Pondicherry (180 km)

    Start at Darasuram by 8 AM to see the carvings in morning light. Check darshan times for Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram before visiting. Plan to reach Pondicherry before 4 PM to beat traffic.

    
  • Day 6

    Pondicherry to Chennai via Mahabalipuram (160 km)

    Explore Pondicherry's French Quarter in the morning light. At Mahabalipuram, see the Shore Temple first before tour buses arrive at 11 AM. Leave plenty of time to reach Chennai airport. The drive can take longer than expected.

    

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• 7 Day South India Temple Trail Itinerary, incl. Bangalore and Chennai

  A 7-day sacred pilgrimage across Tamil Nadu takes you through 10 distinct cities from Chennai to Trichy. Marvel at UNESCO temples like Brihadeshwara in Thanjavur and Gangai Konda Cholapuram. Luxurious accommodations at ITC Grand Chola in Chennai complement daily breakfast and private guided tours of ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and peaceful beachside walks in Pondicherry.

  

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  • Day 1

    Bangalore Arrival & Settling In

    Plan to arrive in the morning at Bangalore International Airport to avoid heavy afternoon traffic. The airport is 40km from downtown and the trip can take up to 2 hours during busy times. Book your hotel in Indiranagar where you'll have good access to the main sites.

    
  • Day 2

    Bangalore Explorations

    Visit Lal Bagh Garden right when it opens at 6 AM to enjoy cooler temperatures. Bring comfortable walking shoes. Move on to Bangalore Fort in mid-morning but remember to bring sun protection since shade is limited. Stop by Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace before lunch when it's less busy. Pack slip-on shoes since you'll need to remove them at temples.

    
  • Day 3

    Bangalore to Vellore (220km)

    Start your 5-hour drive to Vellore by 7 AM to stay ahead of traffic. Plan to see the Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple in late afternoon when sunlight makes the gold exterior shine brightest. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. The fort area can be tricky to navigate so you might want a local guide.

    
  • Day 4

    Vellore to Chennai via Kanchipuram (145km)

    Set out for Kanchipuram after breakfast. You'll need 3-4 hours to explore this silk weaving town. Visit Kailasanathar Temple when it opens at 6 AM to avoid crowds. In Chennai visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple around sunset to see the evening prayers. Bring small bills for shoe storage at temples.

    
  • Day 5

    Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram (160km)

    Get to the Shore Temple early for the best photos and cooler weather. Wear shoes with good traction on the ancient stones. A recent visitor shared: "The sunrise at Shore Temple was magical but arrive by 6:30 AM to beat both the crowds and heat."

    
  • Day 6

    Pondicherry to Thanjavur (180km)

    Plan for a full day with stops at three major temples. Know that Chidambaram Nataraja Temple has strict rules about dress and cameras. Gangaikonda Cholapuram sees fewer tourists but offers amazing architecture. Bring temple socks since the stone floors get very hot.

    
  • Day 7

    Thanjavur to Trichy (65km)

    Watch the sunrise at Brihadeshwara Temple to see the morning light on its towering structure. The drive to Trichy is quick but traffic near Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple can slow you down. Climb the Rock Fort Temple's 437 steps early before the sun heats the stone. Book an evening flight out since temple visits often take longer than expected.

    

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