Chennai Trip Overview
Tow days private tour Chennai to Kanchipuram, Gingee Fort, Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram will begin with pick up from your hotel You will visit Kanchipuram a temple town having more than 1000 centuaries old temples then Gingee Fort one of oldest surviving Fort and powerhouse for many dynasties, a ground for several bloody battles and invasions. After spending night in Pondicherry and exploring the french settlement & Aurovil drive to Mahabalipuram to visit some unique UNESCO WHS. At the end we will drop you off you to Chennai airport to board flight for onward destination.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Chennai, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Chennai Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Tow days private tour Chennai to Kanchipuram, Gingee Fort, Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram will begin with pick up from your hotel You will visit Kanchipuram a temple town having more than 1000 centuaries old temples then Gingee Fort one of oldest surviving Fort and powerhouse for many dynasties, a ground for several bloody battles and invasions. After spending night in Pondicherry and exploring the french settlement & Aurovil drive to Mahabalipuram to visit some unique UNESCO WHS. At the end we will drop you off you to Chennai airport to board flight for onward destination.
Itinerary
Day 1: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Gingee Fort – Pondicherry (230kms/ 5hrs approx)
Stop At: Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Pick up from your hotel and drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram Temples & Gingee Fort.
In Kanchipuram visit Kailasanathar 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, noted for its architecture and sculptures. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine compound wall. Ekambareswarar temple another ancient temple dedicated to Siva. The 2500-year-old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yields different varieties of mangoes. Varadharaja temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, noted for its wonderful sculptures. Vaikundhaperumal temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, it is also one of the 108 Divyadesams. Kamakshiamman temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi the presiding deity, one of the holy Sakthi worship places in India.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Gingee Fort, Chidambaram, Villupuram District Thindivanam to Thiruvannamalai Road, 25 km, Gingee India
Gingee Fort also called as Senji Fort one of the beautiful forts built across three hillocks. Today historic structure was once a ground for several battles and invasions. These structures look like nothing has happened by they carry a bloody history and incredible tales that are interesting. It is said that earlier there was a mini fort constructed by Cholas but it was later revamped by the Nayaks. Spaning over three hillocks, this fort has stood the test of times. Within the fort complex visit Kalyan Mahal, Chenjiamman Temple, Anaikulam Pond, prisons, granaries, Kamalakkani Temple, watch tower, Ranganathar Temple, etc.
After sightseeing drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel
Day 2: Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram – Chennai (160kms/ 3hrs approx)
Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Pondicherry. Visit Aurovil founded in 1968 by the spiritual leader Mirra Alfassa as a town where people from all over the world could live in harmony. Its focal point is the Matrimandir, a futuristic, spherical temple covered in gold discs. Pondicherry Museum an art and history museum especially noted for its collection of fine lost wax bronzes form the period of the Chola Empire. The Museum’s collection includes 81 Chola bronze sculptures, ranking as one of the largest collections of Chola bronzes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
Later walk in French Colony. Pondicherry has some of the finest examples of old French culture with a hint of Tamil influence in its visual aesthetics. Observe and get inspired by the architectural beauty of the French part of the town while enjoying a cup of coffee and some deserts along the way. Customise your walk with your guide to cover French consulate, French Institute, Raj Nivas, Bharati Park (Aayi Monument), Government Square, Beaches, Monuments, Churches, French schools.
Later drive to Chennai via visiting Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram visit Monolithic Temples locally known as Rathas. They were executed by chiseling out the exterior face of the boulder. Shore Temple built with blocks of granitein in 7th century the temple complex consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. It is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Cave Temples cut and decorated with panels in the Mamalla style of the Pallava period in the 7th century. Remnants seen in the caves also indicate that they were plastered and painted when built. Krishna’s Butterball a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline.
Continue drive to Chennai and drop off to airport for evening or late night flight for onward destination.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
