Explore Destinations
Chennai
Madurai
Ooty
Rameshwaram
Kanyakumari
Thanjavur
Kodaikanal
Mahabalipuram
Chennai - The Detroit of India
About
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu and serves as the gateway to South India. This coastal metropolis seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, featuring colonial-era architecture, vibrant cultural scenes, golden beaches, and a thriving IT and automobile industry.
Top Attractions
- Marina Beach - Second longest urban beach in the world
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple - Ancient Shiva temple with Dravidian architecture
- Fort St. George - First British fortress in India
- Government Museum - Second oldest museum in India
- San Thome Basilica - Neo-Gothic church built over St. Thomas's tomb
Activities
- Watch a traditional Carnatic music concert
- Stroll along Marina Beach at sunset
- Shop at T. Nagar for silk sarees and jewelry
- Experience the Margazhi Festival (December-January)
- Taste authentic South Indian cuisine at local eateries
Best Time to Visit
November to February offers pleasant weather. The city hosts the famous Margazhi Music Festival in December-January.
Madurai - The Temple City
About
Madurai, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, it centers around the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple. The city was an important center of trade and learning in ancient South India and continues to be a vibrant cultural hub.
Top Attractions
- Meenakshi Amman Temple - Spectacular temple with 14 colorful gopurams
- Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace - 17th-century Indo-Saracenic palace
- Gandhi Museum - Showcasing India's struggle for independence
- Koodal Azhagar Temple - Ancient Vishnu temple
- Alagar Koil - Temple complex surrounded by scenic hills
Activities
- Attend the celestial wedding ceremony of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar
- Experience the night ceremony at Meenakshi Temple
- Take a heritage walk through the ancient streets
- Sample local specialties like Jigarthanda and Kari Dosa
- Shop for handloom cotton sarees and brass items
Best Time to Visit
October to March is pleasant. Visit during Chithirai Festival (April-May) to witness grand celebrations.
Ooty - Queen of Hill Stations
About
Ooty (Udhagamandalam), nestled in the Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2,240 meters, was established by the British as their summer headquarters. This picturesque hill station features lush tea plantations, rolling hills, misty valleys, and colonial architecture, making it a perfect retreat from the heat of the plains.
Top Attractions
- Ooty Lake - Artificial lake created in 1824
- Botanical Gardens - 55-acre gardens with exotic plant species
- Doddabetta Peak - Highest point in the Nilgiris
- Rose Garden - Houses over 20,000 varieties of roses
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway - UNESCO World Heritage toy train
Activities
- Ride the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- Boating on Ooty Lake
- Trek to Doddabetta Peak for panoramic views
- Visit tea factories and learn about tea processing
- Horse riding at the Race Course
Best Time to Visit
March to June and September to November. The annual flower show in May attracts thousands of visitors.
Rameshwaram - The Bridge to Lanka
About
Rameshwaram, located on Pamban Island, is one of the holiest places for Hindus and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama built a bridge from here to Lanka to rescue Sita. The island is connected to mainland India by the iconic Pamban Bridge, India's first sea bridge.
Top Attractions
- Ramanathaswamy Temple - Famous for its longest corridor with 1212 pillars
- Dhanushkodi - Ghost town destroyed by a cyclone in 1964
- Pamban Bridge - Architectural marvel connecting to mainland
- Agnitheertham - Sacred sea where pilgrims take ritual baths
- Rama's Footprint - Believed to be Lord Rama's footprint
Activities
- Bathe in the 22 sacred wells within the Ramanathaswamy Temple
- Visit the ruins of Dhanushkodi by special vehicles
- Watch sunrise and sunset at Agnitheertham
- Photography at Pamban Bridge
- Take a boat ride to see the remains of Rama's Bridge
Best Time to Visit
October to April offers pleasant temperatures. Avoid monsoon season (June-September) when the island experiences heavy rainfall.
Kanyakumari - Where Three Seas Meet
About
Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, is where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean converge. This unique geographical location offers spectacular sunrises and sunsets and is considered sacred as the abode of Goddess Kanyakumari (Parvati). It's one of the few places where you can witness both sunrise and sunset over the ocean.
Top Attractions
- Vivekananda Rock Memorial - Built where Swami Vivekananda meditated
- Thiruvalluvar Statue - 133-foot tall statue of the Tamil poet
- Kanyakumari Temple - Ancient temple dedicated to the virgin goddess
- Sangam - The confluence point of the three seas
- Gandhi Memorial - Built where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were kept
Activities
- Witness sunrise and sunset over the ocean
- Take a ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial
- Visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace (30 km away)
- Shop for seashell crafts and palm leaf products
- Experience the full moon night when the sun and moon are visible simultaneously
Best Time to Visit
October to February offers pleasant weather. Visit during Chithirai Festival (April) to witness special celebrations.
Thanjavur - Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu
About
Thanjavur, formerly Tanjore, was the capital of the great Chola Empire and remains a cultural and architectural masterpiece of South India. Known for its spectacular Brihadeeswara Temple, classical dance forms, and distinctive art styles, the city represents the pinnacle of Tamil culture, art, and architecture.
Top Attractions
- Brihadeeswara Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site with 216ft vimana
- Thanjavur Royal Palace - Featuring Durbar Hall and Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Saraswathi Mahal Library - One of Asia's oldest libraries
- Art Gallery and Museum - Showcasing Chola bronzes
- Schwartz Church - 18th-century Danish missionary church
Activities
- Witness a Bharatanatyam dance performance
- Learn about the famous Thanjavur painting technique
- Shop for Thanjavur paintings, bronze statues, and Thanjavur dolls
- Explore ancient manuscripts at Saraswathi Mahal Library
- Visit nearby temples from the Chola period
Best Time to Visit
October to March is ideal. The Brihadeeswara Temple celebrates several festivals throughout the year.
Kodaikanal - Princess of Hill Stations
About
Kodaikanal, meaning "Gift of the Forest" in Tamil, is a charming hill station situated in the Palani Hills at an elevation of 2,133 meters. Created by American missionaries in the 1840s as a retreat from the tropical heat, it features misty valleys, granite cliffs, waterfalls, and a star-shaped lake at its center.
Top Attractions
- Kodaikanal Lake - Star-shaped artificial lake built in 1863
- Coaker's Walk - 1 km pedestrian path with panoramic views
- Bryant Park - Botanical garden with exotic flowers
- Pillar Rocks - Three giant rock pillars standing 400 feet high
- Silver Cascade Falls - Waterfall on the Madurai-Kodaikanal road
Activities
- Boating on Kodaikanal Lake
- Trek to Dolphin's Nose viewpoint
- Horse riding around the lake
- Cycling through pine forests
- Shopping for homemade chocolates and aromatic oils
Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to November. Summers are pleasant while winters (December-February) can be quite cold.
Mahabalipuram - City of Seven Pagodas
About
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a thriving seaport of the ancient Pallava kingdom from the 7th-9th centuries. Famous for its rock-cut temples, monolithic rathas (chariots), and the Shore Temple, it showcases some of the finest examples of early Dravidian architecture and Pallava art.
Top Attractions
- Shore Temple - Ancient sea-facing temple built in the 7th century
- Five Rathas - Monolithic temple structures shaped like chariots
- Arjuna's Penance - Massive rock relief sculpture
- Krishna's Butter Ball - Natural balancing rock formation
- Tiger Cave - Rock-cut temple with tiger heads
Activities
- Explore the ancient rock-cut monuments
- Relax at Mahabalipuram Beach
- Learn stone carving from local artisans
- Watch dance performances at the Mamallapuram Dance Festival
- Shop for stone sculptures and handicrafts
Best Time to Visit
November to February offers pleasant weather. The annual Dance Festival in December-January showcases classical dance forms against the backdrop of ancient monuments.
Cultural Experiences
Classical Arts
Chennai, Thanjavur, Madurai
Experience the mesmerizing classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music that originated in Tamil Nadu. Witness performances where dancers tell ancient stories through precise movements, elaborate costumes, and expressive gestures, accompanied by traditional music.
Pro Tip: Visit during the Margazhi Festival (December-January) in Chennai for world-class performances. The Music Academy and Kalakshetra Foundation host some of the finest concerts and dance recitals.
Temple Festivals
Madurai, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Tamil temple festivals featuring elaborate processions, decorated temple chariots (rathas), traditional music, rituals, and vibrant celebrations. Each temple has its own unique festivals celebrating different deities and mythological events.
Pro Tip: The Meenakshi Temple's Chithirai Festival (April-May) in Madurai and the Mahamaham Festival (held once every 12 years) in Kumbakonam are spectacular events worth planning your trip around.
Tamil Cuisine
Throughout Tamil Nadu
Savor the diverse flavors of Tamil cuisine, from the traditional banana leaf meals (Elai Saapadu) to regional specialties like Chettinad cuisine. Tamil food features rice as a staple, accompanied by various vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, with distinct regional variations.
Pro Tip: Try filter coffee, dosas, idlis, and sambar at traditional restaurants in Madurai and Chennai. For authentic Chettinad cuisine with its complex spice blends, head to Karaikudi region.
Traditional Crafts
Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, Madurai
Discover Tamil Nadu's exquisite craftsmanship through traditional arts like Thanjavur paintings with gold leaf work, Kanchipuram silk sarees, bronze sculptures, intricate wood carvings, and pottery. Many of these crafts have been practiced for centuries using techniques passed down through generations.
Pro Tip: Visit Poompuhar (government handicraft emporium) for authentic crafts at fixed prices. For Kanchipuram silks, buy directly from weaving cooperatives in Kanchipuram to ensure authenticity.
Village Tourism
Chettinad, Pollachi, Kotagiri
Experience rural Tamil life through village tourism where you can stay in heritage homes, participate in farming activities, learn traditional cooking, and witness local crafts. The Chettinad region is particularly famous for its grand mansions and unique cultural heritage.
Pro Tip: Stay in a restored Chettiar mansion in Karaikudi to experience the region's unique architecture and cuisine. Pollachi's farm stays offer agricultural tourism experiences including coconut harvesting.
Pongal Festival
Throughout Tamil Nadu
Join in the celebrations of Pongal, Tamil Nadu's harvest festival that spans four days. Watch as people create colorful kolam (rangoli) designs outside homes, cook the special pongal dish in clay pots, worship the sun god, and honor cattle during Mattu Pongal.
Pro Tip: Visit rural areas during Pongal (mid-January) to see traditional celebrations. Don't miss Jallikattu (bull-taming event) in Madurai region and the car festival at Thyagaraja Temple in Thiruvarur.
06 Night / 07 Days
Madurai Trichy Thanjavur Rameswaram Kanyakumari
Kanchipuram-Trichy -Thanjavur-Madurai-Rameshwaram-Kanyakumari
5 Days Itinerary, AC Car Transport, 1 Night Stay at Trichy, 1 Night Stay at Madurai, 1 Night Stay at Rameshwaram, 1 Night Stay at Kanyakumari and Trivandrum or Kanyakumari Departure.
09 Night / 10 Days
Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry Tour Package From Chennai
Madurai is a lotus-shaped city located on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. It is surrounded by three hills called Yanaimalai, Nagamalai and Pasumalai.
12 Night / 13 Days
South India Historical Tour
A South India Holiday tour offers a captivating journey through the diverse and culturally rich region of southern India. From ancient temples and historical landmarks to pristine beaches and lush green landscapes, South India showcases a unique blend of tradition, natural beauty, and culinary delights. Major states as Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana create versatile region of South India.
12 Night / 13 Days
hyderabad to vijayawada tour packages
Vijaywada, the place of victory, is a divine place known for its religious significance. It offers a wonderful opportunity to the tourists to see the historically rich and architecturally outstanding locations and structures.
13 Night / 14 Days
Tamil Nadu Tour With Kerala - South Indian Tour
Come explore two beautiful states of southern India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala that replete with galore and fragrance, lush greenery and vivid beauty.
23 Night / 24 Days
Andhra and Tamilnadu Temple Tour
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Bangalore
The home of the Sri Venkateswara Temple is the picturesque setting of one of the seven peaks in the Tirumala Hills of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees stand with bated breath in front of the Lord for his benediction for just a glimpse of him before moving on as the crowds, that come to meet him, keep pressing forward.
24 Night / 25 Days
South India Historical Tour
Upon arrival at Chennai Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.