INCLUSIONS
Destinations Cover
Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Thanjavour-Rameshwaram-Madurai
Tour Overview
Explore Tamil Nadu’s rich temple heritage with this tour from Chennai to Madurai via Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur & Rameswaram. A perfect spiritual getaway.
Day 1: Arrival Chennai – Sightseeing
- Arrive at Chennai Airport/Railway Station.
- Transfer to the hotel and check-in.
- After refreshment, proceed for a Chennai city tour, which includes: Kalpeshwara Temple, Marina Beach, Santhome Church, St. George Fort, Chennai High Court.
- Drive through Parry's Corner
- Visit the Government Museum
- Return to hotel in the evening and overnight stay in Chennai.
Day 2: Chennai- Mahabalipuram
- After breakfast, check out your hotel in Chennai.
- Drive to Mahabalipuram and check in at your pre-booked hotel/resort.
- En route, visit: Crocodile Park.
- (Optional) Visit to Cholamandal Artists' Village if interested.
- Afternoon sightseeing in Mahabalipuram: Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, Mandapams / Caves, Pancha Rathas, Krishna's Butter Ball.
- Evening visit to Mahabalipuram Beach.
- Return to hotel/resort and overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.
Day 3: Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur
- Check out from Mahabalipuram hotel after breakfast.
- Drive to Thanjavur with enroute visits:
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple, former Chola capital.
- Kumbakonam – Famous temple town, known for Maha Maham festival.
- Darasuram – Visit Airavatesvara Temple (UNESCO site near Kumbakonam).
- Evening arrival at Thanjavur.
- Check in to hotel and overnight stay at Thanjavur.
Day 4: Thanjavur- Rameshwaram
- Early morning breakfast and checkout from Thanjavur hotel.
- Drive to Rameswaram, the sacred island city in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
- On arrival, check in to the hotel and refresh.
- Afternoon Sightseeing: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam House & Museum, Dhanushkodi, Abdul Kalam Memorial, Pamban Bridge
- Evening return to hotel.
- Overnight stay at Rameswaram.
Day 5: Rameshwaram - Madurai
- Early breakfast and checkout from Rameswaram hotel.
- Drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India, designed in the shape of a lotus.
- Visit the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple.
- Overnight stay at Madurai.
Day 6: Madurai Depart
- After breakfast checkout from hotel.
- Transfer to Cochin airport.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Cost Includes:
- Accommodation for 05 Nights.
- Daily Breakfast at the hotel.
- Meet and Greet assistance on arrival at Chennai airport.
- All transfers & surface travel by AC Standard car.
- All parking, Toll Taxes & State taxes.
Cost Excludes:
- Airfare and Metro train tickets.
- Early check in & Late Check out Charges.
- Monument ticket charges
- Personal nature.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most travelers take a train from Chennai to Madurai, often crossing the iconic Pamban Bridge in route to Rameswaram. From Madurai, shared or private taxis and buses are commonly used to reach Rameswaram (170 km,- 4 hours).
The optimal season is October to April, when temperatures and humidity are comfortable. The monsoon season (July–September) is wetter and less ideal for sightseeing.
Here are the must-visit temples along this route:
1- Chennai: Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Mylapore), Parthasarathy Temple (Triplicane), and Marundeeswarar Temple.
2- Madurai: Meenakshi Amman Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple.
3- Rameswaram: Ramanathaswamy Temple (Jyotirlinga), Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, and Agni Theertham.
1- Chennai: Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Mylapore), Parthasarathy Temple (Triplicane), and Marundeeswarar Temple.
2- Madurai: Meenakshi Amman Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple.
3- Rameswaram: Ramanathaswamy Temple (Jyotirlinga), Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple, and Agni Theertham.
Yes. Modest clothing is expected—covering shoulders and knees is a must. Some temples (like Meenakshi or Ramanathaswamy) may require men to remove shirts inside the sanctum. Footwear is not allowed inside temple premises.
No, each temple has its own opening and closing hours, usually split into morning and evening sessions. It is best to check the exact timings online or at the temple gates. Many temples open early (around 5–6 AM) and close after evening aarti by 8–9 PM.
Yes, it is a common practice. Pilgrims take a holy dip at Agni Theertham (beach) and then perform the 22-well bath ritual inside Ramanathaswamy Temple before the main Jyotirlinga darshan. Allocate at least half a day for this.
