Idea 1
Add on a visit to Tranquebar (now called Tarangambadi) for a stay at Bungalow on the Beach, once the home of the Danish East India Company.
One of the most important things to do when travelling through Tamil Nadu is to get the balance right between seeing the amazing Hindu architecture, and blend this with a chance to see the colourful, cultural side to this corner of India by getting off-the-beaten track into the rural villages and towns. When you have a balanced tour, this itinerary becomes simply magical.
This journey through Tamil Nadu begins in Chennai, formerly Madras, and once the initial base for the English East India Company in the 17th Century. Explore the city before flying to Madurai and heading into the hills to spend two nights at Rajakkad, a delightful teak bungalow that allows you to take leisurely walks in the breathtaking surrounding countryside. Head back to Madurai to see the superb Meenakshi Amman Temple during the afternoon pooja. Again, sip into the countryside and explore the Chettinad region, famous for its glorious mansions that were built by rich merchants in the 19th century, and also known for its superb local cuisine. Dip back into the cities, and see Trichy and Tanjore, famous for their Chola-era temples. Work your way up the coast to see Pondicherry, once home to the French East India Company, and still a remarkable Franco-Indian fusion that even can be seen in the superb food served up in the restaurants. Finally, end on the beach just south of Chennai where you can see the superb shore temples of Mahabalipuram before you return home.
£2005 |
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Days | Location | Hotel |
---|---|---|
Day 1-2 | Chennai | Vivanta by Taj – Connemara Vivanta by Taj – Connemara |
Day 3-4 | Rajakkad | Rajakkad Estate Rajakkad Estate |
Day 5 | Madurai | Heritage Madurai Heritage Madurai |
Day 6-7 | Chettinad | Visalam Visalam |
Day 8-9 | Tanjore | Svatma Tanjore Svatma Tanjore |
Day 10-11 | Pondicherry | Palais De Mahe Palais De Mahe |
Day 12-14 | Covelong | Vivanta by Taj – Fisherman’s Cove Vivanta by Taj – Fisherman’s Cove |
Day 15 | Chennai Airport | Fly Home |
This classic route takes you from Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu, through the hills and into the Kerala to see the tea estates, backwaters and ending on the beach.
Kerala is exceptionally laid-back, and a leisurely private tour allows you to see the markets and history of Cochin, tea estates, wildlife, spice plantations, backwaters and end on the Indian Ocean.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.