Guide

English Speaking Local Guide at Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Trichy, Chettinad, Madurai and Chennai. At GeTS, we aim to support local guides who have specialized and comprehensive knowledge of the regions you visit. We provide English speaking local guides at each destination of your trip, the chosen local guide will strike a great balance between knowledgeable storytelling, humor and giving you sufficient space and personal time to enjoy the awe-inspiring sites. He will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see AND recommend great local eating venues. If you were interested in diving deeper into the local culture at a specific site, you can count on your assigned local speaking guide.

Meals

• Daily breakfast at coffee shop or restaurant at hotel.

Others

• Arrival and assistance by GeTS Holidays Representative. • Bullock Cart Ride in Chettinad. All applicable taxes.

Transport

• All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced with good knowledge of the road conditions and well trained. The type of vehicles provided are as follows : Passenger Vehicle type • 1-2 persons Air-conditioned medium car such as Tata Indigo or similar • 3-4 persons Air-conditioned large car such as Toyota Innova or similar • 5-10 persons Air-conditioned mini-van such as Tempo Traveler or similar

Accommodation

• Accommodation in base category room of a Standard (3*) hotel. • Check-in Time : Throughout the trip, we request all our hotels prepare rooms in time as per your arrival time, especially if you are reaching the hotel prior to normal check-in time. (In India, normal check-in is at 14:00 hrs, check-out is at 10:00 hrs). This may not be always possible to manage early check-in for you; in that case you won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, you can store your luggage and explore the new destination. • Pre/Post Accommodation : If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Internet : Depending on the areas in which you travel, you may have limited access to the Internet. Hoteliers often charge for the connection (hourly or daily). • The style of accommodation indicated is a guideline. On rare occasions, if the suggested hotels are not available due to high demand, we will book similar alternate hotels for you.

Hygieneprotocol

In the wake of the ensuing COVID crisis, we have re-invented our hygiene protocols and have taken concrete steps along with training our guides, drivers, representatives and other staff at our destinations’ offices. So, we are fully prepared for your safe travel. •Hotels will conduct thermal screening of guests, baggage screening, maintaining kitchen hygiene, smooth check-in and check-out process along with daily cleaning of rooms. •Our drivers/representatives will be wearing masks, using hand sanitizers & gloves, and undergoing thermal screening before every assignment. The vehicles too will be sanitized on a daily basis. •Our guides will be wearing masks and using hand sanitizers, gloves, and undergoing thermal screening before every assignment. •All public places at Airports/Railway Stations/Restaurants and other assisting staff therein shall be governed by the regulations laid down for the prevention of COVID 19. •Extensive COVID-19 Health & Safety guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation shall be strictly adhered to. •All our partners will strictly follow the social distancing protocol as mandated by the Government. •Safety kits will be provided to all the guests, including a sanitizer, gloves, and a mask, before the commencement of the tour. •Our focus shall be on providing customized and private tours to ensure the safety and health of our guests. •E-Documents will be provided for the trip such as Confirmation Status/Hotel Vouchers/Itinerary/Invoice etc.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. We recommend World Nomads , a company recommended by Lonely Planet .

Others

• Any airfare (International or Domestic) • Monument entry fees • Any mandatory Gala Dinner on Christmas and New Year Eve. • Any item of personal nature viz. Laundry • Charges, telephone bills, drinks, shopping, etc • Any items that are not mentioned under Inclusions • Tips : Tipping is a common custom and we always suggest our travelers to comply. No tip is compulsory, however in case of good services rendered, it is advisable to pay by a few rupees (driver / guide). For example, 300 rupees can be left in restaurants (depending on the bill amount), between 300 and 500 rupees per day per person for a good driver.

Flights

The International flight tickets have to be booked on your own, once you book your international flight tickets, please share with us so that we can arrange your smooth pick-up and drop off from airport to hotel on your arrival day and hotel to the airport on the departure day. Passports and Visas : All travelers listed on the Participant Information form must be in possession of a valid passport and all relevant visas. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid travel documentation, including but not limited to passports and visas, which meet the requirements of immigration and other Government authorities at every destination. If your itinerary includes travel to any other country besides India, please check on visa requirements for each country that you will visit. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.

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Day 1 Day 1: Arrival At Chennai Airport - Mahabalipuram (56 Kms - 2 Hrs)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrival At Chennai Airport - Mahabalipuram (56 Kms - 2 Hrs)

On your arrival in the ancient city of South India - Chennai, our representative will meet you at the Airport and transfer you to the hotel in Mahabalipuram. Check-in at the hotel. Day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Day 2 Day 2: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

After breakfast, your Mahabalipuram sightseeing tour begins with visit to the Panch (five) Rathas - a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, near Chennai. These five structures, dating back to the 7th century, designed in the shape of chariots are made out of a large block of granite stone that represents the monolithic Indian rock-cut architecture. These chariots are named as Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Nakula Sahadeva Ratha and Draupadi Ratha inspired from the five Pandava brothers in the famous Indian epic "Mahabharata". Now visit the Arjunas Penance - a masterpiece (length around 96 feet) carved out in the mid 17th century. It depicts a story from the great Indian epic Mahabharata of how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Shiva's weapon (Trishul). Next, witness the Mahasura Mandapam - a rock-cut cave temple dating back to late 17th century, portraying the artistic craftsmanship of the Pallavas (275 CE to 897 CE) and the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 8th century AD, the Shore temple is a complex of two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and one dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Also, it is one of the stone temples of South India which has stood strong over the years. Close to the Panch Rathas is the Krishnas Butter Ball, just a km away. It is a gigantic rock of granite, over 20 feet in height, resting on a short incline. Weighing more than 250 tons, this rock miraculously stands on an extremely small, slippery area of a hill.
Day 3 Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (99 Km/2-3 Hrs)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (99 Km/2-3 Hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Pondicherry. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.Day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.
Day 4 Day 4: Pondicherry Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Pondicherry Sightseeing

Today, your Pondicherry sightseeing tour begins with visit to Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo (an Indian nationalist, philosopher, yogi, guru and poet) and Mirra Alfassa (known as The Mother) in 1926. Next, drive past the Seaside Promenade - a 1.5 km long stretch along the ocean. Visit the Pondicherry Museum - a treasure trove of rare bronze and stone sculptures from the Pallava and Chola dynasties and items from the French colonial time etc. Evening free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.
Day 5 Day 5: Pondicherry - Thanjavur / 165 Kms - 4 Hrs Approx
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Pondicherry - Thanjavur / 165 Kms - 4 Hrs Approx

After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur -once-upon-a-time capital of Chola Dynasty (one of the longest-ruling dynasties of South India from 10101153). Thanjavur enjoys a rich historical heritage and holds a very important position in the molding of ancient as well as modern South Indian civilization. On reaching, check-in at the hotel. Your Thanjavur sightseeing tour begins with visit to the Brihadeshwara temple built by Raja Chola I (who ruled South India from 985 to 1014 CE). This temple dating back to 11th century, is dedicated to Lord Shiva (God of destruction) and is a perfect example of Dravidian style of architecture during the reign of Chola dynasty. Also, visit the Thanjavur Palace, locally called Aranmanai, is the residence of the Bhosle Family that ruled over Thanjavur from 1674 to 1855. Established in 1550, this palace is a maze-like complex partly constructed by the Nayaks who took over Thanjavur in 1535 and by a local Maratha dynasty (1676-1855). Originally named as Sivaganga Fort, the do-not-miss sections of this fort is the Saraswati Mahal Library Museum and an Art Gallery. Overnight stay at hotel in Thanjavur.
Day 6 Day 6: Thanjavur - Trichy - Thanjavur / 60 Kms - 2 Hrs Each Way
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Thanjavur - Trichy - Thanjavur / 60 Kms - 2 Hrs Each Way

After breakfast, head toTrichy with first visit to one of the most famous landmark of this bustling town - the Rock Fort Temple. It is a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop, which rises abruptly from the plain to a tower overlooking the whole city. It is reached by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit, you get a fantastic view of the town. Its other main landmark isSri Ranganathanswami Temple - one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River, covering a staggering 2.5 sq km. Your Trichy sightseeing tour ends with visit to the Jambukeshwara Temples that is symbolic of water element. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Drive back to Thanjavur. Overnight stay at hotel in Thanjavur.
Day 7 Day 7: Thanjavur - Chettinad / 95 Kms - 2.5 Hrs Approx
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Thanjavur - Chettinad / 95 Kms - 2.5 Hrs Approx

After breakfast, drive to Chettinad. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Your Chettinad sightseeing tour begins with a visit to a school in Kanadukathan where you will interact with the village children. Later, enjoy a Bullock Cart Ride at Chettinad Mansion. Chettinad is a place for those who value lost grandeur over glitter, who choose elegance over excitement and who prefer an evenings walk through historys shadows to a night at the nearest. Overnight stay at hotel in Chettinad.
Day 8 Day 8: Chettinad - Madurai / 75 Kms - 2 Hrs Approx
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Chettinad - Madurai / 75 Kms - 2 Hrs Approx

After breakfast, drive to Madurai. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.Day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.
Day 9 Day 9: Madurai Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Madurai Sightseeing

After breakfast & short relaxation, your Madurai sightseeing tour begins with visit to Madurai Meenakshi Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) and her consort Lord Sundareshwara (Lord Shiva). This temple is estimated to have about 33 million sculptures surrouded by the ambiance of ceremonial events, countless devotees, spectacular market stalls and lots more. vibrant market stalls. Later, visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple - one of the 6 abodes or holy shrines of Lord Murugan). It was built by the King Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan in the 8th century. Your Madurai sightseeing tour ends with visit to the Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple - one of the 6 holiest Murugan shrines - that is blessed byLord Murugan with his two consorts (Valli and Deivyani). In the evening, return back to Meenakshi Temple to witness the Aarti ceremony. Overnight stay at hotel in Madurai.
Day 10 Day 10: Madurai - Chennai (By Flight)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Madurai - Chennai (By Flight)

After breakfast, our driver will transfer you to Madurai Airport to board flight to Chennai. On arrival, get on-time assistance and check-in at the hotel in Chennai.Day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.
Day 11 Day 11: Chennai Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Chennai Departure

Transfer to Chennai International Airport to board flight back home.

11 days tour

Highlights Of Tamil Nadu - South India

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Tamil Nadu - South India

Day 1: Arrival At Chennai Airport - Mahabalipuram (56 Kms - 2 Hrs)

Day 2: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (99 Km/2-3 Hrs)

Day 4: Pondicherry Sightseeing

Day 5: Pondicherry - Thanjavur / 165 Kms - 4 Hrs Approx

Day 6: Thanjavur - Trichy - Thanjavur / 60 Kms - 2 Hrs Each Way

Day 7: Thanjavur - Chettinad / 95 Kms - 2.5 Hrs Approx

Day 8: Chettinad - Madurai / 75 Kms - 2 Hrs Approx

Day 9: Madurai Sightseeing

Day 10: Madurai - Chennai (By Flight)

Day 11: Chennai Departure

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