Colonial Coromandal With Tranquebar Danish Quarter

Itinerary

Day 1: Chennai

Stop At: Fort St. George, St. George Street, Chennai (Madras) India
On arrival in Chennai,you will be be transferred to your Hotel.Breakfast at hotel.Afternoon go for an orientation tour of Chennai. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Chennai - There are several tourist attractions worth visiting in and around Chennai. Marina Beach is the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government's secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthasarathy Temple. Adayar Banyan Tree is one of the largest tree in the world. It measures 238ft from north to south and 250ft from east to west. The total area exceed 59,500 sq ft. This tree is a unique specimen. It has been the centre of many notable gatherings of the Theosophical Society and thousands of visitors have rested in its shade.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Kapaleesvarar Sannadhi Street Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Chennai (Madras) 600004 India
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Nungambakkam/Marina Beach, Nungambakkam/Marina Beach, Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Chennai Sightseeing
Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Santhome Beach, Chennai (Madras) India
Sightseeing

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accord Metropolitan-Centrally located

Day 2: Mahabalipuram

Stop At: Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples. Visit Kailasanatha Temple from the 8th century AD. In Kailasanatha Temple, the Pallava Style of Dravida Vimana (The Tower over Sanctum) was imitated later at Pattadackal in Karnataka in the second half of 8th Century AD by Chalukyas. From there the Rashtrakudas borrowed the style in the 9th Century AD at Ellora, Maharashtra. Later visit the famous Ekambareswara Temple which is a good example of the typical Composite style of Architecture. The construction was started in 8th or 9th Century by the Pallavas but continued by Cholas in 12th Century and finished by the Vijayanagar Dynasty during 16th Century. Also visit Varadaraja or Devaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and visitable parts are of 16th Century AD. You may also visit a Silk weaving unit.Later, drive to Mahabalipuram to check into your hotel in mahabalipuram.Overnight at Hotel
Kanchipuram, an ancient city known as “the city of thousand temples”, is one of the seven most sacred pilgrim centres for the Hindus. There now remain about 126 temples and a few more in its outskirts. Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving handloom industry. Ekambaranath Temple, also known as Ekambareswarar Temple - The eleven-storey structure which is adorned with beautiful Stucco Figures is one of the tall temple towers in South India. The ancient mango tree in the courtyard inside the temple is revered by childless couples. They faithfully tie small cradles to the branches of the tree and leave with the hope that their desire for an offspring will be fulfilled. Also visit Kailasanatha Temple and Varadaja Temple.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Chariot Beach Resort,Mahabalipuram

Day 3: Mahabalipuram

Stop At: Shore Temple Rd, Mahabalipuram 603104 India
After breakfast, sightseeing of Mahabalipuram to explore the heritage of Mahabalipuram temples, built in 7th & 8th century AD which are today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels.Afternoon at leisure for free walks. Overnight at hotel.

Mahabalipuram - It is among the most outstanding examples of Pallava art and architecture. The monuments are floodlit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty even after sunset. Arjuna’s Penance - This skillfully carved rock is the largest bas relief in the world. There are nine rock cut cave temples. The Mahishasuramardhini cave, contrasting the goddess fighting a demon on one side, and Lord Vishnu's cosmic sleep on the other, is a particularly remarkable one. Five Rathas -These rock-cut temples are rated as excellent example of Pallava art. Shaped in different styles, the rathas are supposed to have been scooped out of a single rock formation.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Arjuna's Penance, West Raja Street Near Ganesha Ratha, Mahabalipuram 603104 India
Mahabalipuram Sightseeing
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Chariot Beach Resort,Mahabalipuram

Day 4: Kumbakonam

Stop At: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Cholapuram, Thanjavur India
After an early breakfast at the hotel,drive to Gangaikondacholapuram (UNESCO temple) to visit the amazing architectural Marvel. Later visit Darasuram Iravadeeswarar Temple (UNESCO Monument).On arrival at Kumbakonam,check in to your hotel.Evening experience a cookery demonstration on traditional snack & Sweet for your evening tea/coffee.Overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Rajendra I, the mighty Chola King, established his new capital at Gangaikondacholapuram with this magnificent city and temple to Lord Siva in the 11th century. It is 50 kms. from Chidambaram. 

The temple is noted for its massive and richly carved sculptures. A big Nandi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and the gigantic dwarapalakas are the other special features of this temple. The temple has a huge quadrangular passage which has dark ambulatory passage in between the double wall construction which is meant to distribute the vertical load of the temple superstructure. The inside passage is accessible to tourists between 9 AM to 12 Noon and 6 PM to 8 PM.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India
Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram (Tamil Nadu), dating back to the second half of the 12th century is one of the 4 biggest temples erected by the Chola Dynasty with those of Tanjore, Gangaikondacholapuram and Tribhuvanam. Remarkable monument for its architecture and its great decorative wealth, it has been registered in the world heritage list of the UNESCO in 2004. You can also see the traces of amazing paintings popular with Nayaks’ period of 17th Century. Again the influence of social life is very much depicted in the paintings as well as the carvings.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Paradise Resort,Kumbakonam

Day 5: Tanjore

Stop At: Brihadeeswara Temple, Membalam Rd Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur 613001 India
Early morning,you shall visit the Wholesale Vegetable market at Darasuram which is said to be the second largest in Asia.After breakfast, drive to Tanjore to visit the Big Temple (Brihadeeswara Temple).Afternoon return to Kumbakonam.Evening enjoy a bullock cart ride for half an hour to the nearby village. Overnight stay at Kumbakonam.

Thanjavur rose to the glory during the later Chola reign between the 10th and 14th Centuries and became a centre of learning and culture.Thanjavur is still the centre of all the classical arts and music.The Big Temple and the other famous temples in the district are known all over the world. It is the headquarters of Thanjavur district, the 'Rice Bowl' of Tamil Nadu. Thanjavur is also famous for its distinctive art style, which is usually a combination of raised and painted surfaces.Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted in tradition and still innovative within limits. This art is sacred and dedicated.


Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Paradise Resort,Kumbakonam

Day 6: Tranquebar

Stop At: Tranquebar, Tranquebar, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu
After an early breakfast, drive to Thrikadiyur Siva Temple which is famous for the elderly couple who renew their wedding vows in front of the priest in the presence of the family.Later,drive to Tranquebar,the Danish township. On arrival check in at hotel.Overnight at Hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Bestseller Danish Homes

Day 7: Tranquebar

Stop At: Danish Fort, Tharangambadi 609313 India
Full day to explore local visits and sightseeing of Tarangambadi. You may visit Dansborg Archaeological Museum, Governor’s Bungalow, Masilamani Nathar Temple etc. Overnight at Hotel.

Tharangambadi, also known as Tranquebar, is about 275 km from Chennai .This settlement was chosen by the Danes to expand trade in the 17th century A.D. Ove Gedde, a Danish admiral, negotiated and signed a treaty with the Tanjore King, Vijaya Raghunatha Nayak, in November 1620. It provided for creation of a port at Tharangambadi mainly for export of pepper to Denmark. Work on the fort began immediately and was completed in 1622. By mid-19th century, all Danish settlement were transferred to the British East India Company under a pact. Tharangambadi was one of them and the Fort, along with 13 brass canons mounted on the ramparts of the fort, became British property.

The historical Fort Dansborg at Tharangambadi, a relic of the Danish Era in India, is back in the limelight with the initial phase of restoration work nearing completion. Constructed nearly four centuries ago, the monument which served as the residence of Danish Governor for 150 years, has been in ruins, because of age, weathering and apathy on the part of the administration.After independence, the monument was used as an inspection bungalow of the Public Works Department and in the late 1970s, a museum was set up to portray the Indo-Danish contacts in political, social and commercial fields. At present, a major portion of the Fort is under the control of the State Archaeological department, while one portion is with the Archaeological Survey of India.

One of the major attractions of Tranquebar is its rich ozone layer – most evident on the beach. The ozone has a rejuvenating effect and does wonders to the tired urban body. Every weekend hundreds of local families from the neighbouring villages gather around the 400 year old Fort which is the second largest Danish fort after Kronborg located in Denmark. Ice-cream vendors, balloon sellers and snack stalls give an insight into the humble expression of how people like to celebrate life by the ocean in Tranquebar.

The Dansborg Archaeological Museum situated inside the fort holds a collection of curios and artefacts dating back to the Danes. It also has fossils of early centuries, coins, fish bones, Chinese porcelain and weapons. Rare paintings of Maratha kings and palm leaf manuscripts are also stored here.Built in 1784, the Governor’s Bungalow is currently under restoration and will be transformed into a local cultural centre. This building along with the surrounding buildings, will be a central public area for Tranquebar and its inhabitants. A library, an exhibition area, a shop, a Tamil restaurant and a tourist office will be a part of this project.The 700 year old Masilamani Nathar Temple built in 1306 by the Pandya King Maravarmam Kulasekara Pandyan is unique in its architecture. It was built combining Chinese architecture with Tamil architectural technique, possibly in an attempt to attract Chinese merchants who were visiting India.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Masilamaniswarar Shiva Temple, Tharangambadi 609313 India
Tranquebar sightseeing
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Bestseller Danish Homes

Day 8: Tranquebar

Stop At: Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Nagapattinam 614807 India
After an early breakfast,drive to Point Calimere Wildlife & Bird Sanctuary with a packed lunch.You will have a ride through the Sanctuary to watch many migratory birds and wild animals like deers and Black Bucks.Evening return to Tranquebar for overnight stay.

Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary is a protected area in Tamil Nadu, South India along the Palk Strait where it meets the Bay of Bengal The sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of the near threatened blackbuck antelope, an endemic mammal species of India. This sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity, with many unique species of animals and birds.

Animals:The main species of the sanctuary is the near threatened blackbuck antelope.It now has the largest population of blackbuck in South India . The predators of the blackbuck at Point Calimere are jackals, and sometimes village dogs. Other notable animals include: spotted deer, jackal, bonnet monkey, wild boar, monitor lizard, short-nosed fruit bat, small Indian civet, star tortoise, Indian grey mongoose, black-naped hare, jungle cat and feral pony.Bottlenose dolphin is frequently seen along the shore of the sanctuary in morning and evening hours during the winter. The shoreline beaches of the sanctuary are a regular nesting site of the endangered olive ridley turtle.

Waterbirds:This site has recorded the second largest congregation of migratory waterbirds in India, with a peak population in excess of 100,000, representing 103 species. In October these waterbirds arrive from Rann of Kutch, Eastern Siberia, Northern Russia, Central Asia and parts of Europe for their feeding season and start returning to those breeding places in January. These waterbirds include threatened species such as spot-billed pelican, Nordmann's greenshank, spoonbill sandpiper and black-necked stork. Near threatened species include black-headed ibis, Asian dowitcher, lesser flamingo, spoonbill, darter and painted stork.

Landbirds;The Sanctuary harbour a large variety of resident and migratory landbirds. The most common of the 35 resident species are white-browed bulbul, brahminy kite, small green-billed malkoha, crow pheasant, rose-ringed parakeet, grey partridge, blue-tailed bee-eater and common iora.Spotted and collared doves are common in the mangroves


Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Bestseller Danish Homes

Day 9: Tranquebar

Stop At: Tranquebar, Tranquebar, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu
Full day at leisure at Tranquebar.You may opt for a boating to visit the nearby fishermen village.Overnight at hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Bestseller Danish Homes

Day 10: Pondicherry

Stop At: Auroville, Auroville, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Pondicherry which still carries a strong flavour of the French presence in India.Visit Auroville enroute. On arrival ,check in at your hotel.Afternoon a familiarisation of the City. The traditional French architecture is still maintained even in the latest renovations and the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is the authorized agency for any such renovations in Pondicherry.After sightseeing,you will be brought to the Beach Road to spend sometime walking through the beach side to see the public life around.Return to your hotel. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.

The old town of Pondicherry has a unique charm and the French Quarter is unique in its cleanliness,architecture,discipline etc.To experience the spirit of Pondicherry,its essential to walk through the old town and closely observe the nature of its architectural traditions. Its interesting to note that if someone wants an old building to be restored in Pondicherry,the local authorities ask for the approval of INTACH on priority.This is interesting and we could see how naturally those old buildings were restored in French style.One will walk through Town Hall (Mairie/Hotel de Ville),Notre Dame des Anges Church,Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient,Cluny Emboidery centre,Alliance Francaise,INTACH Heritage Centre for Exhibitions,Lycees Francaise and lot more.

The main attraction in terms of the universality of Pondicherry is Auroville belongs to no religion,nation,colour etc but to all men of goodwill,all those who thirst for progress and aspire to a higher and truer life.The dream behind this divine destinations is “A place on earth which no Nation could claim as its own,where al human beings of goodwill who have a sincere aspiration could live freely as citizens of the world and obey one single authority,that of the supreme truth;a place of peace,concord and harmony where all the fighting instincts of man would be used exclusively to conquer the causes of his sufferings and miseries,to surmount his weaknesses and ignorance,to triumph over his limitations and incapacities,a place where the needs of the spirit and the concern for progress would take precedence over the satisfaction of desires and passions,the search for pleasure and material enjoyment.The shopping plaza at the Auroville is a paradise for shoppers where you find a unique range of eco products made in the local villages.

The beach close to the French quarter is landscaped with wide stone paved pathways and the vehicular traffic is banned from 6 PM till 7.30 AM.its strictly maintained and the pedestrians enjoy their walk in the evening.Many of the old heritage buildings are now getting converted to hotels and guest houses.All kinds of restaurents with international cusines are seen everyehere.A walk through the market place on M G Road is also amazing.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Atithi,Pondicherry

Day 11: Pondicherry

Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
After breakfast, visit the Elephant orphanage run by an NGO a well appreciated social project.You will feed the elephants,they tell you the story of elephants too. Later visit a Franco Tamilian Family for an interaction.Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
A Day with the Gentle Giants – Celebrating Love and Freedom

Elephants are definitely among the most loved animals in the world, gentle giants as we like to call them. Sadly, while African elephants are being hunted for their ivory tusks, in Asia they are captured from the wild for private ownership and commercial use.
However not all private owners are bad, some of them do have a change in heart, and we hope this change of heart turns into an epidemic. A positive story recently emerged from Tamil Nadu when a religious and spiritual organisation, owners of many important temples in the region, handed over three of their temple elephants to the animal welfare organisations- TREE Foundation, Chennai and WRRC (Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre), Bengaluru. Both organisations are much admired for their work in the space of wildlife rescue and welfare. Together they have setup an Elephant Care Facility near Pondicherry to help rehabilitate the temple elephants.
The facility serves to allow abused and neglected elephants, to have the freedoms which they have been denied. Here the Elephants have the freedom to move around without chains in a natural, protected, near-wild space; the freedom to sleep, walk, play or bathe under benevolent human monitoring and presence; the freedom to play with water or indulge in dust-baths and other normal behaviour; they have freedom from fear of emotional or physical pain and distress; the freedom to indulge in natural social interactions, and above all freedom from injury, disease and malnutrition. A visit to the facility will help one understand how captive elephants live in near natural surroundings.
On the visit you can observe the elephants being bathed, feed and watch the elephants eat their vegetable and fruits in the presence of the Mahouts (caregivers), walk alongside the mahouts and the elephants to the coconut grove, watch at a safe distance, the elephants dust bathing, grazing and socializing in the grove, learn about their emotional and social behaviour and watch a short video about the story of the elephants.
While we firmly believe that the best place to observe Elephants are in the wild, where they move around freely, the Elephant Care Facility is a praiseworthy effort in caring for those Elephants who cannot be sent back to the wild. Needless to say guest visits help raise funds which goes towards caring for the Elephants and for upkeep of the surroundings. We hope you will join us in celebrating the new found love and freedom of these gentle giants.

Communities of Pondicherry – Meet the Franco-Tamils (Pondicherry)
Pondicherry had many European settlers – the British, Dutch, Portuguese and also the French. Perhaps the most vivid French influence is seen in the unique blend of French and local Tamil architectural styles – Franco-Tamil – seen in buildings across this little town.

Experience Pondicherry with our lovely hostess, a lady with a mixed Tamil and Creole heritage, at her beautiful Franco-Tamil home. She is an absolute pleasure to talk to and her calm and pleasant demeanour at once puts you to ease. She comes from a family of art lovers and collectors and the plain exterior of her mid 19th century home belies the magic within. The home combines a strong, authentic Tamil aesthetic with antique furniture, tapestries, art and artefacts – all reflecting Pondicherry’s multi-cultural influence.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Atithi,Pondicherry

Day 12: Chennai Departure

Pass By: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Today you will be transferred to Chennai International Airport to connect your departure flight.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.