Southern Triangle

Day 01: ARRIVE CHENNAI

• Arrive Chennai by international flight
• Meeting and assistance by ‘WAITE’ representative and transfer to the hotel where room will be protected for immediate occupancy.

Overnight in Chennai

Day 2: A DAY IN CHENNAI

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Morning: Sightseeing Chennai
  Visit the Marina Beach – Chennai’s Marina Beach is famous around the world for being the second-longest urban beach in the world. It is counted among the most popular beaches in India and is undoubtedly Chennai’s biggest landmark.
  Visit Fort St. George – The other major landmark that is crucial to the very existence of Chennai is the Fort St. George. It was the first British centre of power in the southern part of the country and continues to be the seat of the Government of Tamil Nadu since independence.
  Visit the Fort Museum – Located within the Fort St. George compound, the Fort Museum is Chennai’s go-to place for anyone with an interest in Chennai/Madras’ British heritage.
  Visit the St. Mary’s Church – Famous for being the first Anglican church in India, the St. Mary’s Church is also located inside the Fort St. George compound and continues to be an important Christian religious centre in the city.
  Visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple – With a history going back nearly a 1,300 years, the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai‘s Mylapore is one of the oldest places of worship in the city. Apart from being a religious landmark, the temple is a major centre of culture and regularly hosts several classical music and dance performances.
  Visit the San Thome Bascilica – Constructed in the year 1523 by the Portuguese,  the Santhome Basilica in Chennai’s Mylapore neighbourhood is an important Christian site in not just Chennai but all over the world. Said to be one of the only three basilicas in the entire world to be constructed over the tomb of a direct Apostle of Jesus Christ.
  Visit the Government Museum – Counted among India’s first and oldest public museums, the Government Museum complex in Egmore’s Pantheon Road has been one of Chennai’s most famous recreational and educational attractions for more than 160 years
• After visits, return to the hotel

Overnight in Chennai

Day 3:  CHENNAI – PUDUCHERRY (PONDICHERRY)

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Morning: Leave Chennai for Poncicherry by road
• The distance is about 155 kms and the drive would take about 3 hours
• On arrival, check-in at the hotel
• Afternoon: Sightseeing Tour of Pondicherry
  This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture.
  Visit the French Quarters – The streets of the French Quarter of Puducherry, also known as White Town, are dotted with charming mustard-yellow colonial structures with bougainvillaea laden walls. These are interspersed with cosy cafes and chic boutiques that offer delectable French cuisine and beverages. Simply strolling down these streets, can give the traveller an insight into the fairy-tale charm of Puducherry.Visit the Tamil Quarters – In size, the Tamil Quarter or the Black Town dwarfs the French Quarter, being a good 3 – 4 times larger.  In typical colonial fashion, the quarter is further segregated into a Hindu Quarter to the North, and Christian (Catholic) Quarter west and centre, and a Muslim Quarter to the South, each of which have their own unique architecture and places of worship.
  Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Located in the White Town of Pondicherry, Aurobindo Ashram has been named after its creator- Sri Aurobindo Ghosh. This ashram was set up with the aim of helping people attain moksha and inner peace.
  Visit Auroville (subject to permissiona) – Auroville is one of those towns which appear to come to life right out of fiction. This township runs on the principles of peace, harmony, sustainable living and ‘divine consciousness’ which was the philosophy of the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Society, Mirra Alfassa

Overnight in Puducherry

Day 4: PUDUCHERRY (PONDICHERRY) – MAHABALIPURM (MAMALLAPURAM)

• Breakfast at the hotel
• After a relaxed morning, drive to Mahabalipuram
• The distance is about 100 kms and the drive would take about 2 hours
• Afternoon: Sightseeing Tour of Mahabalipuram
  Visit the Shore Temple – Dating back to the 8th century AD, Shore Temple is one of the oldest temples which represent the ancient designs, carving art and constructions. It is claimed to be a part of Seven Pagodas by the legends and is one of the finest places to visit in Mahabalipuram.
  Visit Arjuna’s Penance – It is one of the greatest and ancient artworks inscribed in two monolithic rock boulders. This work of art brilliantly highlights Arjuna doing his penance in order to gratify Lord Shiva to get his celestial weapon.Visit the Panch Rathas – This is another intriguing complex that is full of architectural beauty. It lies near the southern end of the Mahabalipuram town and houses five chariots or pancha rathas that are skilfully carved out of a granite rock in Dravidian architectural style. These five chariots are named after the Pandavas from the Mahabharata era.
  Visit Krishna’s Buttel Ball – Perched on a steep rock slope, this massive round boulder known as Krishna’s Butter Ball refuses to give in to gravity. The giant boulder appears to be frozen in its roll down the hill it sits on, and no one is quite sure why. This huge boulder is likely a glacial erratic that got stranded in a serendipitous position on the hill.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram

Day 5: A DAY IN MAHABALIPURM

• Breakfast at the hotel
• A day at leisure on the beaches

Overnight in Mahabalipuram

Day 6: MAHABALIPURAM – CHENNAI – DEPART CHENNAI

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Morning: At leisure
• Afternoon: Drive from Mahabalipuram to Chennai visiting Kanchipuram enroute
• The distance is about 160 kms and the drive would take about 6 ½ hours including visits
  Visit the Kailasanathar Temple: Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is probably the oldest structure in Kanchipuram.
  Visit the Ekambaranatha Temple – The Ekambaranatha Temple is the largest temple in Kanchipuram. It covers a massive area of 20 acres. This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, and was built by the Pallavas and then in turn was renovated by both the Cholas and the Rayas.
  Visit a Silk Weaving Centre – A famous king of the Chola dynasty ruled Kanchipuram between the years 985 and 1014, who took an initiative of silk trade. It was during the reign of Krishna-Deva Raya, when the famous weaving communities of Andhra Pradesh, the Devangas and Saligars, migrated to Kanchipuram. Thus, occurred the historical migration of the entire silk industry in the 15th century, to this city.
• Drive on to Chennai airport to board onward flight