Tamil Nadu
Chennai to Thanjavur: Coast and Chola Temples
5 Nights / 6 Days
Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Thanjavur - Trichy
Price on requestView package
Package ID 0256
Grand Tamil Nadu Tour
- Standard / 3-star equivalent stay
- Breakfast
- Customizable itinerary
Eight days across Tamil Nadu: Chennai and Mahabalipuram, French Pondicherry, the Chola temples of Thanjavur, Madurai's Meenakshi temple, and Rameswaram.
Package pricePrice on requestQuoted for your dates & group
Enquire for today’s price; once a travel expert confirms it, pay online, by UPI or bank transfer.
Quick facts
In short: Grand Tamil Nadu Tour is a 7-night, 8-day tour that also covers Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram. It starts in Chennai and ends in Madurai. It includes daily breakfast. The itinerary can be customised.
- Package ID
- 0256
- Duration
- 7 Nights / 8 Days
- Places
- Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameswaram
- Starts
- Chennai
- Ends
- Madurai
- Stay
- Stay in standard/3-star equivalent accommodation as per the selected package plan
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Best time
- November to February is the best time for Tamil Nadu; October and November bring heavy rain to the coast.
- Customizable
- Yes
Day-wise itinerary
- Package ID
- 0256
- Tour
- Grand Tamil Nadu Tour
- Duration
- 7 Nights / 8 Days
- Destination
- Tamil Nadu
- Price
- Price on request
This is a suggested day-by-day plan. Timings, the order of sightseeing and hotels are confirmed with your quote.
Temples have dress codes (men may be asked to remove shirts at some temples) and fixed darshan timings; cameras are not allowed inside many inner sanctums. Entry fees, boat rides and ferries are paid locally.
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Day 1 — Arrive in Chennai
Arrive at Chennai airport or railway station, where our representative meets you. In the afternoon, visit the Kapaleeshwarar temple in Mylapore, the San Thome Basilica and Fort St. George, and walk on Marina Beach at sunset. Overnight stay in Chennai.
Overnight: Chennai
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Day 2 — Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
After breakfast, drive down the East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram for the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas and Arjuna's Penance, then on to Pondicherry (about 160 km in all). Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Overnight: Pondicherry
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Day 3 — Pondicherry and Auroville
After breakfast, walk through the French Quarter of Pondicherry with its yellow villas, the Promenade beach, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Manakula Vinayagar temple. In the afternoon, visit Auroville and the Matrimandir viewing point (the inner chamber needs advance booking). Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Overnight: Pondicherry
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Day 4 — Pondicherry to Thanjavur
After breakfast, drive to Thanjavur (about 180 km, 4 hours), visiting the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram on the way. In the evening, see the Brihadeeswarar temple lit up. Overnight stay in Thanjavur.
Overnight: Thanjavur
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Day 5 — Thanjavur to Madurai
After breakfast, visit the Thanjavur Palace, then drive to Madurai (about 190 km, 4 hours). In the evening, have darshan at the Meenakshi Amman temple. Overnight stay in Madurai.
Overnight: Madurai
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Day 6 — Madurai to Rameswaram
After a morning at the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, drive to Rameswaram (about 175 km, 4 hours) across the Pamban bridge. Evening darshan at the Ramanathaswamy temple. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
Overnight: Rameswaram
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Day 7 — Dhanushkodi
After breakfast, drive to Dhanushkodi (about 20 km), the ghost town at the tip of the island, and Arichal Munai, where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean. Visit the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam memorial and the Agni Theertham beach. Overnight stay in Rameswaram.
Overnight: Rameswaram
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Day 8 — Rameswaram to Madurai
After breakfast, drive back to Madurai (about 175 km, 4 hours) for your onward journey. The tour ends here.
Route: Chennai → Pondicherry → Thanjavur → Madurai → Rameswaram
View route on Google MapsInclusions & exclusions
Included (standard)
- Standard/3-star equivalent accommodation as per package plan. Room category subject to package/quotation.
- Breakfast as per package plan. Other meals only where specifically included.
- Transfers and sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Travel coordination/assistance during the tour.
- Applicable taxes where included in the package/quotation.
Not included (standard)
- Airfare/train fare unless specifically included.
- Personal expenses.
- Meals not specifically mentioned.
- Monument/attraction entry fees unless specifically included.
- Optional activities.
- Camera/video charges where applicable.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa/permit charges where applicable.
- Tips/gratuities.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions.
- Expenses caused by delays, weather or circumstances beyond reasonable operational control where applicable.
Standard package cost excludes airfare, train fare and bus fare unless specifically mentioned in the package inclusions. Local transfers and sightseeing listed above are included.
Important information & booking terms
- To book and confirm your tour, pay 35% of the total package cost as an advance; the balance is due before departure.
- Air and train tickets need full payment.
- Mode of payment: net banking, IMPS, NEFT, cheque, UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) or QR code. Cash is not accepted.
- Check-in and check-out as per hotel policy.
- A booking voucher is issued once payment is received.
- Extra adult 35% and extra child 25% of the package cost (children below 5 complimentary).
- If a listed hotel is unavailable, accommodation is arranged in a hotel of similar standard.
- Transport is provided as per the itinerary and is not at disposal; sightseeing depends on the time available.
- Cancellation 30 days or more before departure: non-refundable deposit (25% of the total package).
- Between 29 and 20 days before departure: non-refundable deposit + 25% of the holiday cost.
- Between 19 and 14 days before departure: non-refundable deposit + 50% of the holiday cost.
- Between 13 and 8 days before departure: non-refundable deposit + 75% of the holiday cost.
- Within 7 days of departure: 100% of the holiday cost.
- Any refund due is paid after Holiday Guru Travel receives the refund from the service providers; processing charges are deducted.
Where you stay
| Nights | Place | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Night 1 | Chennai | Standard / 3-star equivalent |
| Nights 2–3 | Pondicherry | Standard / 3-star equivalent |
| Night 4 | Thanjavur | Standard / 3-star equivalent |
| Night 5 | Madurai | Standard / 3-star equivalent |
| Nights 6–7 | Rameswaram | Standard / 3-star equivalent |
Hotel names are confirmed with your booking. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a hotel of similar standard is arranged. Ask us to upgrade any night.
Price
Package price
Price on request
We quote this package for your dates, travellers and hotel choice. No current rate is published for this tour.
Standard package cost excludes airfare, train fare and bus fare unless specifically mentioned in the package inclusions.
How this package is priced
- Extra adult 35% and extra child 25% of the package cost (children below 5 complimentary).
- To book and confirm your tour, pay 35% of the total package cost as an advance; the balance is due before departure.
- Mode of payment: net banking, IMPS, NEFT, cheque, UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) or QR code. Cash is not accepted.
Want this trip your way?
Change hotels, add nights or sightseeing, or combine it with another destination.
Questions about this package
What is included in the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour?
For this 7-night tour of Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram:
- Standard/3-star equivalent accommodation as per package plan. Room category subject to package/quotation.
- Breakfast as per package plan. Other meals only where specifically included.
- Transfers and sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Travel coordination/assistance during the tour.
- Applicable taxes where included in the package/quotation.
Which places does the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour cover?
The route is Chennai → Pondicherry → Thanjavur → Madurai → Rameswaram. Overnight stays: 1 night in Chennai, 2 nights in Pondicherry, 1 night in Thanjavur, 1 night in Madurai and 2 nights in Rameswaram.
How long is the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour, and where does it start and end?
7 nights and 8 days (7 Nights / 8 Days). It starts in Chennai (Day 1: Arrive in Chennai) and ends in Madurai (Day 8: Rameswaram to Madurai).
Are flights or train tickets included in the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour?
No. The Grand Tamil Nadu Tour starts in Chennai and ends in Madurai, so plan your arrival and return tickets for those points. The standard package cost excludes airfare, train fare and bus fare. We can quote tickets separately. This package’s exclusions say: “Airfare/train fare unless specifically included.”
Which hotels are used on the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour?
On this tour you stay in standard/3-star equivalent accommodation as per the selected package plan in Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram. This applies to all 7 nights of the tour. Hotel names are confirmed with your booking. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a hotel of similar standard is arranged.
Which meals are included on the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour?
Breakfast, as per the package plan: breakfast at your hotel in Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram each morning after an overnight stay, so 7 breakfasts (Day 2 to Day 8). Other meals are included only where specifically stated; lunch and dinner are otherwise at your own cost.
How do I book this package?
To book and confirm your tour, pay 35% of the total package cost as an advance; the balance is due before departure. A booking voucher is issued once payment is received.
How are extra adults and children charged?
Extra adult 35% and extra child 25% of the package cost (children below 5 complimentary).
Can the Grand Tamil Nadu Tour itinerary be customized?
Yes. You can extend this 7-night trip, change hotels, add nights in Chennai, Pondicherry and Thanjavur, add sightseeing, or combine it with another Tamil Nadu trip. Tell us in the enquiry form or on WhatsApp.
Planning your Tamil Nadu trip
Best time: November to February is the best time for Tamil Nadu; October and November bring heavy rain to the coast.
Tours start in Chennai, Madurai or Trichy, with pick-up from the airport or railway station and transfers and sightseeing as specified on each package.
All Tamil Nadu tour packages and travel advice
Travel guides for this trip
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