South India
The Great Temples of Tamil Nadu
Travel Style: Experiential
Service Level: 5 Star Hotels
Trip Type: Small / Private Group
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Testimonials
The people who know best
Really good experience. Everything went very smoothly and was really well organised. Me and my family learnt a lot and really ate a lot – food was tooo good. Really one of the best tours we have been on. Very good selection of hotels. Guide was very informative. We had lot of fun travelling with others in group. Thank you
Rating ★★★★★
Great tour, great experience, great people. Really never expected this to be as good as it turned out to be. Was initially skeptical about my family travelling with others, but it really was so much fun. Everyone was just fab and I have made new friends for the rest of my life. Hotels were stunning.
Rating ★★★★★
WOW! What a holiday we had! Thank you Indian Expeditions for such a lovely experience. Everything – from start to finish was just simply superb. The hotels and food were just GREAT. Whale watching . . .OMG, I will never forget that day ever! Thank you thank you thank you!
Rating ★★★★★
The Great Temples of Tamil Nadu
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is a major travel hub in India. It was here that the British gained a firm footing in the 16th century
Kanchipuram was the capital of many of South India’s ancient dynasties and today has over 1000 temples.
Mahabalipuram was an ancient port, known to even the ancient Romans. It houses some of India’s most magnificent rock cut temples and art.
Chidambaram houses the Thillai Nataraja temple, which is considered the center of the Hindu universe.
Idyllic rice plantations, tall coconut trees gently swaying in the breeze – and ancient temples everywhere!
Madurai is one of the world’s oldest cities and is home to the magnificent Madurai Meekankshi Temple.
Return to Chennai / Depart Madurai.
The Great Temples of Tamil Nadu
On this travel adventure, we explore some of Tamilnadus most ancient and magnificent temples – some of which date to the classical age! An absolute time capsule – you will journey 1500 – 2000 years into the past, and immerse yourself in the almost exact sounds and sights one would have witnessed then!
This travel adventure is truly like none other!
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive at any time. You’ll be picked up from the airport and dropped at your hotel.
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is today the 4th largest city in India. It was here that the British, in the 16th century, gained a firm footing which enabled them to conquer and rule India and much of South East Asia. We will start tour of South India by visiting Fort St George – the first British fort in India. We will then explore at leisure the rest of Chennai, including the St Thomas Basilica, where St Thomas, the apostle is said to have been buried and the Egmore Museum which houses the finest collection of India artefacts from the 5th-15th century.
Explore the city of a 1000 temples, Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram was the capital of many of South India’s ancient dynasties. A short drive from Chennai, we will leave Chennai early in the morning, spend the day visiting some of the most ancient and most awe inspiring temples. Return Chennai
Mahabalipuram was an ancient port, known to even the ancient Romans. Today, it’s an UNESCO designated world heritage site, and houses some of South India’s greatest rock cut temples and reliefs. A visit to Mahabalipuram has been the highlight of many a traveller we have hosted, and they; historians, art lovers and the casual traveller included have described the day as one of their most enthralling visits ever, anywhere! Onwards to Pondicherry.
Chidambaram houses the Thillai Nataraja temple, which is considered the center of the Hindu universe. Here, the lord is worshipped as space and in a dancing from called Nataraja, one of Hinduisms most advanced concepts.
Idyllic rice plantations, tall coconut trees gently swaying in the breeze – and ancient temples everywhere! The rice and ancient temple belt of the South, Kumbakonam and Thanjavur are home to some of India’s greatest and oldest temples with rituals that are in constant practice since the classical age, from 2500 BC! We will explore some of the regions most mighty ands striking temples and dwell into ancient Indian art and architecture.
Madurai is one of the worlds oldest cities and is home to the magnificent Madurai Meenakshi Temple. After visiting the temple, we will stroll through Madurai’s ancient and bustling bazaars –an experience you will never forget!
Either drive back to Chennai or Depart from Madurai International Airport
HOTELS ON TOUR
At Indian Expeditions, we understand the importance of good hotels throughout a touring holiday. All the hotels on our tours of South India have been personally selected by our directors to ensure they meet the highest standards. We have personally stayed in the hotels and experienced first hand how their services are. We have also hosted many groups of travellers in them. Furthermore, we have paid special attention in making sure the hotels we stay in suit the western traveller. Each hotel on our South Indian Tours has its own unique style and character, but all share the same high and excellent standard.
Though our tours are advertised as tours with 5 star hotels, some boutique hotels may not have a star rating, but have the same level of service and comfort as a 5 star.
Due to the growth in tourism in India, it may not always be possible to stay at our listed accommodation and an alternative of equal standards will be found.
Taj Club House Chennai
Set in the heart of Chennai, The Taj Club House is a strikingly contemporary 5 star hotel with elegant and extremely comfortable rooms. Perfect to recharge after a long haul flights and to get ready for the tours. Rooms are well-appointed with luxury, contemporary comforts and furnished with local artefacts, and the large picture windows ensure that natural light floods in.
Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
Set along the Bay of Bengal, sprawled across 12 acres of luscious greeneries, Ideal Beach Resort offers a perfect beach holiday experience. The resort has a private beach, furnished with huts and hammocks surrounded by swaying coconut trees. Ideal beach is renowned for its food, and serves some really, really tasty dishes.
Maison Perumal, Pondicherry
Maison Perumal is a 130 year old family mansion dating back to French colonial times in Pondicherry. It was built by a member of one of the prosperous Tamil communities settled around the temple area in those days and expresses an architectural character that integrates the vernacular with the colonial in a novel and striking manner. It is now one of the finest and most luxurious boutique hotels in South India.
Mantra Koodam, Kumbakonam
Mantra Koodam is designed like an ‘agraharam’ – the characteristically Brahmin (priests in India) street lined with ‘illams’ (homes). It’s a tribute to the region’s heritage and its historic stature as a seat of power in South India. The cottages are designed like traditional Tamil homes – with large verandahs, hand made tiles on the floor, ornate Burmese teak doors and open-to-air bathrooms.
The Heritage, Madurai
Steeped in the history of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai, Heritage Madurai exudes an old world charm that resonates throughout its architecture and interiors. Beautifully designed accommodation with modern amenities and facilities are accompanied by the hotel’s Olympic-sized pool and stunning setting, offering blissful relaxation. How many places can you dine beneath a 200-year-old banyan tree accompanied by the delightful melodies of chirping birds? The Banyan restaurant offers just that, along with a variety of traditional and western buffet-style meals.
Trip Information
CLIMATE
Sun-kissed – in a word! Glorious sunny days with bright blue skies is the norm. The climate of South India is tropical. Summer temperatures on the plains are very hot, but cooled by the South-West Monsoon, which lasts from June- September. During these months it can be very wet and therefore very humid. At hill stations, temperatures can become quite cool at night even in the summer and may drop below 15 C between December and February so warm clothing is necessary. The rest of south India remains warm and sunny during the winter months. Summer starts from April, with May – mid July being the hottest, where it can reach temperatures of over 40 C during the day. From August, it starts cooling down, with it being the coolest between December to end of February. The west coast (Kerala, Goa, parts of Karnataka) experiences rain between June and September, and in the east coast – Tamil Nadu, it rains mostly in November up to mid December. During the first 3 weeks of November, sporadic rainfall occurs, sometimes heavy for brief periods. The hurricane or cyclone season starts end of November and ends by around the 20th of December. One can expect intense spells of heavy rain and wind during this period, especially during the first 2 weeks of December.
Time difference to GMT
+5.5 hours
Plugs
3 Pin Round
Religion
Hindu, Islam, Catholicism, Protestant, Buddhism.
Language
English is spoken widely. Other major languages are Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. Our tours are conducted in English.
FOOD AND DRINK
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more. The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
Lunch price
£8 / $ 10
Dinner price
£8 / $ 10
Beer price
£3 / $4
Water bottle price
£0.5 / $ .05
Foreign Exchange
LOCAL CURRENCY
Indian Rupee (INR)
RECOMMENDED CURRENCY FOR EXCHANGE
GBP/US$ are the best currency to change into local currency.
WHERE TO EXCHANGE
The Indian rupee is a restricted currency and it is best not to obtain in the UK as rates are very poor. We strongly advise you not to exchange you at airports on arrival as they give very poor rates. Your Tour Leader will advise you on the best places in each town. Both GBP and USD cash are easy to exchange. It’s not possible to change money using a credit or debit card.
ATM AVAILABILITY
ATMs are available widely. You must inform your bank that you are travelling to India and ask them to enable your cards to have withdrawal / transactions enabled for India.
CREDIT CARD ACCEPTANCE
In most establishments that are medium to large.
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Opportunities to exchange are limited.
CLOTHING
South India is a tropical region with high humidity. Lightweights are needed all year round with some warmer clothes for the cooler winter evenings (November to February) in hill stations such as Munnar, Thekkady and Chikmagalur. Casual clothes are the most practical: tight fitting garments, brief shorts and skirts should be avoided, since they attract unwelcome attention. Swim wear can be worn in very few beaches but in all resorts and hotels if you are using the pool. Bring a light and easy to carry water p
FOOTWEAR
Walking shoes or trainers and sandals are recommended. Note that temples do not allow footwear to be worn inside, and footwear must be left at the entrance of temples. You can wear socks inside.
LUGGAGE
While our maximum cap on luggage per person is 50 KG – two main pieces of luggage and day sac, we highly recommend that you do not overload yourself. One main piece of baggage and a day sac per person are recommended. Note that domestic airlines in India usually allow 15 KGS of checked in baggage and 7 kgs of cabin baggage per person. Most hotels where we stay at offer express laundry services for about USD 1 – USD 2 per piece.
EQUIPMENT
Binoculars, torch, sun screen, insect repellent.
TIPPING
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff (like in hotels, or drivers) will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group’s tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Accordingly, you should allow GBP35 / $ 40 approx. 3’000 Indian Rupees for group tipping.
For all non-included services and meals on your trip please tip independently at your discretion.
Transport Information
Sedans, such as the Toyota Etios. SUVS such as the Toyota Innova / Volkswagen Taigun. Minibuses such as the Force Tempo or Force Urbania. All vehicles used will be in excellent condition, fitted with individual bucket seats and with air conditioning. The type of vehicle used will be at our discretion, though if you have any preference do send us an email and we will try to accommodate your request.
Accommodation notes
Accommodation in South India is as varied as the region itself and standards might not always meet those back home. We have chosen the best of the best resorts and hotels for your adventure.
All rooms are twin-share and they have their own bathroom attached.All towels and bedding are provided.
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.
Price Guarantee
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.
Visa and Passport Information
India: Holders of passports endorsed British citizen, as well as Australian, New Zealand and US passport holders may be eligible for the e-Tourist Visa to enter India.
The visa can be applied for through the official Indian government visa website only – https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Please check all eligibility criteria that can be found on the website but important points are listed below –
You must be arriving into one of 29 selected entry points which can be found via the official Indian Government website link above. However, you can exit from any of the authorised immigration check posts in India.
Passports must have at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival in India and at least two blank pages for stamping. Visa applications will take approximately 4 days to process.
Those applying for a 30 day electronic visa can only apply within 30 days of arrival for your visa to be valid. Furthermore double entry is permitted and you can only obtain two 30-day visas in a calendar year.
Please note these costs are subject to frequent change so you should check on the official Indian government visa website mentioned above. Biometric data will be collected on arrival in India.
If you are not eligible for the e-Tourist Visa, please refer to VFS Global to apply for your Indian visa – https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/how_to_apply.html
Whilst the online form offers a relatively quick way to apply for a visa, some applicants have reported difficulty in completing the form. If you would like to use a visa service to process your visa on your behalf, we recommend CIBT Visas. They have expert knowledge in visa requirements, and are dedicated to ensuring that obtaining your visas is as efficient and hassle-free as possible.
CIBT provide various levels of visa service, including detailed information about which visas and documentation you and your party require, clear and user-friendly application forms, and a full concierge service to manage your application from start to finish. There is a team of experts on hand to offer advice, and liaise with embassies on your behalf.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Booking conditions
Before booking your Indian Expeditions trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Your safety and enjoyment on tour
We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred.
Your Tour Leader
We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments on trip – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Indian Expeditions that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. Please ensure that you are covered for the full duration of your holiday, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy.
Vaccinations
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against Tetanus, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid and Polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
On demand
Dates
| Dates | Availability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Feb, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Mar, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Aug, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Sep, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Oct, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Nov, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Dec, 2024 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Dates | Availability | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jan, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Feb, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Mar, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Aug, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Sep, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Oct, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Nov, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
| Dec, 2025 | On request | CONTACT US |
