Day – 5 - Periyar – Madurai (137 kms / 4 hrs): After breakfast, visit the Tribal Heritage Museum and then proceed to Madurai. The ancient temple town of Madurai is nowadays renowned for its textile mills, engineering industries and large university areas but its significance on the tourist map is mainly because of the Meenakshi temple. Afternoon visit the Temple which dominates the city skyline by its towering gopurams. End the evening with a visit to the Tirumalai Naik Palace, built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The Palace authorities also conduct a Sound and Light show, which add to the significance of the palace (optional). Overnight at hotel.
Day – 6 - Madurai – Trichy – Tanjore (198 kms): Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Trichy (142 kms / 4 hrs). A guided visit to the Rockfort temple and Srirangam Temple. Then proceed onto Tanjore (56 kms / 1 hr). Tanjore is one of the most green and enchanting districts and is the Rice Bowl of the state. On arrival, check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.
Day – 7 - Tanjore – Pondicherry (177 kms / 3.5 hrs): Breakfast at hotel. Half-day guided tour of the Brahadeeswara Temple, built in the 10th century AD and an outstanding example of the Chola (dynasty) architecture. Later visit the Palace, built by the Nayaks and renovated by the Maratha dynasty. It dates back to the 1550s and houses an art gallery, a library, a hall of music and the Schwartz Church. In the afternoon, drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check into hotel. Evening free to walk bustling market streets. Overnight at hotel.
|
