Itinerary

1. Day 1: Chennai & Puducherry

   • Arrive at Chennai Airport/Railway station and head to Pondicherry, the ex-French colony.

   • Check in to your hotel and freshen up.

   • Visit the attractions of Pondicherry that includes French Fort Louis, Aayi Mandapam, Ananda Ranga Pillai Museum, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Aurobindo Ashram, Backwater lakes & Gardens and the 19th Century Lighthouse.

   • Indulge in the shopper's paradise which offers wide varieties of handicrafts, fabrics, stones, wooden sculptures, mats, pottery, perfumes, mirror works, lamps and candles, when you stroll through the city.

2. Day 2: Mahabalipuram & Chennai

   • Drive to Chennai via the heritage city of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), the 7th-century sea Port of Pallava Empire and said to be the birthplace of temples and their architecture.

   • Marvel at its vast variety of temples and beaches.

   • Mahabalipuram is an ideal place for buying wonderful idols of Hindu deities carved on granite or wood and other decorative shells items.

   • Spend time in the evening shopping in Chennai.

   Overnight stay at Chennai.

3. Day 3: Kanchipuram

   • Drive to Kanchipuram, also known as the city of Temples. Kanchipuram is revered as one of the top 7 holiest places for Hindus, as per Hindu mythology, ‘moksha’ or salvation can be attained by a visit to all of the seven holy places during their lifetime. This city is a sacred place for the devotees of Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu. Ancient Kanchipuram had almost 1000 temples, now reduced to 126.

   • Go crazy shopping in this city, as it houses the finest silks in India. Kanchipuram silk is woven from silkworms raised purely on mulberry. Silk weaving of Kanchipuram has a history of 400 years. 

   • Visit Gandhi Road to pick up silk sarees as well as Nadu Street and TN Nambi Street. Interesting souvenirs such as idols of gods and goddesses, jewellery boxes and other artefacts can also be purchased here.

4. Day 4: Chennai

   • Spend the whole day in Chennai, visiting attractions such as St. George Fort, Fort Museum, St. Mary’s Church (the oldest Anglican Church in India), The Marina Beach (the second-longest in the world), San Thome Cathedral Basilica (which houses the mortal remains of Christ’s doubting apostle St. Thomas).

   • Bring out the shopaholic in you, as you find a wide berth of things to shop for. From traditional items like pattamadai mats, Tirunelveli leaf handicrafts, bronze and brass castings and Kumbakonam traditional jewellery, Tanjore metal works, Granite carvings of Mamallapuram and silks from Kanchipuram to modern items, Chennai will always fulfil your interests.

5. Day 5: Departure

   • Depart for home via train/flight.