City Break Chennai - Cultural Experience

City Break Chennai - Cultural Experience

Enjoy this four-day City Break in ‘Chennai’ formerly called Madras , and now the capital city of the Southern state of Tamil Nadu. Be awestruck by the grandeur of the city and learn about its rich history

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Chennai: This tour of Chennai gives you choice to choose the tour program as per your interest and comfort. The available options for half day tour may be chosen either for morning or for afternoon without disturbing your plans unless advised otherwise.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL CHENNAI

Pass By: Chennai International Airport, Great Southern Trunk Rd, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600027, India
Once you arrive at Chennai Airport a representative will meet and greet you, followed by a transfer to your hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of the day at your own leisure, exploring this wonderful city , or relax at the hotel and make the most of the available services.
Overnight in Chennai.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Standard=The Residency or similar 3*
Superior=Courtyard by Marriott or similar 4*
Deluxe=Hyatt Regency or similar 5*

Day 2: CHENNAI CITY TOUR

Pass By: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Kapaleesvarar Sannadhi Street Vinayaka Nagar Colony, Chennai (Madras) 600004 India
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day Chennai City Tour. Visit the Government Museum and the National Art Gallery form part of a cultural-historical complex that is the pride of Chennai. The museum is the second oldest in India and is housed in an Italianate red sandstone rotunda. It has sections dedicated to archaeology, zoology, natural history and sculptures as well as a priceless rare coins collection. The gallery is housed in an imposing Indo-Saracenic building and boasts collections of Indian miniature paintings and tanjore panel paintings, which often feature gold foil.
Visit the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and admire stunning stucco of the 57 metre-high gopuram (gateway steeple). A temple has stood on this site since the seventh century though the multicoloured gopuram dates from 1906. Look around and take in the intricate detail of this magnificent paean to the Lord Shiva. Access beyond outer courtyard is reserved for Hindus.
On your sightseeing drive through Chennai pass Fort St George, which was built by the British to protect their position, and Marina Beach, the second-longest beach in the world as well as glistening white Gothic revival Santhome Catholic Cathedral.

Overnight in Chennai

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard=The Residency or similar 3*
Superior=Courtyard by Marriott or similar 4*
Deluxe=Hyatt Regency or similar 5*

Day 3: CHENNAI

Pass By: Chennai Citi Center, No 10 & 11 Dr Radhakrishnan Salai Mylapore, Chennai (Madras) 600004 India
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel followed by a full day for you to spend at leisure, be that further exploring Chennai at your own pace or making the most of the services available at the hotel. You can also join an optional tour ( extra pay).
1. HALF DAY CHENNAI CITY TOUR (MORNING/AFTERNOON - EXCEPT FRIDAY)
Half day city sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) and also a visit to the famous 16th century Kapaleeshwarar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, sacred to Tamil Shivaties. Non-Hindus are only allowed up to the outer courtyard. Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral.
2. EXCURSION TO MAHABALIPURAM
Mahabalipuram was the 7th century port city of the Pallava dynasty, and was formerly known as 'Mammallapuram' after the great wrestler king Narshimvarman I who took on the title of 'Maha-malla' or 'great wrestler'. You would left mesmerized and awestruck by at the grandeur of the stone carvings. The structures here are mostly carved straight out of granite and are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture.
Mamallapuram occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century, the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "Rathas", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels. These two rock-panels give a graphic description of Arjuna's penance when he prayed for the powers of Shiva and form the largest Bass Relief in the world. Particularly of interest is the shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising Sub, this has now been declared a World Heritage Site.
3. EXCURSION TO KANCHIPURAM (NON-HINDUS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE TEMPLE COMPLEX)
Today, drive 72 kms to Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi as well as City of Thousand temples. The temples here dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving and a visit to the nearby villages to see the craftsmen at work on their looms is rewarding experience.
4.. EXCURSION TO KANCHIPURAM & MAHABALIPURAM
Today you would be visiting the Kanchipuram , also known as Kanchi as well as City of Thousand temples, located 72 km from Chennai and Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram, around 60 km south from the city of Chennai. First visit Kanchipuram and later travel to Mahabalipuram and visit Five Rathas, Arjuna Dhabas, Krishna Mandap, Krishna Butterball and Shore Temple.
In Kanchipuram, one of Hinduism's seven most sacred cities is "Golden City of a Thousand Temples" and dates back to the early Cholas in the second century. Only around 70 temples of the original temple complex are still intact and the most famous is the Kailasanatha Temple built of sandstone in the early seventh century. Kanchipuram is famous for silk weaving and a visit to the nearby villages to see the craftsmen at work on their looms is rewarding experience. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple complex)
Mamallapuram occupies a stunning position on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon. Built by the Pallava rulers in the seventh century, the complex comprises of 14 cave temples, nine monolithic "" Rathas"", three stone temples and two relief sculptured rock panels. These two rock-panels give a graphic description of Arjuna's penance when he prayed for the powers of Shiva and form the largest Bass Relief in the world. Particularly of interest is the shore temple built on the water's edge with an east-facing altar designed to catch the rising Sub, this has now been declared a World Heritage Site."
Overnight in Chennai

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Standard=The Residency or similar 3*
Superior=Courtyard by Marriott or similar 4*
Deluxe=Hyatt Regency or similar 5*

Day 4: DEPART CHENNAI

Pass By: Chennai International Airport, Great Southern Trunk Rd, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600027, India
After breakfast, check-out and in-time transfer to Airport to board flight for onward journey.
(Standard Check-out Time: 1100 Hrs)
Breakfast included

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.