Trip Overview: The Sacred & Stone Odyssey
Journey through the heart of the Coromandel coast where ancient faith meets timeless architecture. This 5-day expedition is a profound transition from the bustling “Colonial Gateway” of Chennai to the sacred seven hills of Tirupati and the monolithic stone wonders of Mahabalipuram. Witness the vishalta of Dravidian history as you seek blessings at the world’s wealthiest temple, explore the silk-weaving legacy of Kanchipuram, and stand before the wave-swept Shore Temple. It is a professionally curated trail that bridges the gap between contemporary devotion and the 7th-century artistry of the Pallava dynasty. https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en
Why This Experience is Unmatched?
- 🕉️ Divine Elevation: Exclusive morning access to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple for a powerful spiritual experience.
- 🏛️ Stone Heritage: A deep dive into the UNESCO site of Mahabalipuram, featuring the iconic Shore Temple and Five Rathas.
- 🎨 Silk Trail: A dedicated visit to Kanchipuram to witness ancient temple architecture and authentic silk-weaving traditions.
- ⛪ Colonial Echoes: Detailed exploration of Chennai’s 16th-century San Thome Basilica and the rainbow-colored Kapaleeshwarar.
- 🌅 Coastal Horizon: Sunset walk at Marina Beach followed by a serene stay at the monolithic town of Mahabalipuram.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
✅ What’s Included (Inclusions) | ❌ What’s Not Included (Exclusions) |
🏨 Selected Accommodation: 4 Nights stay in handpicked hotels as per your chosen package category. | 🎫 Entry Fees: Tickets for all sightseeing places. Special Darshan: VIP/Fast-track entry tickets. |
🍳 Morning Breakfast: Complimentary daily breakfast at all hotels to kickstart your day. | ✈️ Travel Tickets: Airfare or Train tickets to and from Chennai are not part of this package. |
🚗 Private AC Vehicle: Dedicated AC Sedan/SUV for all transfers, inter-city travel, and sightseeing as per the itinerary. | 🍛 Additional Meals: Any lunch or dinner not specifically mentioned |
⛽ Covered Travel Costs: All fuel charges, road tolls, parking fees, and driver allowances are fully included. | 🛍️ Personal Expenses: Tips, laundry, beverages, telephone calls, and any personal shopping. |
🤝 Meet & Greet: Hassle-free arrival with a professional meet and greet by our experienced driver at Chennai Airport/Railway Station. | 📉 GST 5%: Government Service Tax will be extra on the final package cost. |
ACCOMMODATION
LOCATION | HOTEL NAME | ROOM CATEGORY | MEALS |
CHENNAI (1 NIGHT) | LIZA REGENCY OR SIMILAR | PREMIUM | BREAKFAST |
TIRUPATI (1 NIGHT) | DLR GRAND OR SIMILAR | CLASSIC | BREAKFAST |
MAHABALIPURAM (2 NIGHTS) | NIRVANA BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR SIMILAR | BOUTIQUE | BREAKFAST |
DETAILED DAY-WISE ITINERARY
Your journey begins with a morning arrival in Chennai, followed by a visit to the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a masterpiece famous for its rainbow-colored gopuram and intricate Dravidian carvings. Explore the stunning white San Thome Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Thomas, and the historic Fort St. George area that marks the city's colonial roots. Spend your evening at Marina Beach, the world’s second-longest urban beach, for a sunset walk while sampling local snacks like sundal along the shore. The sea breeze and the vibrant temple culture provide the perfect introduction to your grand Southern trail before your overnight stay in Chennai.
After an early breakfast, we drive toward the sacred hills of Tirupati, the spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh. Upon arrival, proceed to the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple perched atop seven sacred hills, witnessing the immense devotion of millions at one of the wealthiest religious sites in the world. After your darshan, descend to visit the Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, which traditionally completes the holy pilgrimage. Spend your evening in the spiritual atmosphere of the Tirupati town, exploring the local shrines or the Kapila Theertham waterfall before retiring for the night.
Drive toward Kanchipuram, the "City of a Thousand Temples," to explore the massive Ekambareswarar Temple representing the Earth element and the ancient Kailasanathar Temple, known for its historic stone architecture. Take a moment to visit an authentic silk-weaving center to witness the creation of the world-famous Kanchipuram sarees before proceeding to the UNESCO site of Mahabalipuram. Reach by late afternoon and check into your seaside hotel, followed by an evening visit to the iconic Shore Temple, built of cut stones to face the lashing waves of the Bay of Bengal.
Dedicate your fourth day to the monolithic wonders of the Pallava dynasty, starting with the Five Rathas, five massive chariots carved from single blocks of granite. Marvel at Arjuna’s Penance, the world’s largest open-air rock relief, and the gravity-defying Krishna’s Butter Ball perched precariously on a rocky slope. Explore the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse for a panoramic view of the coastline and visit the local stone carving museums to see artisans at work. Spend your evening relaxing at the beach or exploring the vibrant local cafes, soaking in the quiet, artistic atmosphere of this historic coastal town.
On your final morning, enjoy a sunrise walk on the Mahabalipuram beach or revisit the Shore Temple for a quiet moment of reflection. Take a final stroll through the heritage streets to shop for stone-carved souvenirs and traditional textiles before we begin our drive back to the bustling city of Chennai. Witness the change from ancient stone ruins to the modern urban skyline as we approach the city. Our team will assist you with a smooth transfer to the Chennai Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey, marking the successful and soul-stirring conclusion of your 5-day heritage trail.
Check out our other tour packages of Tamil Nadu : https://sarvaenroute.com/destinations/tamil-nadu/
TRANSFER
DAYS | DESCRIPTION |
DAY 01 | Airport Pickup : Private Basis Chennai Sightseeing : Private Basis |
DAY 02 | Chennai to Tirupati : Private Basis Tirupati Sightseeing : Private Basis |
DAY 03 | Tirupati to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram : Private Basis Mahabalipuram Sightseeing : Private Basis |
DAY 04 | Mahabalipuram Sightseeing : Private Basis |
DAY 05 | Mahabalipuram Sightseeing : Private Basis Airport Drop : Private |
MEALS
DAYS | DESCRIPTION |
DAY 02 | BREAKFAST |
DAY 03 | BREAKFAST |
DAY 04 | BREAKFAST |
DAY 05 | BREAKFAST |
TERM & CONDITION
📋 GENERAL BOOKING & SIGHTSEEING POLICY
- Hotel Selection: As per preference. If sold out, a similar category is provided. We are not responsible for standard hotel category amenities (WiFi speed, etc.).
- Sightseeing Constraints: Factors like weather, traffic, political events, or distance may lead to schedule changes. We cannot guarantee all spots if time constraints arise.
- Timing: Vehicle is available from 08:00 AM to 08:00 PM. Late-night usage may incur extra charges.
- Payments: Failure to clear payments as per schedule will lead to service termination. No refunds for Blackout dates/Long weekends.
- Physical Needs: Please communicate specific physical concerns in advance.
- Check-in/out: Standard 14:00 hrs (In) / 11:00 hrs (Out). No shows considered after 22:00 hrs.
- Documentation: Govt ID / Passport / Visa required on arrival.
- Amendments: Customizations during or 7 days prior to the trip may incur extra charges.
- No Show: Rooms not occupied by 20:00 hrs are considered “No Shows” unless prior notice is given.
- Sightseeing Constraints: Schedule changes may occur due to weather, traffic, or distance constraints.
💳 CANCELLATION & FLIGHT POLICY
- Non-Refundable: No refunds on blackout dates/long weekends.
- Cancellation Fee : Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs, the following fees will apply. If you cancel, non-recoverable expenses of Rs. 1500 per person will be charged and over and above that the following will be charged on cancellation of a tour.
- Refundable Amount :
- Cancelled 30 days or more prior to trip start date: 35 % of total package cost.
- Cancelled between 15 – 30 days prior to trip start date: 50 % of total package cost.
- Cancelled between 14 days to 7 days prior to trip start date: 80 % of total package cost.
- Cancellation less than 7 Days prior to trip start date: 100 % of package cost will be charged.
- Postponement: Postponing may incur a rebooking fee. Post-postponement cancellations forfeit all amounts.
- Flight Policy: We act as facilitators. Carrier terms apply. We are not responsible for airline delays.
- Credit Note: A 6-month Credit Note will be provided for the possible refundable amount depending on the Selected Hotels and time period of cancellation .
