French capital of India- Pondicherry is a bustling destination in south-East India that has everything – colonial architecture, a modern seaside promenade, historic sites, and golden beaches. Located on the Eastern coast of India, it has been under the Dutch, the British and the French rule before being a Union Territory of independent India. The French left an indelible mark on the city but its culture is essentially Dravidian. At a distance of 3 km from Pondicherry Bus Station, Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a famous spiritual community (ashram). Founded by Sri Aurobindo and Mirra Alfassa (The Mother) in 1926. This trip is going to be immersive, educational & culturally rich. We are greatly enamoured with the small region known as Kadiapatti, land of Chettiars. As the locals like to say, Tamil Nadu is the land of the Tamil people, Chettinadu is the land of the Chettiars. You will be staying at Chidambaram Vilas a 117-year-old heritage property. On our way from Pondicherry to Chidambaram Palace you will be visiting Tanjore & we will be doing a day trip to Rameshwaram.
Day 1: Chennai - Pondicherry (145km / 3 hours’ drive)
Today get ready & head to the airport as we begin our journey to Pondicherry from Delhi Airport, you will be met by your Tour Manager/Travel buddy at the Delhi airport. Arrive at Chennai Airport and drive towards Pondicherry. Transfer and check-in to the hotel. Evening is free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.
DAY 2: Pondicherry After breakfast we will Visit Auroville
A universal city is a vision of Sir Aurobindo. The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony.We shall proceed for lunch after Auroville and do a walking tour of French quarters then visit Shri Aurobindo Ashram- located in the White Town of Pondicherry founded by a spiritual community. Evening is free to explore the surroundings around your
hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Pondicherry.
DAY 3: Pondicherry to Chidambaram Villas - (Total distance 295 km - 7 hours)
After breakfast drive to Somnath; enroute visit Porbandar. Porbandar, the coastal heritage town of Gujarat is located on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea. This city is described in Skanda Purana as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati and had a flourishing trade with Africa and Arabia. According to the legends, this city was the main link of the great friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. Porbandar was established as a capital by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD. Porbandar was the former capital of the Jethwa Rajput petty princely state. The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone buildings with ashlar masonry and rich carving, the facades of the houses on either side of the streets, with windows and carved gateways. It is also associated with Mahatma Gandhi, the father of nation as he was born here. Today, fine quality silk and cotton are manufactured here.
Visit Kirti Mandir – Kirti Mandir, the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place is situated near the place where the Mahatma Gandhi was born. This place is now a small museum and also has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.
Later continue to drive to Somnath; arrive Somnath and transfer to your hotel.
Inclusions: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
DAY 4: At Chidambaram Villas
Today we will have Chettinad breakfast at the Interactive Kitchen.
Chidambara Villas provides a rare glimpse into the traditional Chettiar Kitchen through the interactive kitchen concept where local chefs cook Chettinad food with locally sourced ingredients
and traditional techniques. Visitors can interact with the chefs to learn about the origins of this world-famous cuisine. We will start our day visiting the Clan Temples – Pilayarpatti, Vairavanpatti,
Iranikovil, Soorakudi and visit Saree Weaving Centre – The Chettinad saree is a thick, coarse cotton capable of withstanding the roughest washes. After Lunch we will take you to experience how they make Athangudi tiles. Athangudi has become one of the most enterprising villages in Karaikudi where tile making has become the most distinctive local art. With over a hundred rooms, it is also known as the Athangudi glass palace in lieu of the rows of Belgian mirrors lining its central hall.Later join the evening Puja and visit around the mansion where you will be given a guided tour of the 116- year-old mansion and the history of the family that created it.Overnight stay in Chidambaram Villas.
DAY 5: Day trip to Rameswaram
After breakfast we will drive towards Rameshwaram.
Rameshwaram is believed to be the place from where Lord Rama started his journey to get his wife Sita back from Ravana and the Lord was helped ‘Vaanar-Sen’ army of legendary monkey-humans
and served by Hanuman, Lord Ram’s paramount devotee. We will visit The Rameshwaram Temple which is the main reason, the town is known to every other person following Hinduism, Lord Shiva
and Lord Vishnu is said to be built by Sethupathis of Sethukavalan.Return back to Chidambaram Villas.Overnight stay in Chidambaram Villas.
DAY 6: Chidambaram Villas to Madurai
Today we will check out from the hotel and leave for Madurai, after a leisurely breakfast. On the way visit Meenakshi Temple- It is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwarar, a form of Shiva. The history of Meenakshi Temple dates back to the 1st century C.E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself.Evening free for shopping in Madurai.Overnight stay in Madurai Hotel.
DAY 7: Departure from Madurai Airport
Departure from Madurai Airport After Breakfast checkout and drive towards the airport to catch your flight. We guarantee that you will cherish these culturally rich memories of this trip for
lifetime.
INCLUSIONS
• 6 Breakfasts (1 Interactive breakfast) 6 Lunches (Out of which 1 lunch will be experiential
Lunches) 6 Dinners
• Transfers by AC coach
• All sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled water
• Services of experienced Tour Manager
• JAll applicable Taxes (5% GST)
EXCLUSIONS
• Airfares – (if you want us to book your flights, we will do it for you without any service
charge)
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
About Karevoyage
Karevoyage- for 50 plus wanderers- is an exclusive travel and tour company dedicated for travel enthusiasts, who prefer to travel the globe and explore but in a group environment.
The KareVoyage team understands the gap and works very hard on how to deliver on what we promise. Keeping all current gaps that people over 50 experience while
