GRAND TEMPLE CIRCUIT

Chennai | Mahabalipuram | Kanchipuram | Madurai | Rameshwaram

Duration

6 Days 5 Nights

Group Size

10 PAX Private Group

Departure

Bangkok

Sites

UNESCO Heritage

Core Attractions

Starting From

USD 790

per person | private group of 10 pax

“Where stone whispers eternity and lamps light the way of the soul.”

Ashtavinayak Pilgrimage — Sacred Maharashtra

Embark on a journey through the soul of South India on this extraordinary 6-Day / 5-Night Tamil Nadu Grand Temple Circuit for a private group of 10, departing from Bangkok (BKK). Tamil Nadu is home to some of the world’s most spectacular Dravidian temple architecture — towering gopurams (gateway towers) encrusted with thousands of painted sculptures, sacred bathing ghats, ancient pilgrimage traditions and living temple rituals that have continued uninterrupted for over 2,000 years. From the colonial grandeur of Chennai and the UNESCO-listed rock-cut monuments of Mahabalipuram, through the silk city of Kanchipuram, to the magnificent Meenakshi Temple of Madurai and the sacred island of Rameshwaram— this circuit captures the complete spiritual and cultural tapestry of Tamil Nadu. The tour concludes with a flight from Madurai to Chennai and return to Bangkok.

Tour Highlights

Duration

6 Days / 5 Nights

Group Size

10 Pax (Private Pilgrimage Tour)

Destinations

Chennai | Mahabalipuram | Kanchipuram | Madurai | Rameshwaram

Departure

Bangkok, Thailand

Meals

Daily Breakfast + Selected Dinners

Transport

Private AC Innova / Tempo Traveller

Accommodations

4-Star Hotels Throughout

Best Time

October to March

6-DAY DETAILED ITINERARY

All road transfers by private air-conditioned Innova / Tempo Traveller. Expert Tamil Nadu heritage guide throughout.

Day 1: Arrival in Chennai — Gateway to South India

The tour begins at Suvarnabhumi Airport with the flight to Chennai (formerly Madras) — India’s fourth-largest city, the cultural capital of South India and the gateway to Tamil Nadu’s extraordinary temple civilization. Founded as a British trading post in 1639 on the Coromandel Coast, Chennai seamlessly layers 2,000 years of Dravidian heritage, Mughal influence, British colonial architecture and modern Tamil identity into one of India’s most distinctive and welcoming cities.

  • Group assembly at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — Prime Value Tours coordinator meets all 10 guests; group check-in and pre-departure briefing on Tamil Nadu temple etiquette, dress code, and cultural tips
  • Flight: Bangkok (BKK) → Chennai International Airport (MAA) — via IndiGo / Air India / Thai Airways (approx. 3–4 hrs direct or 4–5 hrs with connection via Colombo or Kuala Lumpur)
  • Arrival Chennai — greeted by local Tamil Nadu expert guide and driver
  • Private AC vehicle transfer to hotel — check-in: Radisson Blu Hotel Chennai City Centre / Hyatt Regency Chennai / ITC Grand Chola (4–5 Star)
  • Freshen up; distribute tour kit — site guide, dress code reminder, temple dos and don’ts
  • Marina Beach — world’s second-longest urban beach (13 km); stroll along golden sands; watch fishermen haul boats at sunset; iconic statues of Tamil leaders along promenade
  • Arulmigu Kapaleeshwarar Temple — magnificent Dravidian temple of Mylapore (7th century CE, rebuilt 16th century), dedicated to Lord Shiva; soaring 37-metre gopuram with colourful stucco sculptures; sacred tank; evening puja ceremony with music and devotion
  • Guide explanation — Tamil temple rituals, gopuram symbolism, sacred tank, daily puja schedule
  • Welcome dinner at hotel or recommended Chennai restaurant — authentic South Indian feast: dosas, idli sambar, rasam, payasam; or full Tamil non-vegetarian dinner with Chettinad specialties

Meals: Dinner | Accommodation: Radisson Blu Chennai / Hyatt Regency Chennai / ITC Grand Chola (4–5 Star)

A full day immersed in Chennai’s extraordinary layering of civilisations — from the 350-year-old bastions of Fort St George (the first major British fortress in India) to the ancient Tamil Brahmin temple suburb of Mylapore, the colonial grandeur of San Thome Cathedral (built over the tomb of the Apostle Thomas), the remarkable Government Museum with its peerless Chola bronze collection, and the vibrant silk and spice lanes of the old city. Chennai reveals a city of profound depth and warmth.

  • Hotel breakfast (7:30 AM) and departure
  • Fort St George (1644 CE) — India’s oldest surviving British colonial fort; includes Fort Museum (uniforms, weapons, portraits, silver, East India Company artefacts) and St Mary’s Church (1680 CE), the oldest Anglican church in Asia, where Clive of India was married
  • Government Museum Complex, Egmore — established 1851; Bronze Gallery with world’s finest Chola bronze sculptures (9th–13th CE): Nataraja, Ardhanarishvara, Parvati; also archaeology, geology, and numismatics galleries
  • San Thome Cathedral Basilica — neo-Gothic cathedral built over tomb of Apostle St Thomas (d. 72 CE); one of only three churches worldwide built over an Apostle’s tomb; underground museum with early Christian art
  • Santhome & Mylapore Walk — oldest residential neighbourhood; Tamil Brahmin agraharam streets; jasmine & marigold flower markets; kolam (rangoli) designs at every home
  • Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane — 8th century Pallava dynasty temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Parthasarathy (charioteer); remarkable sculpture
  • Lunch at recommended Chennai restaurant — Chettinad specialties: kuzhi paniyaram, pepper chicken, Chettinad mutton curry, or banana-leaf vegetarian thali
  • Valluvar Kottam — chariot-shaped monument dedicated to poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar; inscribed with all 1,330 couplets of the Thirukkural
  • T. Nagar Shopping District — Chennai’s legendary hub: Pondy Bazaar, Ranganathan Street; pure silk sarees, Kanchipuram silk, gold jewellery, jasmine garlands, brass oil lamps, bronze idols
  • Return to hotel; freshen up
  • Dinner at hotel or Saravana Bhavan — world-famous South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain; benchmark of authentic Tamil cooking

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Radisson Blu Chennai / Hyatt Regency, Chennai

One of the most culturally rich drives in all of India — south along the East Coast Road from Chennai to Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pallava-era rock-cut temples and sculptures that rank among the greatest achievements of ancient Indian art. Then northwest to Kanchipuram — the ‘City of a Thousand Temples’, one of India’s seven sacred cities and the world capital of pure silk weaving. A day that moves from ocean breezes to temple spires.

  • Hotel breakfast and check-out from Chennai hotel
  • Drive to Mahabalipuram (58 km, approx. 1.5 hrs via scenic East Coast Road along Bay of Bengal)
  • Enroute: Crocodile Bank Trust (optional, 40 km from Chennai) — Asia’s largest crocodile conservation centre
  • Mahabalipuram UNESCO World Heritage Site (7th–8th CE, Pallava dynasty):
    • Shore Temple — iconic granite temple at Bay of Bengal’s edge; dedicated to Shiva & Vishnu; haunting beauty shaped by ocean spray
    • Five Rathas (Pancha Rathas) — monolithic rock-cut chariot temples, each carved from a single boulder; named after Pandavas & Draupadi
    • Arjuna’s Penance (Descent of the Ganges) — world’s largest open-air bas-relief (29m × 13m); over 100 figures of gods, animals, celestial beings
    • Krishna’s Butterball — 250-tonne granite boulder balanced improbably on hillside slope
    • Krishna’s Mandapam & Mahishasuramardhini Cave — supreme Pallava sculpture of Durga slaying the demon
  • Lunch in Mahabalipuram — fresh seafood on Bay of Bengal
  • Drive to Kanchipuram (75 km, approx. 2 hrs)
  • Check-in: The Charm Boutique Hotel / GRT Regency Kanchipuram (3–4 Star)
  • Varadharaja Perumal Temple — one of 108 Divya Desam Vishnu temples; 100-pillar hall; 40-year lizard idol blessing tradition
  • Ekambaranathar Temple — dedicated to Lord Shiva; 59-metre gopuram; sacred mango tree said to be 3,500 years old with four varieties on one tree
  • Kanchipuram Silk Weavers — visit traditional handloom workshop; watch master weavers create pure silk sarees with zari borders
  • Dinner at hotel — Tamil Nadu cuisine

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: The Charm Boutique / GRT Regency Kanchipuram (3–4 Star)

Madurai is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities — a living, breathing temple city where the ancient and the everyday exist in extraordinary proximity. The drive from Kanchipuram traverses the heartland of Tamil Nadu, passing through temple towns and rice-paddy plains. The Meenakshi Amman Temple — arguably the most spectacular temple complex in all of India — is the unmissable centrepiece: 14 towering gopurams, 33,000 sculptures and 45 acres of sacred architecture.

  • Hotel breakfast and check-out from Kanchipuram
  • Drive Kanchipuram → Madurai (approx. 430 km, 6–7 hrs via NH-48 & NH-85) — private AC vehicle with comfort stops; guide narrates Tamil history & temple culture en route
  • Enroute stop: Dindigul Rock Fort (optional) — 16th-century hilltop fort with panoramic views; famous for lock-making craft
  • Lunch enroute at recommended highway restaurant
  • Arrival Madurai — check-in: Taj Gateway Madurai / Radisson Blu Madurai / Heritage Madurai (4-Star)
  • Meenakshi Amman Temple — supreme masterpiece of Dravidian temple architecture:
    • 14 towering gopurams, tallest 52m, encrusted with 33,000 painted stucco sculptures
    • Golden Lotus Tank — sacred bathing tank reflecting gopurams
    • Hall of a Thousand Pillars — 985 intricately carved pillars; musical pillars emit notes when struck
    • Inner sanctum of Goddess Meenakshi & Lord Sundareswarar; evening abhishekam & procession rituals
  • Evening Alankaram Ceremony — silver image of Lord Sundareswarar carried in palanquin to Goddess’s chamber; moving devotional spectacle
  • Thirumalai Nayak Palace (17th CE) — Dravidian-Islamic palace of King Thirumalai Nayak; grand audience hall with immense columns; evening sound-and-light show
  • Madurai Flower Market & Gandhi Memorial Museum — fragrant jasmine & marigold wholesale market; museum preserving Gandhi’s blood-stained dhoti
  • Dinner — Madurai specialties: jigarthanda (famous local milk drink), parotta with mutton curry, kari dosai

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Taj Gateway Madurai / Radisson Blu Madurai / Heritage Madurai (4-Star)

Rameshwaram — the most sacred island in all of South India, one of the four holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism (the Char Dham), where the epic Ramayana unfolded: this is the shore from which Lord Rama built his bridge (Adam’s Bridge) to Lanka to rescue Sita. The crossing of the Pamban Bridge — India’s first sea bridge, running 2.3 km over the turquoise Palk Strait — is one of the most dramatic entrances to any pilgrimage site in the world. The Ramanathaswamy Temple with its 1,212-metre-long corridor — the longest temple corridor in the world — awaits.

  • Early departure from Madurai (6:00 AM) — breakfast en route
  • Drive Madurai → Rameswaram (170 km, approx. 3.5 hrs via Ramanathapuram district)
  • Pamban Bridge — India’s first sea bridge (1914, 2.345 km); turquoise Palk Strait waters on both sides; swing span opens for ships; new rail-cum-road bridge alongside; photography stop
  • Arrival Rameswaram Island — one of Hinduism’s holiest pilgrimage sites
  • Agni Theertham (Sacred Sea) — beach on eastern shore where pilgrims take ritual bath in Bay of Bengal before temple visit; spiritually significant waters
  • Ramanathaswamy Temple — one of 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva:
    • Third Prakaram Corridor — longest temple corridor in the world (1,212 m; total 3.9 km); magnificent carved columns stretching endlessly
    • 22 Sacred Wells (Theerthams) — pilgrims bathed in water from all 22 wells for purification
    • Gandhamadhana Parvatham — hillock shrine housing Lord Rama’s footprints in stone
  • Dhanushkodi (20 km from Rameswaram) — dramatic ghost town at India’s southern tip; confluence of Bay of Bengal & Palk Strait creates two-toned waters; Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu) viewpoint; ruins of old railway station & church
  • Lunch at Rameswaram — fresh seafood or vegetarian pilgrim fare
  • Return drive to Madurai (approx. 3.5 hrs)
  • Arrival Madurai — dinner at hotel; evening rest
  • Optional night visit to Meenakshi Temple for 10 PM abhishekam — one of Tamil Nadu’s most atmospheric spiritual experiences

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Accommodation: Taj Gateway Madurai / Radisson Blu Madurai (4-Star)

The final morning in Madurai—perhaps one last visit to the flower market or the Meenakshi Temple, Gopuram, in the morning light— before transferring to Madurai Airport for the short flight to Chennai and the international connection back to Bangkok. Every guest returns home carrying the golden scent of temple marigolds, the sound of temple bells across ancient stone corridors, and the colour of a thousand gopuram sculptures against the Tamil Nadu sky.

  • Hotel breakfast and check-out
  • Optional early morning: Madurai Flower Market (Gandhi Nagar wholesale) — fragrant farewell with jasmine, marigolds, roses in bustling pre-dawn trade
  • Optional: Final Meenakshi Temple darshan — morning puja (7 AM); golden light on gopurams
  • Madurai speciality shopping — South silk sarees, brass temple lamps (vilakku), stone sculptures, bronze idols, jasmine garlands
  • Transfer to Madurai Airport (IXM) — Prime Value Tours coordinator assists with check-in
  • Flight: Madurai (IXM) → Chennai (MAA) — approx. 1 hr 10 mins via IndiGo / Air India / SpiceJet
  • Arrival Chennai — Prime Value Tours representative assists with terminal transfer
  • Chennai Airport transit — lounge access (subject to availability); last-minute duty-free shopping: Thanjavur painting reproductions, handicrafts, filter coffee powder, spices
  • Departure flight: Chennai (MAA) → Bangkok (BKK) — direct or via connection; approx. 3–5 hrs
  • Arrival Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) — warm farewell from Prime Value Tours team
  • Personalised Tamil Nadu heritage photo booklet, Chola bronze replica miniature, and tour certificate presented to each guest
  • Tour concludes — guests carry home the extraordinary living heritage of Dravidian civilisation

Meals: Breakfast | Accommodation: — (Departure Day)

Accommodation Overview

DestinationNightsRecommended PropertyCategory
Chennai, Tamil Nadu2 (Nights 1 & 2)Radisson Blu Chennai / Hyatt Regency Chennai / ITC Grand Chola4–5 Star
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu1 (Night 3)The Charm Boutique Hotel / GRT Regency Kanchipuram3–4 Star
Madurai, Tamil Nadu2 (Nights 4 & 5)Taj Gateway Madurai / Radisson Blu Madurai / Heritage Madurai4 Star

What's Included & Not Included

Investment & Pricing — 10 Pax Private Group

Included in Your PackageNot Included
  • ✓ Return airfare Bangkok (BKK) → Chennai (MAA) — economy class
  • ✓ Internal flight: Madurai (IXM) → Chennai (MAA) — economy class
  • ✓ 5 nights accommodation — 4–5 Star hotels as listed
  • ✓ Daily breakfast (5 mornings) + dinners (5 evenings)
  • ✓ Private AC Innova / Tempo Traveller for all road transfers
  • ✓ Expert Tamil Nadu heritage & temple guide for all 6 days
  • ✓ All monument & site entrance fees (Shore Temple, 5 Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Government Museum, Fort St George, Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Ramanathaswamy Temple)
  • ✓ Airport transfers (Chennai arrival, Madurai drop, Chennai transit)
  • ✓ Welcome gift: Tamil Nadu heritage booklet & souvenir
  • ✓ Personalised tour photo booklet & Chola bronze miniature
  • ✓ 24/7 Prime Value Tours emergency helpline
  • ✓ Pre-departure temple etiquette & cultural briefing kit
  • ✗ Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • ✗ Indian e-Tourist Visa fees
  • ✗ Lunches (guide recommends local restaurants daily)
  • ✗ Tips & gratuities (guide, driver, hotel staff)
  • ✗ Camera / video fees at certain temples (INR 50–100)
  • ✗ Personal shopping (silk, bronze, spices, jewellery)
  • ✗ Optional activities: Crocodile Bank, Dindigul Fort, horse rides
  • ✗ Personal beverages, minibar & laundry
  • ✗ Dhanushkodi sand vehicle hire (approx. INR 200/person)
  • ✗ Optional 5-Star upgrades
  • ✗ Medical expenses and vaccinations
  • ✗ Porter charges at hotels
Package TierAccommodationPrice / PersonTotal (10 PAX)
Standard3-Star hotels + 1 nt 4-StarUSD 790USD 7,900
Comfort4-Star throughout (recommended)USD 990USD 9,900
Premium4–5 Star — ITC / Taj propertiesUSD 1,290USD 12,900
VIP / Luxury5-Star + Business Class flightsUSD 1,990USD 19,900

Prices based on twin-sharing. Single supplement available. Airfare BKK to Chennai (MAA) inbound + Madurai (IXM) to Chennai (MAA) to BKK outbound. Valid October 2025 – March 2026. Subject to availability.

Essential Travel & Temple Etiquette Tips

Temple DressRemove footwear before entering temples — carry a small bag for shoes. Modest dress mandatory: no shorts or sleeveless tops. Men wear dhoti or trousers + shirt; women wear saree or salwar kameez (wrap-around lungi available at entrances for INR 20). Head covering not required unless indicated.
Temple RulesNon-Hindus may be restricted from innermost sanctum (Meenakshi, Ramanathaswamy). Photography permitted in outer precincts but prohibited inside sanctum. Always ask guide before photographing priests or rituals. Circumambulate shrines clockwise.
Best SeasonOctober–March ideal (22–30°C). Northeast monsoon Oct–Dec brings rainfall to Chennai/coast. Avoid April–June (extreme heat 38–42°C). Madurai & Rameswaram hot year-round but manageable Oct–Feb. Major festivals: Pongal (Jan), Chithirai Festival Madurai (Apr).
India VisaIndian e-Tourist Visa required — apply online 4–5 days before travel. Single-entry sufficient. Cost USD 25–80 by nationality. Passport valid 6 months beyond return date.
CurrencyIndian Rupee (INR). ATMs in Chennai & Madurai. Carry INR 500–1,000 daily for tips, offerings, optional activities. Credit cards accepted at 4-Star hotels & major restaurants. Exchange Thai Baht at Chennai Airport.
FoodTamil Nadu cuisine: dosas, idlis, vadas, sambar, rasam, tamarind rice, coconut chutneys, filter coffee. Non-veg: Chettinad chicken/mutton, fish curry. All restaurants offer vegetarian & non-vegetarian. Banana-leaf meals are a must-try.
ClimateChennai: coastal, humid, 28–35°C. Kanchipuram & Madurai: drier, 25–32°C. Rameswaram: hot & humid with sea breeze. Pack light cotton clothing, flat shoes, sunscreen, hat, small torch for temple interiors.
ConnectivityIndian SIM at Chennai Airport (Airtel/Jio — 4G across Tamil Nadu). Wi-Fi at all 4-Star hotels. Madurai & Rameswaram have excellent connectivity. Prime Value Tours WhatsApp/LINE group for guests & guide.

Booking Process & Cancellation Policy

Booking StepsPayment & Cancellation
  • Step 1: Submit inquiry — names, travel dates, dietary preferences
  • Step 2: Receive personalised quote & itinerary within 24 hours
  • Step 3: Review, customise and confirm with all 10 guests
  • Step 4: Pay 30% deposit — booking confirmed
  • Step 5: Receive pre-departure kit: visa guide, temple etiquette, packing list
  • Step 6: WhatsApp / LINE group created for all 10 guests + guide
  • Step 7: Day 1: Coordinator meets group at Suvarnabhumi Airport
  • Step 8: Post-tour: photo booklet & heritage souvenir delivered
  • Deposit: 30% on booking confirmation
  • Balance: 60 days before departure
  • Cancel 60+ days: 80% refund
  • Cancel 30–59 days: 50% refund
  • Cancel under 30 days: Non-refundable
  • Force majeure: full credit note issued
  • Payment: USD / THB / bank transfer
  • Minimum: 10 pax to confirm tour

Contact US — Begin Your Temple Circuit Journey