Two weeks in Tamil Nadu

klowe

Hello- I am planning to be in Tamil Nadu from the 15th of December to the 30th ( I fly into Delhi on the 13th and out on the 1st of January). I am looking for some itinerary advice for two weeks in Tamil Nadu and possibly a recommend of a travel agent who can help me set up some inter India plane tickets and hotels.
Any advice would be appreciated. I am a single female and I am always interested in staying off the beaten tourist track.
Best,
K

Merchant

Your flight from Delhi will be to Chennai, so you might as well poke around there for a few days. The big draws are nearby Mahabalipuram and Thomas Mount, and the city's long urban beach on a late afternoon.

Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, and Madurai are the big temple towns (you can fly to Madurai from Chennai). There's plenty to do in and around Madurai,not just wander the big Meenakshi temple. The surrounding areas are full of temples and little villages set among the coconut palms and rice paddies. It's real Tamil heartland. When you arrive, the locals will be preparing for Pongal, a big harvest festival and a kind of Tamil national event.

Nearby, and worth trips, are Kodaikanal (hill station, five hours away by car up in the montains) and Rameswaram (island just off the coast, five hours by train, three by car).

You could also head straight down to Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the subcontinent.

It all depends on what you're up for. I would recommend choosing a place like Madurai and staying there for several days. The people are extraordinarily friendly. Getting off the tourist track is pretty easy--just head into the countryside and see what adventures turn up. There's also a fair amount of high culture in the city--many respected colleges, where you could see dance performances or art shows, etc., though they will be out of session, probably, while you are there. But it's worth an inquiry.

spacetraveller

Hello, I have just been in the Tamil Nadu which is a lovely area, the people are colourful and very nice! Do visit Tiruvanamalai which is incredible! You will realy meet the Indian people here, it is off the beaten track. I was here for three weeks and celebrated the Deepam festival here with the people. Very interesting and very nice!

citybell

Glad that you have chosen Tamilnadu for 2 weeks. You can stay in Chennai for about visiting famous temples(Parthasarathy and Kapaleeswar temples),Museum and Theosophically society etc.

You can leave Chennai for Mahabalipuram(or Mammalapuram) and spend a day or two visiting shore temples and sculptures.You can also visit 'Dakshina Chitra' where one can have a glimpse of all four southern states.

You can visit near by Pondicherry to visit 'Aurovile' and enjoy the quiet beach. A day or two would be enough in Pondicherry. Then Proceed to kancheepuram where you can seethe weaving of silk srres,Thiruchy, Tanjavur(where you can watch making of famous instrument 'Veena') and Madurai staung a day or so in each city. At Madurai you will witness an important festival of Tamilnadu 'Pongal" that falls on 14-15 of Jan.Try to be there or around Madurai.You can also witness 'Taming of the Bull'(not spanish type bull fight) in a village near Madurai.If wish to take a break from the city's life, you can go to Kodai, a hill station near Madurai.Or you can visit Thekkady on the border of tamilnadu and kerala where you can stay in a forest lodge and can have a night trekking in the forest!.
You can then visit tip of india Kanyakmari where 3 seas meet and you can watch a beautiful sun rise.

You don't need any travel agents to reserve hotel and plane ticket you can do by yourself over the net or by phone.What's your budget for the hotels so that recommendations/suggestions of hotels can be given in each city.

Incase you ned any more information pls let me know at citybell2@yahoo.com

Have a wonderful stay in Tamilnadu.

klowe

Thank you to all for your advice!
CITYBELL- Regarding hotels I have a moderate to high budget and do not mind mixing it up between luxury and lower budget places. I am most interested in finding interesting places to stay. I would love a listing of recommended hotels! Especially the one in the forest that you mentioned.
Thank you!

citybell

Periar House and Aranya Nivas are the 2 hotels that are located in the sanctuary in Thekkady.You have to check-in before 6pm thereafter no visitor is allowed in the sanctury.There is another hotel called Lake Palace which isin an island within the sanctuary too.
Some suggestions fro the hotels:
Chennai:
Broadlands or Pandyan guest house, Chennai: Low end lodgings.you can meet other foreign tourists here.
Hotel woodlands or Hotel GRT Grand days:Mid range.
Hotel Le Royal Meridian or Hotel Park Sheraton: Top end hotels.

Mahabalipuram:Ideal beach resort or Hotel Taj.

Tituchy:Hotel Femina., Madurai: Hotel Aarrathy(mid range) or Taj Garden retreat (top end).

These are a few of the good hotels. Let me know if you need more information.

Nick-H

You are arriving in Chennai just at the right time for the Music Season. If you find you like Carnatic music you might not feel the neeed to go anywhere else

Check www.kutcheribuzz.com and/or look in The Hindu newspaper every morning for concert schedules. Don't miss getting at least a taste!