These are 10-day trips, perfect for those who by choice or by necessity, can only afford a short time out. Generally one week bracketed by 2 weekends, our QuickEscapes provide the nimble and rejuvenating getaway. And because they are our condensed itineraries especially designed to show you the best of each region, they can also be taken as extensions to other longer trips. Either way, our Quick Escapes are specially designed to provide you with a unique glimpse of your chosen area of the world under our attentive care.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: DEPART USA
Day 2: EN ROUTE TO INDIA
Day 3: ARRIVE CHENNAI & TO MADURAI - After arrival in Chennai (Madras), we have a short stay at an airport hotel. Later in the day, we will fly to the ancient city of Madurai, which dates back to the 4th Century. Once the Meenakshi Temple was built, Madurai became the cultural center of the Tamil people. The balance of our day is spent enjoying a walking tour of the bazaar.
Day 4: EXPLORING MADURAI - Spend the day visiting the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Temple, whose complex occupies an area of six hectares. Its twelve gopurams (towers), ranging in height from 45 to 50 meters, are decorated from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of carved, multicolored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures.
Day 5: TO TANJORE - Today we will travel by car to Tanjore, an easy-going town famous for the “World Heritage” Brihadishwara Temple and its sprawling Royal Palace complex. Built by Raja Raja in 1010, the magnificent temple is the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. Its beauty is particularly enhanced in late afternoon, when its sandstone tower is bathed in the golden hues of sunset.
Day 6: EXPLORING TRICHY - After a morning excursion, we take the short drive to Trichy. Visit the spectacular Rock Fort Temple and the Thayumanaswamy Temple dedicated to Shiva and Vinayaka.
Day 7: TO FISHERMAN’S COVE - We have the morning in which to continue our exploration of Trichy before our flight to Chennai and a short drive to the beach resort of Fisherman’s Cove, where we will have the opportunity to relax and explore this idyllic coastal area and the nearby “World Heritage” site of Mahabalipuram.
Day 8: EXPLORING MAHABALIPURAM - Today we will enjoy Tamil Nadu’s travelers' enclave in the coastal village of Mahabalipuram. We will visit the “World Heritage” sites of the Five Rathas and the Shore Temple, majestically facing out across the Bay of Bengal.
Day 9: FISHERMAN’S COVE & DEPART TO USA - We have the day to further enjoy the wonderful beach setting of Fisherman's Cove and Mahabalipuram. Later today we will drive to Chennai airport for our outbound flight back to the USA.
Day 10: ARRIVE USA
Wish to be gone longer than 10 days? Add:
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QuickEscapes – Kerala
Take in some R&R in the calm and leisurely paced life on the backwaters of the Arabian Sea, enjoy the pristine beaches of Kerala and an Ayurvedic spa.
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QuickEscapes – North India
Explore the Imperial Cities of India – Delhi, Agra & Jaipur. These were the capitals of the Rajput, the Mughal and the British, the three major influences on India in the last 500 years.
- QuickEscapes – Mountains
Visit the Hill Stations of Kalimpong and Darjeeling, both of which offer fabulous views of the high Himalaya. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu can all be viewed from Tiger Hill, above Darjeeling.
Longer itineraries featuring South India: |
Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary. |
Meenakshi temple, Madurai
Features:
World Heritage sites of Tanjore/Trichy and Mahabalipuram, Madurai
Luxury hotels, beach resort
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It's Included:
Medical & evacuation insurance
All hotels, meals, ground transportation,
local guides and entrance fees
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Departures: Weekly Friday
Year round |
Land Cost (per person):
2 participants - $2845
3 participants - $2645
4 participants - $2485
6 participants - $2345 |
Fruit & vegetable stall
Jumbo shrimp anyone?
Heavy traffic
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