Chola trail to the Golden Triangle of South India from Chennai
Overview
Chola trail to the Golden Triangle of South India takes us a 1000 years back in time to explore 3 world heritage sites and capitals of the mighty Chola Empire. This is a journey of rediscovery of Cholas, the major maritime power controlling vast parts of South East Asia in the 10-12th centuries. We will relive the glory days of life under the Chola Empire at the world heritage sites of Brihadeswar Temple in Tanjore, Airateswar Temple in Darasuram and the temple in Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Inclusions
- Hotel for one night
- Entrance charges
- Guide charges
- Accommodation included: 1 night
- 1x Breakfast
- Entry/Admission - Palace Entry Ticket Counter
- Entry/Admission - Dharasuram Temple
- Entry/Admission - Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Entry/Admission - Brihadeeswara Temple
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Big temple of Tanjore
Stop At: Brihadeeswara Temple, Membalam Rd Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur 613001 India
We visit the famous Brihadeeswara Temple. It is one of the greatest architectural creations in India. Popularly called as Thanjavur Big Temple it is a sculptor’s dream, a historian’s mine, a dancer’s vision and a sociologist’s scoop! The Thanjavur Big temple, which celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2010, remains the finest specimen of architecture, sculpture, bronze casting and painting.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palace Entry Ticket Counter, Q4VQ+53J, Palace Rd, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613001, India
uilt during the Nayak rule the Grand Palace of Tanjore was repaired during the rule of the Marathas. Walk through the queen’s courtyard and witness divine scenes painted on the walls of the Durbar Hall. Also, search for the underground passage in this palace. There is also the Royal Museum, a gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library stationed within the palace complex.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Gnanam or equivalent in Tanjore
Day 2: Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram
Stop At: Dharasuram Temple, Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612702, India
Darasuram is home to Airavateswar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Temple was built by Chola King Raja Raja II in the 12th century AD. This shiva temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam is a UNESCO world heritage site and a treasure trove of Art, Carvings and Architecture. The temple gets its name after Airavat the white elephant of Lord Indra who came here to worship.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Cholapuram, Thanjavur India
Gangaikondacholapuram is a city built in 1025 by Rajendra Chola, son of the famous Chola emperor Raja Raja. It was meant to commemorate his victory over the Pala Empire across the Ganges. Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the capital of the mighty Chola Empire for 250 years and is most famous for its Shiva Temple. The other highlights of this lost city of Cholas are The Royal Palace made of burnt brick, a Giant Nandi and a magnificent Lion figure next to the Well where the King poured the Ganges water brought from his conquests.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Big temple of Tanjore
Stop At: Brihadeeswara Temple, Membalam Rd Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur 613001 India
We visit the famous Brihadeeswara Temple. It is one of the greatest architectural creations in India. Popularly called as Thanjavur Big Temple it is a sculptor’s dream, a historian’s mine, a dancer’s vision and a sociologist’s scoop! The Thanjavur Big temple, which celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2010, remains the finest specimen of architecture, sculpture, bronze casting and painting.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palace Entry Ticket Counter, Q4VQ+53J, Palace Rd, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613001, India
uilt during the Nayak rule the Grand Palace of Tanjore was repaired during the rule of the Marathas. Walk through the queen’s courtyard and witness divine scenes painted on the walls of the Durbar Hall. Also, search for the underground passage in this palace. There is also the Royal Museum, a gallery and the Saraswati Mahal Library stationed within the palace complex.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Gnanam or equivalent in Tanjore
Day 2: Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram
Stop At: Dharasuram Temple, Gurunathan Pillai Colony, Dharasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612702, India
Darasuram is home to Airavateswar Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Temple was built by Chola King Raja Raja II in the 12th century AD. This shiva temple at Darasuram near Kumbakonam is a UNESCO world heritage site and a treasure trove of Art, Carvings and Architecture. The temple gets its name after Airavat the white elephant of Lord Indra who came here to worship.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Cholapuram, Thanjavur India
Gangaikondacholapuram is a city built in 1025 by Rajendra Chola, son of the famous Chola emperor Raja Raja. It was meant to commemorate his victory over the Pala Empire across the Ganges. Gangaikonda Cholapuram served as the capital of the mighty Chola Empire for 250 years and is most famous for its Shiva Temple. The other highlights of this lost city of Cholas are The Royal Palace made of burnt brick, a Giant Nandi and a magnificent Lion figure next to the Well where the King poured the Ganges water brought from his conquests.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Face masks provided for travelers
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
Jessicapeters123
May 2023
After travelling on my own in trichy and madurai i decided to tale a guided tour of Tanjore. It was a fantastic decision. The chola trail through 3 world heritage site was moat memorable and enriching. Our guide satish was outstanding full of knowledge as well as fun facts. My entire understand...
After travelling on my own in trichy and madurai i decided to tale a guided tour of Tanjore. It was a fantastic decision. The chola trail through 3 world heritage site was moat memorable and enriching. Our guide satish was outstanding full of knowledge as well as fun facts. My entire understanding of India changed after tjis tour as i went on a journey 1000 years back. This is a must do over a weekend. It will be a lifetime of memories!PoojaKush
May 2023
Hello, After watching the Ponniyin Selvan movie, I and my husband Kush were inspired to take a trip down south to Tanjore which was the capital of Chola kingdom a 1000 years back. We started our tour with Darasuram Temple, Gangaikonda Temple and Brihadeshwar Temple in Tanjore which were built b...
Hello, After watching the Ponniyin Selvan movie, I and my husband Kush were inspired to take a trip down south to Tanjore which was the capital of Chola kingdom a 1000 years back. We started our tour with Darasuram Temple, Gangaikonda Temple and Brihadeshwar Temple in Tanjore which were built by the 3 main rulers of Chola Dynasty. We visited these temples with our guide Mr. Kannan who showed us around by telling us the intricate details of the temples which we couldn't have come to know, if we visited them on our own. The detailed explanation was very interesting and part of major history and culture of South India. The grandeur of these Chola Temples cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Our guide Mr.Kannan made us visit the largest Vishnu temple in world-Srirangam Temple which had 21 Gopurams (entry gates). It was a really delightful experience for us as it was not in our itinerary. We are thankful to him becoz he keeps showing us places that are not always in our itinerary. Another good part of taking a tour with 5 Senses is the local food that they suggested to us, which we wouldn't have found on our own. This local 100 percent south Indian meals on a banana leaf was simply therapeutic and medicinal. One meal was in a eco hotel and the other was in Tanjore City. We took the guided tour of the eco hotel after our meal (again not in our itinerary) where we saw the antiques displayed in the hotel reception area were simply fantastic. The reception building itself is built on a tunnel (which can still be seen in the reception area) and was used in those days as a secret passage. We thank 5 Senses and their team for a wonderful and enriching experience. Looking forward to more tours with them. Thanks, Pooja & Kush Bajajpgalgali
November 2022
One of the most unique aspects of five senses is that one can customize the packages according to our requirements, and budget. I had requested Mr Narayana from Five senses to provide Land + Travel+ Stay package as well as plan the Itinerary. I was provided with an extensive sightseeing with Gui...
One of the most unique aspects of five senses is that one can customize the packages according to our requirements, and budget. I had requested Mr Narayana from Five senses to provide Land + Travel+ Stay package as well as plan the Itinerary. I was provided with an extensive sightseeing with Guide , comfortable accommodations, hassle-free local transfers, and a lot more. Without a shadow of doubt I was provided an unforgettable holiday experience.Sathish is a caring tourguide who was travelling with us and we did not face any challenge in local language communication as well. I have covered 5 day tour with 5 Senses and covered Chennai, Mahabalipuram,Kumbhakonam,Pondycherry,Rameshwaram & Madurai.Strongly recommend this tour for Resident indians(Family.couples,large groups),NRIs who are looking forward to understand the history and ,anyone else who needs a support in planning and executing a tailor made Itinerary.Passport21010738914
October 2022
This was our second tour with 5 Senses Tours, and just like the first, this tour was great. We had a rather her long list of objectives, and requirements and limitations for this 8 day private tour. 5 Senses worked with us to meet all of our goals completely and to develop the exact tour we ha...
This was our second tour with 5 Senses Tours, and just like the first, this tour was great. We had a rather her long list of objectives, and requirements and limitations for this 8 day private tour. 5 Senses worked with us to meet all of our goals completely and to develop the exact tour we had in mind. Their constructive suggestions were extremely helpful and much appreciated. Without their help and support. I know we would not have enjoyed the sights of Chennai, Pondicherry and the temples of the Chola Kingdom as much as we did. Our guide and driver were both "out of this world" and their support, knowledge and experience made this tour unforgettable. Given the need and opportunity again, we would without a doubt use 5 Senses Tours.AndresRdzG92
September 2022
Amazing tour, I spent 2days visiting chola's buildings and culture. Guides were really helpful not only on the archeological sites but also with South Indian culture. I totally recommend this trip, you won't regret it :)
Amazing tour, I spent 2days visiting chola's buildings and culture. Guides were really helpful not only on the archeological sites but also with South Indian culture. I totally recommend this trip, you won't regret it :)asuarezt1306
May 2022
The most amazing and extraordinary part of our 6 days visit to old Hindu temples in south Tamil Nadir state. Chindambaram was first, quite a surprise, very much alive, crowded with prying local followers for Shiva, then smaller more isolated temples near Thanjavur, intimate, even if alive, more f...
The most amazing and extraordinary part of our 6 days visit to old Hindu temples in south Tamil Nadir state. Chindambaram was first, quite a surprise, very much alive, crowded with prying local followers for Shiva, then smaller more isolated temples near Thanjavur, intimate, even if alive, more for us only, maybe was the time of the day, and the day after Srirangam, Visnu temple probably the largest and the best, even if Vishnu follower were more restrictive and we were not allowed into the sancta sanctorum. Absolutely great experience, not to miss if you think coming to India, and even very much worthen just for themselves.