Chennai
Tamil Nadu's Cultural Capital City
Chennai is the main gateway for tours in Tamil Nadu. It is located on the Coromandel Coast along the Bay of Bengal and is definitely worth including a couple of nights in your itinerary to explore its rich cultural heritage and historic landmarks.
Highlights
Fort St. George
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A legacy of the British East India Company, constructed in 1653, Fort Saint George is now home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat. It also contains the grand Saint Mary’s Church, which is one of the oldest surviving churches built by the British. The Fort Museum displays a range of military memorabilia, relics, paintings, and artifacts from the colonial period.
Marina Beach
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For a real Indian beach experience, head to Marina beach at sunset and soak up the carnival-like atmosphere, with amusement rides and snack stalls. The beach, which is the longest urban beach in India, starts from near Fort Saint George and runs south for 13 kilometres (8.1 miles). It’s dotted with numerous statues and monuments, and is a popular hangout place for locals. Tens of thousands of people visit it daily.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
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One of the most iconic landmarks in Chennai, the temple features a towering, intricately carved gopuram. Originally dating back to the 7th century under the Pallavas, the current structure was rebuilt in the 16th century by the Vijayanagar rulers.
San Thome Basilica
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Mylapore
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This district of Chennai is one of the oldest and culturally interesting areas. We recommend including a heritage walk to explore the narrow streets, markets and street vendors selling jasmine and local snacks. To experience the soul of Chennai, head to Mylapore.
George Town
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The congested lanes of George Town are occupied by some fascinating street stalls and markets, including vibrant vegetable, flower, and spice markets. This area, which used to be known as Black Town during the colonial period, was settled by locals who came to serve and trade with the Britishers in Fort Saint George. It was the first settlement of the city of Madras, which began its expansion from there in the 1640s. It’s noisy, chaotic, and a photographer’s delight!Hotels
Currently, Chennai doesn’t have the same range of interesting boutique properties and characterful hotels that you can find in most other major locations in India. We have therefore selected a few well known brand hotels which will ensure a comfortable stay and a range of facilities.
Tours
Below are a selection of our favourite sample itineraries that we have created based on our experiences of travelling extensively throughout India. As with all our tours, every aspect can be tailor-made to your individual requirements.
