Chettinad

Chettinad is a region in Tamil Nadu known for its food and its mansions. Our journey here will be about understanding this region through its sites and the experiences that it has to offer

Days	4 Nights / 5 Days
From	Madurai - Madurai
Includes	Accommodation All Meals (Breakfasts and Dinners in Hotel, Lunches very local) The Drift Experiences Internal Transfers with sights Local experts to Guide
Excludes	Airfare 5% GST Any personal expense
Booking Procedure	Step 1 : Advance payment - (a) Rs.15,000/- (incl. GST) per person (b) Rs.31,500/- (incl. GST) per person if Air tickets are booked by Anubhav (Additional 5% GST applicable if tickets are issued by Anubhav) Step 2 : Balance payment - one month prior to the departure date * The Air / Railway / Bus ticket amount will be adjusted as per actuals in the balance payment*
Cancellation Policies	45 days or more before departure, NIL cancellation charges 44 - 30 days before departure, 25% of the tour cost 29 - 15 days before departure, 50% of the tour cost 14 - 06 days before departure, 75% of the tour cost 05 days or less before departure, 100% of the tour cost Note : 100% cancellation fee applies, if the tour has already commenced

Note: Warm reminder to all of those who wish to pay by Bank Transfer -
Please be informed that for any payments made through bank transfer, you will need to inform our office by email. We cannot register your payments as bookings, in the absence of this mail.

Before train / bus / flight booking kindly contact our offices as the timings are subject to change depending on the season.

Arrive in Madurai – Karaikudi (The Bangla)

Arrive at Madurai airport till 14.00 HRS and meet our tour manager. The city of Madurai is 12 km from the airport the drive to Karaikudi will take 90 mins. On arrival at The Bangla, we will check-in. In the evening there will be a short briefing about the next two days. Karaikudi is the biggest of the 74 villages in the Chettinad region, which is known for the Chettiars community and their splurges on mansions in the bye-gone era.
Karaikudi – Thirumayam - Kanadukathan – Athanagudi – Karaikudi

Morning:
Today will be a mix of Experiences and Sights. We will drive to the hill fort in Thirumayam to get an idea of the surrounding countryside. As we drive back, we will pass the roadside cashew roasters and will make a stop to buy freshly roasted cashews. On our arrival in Kanadukathan, we will immediately be greeted by the famous Chettinad mansions, some of them so big that their entry and exit are on two different parallel streets. We will visit one of the traditional mansions before lunch.

Afternoon:
We will have lunch in a heritage art deco property different than the Chettiar style, but our lunch will be classic Chettinad. We will drivethrough the village passing the tiny streets with mansions on both sides. The handmade tiles of Athanagudi are used in all mansions and you can try a hand at making them too. The murukku is a famous snack in Chettinad and we will visit the women's co-op where it is made. Staying on local products our final stop for the day would be the basket making workshop.

Evening:
Before heading back to the hotel, we will visit the most interesting temple in the region. The Aayanar temple of Kanadukathan. The only temple without a roof, this Aiyanar temple is known for its terracotta horses lined up on either side of a 500 mtr pathway to the idols. We will return to The Bangala by 7 pm for some leisure time before dinner. Tonight's dinner would be in the Bangala which is where a lot of best chefs of the Chettinad cuisine have got their training from Mrs. Meyyappan.
Optional: Those who want to know more about the Chettinad cuisine would have to list themselves for a half-day cooking experience on the evening of day 3 today. (Extra charges applicable)
Karaikudi – Koviloor – Tanjore Paints – Karaikudi

Morning:
Every morning the breakfast at the Bangla is different from the staples of dosa and idly being present daily, and your friendly waiter is more than happy to talk to you about what you are being served. After breakfast, we will drive to Koviloor to visit a home museum of Chettinadu. Where you would learn more about the culture of the people who live here. Later we will visit a local training institute where young boys are taught to create stone and wood structures. The 1000 yr old temple of Koviloor is well known for its location and the stone carvings inside the temple are so intricate that the stories our guide will tell us to seem to come from every structure present.

Afternoon:
We will visit the house of Raja Rajan who is the most famous artist of Tanjore paintings. The paintings though majorly of gods are worth a look and takes time to make. After sightseeing we shall return to Bangla & todays lunch will be authentic Chettinad style served on Banana Leaf.

Evening:
The town of Karaikudi has a village-like feel. Though not as calm as some of the other villages in the region, the activity is what we need after a quiet afternoon. We will walk to the local market where we will invite you first for coffee and some local snacks. Later walking on the Antique Street would be followed by visiting a handloom workshop where the Chettinnadu cotton sarees can be bought from the weaver itself. Return to the Bangala for dinner.
Karaikudi - Dindigul (Rajakkad Estate)

This morning after a wholesome breakfast will drive through the mountains to the Dindigul district and stay in Rajakkad Estate nestled in the forests of the Palani Hills. Post lunch we will enjoy a guided tour of the farm as Rajakkad is a working estate and farm, growing spices, fruits, vegetables, and coffee. Spend a leisurely evening at Rajakkad Estate.
Dindigul - Madurai

After breakfast, we will drive to Madurai. On arrival, we will walk through the flower market. (Subject to availability) The peak hour activity of early morning is over but still, the market would be active with the senses of sight sound, and scent! You could buy some loose flowers to carry back which will bloom by the time you reach home.