Private Tour
Chola trail to the Golden Triangle of South India from Chennai
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
This tour is organized by Five Senses Tours, a private limited company recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). The tour has been designed to support local livelihoods by way of employment of local guides, and supporting local businesses in line with the mission of the company to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
What To Expect
Big temple of Tanjore
Accommodations
Hotel Gnanam or equivalent in Tanjore
Brihadeeswara Temple
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.
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.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Darasuram
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
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.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
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.
What‘s Included
Breakfast
Guide charges
Hotel for one night
Entrance charges
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Chola trail to the Golden Triangle of South India from Chennai
Pickup included
Reviews
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing South India
854rajas,,Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The crew of 5 Senses were amazing , they were attentive to every detail knowledgeable, Jainath our guide was thoughtful and took care of everything, our driver Ramesh himself added to the conversation, Naryanan who planned this for us did a exceptional job picking the hotels and setting a spectacular itenary
The Chola trail & Madurai!
sanjiv l,,Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jairaman and Ramesh were very well informed, respectful and caring. While guiding us they also tried to fulfill our special requests like multiple cups of amazing filtered coffee and specific kinds of shopping needs.
5* service but the itinerary could be improved
NorthStar39138473716,,Dec 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spent 2 days with Mahendran & Jainath who were great and made everything run smoothly. Local guides were also excellent. Tanjore palace was underwhelming and the tour finished a little early on the Sunday with one temple being an exact replica of the Saturday temple. However the temples, hotel and general experience were excellent.
Epic chola trail and golden triangle of south India !
Ramcho,,Dec 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Chola trail to the golden triangle of south India was epic! We travelled as a family of 4 and had our expert guide Kannan who explained each place we visited with his significant knowledge and expertise and a driver who efficiently took us to each stop in comfort with an AC vehicle . The tour catered for our needs particularly travelling with a 9 and 12 year old with frequent ice cream and refreshing drink stops . We also were guided through the culinary delights of south India through our expert guide Kannan who suggested excellent local dishes to tantalise our taste buds!
2 days jn Chola empire
Samj68p,,Jul 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 2 day tour of Chola temples was amazing. We were picked up on time in a comfortable car and the 2 days flew past very enjoyably as we had the company of very knowledgeable guide. Satish was remarkable and we were transported 1000 years back to the time when Cholas were the dominant empire of South Asia. We saw 3 world heritage sites and each was fantastic in its own way. The Brihadeswar temple was impressive with its scale while Gangaikonda and Darasuram impressed with the sculptures. This is a must do tour for anyone who has 2 days to spare.
Chola Trail
PoojaKush,,May 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hello, 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 Bajaj
Immersive experience
jamieaQ3405WQ,,May 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I spent 2 spectacular days with 5 senses tours Our guide Hareesh was amazing and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the legacy of the Ancient Chola dynasty. We visited 3 magnificent world heritage sites a ndnthe architecture was mind blowing. We learnt so much about the history and culture thus region. It is definitely worth a visit.
3 world Heritage Sites and fantastic memories
Jessicapeters123,,May 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00After 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!
India is not only about Tajmahal. Thanks 5 Senses for making me realize that.
pgalgali,,Nov 4, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One 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.
A perfect way to enjoy some of the sights in Tamil Nadu!!!×
Passport21010738914,,Oct 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
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