2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight worth booking?
2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight is a 48-hour experience in Chennai, India, from $427 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $427 per person
Two hundred years ago the Chettiyar merchants of Tamil Nadu ran a trading empire stretching from Burma to the Philippines. They brought back Italian marble, Belgian mirrors, Burma teak and Japanese tiles and used them to build 11,000 palatial mansions in rural Tamil Nadu. Walking through the greatest of these mansions is unlike anything else in India. This two day Chettinad tour from Chennai also visits Sittanaval Cave, a 2nd century Jain monastery whose 7th century murals are painted in vegetable dyes and whose acoustics were engineered to aid meditation, and the Athangudi tile workshop where handmade floor tiles coveted by architects worldwide are still made from local sand and mineral pigments. Return flights from Chennai, private car, expert guide both days and overnight mansion stay included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
What you get
About this experience
Two hundred years ago the Chettiyar merchants of Tamil Nadu ran a trading empire stretching from Burma to the Philippines. They brought back Italian marble, Belgian mirrors, Burma teak and Japanese tiles and used them to build 11,000 palatial mansions in rural Tamil Nadu. Walking through the greatest of these mansions is unlike anything else in India. This two day Chettinad tour from Chennai also visits Sittanaval Cave, a 2nd century Jain monastery whose 7th century murals are painted in vegetable dyes and whose acoustics were engineered to aid meditation, and the Athangudi tile workshop where handmade floor tiles coveted by architects worldwide are still made from local sand and mineral pigments. Return flights from Chennai, private car, expert guide both days and overnight mansion stay included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
What's included
Included
- Return flight from Chennai to Trichy
- Breakfast
- Guide charges
- Hotel for one night
- Entrance charges
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 5 Senses Walks
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial Mansions
Hello, We visited Chettinad in May 2023. Chettinad is a place where the Chettiyar community stays. This place is quaint and cosy. It is hard to believe that in middle of nowhere, you can find such huge and opulent mansions.The mansions are beautiful and still owned by Chettiyar community. These are large palatial houses with Italian marbles from Italy, mirrors and chandeliers from Belgium and wall tiles from Japan. Their architecture is inspired by the European culture.Some of these mansions are leased out as hotels to tourists and is therefore maintained and some of them are taken care by the home caretakers which are architecturally beautiful but not fully maintained. The Chettiyar community were big merchants and traders during those times. Infact these intellectuals used to lend money to Royal families and most of the private banks in India were started by them. One such mansion was Chidambara palace and the other Visalam by CGH Earth. They have these big traditional style heritage rooms with bathrooms. The hotels have activities like village tours, pottery, culinary etc. It is a different experience. The South Indian meal at Chidambara palace was good. In Visalam CGH Earth, one has to place food order 2-3 hours prior as they cook food from the fresh produce but if you are a vegetarian and like less spicy food. Pls do mention to them during your stay. Chettinad is famous for their spicy and non- vegetarian food.We also visited Athangudi Palace and Athangudi Tile factory. It was quite a learning experience. Our guide - Mr. Kannan also made us visit Thirumayyam Temple at Fort. This Temple was beautiful and was carved out of mountains. We thank 5 Senses and their team for a lovely tour at Chettinad. Regards, Pooja & Kush Bajaj
via Tripadvisor
Chettinad tour - Unseen wonders of India
Unexplored Indian History. The legend of Kudimiyanmalai was woven into a brilliant play by Girish Karnad (Flowers). Sittanavassal is a marvel of Jain culture. The real wonder is that it is not one of the wonders of the world.
via Tripadvisor
Chettinad with 5 senses tours- 20 centuries of time-travel
There's so much of this country to be explored. Of the many surreal sights, nothing blew my mind away like the Sittanavassal caves. A cave sans echoes, except if you make a sound in extremely low frequencies, in which case it gets magnified exponentially - why isn't this considered ones of the wonders of the world? There's also Kudumiyanamalai - a temple cut out of a hill, almost like the Valley of Kings in Egypt, but so much more intricate. Kannan, from 5 senses tours has such a keen storytelling ability that I could keep coming back to this place!
via Tripadvisor
2 Day Tour Kingdom of Pudukottai
Very good trip. I especially enjoyed the various experiences offered: Cave temple, Fort, Chettiar (traders) Palaces, ... A good one for a traveler interested in the divers historic monuments of Tamil Nadu.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $427 to $635
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by 5 Senses Walks, who run 86 experiences we rank across 10 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 63.5 and 5 in the 90+ Club.
See everything 5 Senses Walks runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chennai.
How much does 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight cost?
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Prices start at $427 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chennai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight take?
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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chennai is not rushed.
Is 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chennai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chennai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chennai and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chennai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chennai?
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On Outty we rank every Chennai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Gods of Mylapore walking tour: Journey Through Living Traditions, Chennai tour in car with guide-winner of traveller's choice award, Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram by tourism ministry approved company. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight?
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Included: Return flight from Chennai to Trichy; Breakfast; Guide charges; Hotel for one night; and Entrance charges. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Chennai. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about 2 day Chettinad tour from Chennai to Palatial mansions with Guide by flight?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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