Chettinad Heritage & Culinary Trail
Curated by Ghilli Dilli Tours and Travel (OPC) Private Limited
Karaikudi • Chettinad Region | Living Mansions • Mercantile History • Legendary Cuisine
- Karaikudi & Villages
- 5D/4N
- Per Person
QUICK OVERVIEW (ABOVE THE FOLD)
Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Destinations Covered: Karaikudi – Chettinad Villages
Departure City: Chennai (Primary Operations Hub)
Other Indian Cities: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru & others available on request
Category: Living Heritage • Architecture • Culinary Culture
Starting Price: ₹29,999 per person*
₹29,999/Person
*Prices vary based on season, heritage home availability & group size
PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS
- Stay in authentic Chettiar heritage mansions
- Guided walks through historic Chettinad villages
- Distinctive Chettinad architecture & materials
- Traditional Chettinad cuisine experiences
- Temple heritage & community storytelling
- Slow-travel, non-touristy cultural immersion
- One of India’s richest “living heritage” regions
PACKAGE OVERVIEW
Chettinad is not a museum — it is a living cultural landscape.
Once home to the Chettiar merchant community, whose global trade networks stretched across Southeast Asia, Chettinad is known for its opulent mansions, refined aesthetics, and one of India’s most sophisticated regional cuisines.
This journey focuses on architecture, food, and everyday heritage, offering travellers rare access to private homes, village life, and traditions that continue to thrive quietly in Tamil Nadu.
PACKAGE PRICE OPTIONS
(Per person, twin sharing | Excluding flights & monument fees)
Standard – 3 ★
Heritage Home Stay-
Authentic heritage homestays
-
Daily breakfast
-
Private AC vehicle
-
Guided village walks
-
Best for: Cultural explorers & slow travelers
Deluxe – 4 ★
Premium Heritage-
Restored Chettinad mansions
-
Enhanced comfort & space
-
Curated culinary experiences
-
Private AC vehicle
-
Best for: Couples & heritage-focused travelers
Premium – 5 ★
Boutique Heritage Luxury-
Exclusive heritage mansions / boutique luxury stays
-
High privacy & personalised service
-
Deeper cultural access & curated dining
-
Private luxury AC vehicle
-
Best for: Luxury travelers & niche cultural journeys
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
- 3 ★ Standard: Traditional Chettinad homestays
- 4 ★ Deluxe: Restored heritage mansions (Visalam / Chidambara Vilas category)
- 5 ★ Premium: Exclusive boutique heritage mansions with limited rooms
Exact property confirmed at booking. Inventory is limited and seasonal — early booking essential.
DAY–BY–DAY ITINERARY
- Included & Excluded
- 4 nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Selected traditional meals (as specified)
- Private AC vehicle with driver
- Guided village & heritage walks
- Cultural interactions
- Flights / trains
- Monument entry fees (if any)
- Additional meals not specified
- Personal expenses & tips
- Day 1
- Arrival at Madurai / Trichy airport or railway station
- Private transfer to Karaikudi / Chettinad village
- Check-in at heritage property
- Orientation walk around the village
- Introduction to Chettiar history & mercantile legacy
Chettinad
- Day 2
- Guided walk through Chettinad mansions – Courtyard homes
- Burmese teak, Italian marble & Athangudi tiles
- Visit to Athangudi tile-making unit
- Interaction with local families
- Traditional Chettinad lunch
- Leisure time / storytelling session at heritage home
Chettinad
- Day 3
- Visit to local temples showcasing Dravidian architecture
- Market visit for spices & local products
- Chettinad cooking demonstration / curated meal
- Discussion on spice usage & trade history
- Free time or optional cultural performance
Chettinad
- Day 4
- Visit surrounding Chettinad villages
- Schools, community spaces & heritage streets
- Photography & documentation time
- Lunch at heritage property
- Rest & leisure
Chettinad
- Day 5
- Breakfast at heritage home
- Transfer to Madurai / Trichy for onward journey
- Tour concludes
TRANSPORT & TRANSFERS
- Private AC vehicle throughout
- Driver allowance, tolls & parking included
TRAVEL (OPTIONAL ADD-ON)
- Flights to Madurai / Trichy
- Train bookings
- Airport / station assistance
- Departures available from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru & other Indian cities
- Economy / Premium Economy / Business Class options
- Road travel from Chennai or other Indian Cities
IDEAL FOR
✔ Cultural & architecture lovers
✔ Food-focused travellers
✔ Slow-travel seekers
✔ Writers, photographers & designers
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to March is ideal. Summers are hot and not recommended for extended walks.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Chettinad is conservative — respectful attire advised
- Luxury here is cultural & spatial, not hotel-chain style
- Limited nightlife & commercial entertainment
- Experiences depend on local availability
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
(Indicative)
- 30+ days before travel: Minimal charges
- 15–29 days: 25%
- 7–14 days: 50%
- Less than 7 days / No-show: 100%
Flights follow airline rules.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Yes, especially for culturally curious families.
Yes — but cultural luxury, not commercial luxury.
Yes — popular and logical extensions.
CONTACT & BOOKINGS
Ghilli Dilli Tours and Travel (OPC) Private Limited
Gurgaon, Haryana – India
Call
+91 8851898784
ghillidilli.india@gmail.com