South India Religious Tour

Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations : Chennai (Chennai) - Mahabalipuram - Triuchupalli - Kulitalai - Madurai - Munnar - Kottayam - Cochin

Highlights of the tour

India's South has a unique character. Hindu monuments of great antiquity survive, where you can experience probably the world's most ancient living faith.

You will explore some of these ancient soaring temples, dedicated to Shiva or Vishnu, and stand shoulder to shoulder with their devotees.

India has ancient Christianity, too. St. Thomas is said to have visited in AD 52, and established the faith here. You will be able to join pilgrims at the San Thomas shrine containing his relics, and meet Syrian Orthodox Christian communities which predate the first European church in India by 1200 years.

Day 01 : Arrive Chennai (Chennai)

Early morning arrival at Chennai (Chennai). Check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit to 7th century Kapaleeshwara Temple.

Day 02 : Chennai

Visit San Thomas Cathedral, and St. Thomas Mount.

Day 03 : Chenai - Mahabaipuram - Chennai

All day visit to the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram (90 minutes' drive along the coast road) to see the extraordinary 10th century rock sculptures and shore temple.

Day 04 : Chennai - Triuchapalli

Train to Tiruchirapalli (Trichy). Check in at hotel.

Day 05 : Triuchupalli

Climb the spectacular Rock Fort, and see the huge Ranganathaswamy temple of Lord Vishnu.

Days 06 : Triuchupalli - Kulitalai - Triuchupalli

1 hour drive to Kulitalai, to Bede Griffiths' Shantivanam Ashram, for a whole day in the meditative environment and routine of the ashram.

Day 07 : Triuchupalli - Madurai

Drive or train to Madurai. Check in at hotel.. Visit the Gandhi Museum.

Day 08 : Madurai

Explore the great temple of Shree Meenakshi, said to contain 33 million sculptures.

Day 09 : Madurai

Meander through Madurai's exciting bazaars, textile and craft markets.

Day 10 : Madurai - Munnar

Drive to Munnar, hill station and centre of tea production. Overnight at hotel. Visit tea plantations and enjoy the hill air.

Day 11 : Munnar - Cochin

Return to sea level, to the ancient port of Cochin. Stay at hotel

Day 12 : Cochin

Visit the cathedral, and the oldest European church in India. See Cochin's famous synagogue, dating from 1568.

Day 13 : Cochin - Kottayam - Cochin

All day visit to Kottayam, an important centre of the ancient Syrian Orthodox Church.

Day 14 : Cochin

Day for shopping and leisure in Cochin.

Day 15 : Cochin - Chennai / Depart - Chennai

Early afternoon flight to Chennai for late night transfer to airport for flight to onwards journey .