TOURS & PACKAGES
SOUTH INDIA
TEMPLE TOUR - SOUTH INDIA -
11 DAYS/ 10 NIGHTS
Day 01 :   CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM VIA
KANCHIPURAM
Drive to Mahabalipuram (1 hr - 60 km). On the way visit Kanchipuram- the ancient capital of the Pallava kingdom which remained one of the holy cities of India, dedicated to the Gods -Shiva and Vishnu. The city has 124 temples and shrines visited by millions of pilgrims every year. The most important are the temples of Kailasanatha, Vaikuntanata-Perumal and Ekambareswarar.
In the afternoon visit Mahabalipuram, a village filled with stone carvings by the seaside.
In the late afternoon, admire the 'Five Rathas', the 'Descent of the Ganges' and 'Butter Ball' at Mahabalipuram.
Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 02 :   MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY
Breakfast at hotel
Departure for Pondicherry.
In the morning visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the cenotaph of the "Mother." Stroll through the old French Quarter. Continue the city tour on foot visiting Sri Manakula Vinayakar temple of Lord Ganesh, The former site of the Pantheon, the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, The Lycée and The Alliance Française.
In the evening, a cool walk by the seaside.
Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
Day 03 :   PONDICHERRY - TANJORE
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Tanjore. On the way visit Gangaikondacholapuram- a temple built entirely with granite.
Then visit Chidambaram to discover the temple of Nataraja - The 'Cosmic Dancer', one of the most famous representations of Lord Shiva performing his Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss.
Overnight stay in Tanjore.
Day 04 :   TANJORE
Breakfast at hotel
Visit to the museum which has a fabulous collection of bronze statues representing Lord Shiva dancing.
By the end of the afternoon, visit the famous Brihadishwara temple a true masterpiece of Chola architecture belonging to the eleventh century.
Day 05 :   TANJORE - MADURAI
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai.
Free afternoon to relax.
Overnight stay in Madurai
Day 06 :   MADURAI
Breakfast at hotel
Full day city tour of Madurai : Tirumalai Nayak Palace, the Temple of the goddess Meenakshi and the Temple Tank.
In the evening, a casual walk around the river and to see a sunset ceremony at Meenakshi temple , in which the statue of Lord Shiva is taken in procession.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
Day 07 :   KANYAKUMARI
Breakfast at hotel
Departure for Kanyakumari. It is the place where three oceans meet.
Visit the Vivekananda, Kumari Amman Temple and the Gandhi Memorial.
Overnight stay at Kanyakumari.
Day 08 :   KANYAKUMARI-RAMESWARAM
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Rameshwaram
Visit the Ramanathasamy temple known for its vast corridors lined with carved columns (there are over 1200 of 1220 meters of tunnels). You will be blessed with holy water from 22 wells.
Optional excursion to Danushgodi (2 hours drive to/fro). Overnight stay in Rameshwaram
Day 09 :   RAMESHWARAM-KARAIKUDI
Early breakfast at hotel
Drive to Karaikudi
Visit the city and the palaces
Overnight stay in Karaikudi
Day 10 :   KARAIKUDI/TRICHY
Breakfast at hotel
Visit the Sri Rangam Temple
Tour the Rock Fort of Trichy built on a hill 84 meters high (staircase with 437 steps) and visit the various temples.
Overnight stay in Trichy
Day 11 :   TRICHY / PONDICHERRY
Breakfast at hotel
Departure for Pondicherry
Get carried away ...