This Tour introduces with the magnificent temples of South India that developed with the time as a result of either religious influence or religious reverence. When it comes to the temples of southern India, one is astonished to see the dominating power of the state due to its many ancient, towering masterpieces, brightly painted sculptures depicting the grandeur and magnificence of the Tamil Culture. Apart from perceiving the mind blowing architecture of the various shrines built by the ruling archaic dynasties depicting the symbol of their unrivalled power and might, the recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites, the visionary innovation of the artist speaking through the each stone carving and the faith and adornment in the heart of every citizen for the divine, you will be pleased with divergent and enriched market of the cities full of valuable 3S of south shopping – Silk products, Spices, Stone carved handicrafts.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Day 02 Delhi
Day 03 Delhi to Tirupati (By Air)
Day 04 Tirupati sightseeing to Chennai (150 Kms/ 3.5 Hrs)
Day 05 Chennai
Day 06 Chennai to Kanchipuram (90 Kms/ 2 Hrs) to Mahabalipuram (70 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs)
Day 07 Mahabalipuram to Tiruvannamalai (170 Kms/ 3 Hrs) to Pondicherry (100 Kms/ 2.5 Hrs)
Day 08 Pondicherry
Day 09 Pondicherry to Chidambaram (75 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs) to Kumabakonam (60 Kms/ 1 Hr) to Thanjavur (10 Kms/ 15 Mins)
Day 10 Thanjavur
Day 11 Thanjavur to Trichy (60 Kms/ 1 Hr)
Day 12 Trichy to Chettinadu (80 Kms/ 1.5 hrs) to Madurai (90 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs)
Day 13 Madurai
Day 14 Madurai to Rameshwaram (170 Kms/ 3.5 Hrs)
Day 15 Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari (325 Kms/ 6 Hrs)
Day 16 Kanyakumari to Kovalam (100 Kms/ 3 Hrs)
Day 17 Kovalam
Day 18 Drop to Trivandrum Airport (15 Kms/ 0.5 Hrs) & Departure to Delhi
Day 19 Delhi Departure
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
On your arrival at Delhi airport, meet our representative (preferred language speaking) and greeted with a warm welcome with garlanding. Then our representative will escort you to the pre-booked hotel. Arrive hotel & fulfil check-in formalities. Spare little time with our representative to provide brief information about the tour.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02 Delhi City Tour
This day introduces you with the city Delhi where you can witness a unique blend of the traditional and cosmopolitan styles. Delhi is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and
Day 03 Delhi to Tirupati (By Air)
After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Delhi airport to board flight for Tirupati. Arrive Tirupati airport, pick up & drive towards hotel.Afternoon drive to Tirumala (located at a distance of around 1 Hr from Tirupati) to visit the world renowned Lord Venkateshwara Temple. This magnanimous temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, an
Day 04 Tirupati sightseeing to Chennai (150 Kms/ 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed to visit ISKCON Temple & Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple. After visiting these temples, continue your journey for Chennai. Arrive Chennai & check-in at hotel. Evening at leisure to carry on with your own activities.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05 Chennai
After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai city, visiting Kapaleeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the oldest temples in Chennai , The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat; Santhome Cathedral was built around the 14th-15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting.
Day 06 Chennai to Kanchipuram (90 Kms/ 2 Hrs) to Mahabalipuram (70 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed to Kanchipuram to visit a stunning set of temples, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is also justly famous for its fine silk saris each embellished with stunning patterns. In 2005, “Kanchipuram Silk Sarees” received the Geographical Indication tag, the first product in India to carry this label.
Later, drive back to hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 07 Mahabalipuram to Tiruvannamalai (170 Kms/ 3 Hrs) to Pondicherry (100 Kms/ 2.5 Hrs)
After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Tiruvanamalai to visit Annamalaiyar Temple & Gingee Fort. Tiruvannamalai is very famous place both spiritually and historically. The temple possesses more than 1000 statues and 450 stone inscriptions. The temple has more than 100 sannidhis. Various idols, bronze statues, paintings, Thirusutrugal, Thirtakulangal, 1000 pillar Mahal and towering gopurams are the specialties of the temple.
Gingee is one of the finest forts in South India. Its origin dates back to the 9th century when it was a stronghold of the Cholas but the fort as it looks today is the handiwork of the Vijaynagara kings who made it an impregnable citadel. The fortified city is built on the seven hills, the most prominent of which are Krishnagiri, Chandragiri and Rajagiri. Surrounded by high walls, it was so strategically planned as to make enemies think twice before they attacked. Strongly guarded by a triple gate beyond which lay equally heavily guarded courts, the summit of the Rajagiri could not have been easily attained by any of the enemies. Today, the summit can be reached after a two hour climb, still a strenuous task, but well worth the effort. A place of great historic interest, Gingee, no longer an insurmountable citadel, is one of the most interesting centres on the Tamil Nadu tourist circuit.
After completion of this phase of sightseeing, continue your journey to Pondicherry. Arrive Pondicherry & check-in at hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 08 Pondicherry
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of this former French enclave which today is an interesting mix of Gallic charm and Tamil influences. Start with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram and the city of Auroville. In order to book a meditation session at Auroville, one needs to make an advance booking by visiting the centre & presence for the person is a must (one can apply for a day prior while approaching for
In evening, you can take a stroll at one of the beaches of Pondicherry & visit the local markets.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 09 Pondicherry to Chidambaram (75 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs) to Gangaikondacholapuram (50 Kms/ 1 Hr) to Thanjavur (10 Kms/ 15 Mins)
After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed for Thanjavur. Enroute visit Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram. Chidambaram greets us with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja – the manifestation of Siva as the Cosmic Dancer. This is also one of the few temples in India where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. The Gangaikondacholapuram Temple is a spectacular work of
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10 Thanjavur
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Thanjavur. Major attractions include Brihadeeswarar Temple and Thanjavur Palace. The Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Raja Chola I, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This spectacular temple is over 1000 years old and is one of the largest temples in India.
Thanjavur Palace is a fascinating and rich piece of history famous for its library and museum of artefacts. Overnight, stay at hotel.
Afterwards visit Thanjai Mamani Koil near Thanjavur is a set of three Vishnu temples, together called a Divyadesam. It is among the 108 such more temple premises in India. The temple has a local origin myth that has its roots in one of the many canonical myths about Lord Vishnu.
After sightseeing return to hotel & Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11 Thanjavur to Trichy (60 Kms/ 1 Hr)
After breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Trichy. Arrive Trichy & check-in at hotel. This afternoon takes a sightseeing tour of the erstwhile capital of the mighty Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive’s house is a point of attraction as is the Danish Church.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 12 Trichy to Chettinadu (80 Kms/ 1.5 hrs) to Madurai (90 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, journey overland to Chettinad, ancestral homeland of the Chettiars. Home to wealthy business tycoons who made their livelihood in Burma during the last century, the area is renowned for its mansions and rich, distinctive cuisine. See these extraordinary homes with their teak pillars and marble detailing.
Post lunch, continue to Madurai, where you check in to your hotel.
Arrive Madurai & check-in at hotel.Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13 Madurai
After breakfast you visit one of the most important and holies of all temples, Meenakshi Sundareshwar. This temple complex is one of the largest in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, this is a living temple and though non-Hindus are not allowed in the inner sanctum, there is still plenty to see and absorb. The energy and devotion of the countless pilgrims who visit is remarkable.
Day 14 Madurai to Rameshwaram (170 Kms/ 3.5 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed towards Rameshwaram. Arrive Rameshwaram & check-in at hotel. After relaxing for a while proceed to visit Ramehswaram Temple. A perfect blend of mind-boggling architecture and spiritual significance, Rameshwaram Temple, also known as Ramanathaswamy Temple of Tamil Nadu is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Not just spiritually, Rameshwaram Temple is appealing architecturally also.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15 Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari (325 Kms/ 6 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed for Dhanushkodi Beach. Dhanushkodi is a small town located southeast of Pamban in Rameswaram. This place is popular for its two attractions, namely the Dhanushkodi Beach and Dhanushkodi Temple, which attract people from places near and far. The Dhanushkodi Beach, popularly known as Archal Munai by locals, is considered as one of the most beautiful
Day 16 Kanyakumari to Kovalam (100 Kms/ 3 Hrs)
After breakfast, check out from hotel & proceed for sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari visiting the most famous monument – Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Back on the mainland, visit the Gandhi Memorial & the ancient Kanyakumari Temple. Then on your way to Kovalam, your next stop will be at Padmanabhapuram Palace (closed on Mondays) on the way.
After sightseeing continue your journey to Kovalam. Kovalam beach is the world famous Indian tropical beach, boarded by blue waters and lush coconut gardens, is a western cultural dot on a traditional and orthodox Kerala physique. Blue water and favorable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea, here, is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. The warm and clean atmosphere by the coconut trees and the white sand bed are perfect for relaxing holidays, as the sea breeze gently plays with the waves.
Arrive Kovalam by evening and check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 17 Kovalam
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple & Napier’s Museum at Trivandrum. Thereafter proceed for Poovar Beach, located 30 km from Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), here one gets to see a slice of life in a coastal village. It offers one a wonderful view of the formation of the backwaters.
By evening return to Kovalam and have a relaxing time while strolling at the beach, as Kovalam has three incredible beaches. The lighthouse beach, Hawah beach and Samudra beach. The three beaches together form the famous crescent beach with a coastline length of 17km. The iconic Lighthouse Beach is the kind of beach with a lighthouse, straight out of a picture book. With its red and white painted tower structure standing tall above a hillock at a height of 118 feet. The beach is loved for its soft expanse of sand and calm waters. Ideal to idle away. Hawah Beach with its rocky cape is preferred for swimming and sun bath. You can also spot fishermen in action on their catamarans. Samudra Beach is a calm and secluded beach which is less visited by tourists. This beach is mostly preferred by honeymooners for its privacy.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 18 Drop to Trivandrum Airport (15 Kms/ 0.5 Hrs) & Departure to Delhi
After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed for Trivandrum airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi airport, greeted by our representative & transfer to hotel pre-booked for you. Rest of the day at leisure or if time permits you can go for shopping.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 19 Delhi Departure
This is the last day of the tour & it’s time to say Goodbye to India. The morning is at leisure. Your escort and vehicle are at your disposal. Later, depending on the time of your international flight you are assisted with your transfer to the airport for your homebound journey.
