South India Spiritual Tour

Day 01: Arrive Chennai

• Arrival in Chennai with the intercontinental flight. After customs formalities, baggage claim, and meeting with the representative of MoreIndia travels transfer to hotel (check-in at 1200). Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country. Then we will do a full-day guided visit to Fort St. George, War memorial, St. Mary's Church, the Basilica of Saint Thomas, believed to have been built by St. Thomas.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 02: Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mamallapuram

• After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram(76kms/1.5hrs). Kanchipuram is the ancient capital of the Pallavas, which is famous as a city of 1000 temples and 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks, later drive to Mamallapuram and check in at hotel.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 03: Mamallapuram /Pondicherry

• After breakfast visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum.  Later proceed to Pondicherry (131kms/ 3.5hrs), which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 04: Pondicherry/Chidambaram/Tanjore

• After breakfast drive to Chidambaram(65kms/1.5hrs) also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates. It is located in the center of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Afternoon drive to Tanjore(104kms/03hrs). Tanjore was once the capital of Chola Kings, has the Brahadeswaratemple(or the big temple of God). The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 05:  Tanjore/Trichy/Madurai

• After breakfast visit the palace which also houses an art gallery, a library, a hall of music, and the Schwartz Church. By noon drive to Trichy (Tiruchirappalli). After lunch in a restaurant, a guided visit to the Srirangam Temple. Proceed for Madurai and on arrival check-in hotel. If time permits, evening prayer ceremony at Minakshi Temple.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 06: Madurai/Thekkady (Periyar)

• After breakfast guided city tour visiting the Meenakshi temple built in the Dravidian style and TeppaKulu, a tank with an island temple. Evening drive to Thekkady and check in resort.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 07: Thekkady/Munnar

• After breakfast boat safari on Periyar lake.
• Afternoon checkout from hotel and drive to Munnar - 110 Kms/04 hours through the lush green tea and coffee plantations. On arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the time free for leisure. Evening visit the lakeside surrounded by hills and tea plantations.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 08: Munnar/Cochin 

• After breakfast drive to Cochin (Kochi).
• On arrival, visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, which is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. We will also visit the Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. Lastly, we will visit the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India.
• Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 09: Cochin/Alleppey

• Breakfast at hotel and drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha) and transfer to jetty point to embark on the 'Kettuvalloms' - a traditional rice boat of Kerala, which gives a romantic way to explore the unique web of lagoons, lakes, canals & rivers. Lazy cruising towards Thottapally. Lunch on board.
• Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10: Alleppey / Mararikulam

• After breakfast drive to Marari (01 ½ Hrs drive); on arrival check-in into the resort.
• Mararikulam is Kerala’s cleanest beach sand and a typical fishing village, located on the southwest coast of Central Kerala. Mararikulam or Marari would give a completely new experience to a holidayer as it offers an unblemished and pristine shoreline, swaying coconut palms, thatched huts, small paths that crisscross through courtyards and a striking view of the sunset. You can experience the local charm with matchless traditional Kerala hospitality at Mararikulam. Day free for relaxation & Ayurvedic activities.
• Overnight stay at the resort.

Day 11: Mararikulam

• Day free for relax & Ayurvedic activities.

Day 12: Mararikulam/Alleppey

• Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Cochin. after checking in to the hotel, afternoon visit cochin & later witness traditional dance in the evening, Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 13: Cochin–Home

• After breakfast, according to flight time drive to Cochin (International) airport to catch a flight to onward destination.