South India Temple Tours

South India has always been known for its temple

trails. Even today the main spiritual stream comprising both Shaivite and Vaishnavite branches of Hinduism, although it has an impression left here of Buddhist and Jain philosophies and had been influential several centuries earlier.

The coastal region of Andhra Pradesh was a stronghold of Buddhism as exemplified by the great stupas at Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda.Shravanabelagola in Karnataka is a popular pilgrimage center for Jains. Kodagu, in Karnataka is home to one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India and provides sanctuary to Tibetan Buddhist monks that fled Tibet fearing persecution from communist China

Duration : 14 Nights/ 15 Days
Destinations Covered : Chennai - Tirupati - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Ramesharam - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum - Cochin

DAY 01 : ARRIVE CHENNAI

Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to pre-booked hotel. Relax for the day. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 : CHENNAI - TIRUPATI BY ROAD 162 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE

After early breakfast, drive towards Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of Lord Balaji. Overnight at Tirupati.

DAY 03 : TIRUPATI - MAHABALIPURAM BY ROAD 60 KMS 2 HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast, proceed for Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon sight seeing of Mahabalipuram the famous for the seven pagodas. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04 : MAHABALIPURAM

Full day sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram visting Kamakshi Amma temple , Ekambareshwar temple etc . Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05 : MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY VIA Tiruvannamalai BY ROAD 140 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast, continue drive towards Pondicherry via Tiruvannamalai visiting Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple and later drive to Pondicherry. Pondicherry formarly a French colony, which has settled in the early part of the 18th century. Places of interest are Sri Aurobindo Ashram Auroville - the brain child of the mother and designed by French Architect roger Anger, AuroVille was meant to be an experiment in international living where man awomen could live in peace and progress harmony with each other above all creeds. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06 : PONDICHERRY – TANJORE (Thanjavur) BY ROAD 185 KMS 4HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast, continue drive towards Tanjore. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of Tamilnadu). Proceed for sight seeing of Tanjore visiting Brihadeeswarar temple etc. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07: TANJORE (Thanjavur) – trichy BY ROAD 50 KMS 1HOUR 30 MIN DRIVE

After breakfast, drive towards Trichy. Visit ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple and Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. Return to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 : TRICHY - MADURAI VIA KARAIKUDI BY ROAD 172 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast, drive to Madurai via Karaikudi. Upon arrival, check in at hotel.Overnight at hotel .

DAY 09 : MADURAI

After breakfast, levae for a full day tour of Madurai city. Visit famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering Gopurams) and Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple etc .Watch evening AARTI at Meenakshi Temple. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 10 : MADURAI - RAMESHWARAM BY ROAD 120 KMS 3 HOURS

Morning drive to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casurina trees and stark palms. Visiting Ramanathaswamy Temple - a famous temple dedicated to God Shiva ,Tirthas of Rameswaram , Gandamadhana Parvata , and Rama's Bridge etc .Overnight at hotel .

DAY 11 :RAMESHWARAM – Kanyakumari byroad 320 kms 7 hours drive

After early breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari. On arrival, check in at hotel .Evening visit Kanyakumari temple , Vivekanda Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue etc. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12 : KANYAKUMARI - TRIVANDRUM BY ROAD 80 KMS 2 HOURS DRIVE

After breakfast, levae for Trivandrum . Start tour in the morning visiting the Sree Padmanabha Swami temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayam arts gallery, Zoological gardens, Reptile house, Observatory and Kanakakunnu Palace . Overnight at Trivandrum.

DAY 13 : TRIVANDRUM – COCHIN 195 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE

Morning drive to Cochin via visiting Haripad snake temple and Sri Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple. On arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 14 : COCHIN – Guruvayur – COCHIN 70 KMS ONE WAY

Early morning drive to Guruvayur to visit famous Lord Krishna temple and later visit Thrissur Vadakkunnathan temple. Evening back to Cochin . Overnight at hotel.

DAY 15 : LEAVE COCHIN

Transfer to Airport to board Flight for onward Joruney.