India Tours: South India Temple Tour Itinerary
India Tour Length: 10 days
Day 1: Arrive in Chennai
On arrival, receive assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the fourth largest city of India. In the afternoon, visit the 16th century Kapalishwar Temple and the National Art Gallery which offers a timeless collection of old paintings, sculptures, handicrafts, metal ware and iron carvings from various periods. Admire the collection of the Bronze Art Gallery at the Government Museum. Also visit Fort St George, a fine example of 17th century British architecture and St. Mary’s Church, the first English Church in India. Later, drive along the Marina Beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Chennai – Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (77 kms / 2 hours)
In the morning, drive to Mamallapuram (or Mahabalipuram), famous for its Shore Temple. En route, visit Kanchipuram, capital of the Pallava kingdom. One of the seven sacred cities for the Hindus, it is equally famous for its hand woven silks. Visit the main temples, the most striking of which are the Kailasanath Temple and the Ekambeshwar Temple. Upon arrival, transfer and check into the hotel. Mahabalipuram was the seaport and second capital of the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram from 5th to 8th century. In the afternoon, proceed on a local sightseeing tour and visit the Panch Ratha Temples - dedicated to the five Pandava brothers and their consort Draupadi, Arjuna's Penance – a huge bass relief the face of a rock and the Shore Temple. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (95 kms / 2 hours)
In the morning, drive to Pondicherry, a charming Indian town with a few enduring pockets of French culture and an ashram. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville on the outskirts. Auroville, an unique city conceptualized by the Mother, was designed by a French architect and opened in 1968. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Pondicherry – Chidambaram - Tanjore (198 kms / 6 hours) In the morning, drive to Tanjore (or Thanjavur), famous for its distinctive art style. En route visit the Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram where Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his cosmic dance. Towering ‘gopurams’ with thousands of figurines and ‘mandapams’ with sculptured pillars lend special character to this temple complex. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Brihadishwara Temple built during the 10th century and admire the large monolithic Nandi, the bull mount of Lord Shiva. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Tanjore - Trichy (60 kms / 2 hours)
In the morning, drive to Trichy. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, go for a city tour and visit the Rock Fort Temple which is perched on a rocky outcrop above the plains and offers spectacular views of the countryside. Also visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam dedicated to Vishnu. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Trichy - Madurai (133 kms / 4 hours)
In the morning drive to Madurai, one of oldest cities in the south and a center of learning and pilgrimage. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Meenakshi Temple dedicated to Goddess Meenaskhi, consort of Lord Shiva. Four of the twelve ‘gopurams’ here are decorated with colorful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals. Also visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace built by the Nayaks in the Indo- Saracenic style in 1636. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Madurai - Rameshwaram - Madurai (240 kms / 9 hours)
In the morning, visit Rameshwaram, one of the holiest cities in India and an important pilgrimage for Hindus. The story behind the name of this place goes back to the Ramayana when Hanuman returned from Lanka after killing Ravana. Visit the 17th century Ramanathaswamy Temple famous for its massive sculptures and long corridors. In the evening return to Madurai for overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Madurai - Kanyakumari (236 kms / 6 hours)
In the morning, drive to Kanyakumarai. Located at the Southern most tip of the Indian Peninsula, the shores of Kanyakumari are washed by three major water bodies viz. the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. On arrival in Kanyakumari, check into the hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Kanyakumari
In the morning, proceed on a local sight seeing tour - visit the Kumariamma Temple, Vivekanand Rock, the confluence of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal and the Gandhi Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Kanyakumari - Thiruvananthapuram (90 kms / 3 hours)
In the morning, transfer to Thiruvananthapuram Airport to board a flight to onward destination.
