Whether a spiritual soul or a pilgrim from any part of the world; South India Temple Tour has been designed to cover the temples of South India. Each and every temple here is admired for its architecture as well as mythological reverence. South India Temple Tour Packages comprise of cities like Mysore, Halebid, Bangalore, Belur, Hassan, Chidambaram, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Madurai and Chennai. Most of them are counted among important pilgrimages in South India. Similarly, places like Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam and Madurai have temples that are famous for their architectural magnificence in addition to the religious factor. So, choose the South India Temple Tour Packages for a complete overview of spirituality that is mingled with extra-ordinary brilliant architecture.
| Tour Information | |
| Duration | 14 Days/13 Nights |
| Destinations | Chennai - Tirupati - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Tanjore - Trichy - Tanjore - Madurai - Rameshwaram Excursion - Madurai - Trivendrum |
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 01 Flight to India (Chennai)
You arrive in Chennai by international flight.
After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at
the airport. You will be then transferred to the hotel for check in and
overnight stay.
DAY 02 Chennai - Tirupati (140 km /3 hrs)
After breakfast in hotel, transfer to Tirupati - a
temple and pilgrim town. Nestled at the foot of Tirumala Hills, Tirupati is the
holy abode of Lord Venkateshwara. Covering more than seven hills, this
picturesque pilgrimage township see hundreds of pilgrims every day waiting in
long queues to get a darshan of the Lord. Expensive offerings like jewellery
and coins are usual here. On arrival in Tirupati, we check in at hotel to get
fresh. In the afternoon, it is time to proceed for the darshan of Lord Balaji.
Overnight in Hotel at Tirupati.
DAY 03 Tirupati - Chennai (140 km / 3 hrs)
Have your breakfast in the hotel and leave for
Chennai. Check in at hotel in Chennai. In the afternoon, we take a city tour of
Chennai. Visit the Chennai Museum (Closed on Fridays and holidays). Drive past
the flower and fruit market, towards High Court, Fort St. George Museum, Marina
Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.
Relax in the evening and Overnight in Chennai.
DAY 04 Chennai - Mahabalipuram (60 kms /1 hr)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast in the hotel and leave for
Mahabalipuram by road. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon, begin
with sightseeing of Mahabalipuram with the beautiful Seven Pagodas. As we walk
on the seashore, we visit the ancient rock hewn temples, popularly known as
Shore Temples. They stand as the finest example of Dravidian architecture.
Return to Hotel and Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 05 Mahabalipuram
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing in
Kanchipuram. It served as the ancient capital of Pallavas and used to be famous
as a city of 1000 temples. Today, one will come across some 124 shrines. Apart
from temples; Kanchipuram is also famous for silk.
Rest of the day at leisure and Overnight at the
Hotel.
DAY 06 Mahabalipuram - Tanjore (309 kms / 7 hrs)
Today, after breakfast we leave for Tanjore. Check
in the hotel here and relax for sometime. In the afternoon, drive towards
Tanjore; also famous as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu). During our
sightseeing in Tanjore, we visit the Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara ? which is
a famous world heritage monument. It has various bronze and handicrafts, which
make Tanjore one of the major attractions of the South India Tour. Its majestic
architecture, palaces and art galleries leave a visitor awe-struck. We can also
stop to do some saree shopping as Tanjore is also famous for Silk.
Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 07 Tanjore - Trichy - Tanjore (Full Day
excursion)
Breakfast at hotel and full day excursion in
Trichy, known for ancient temples. We go to the temple of Lord Ganapathi; to
reach there we have to climb some 434 rock cut steps that lead to the temple.
Next we visit Srirangam, which is a huge temple and abode of Lord Vishnu. It
sits over an Island on the Cauvery River and has a traditional Bazaar inside
its walls. Look at the 21 magnificent towers of the temples and admire their
beauty.
Return to Hotel and relax for Overnight.
DAY 08 Tanjore
After an early breakfast at hotel, we leave for
Tanjore and begin the sightseeing with the Chola temple of Brihadeeshwara. It
is capped by a monolithic cupola that has been built with a single granite
block of 80 tons. This cupola was taken atop on a 6 km long ramp- the same
technique that was used by Egyptians to build pyramids. We then visit the
Palace and its Art Gallery, with several granite and bronze statues that belong
to the Chola period.
Relax in the evening and Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 09 Tanjore - Madurai (183 kms / 4 hrs)
Today we go to Madurai by road and en-route stop at
Karaikudi (Chettinad). Transfer to hotel and relax for sometime. Madurai is
more than 2500 years old and is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu.
Considered an ancient seat of learning, city has been designed in the shape of
a lotus. To know better, we can attend the 'Light & Sound Panorama' in
Thirumala Naik Temple (if time permits and optional). Also visit the Alagar
hills & Thirupura Rock Temple.
Overnight at Madurai.
DAY 10 Madurai (Rameshwaram excursion)
Breakfast at hotel and by afternoon leave for the
darshan of the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of
Lord Shiva). This temple is known for its towering Gopurams. The complex has
four entrances and is built over an area of 6 hectares. Stone pillars of this
complex, when hit produce sweet metal sounds. In the evening, witness the
beautiful arti at Meenakshi Temple.
Overnight in Hotel at Madurai.
DAY 11 Rameshwaram Excursion
Post breakfast in the hotel, we leave for a full
day excursion to Rameshwaram. The city is known for its gentle sand dunes,
surrounded by casuarinas trees and stark palms. This is a holy place for Hindus
and has a strong association with Hindu epic Ramayana. This is the place where
Lord Rama worshipped God Shiva to sanctify himself after killing Ravana, who
was a Brahmin.
Return to Madurai by evening and overnight at
hotel.
DAY 12 Madurai - Trivendrum (264 kms / 6 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel and leave for Trivandrum by
road. We will reach here by late evening.
Relax and retire in hotel for overnight.
DAY 13 Trivandrum
Enjoy your breakfast in the hotel and begin the
morning tour by visiting the Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Napier Museum and
Chitralayam Arts Gallery. We then continue to Zoological gardens, Reptile
house, Observatory and Kanakakunnu Palace. Return to hotel by early evening and
then leave to have the last sunset view against the sea; absolutely
unforgettable.
Overnight in Hotel at Trivandrum.
DAY 14 Depart Trivandrum
Tour concludes. Caper thanks you for your patronage
and ensures a punctual transfer to Airport / Railway Station for onward travel.
Raya Tourism India also provides tour packages to
South India. Visit South India Travel Guide for more information. To book a
tour, please fill in your query in the form given below.