South India Historical Temple Tour
23 Nights / 24 DaysChennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry – kumbakonam – Tanjore – Rameshwaram – Madurai – Kanyakumari – Kovalam – Hyderabad – Chennai
Overview
Upon arrival at Chennai Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to the hotel.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Chennai
Upon arrival at Chennai Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Chennai
After breakfast full day city tour of Chennai. Chennai, the capital city, popularly regarded as the ‘Gateway to the South’ represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India.
Day 3 : Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram which is a city of thousand temples. One of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus.
Day 4 : Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (135 Km)
After breakfast drive to Pondicherry. In the afternoon city tour of Pondicherry. Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry’s main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
Day 5 : Pondicherry – Chidambaram (64 Km) – Kumbakonam (78 Km)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kumbakonam, en-route visit Chidambaram, the seat of the Cosmic Dancer; dedicated to Lord Nataraja. Spread over an area of 40 acres with a gopuram on each side, the temple is distinguished by the five sabhas or counts. The towering gopurams, the tallest one on the north is 42.4 m are carved on it with 108 dance poses of Bharatanatyam.
Day 6 : Kumbakonam – Tanjore (40 Km) – Trichy (60 Km)
After breakfast drive to Trichy, en-route visit Tanjore. The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional handicrafts, Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect’s marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest.
Day 7 : Trichy – Rameshwaram
After breakfast drive to Trichy and on arrival, Early morning drive to Rameshwaram, the most sacred pilgrimage destinations of India. No pilgrimage is over without taking a trip to this holy island of Rameshwaram. Rameshwaram, as it is said, is the place where Lord Rama offered thanks to Lord Shiva in return for his support in defeating King Ravana. This makes Rameshwaram an important pilgrimage destination for devotees of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Situated in the Ramanathapuram of Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram is home to some of the most fascinating temples in entire India.
Day 8 : Rameshwaram
After breakfast proceed on full day temple tour of Rameswaram, visiting Sri Ramanathaswamy temple. The temple has 22 holy springs which are believed to have medicinal properties. After darshan, visit the Ghanthamathana Parvatham which provides fine views of the island.
Later, visit Dhanushkodi, it is one of the Tirthas in the island of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. This is located beside the ghost town of Dhanushkodi at the eastern most tip of Rameswaram Island. Rama used his bow’s (Dhanush) end (Kodi) to break the bridge – Adam’s Bridge (hence the name). This bridge was used for his army to cross over to Lanka for the victorious war against Ravana Later, return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 9 : Rameshwaram – Madurai (170 Km)
Morning after breakfast drive to Madurai. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Evening free for own activity. Overnight stay at resort.
Day 10 : Full Day In Madurai
After breakfast full day city tour of Madurai. Madurai, known as Athens of the East, is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai.
Day 11 : Madurai – Kanyakumari (244 Km)
After breakfast drive to Kanyakumari which would take 5 hours. Upon arrival check into the hotel.
In the afternoon go for sightseeing. Kanyakumari is the southernmost end of Tamil Nadu, the land’s end of India or the point where the three seas meet – the Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
Day 12 : Kanyakumari – Kovalam (100 Km)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kovalam visiting en-route Padmanabhapuram, (trivandrum 15 km short from Kovalam).
Day 13 : Full Day In Kovalam
After breakfast full day free for your own activity or leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Kovalam – Alleppey (170 Km)
Morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey, upon arrival board the House boat. Full day sailing on houseboat. Overnight stay in houseboat.
Day 15 : Alleppey – Cochin (60 Km)
After breakfast disembark the house boat & drive to Cochin. On arrival check into the hotel.
After fresh-n-up city sightseeing tour of Cochin. Cochin, Karnataka’s commercial centre, has a fine natural harbor. Cochin (Kochi) gateway for Karnataka is famous for Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolghatty Island, Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue.
Day 16 : Cochin – Hyderabad
Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Hyderabad. Upon arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 17 : Hyderabad
After breakfast will have full day guided city sightseeing tour of Hyderbad visiting Charminar and Golconda Fort. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are separated by the Hussain Sagar Lake. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 18 : Hyaderabad – Warangal (100 Km)
Morning after breakfast drive to Warangal. Upon arrival check in to the hotel.After fresh-n-up city sightseeing tour of Warangal. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 19 : Warangal – Vijaywada (254 Km)
After breakfast leave for Vijayawada, en-route visiting Kondapalli Village. Further continue drive to Vijaywada. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 20 : Vijaywada – Nagarjunasagar (190 Km)
Morning enjoy city sightseeing tour of Vijayawada, followed by a drive to Nagarjunasagar. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 21 : Nagarjunasagar – Srisailam (183 Km)
Morning visit the Nagarjunakonda. It was one of the largest and most important Buddhist centres in South India from the 2nd century BC until 3rd century AD. Also visit Nagarjunasagar Dam. One of the earliest hydroelectric projects of India, the Nagarjunasagar Dam is a modern symbol of human triumph over nature.
Day 22 : Srisailam – Hyderabad (213 Km)
Morning after breakfast temple tour of Srisailam.The shrine of Lord Mallikarjuna picturesquely situated on a flat top of Nallamalai Hills, Srisailam is reputed to be one of the most ancient kshetras in India.
Day 23 : Hyderabad – Chennai (By Flight)
After breakfast transfer to the airport to board the flight for Chennai. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 24 : Chennai – Departure
Transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.