| South India Temple Tour |  |
Duration :11 nights / 12 days
Places to See : Chennai – Tirupati – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry – Chidambram – Tanjore – Trichy – Madurai – Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari – Trivandrum – Home.
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| Day 01 : Arrive Chennai (Madras). Chennai sightseeing. |
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Upon arrival at Chennai airport, you will be met by our representation who will transfer to your pre-booked hotel. After wash and change, enjoy sightseeing tour of Chennai visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Fort St. George, National Art Gallery and Museum with a fine collection of ancient paintings, Mylapore temple and Marine beach (the second longest in the world). Overnight stay at Chennai.
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| Day 02 : Day trip to Tirupati (154 kms/ 3.5 hrs one way) |
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After breakfast, leave for Tirupathi to visit the famous temple of Lord Venkateshwara on the top of the Tirumala hills. This temple is believed to be the oldest temple in the country and is the richest temple too. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Tirupathi. Return back to Chennai for overnight stay.
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| Day 03 : Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (76 Kms/ 1.5 Hrs)
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After breakfast, drive to Mahabalipuram via Kanchipuram. In Kanchipuram, visit Kailasanatha Temple, built in 8th Century AD. It is built in the typical Pallava style, with a pyramidal tower, a pillared hall & vestibule, enclosed by a wall. Next visit Ekambareeswarar Temple, ancient temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. Then visit Vaikunda Perumal temple (dedicated to Lord Vishnu) It is also one of the 108 Divyadesams, after visiting the temples, proceed to Mahabalipuram. Overnight stay at Mahabalipuram.
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| Day 04 : Mahabalipuram – Tiruvannamalai – Pondicherry (250 Kms/ 5 Hrs). |
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After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram visit the UNESCO monuments: Arjuna’s penance, The Shore Temple (One of the oldest temple in South India), Five Rathas - These rock-cut temples are rated as excellent examples of Pallava Art, Krishna Mandapam and Mahishasuramardhini Cave. After sightseeing, drive to Pondicherry. Enroute stop at Tiruvannamallai to visit Arunachaleswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Continue drive to Pondicherry - Puducherry (earlier known as Pondicherry) is a small conclave in India that retains a distinctly French ambience and culture. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.
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| Day 05 : Pondicherry sightseeing. |
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After lavish breakfast in the hotel, enjoy tour of Pondicherry visit Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Botanical gardens, Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus - built in the Gothic style, Pondicherry Museum - has a fine sculpture gallery and a section for archaeological findings dating back to the Roman settlement at Arikamedu. Overnight stay at Pondicherry.
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| Day 06 : Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Tanjore (180 Kms/ 4 Hrs). |
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After morning breakfast, drive to Tanjore - Tanjore rose to glory during the later Chola period between the 9th and 14th centuries A.D. It also flourished later during the rule of the Nayaks and Mahrattas. Enroute stop at Chidambaram to visit the famous Nataraja Temple - The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is gold plated. Here Lord Shiva is depicted as the cosmic dancer-Nataraja. Continue drive to Tanjavur or Tanjore. On the way visit a Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Reach Tanjore and check into the hotel overnight stay.
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| Day 07 : Tanjore to Trichy (54 Kms/ 02 Hrs). |
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After breakfast, set off for city tour visit Brihadeshwar Temple, Thanjavur Royal Palace. Later leave for Trichurapalli or Trichy located on the banks of the River Kaveri. It is famous for the Ranganath temple at Srirangam. On arrival check in at the hotel. After wash and change, visit the Rock Fort Temple - It is situated on a massive rock and dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Rangnathaswamy Temple (Dedicated to Lord Vishnu) and Jambukeshwar Temple. Overnight stay at Trichy.el.
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| Day 08 : Trichy to Madurai (133 Kms/ 3.5 Hrs) |
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After breakfast, check out from the hotel and leave for Madurai. On arrival, check into the hotel. After freshen up, enjoy sightseeing tour of Madurai visit Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple, Gandhi Museum, Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Attend the wonderful evening prayer ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple. Overnight stay at Madurai.
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| Day 09 : Drive to Rameshwaram (160 Kms / 03 Hrs). |
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After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram - the most sacred temple town in India is actually an island. Legend has it that Lord Rama along with Sita offered prayer to Lord Shiva after defeating Ravana, by praying to a sand Lingam made by Sita on this island. And at this very spot is located the Ramanatha Swamy Temple. Later visit Dhanushkodi – an important pilgrimage spot on Rameshwaram island and Agnitheertham – the sandy shores of Rameshwaram. Overnight stay at Rameshwaram.
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| Day 10 : Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari (310 Kms/ 5-6 Hrs) |
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After early breakfast, drive to Kanyakumari – It is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent and represents the site where the spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda spent days in meditation upon a rock off the coast. Spend rest of the time on the beaches and enjoy the sunset view. Overnight stay at Kanyakumari.
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| Day 11 : Kanyakumari to Trivandrum (90 Kms/ 2-3 Hrs) |
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After breakfast, enjoy tour of Kanyakumari visit Padmanbhapuram Palace, Suchindram Temple, Devi Kanyakumari Temple, Vivekananda Memorial and Thiravalluvar Statue are some of the sightseeing attractions in Kanyakumari.
Later drive to Trivandrum – Bounded by the Arabian Sea in the Southern side of the state of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, well known as Trivandrum is one of the charms of the state and the country. Visit Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple – The temple follows strict dress code and non Hindus are not allowed. Overnight stay at Trivandrum.
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| Day 12 : Departure from Trivandrum. |
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After breakfast, departure transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight back to home or onward journey.
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| Tour ends here……… | |