Churches & Temples of the South

Itinerary

1. 

   Fly to Chennai (D, DR)

   Check-in for your overnight flight to Chennai via Dubai. For your convenience flights are available from a number of UK airports.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

2. 

   Arrive Chennai, local market and gold quarter visit (B, L, D, DR)

   Morning: early morning arrival in Chennai. You will be met by your local guide who will be with you throughout your journey through Southern India. Transfer to your hotel where breakfast and an early check-in for your two-night stay has been arranged so you can rest until midday.

   Afternoon: lunch in the hotel followed by an introductory foray into the cities lively market area to see the local life amid the Victorian-era architecture. Also, visit the jewellery and gold quarter and learn the importance of gold jewellery in Southern India, used for various family occasions and rites de passage.

   Evening: welcome drinks gathering followed by dinner in the hotel. All dinners throughout India include water and tea or coffee afterwards. Other drinks are always available at your own expense.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

3. 

   Chennai – St. Thomas Cathedral and Shrine (B, L, D)

   Morning: tour of the capital city of Tamil Nadu including the very centre of colonial Madras, Fort St George. This was one of the most vital outposts of the British Empire, its first in India, the home of Clive of India for many years and the military base for numerous wars against the French. We visit St. Mary’s Church the first church consecrated on Indian soil, the National Art Gallery with its many fascinating bronzes and the St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and St. Thomas Shrine. St. Thomas is also referred to as Didymus and is believed to have landed in Kerala in 52 AD and preached Christianity until he was martyred in AD 72.

   Afternoon: return to the hotel for lunch and then visit Marina Beach. Sir Mountstuart Grant duff, the then Governor of Madras from 1881 to 1886, was highly captivated with the wonderful beach and built a long promenade. It served as the meeting place for the freedom fighters before independence. Post-independence, statues of the Triumph of Labour and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi were built near the beach where you will be free to wander the promenade with its food stalls and small souvenir shops.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Chennai.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

4. 

   Mahabalipuram – The Shore Temple - drive to Pondicherry (B, L, D)

   Morning: depart Chennai for Mahabalipuram to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arjuna’s Penance or the Descent of the Ganges - the world’s largest bas-relief. It is a beautiful composition of celestial beings, humans and animals all hurrying to a natural rock cleft that divides the giant stone. We also visit the best-known landmark of Mahabalipuram, the Shore Temple with its twin spires which has stood by the sea for twelve centuries.

   Afternoon: lunch in a local restaurant in Mahabalipuram before continuing the coastal drive to Pondicherry where you check-in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Pondicherry.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

5. 

   Pondicherry - Governor’s residence, drive to Trichy (B, L, D)

   Morning: enjoy a walking tour of the beautiful old French colonial centre of ‘Pondy’. Both its architecture and ambience are very different from any other Indian town. There’s a sleepy, almost Mediterranean air here, with bougainvillea-clad walls and neo-classical villas. See the impressive Governor’s residence, the former site of the French fort designed by the French military architect, Vauban and visit the church of Notre Dame des Anges with a rare oil painting of Our Lady of the Assumption gifted by Napoleon III.

   Afternoon: late lunch on route during the drive to Trichy where you will check-in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Trichy.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

6. 

   Trichy – Rock Fort, Island of Srirangam, drive to Madurai (B, L, D)

   Morning: enjoy a city tour of Trichy including the Rock Fort which dominates the landscape with the Ganesha Temple at its summit. We visit the Island of Srirangam across the River Kaveri where the temple is practically a town in itself. We allow time to wander the quaint residential and shopping streets.

   Afternoon: lunch, followed by an afternoon drive to Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and one of the oldest and holiest cities of India. The city was planned and built in the shape of a lotus and is thus known as the 'Lotus City'. On arrival check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Madurai.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

7. 

   Madurai – Meenakshi Temple & Tirumala Nayak Palace (B, L, D)

   Morning: an early start to witness the local flower market with its vibrant colours before visiting the temples in Madurai which are a testament to it being one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. We visit the Great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism, which towers high above its surroundings. After, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a gracious building in the Indo-Saracenic style, famous for the stucco work on its domes and arches.

   Afternoon: after lunch in a local restaurant, we return to the Meenakshi Temple to see the closing ceremony or Pooja. During the final prayer of the day, Lord Shiva, husband of Meenakshi would typically be carried in a palanquin from his shrine and escorted to his residing place, where Goddess Meenakshi awaits in their bed chamber made of pure silver. This lively divine procession is accompanied by music and attracts many devotes.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Madurai.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

8. 

   Madurai – Munnar, Christ Church and high tea (B, L, AT, D)

   Morning: depart Madurai for the scenic drive passing agricultural plains and local villages before climbing through the foothills of the Western Ghats. After crossing into the state of Kerala you will see the Chinnakanal and Periyakanal waterfalls and Anayirangal Dam and take in breath-taking views of vast emerald-green tea plantations.

   Afternoon: on arrival in the cooler climate of Munnar at 1,700 metres (6,000ft) above sea-level check-in to your hotel for a two-night stay and enjoy lunch. After, we take worship in the historic CSI Christ Church. The church was constructed mostly in stone by the Scottish tea estate managers and workers. Its delightful interiors still preserve the stained-glass windows, rows of rosewood pews, brass plaques, and an ornate chandelier. There is a graveyard adjacent to this church with tombs, which dates back to the year 1894. After, we take high tea before returning to the hotel.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Munnar.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

9. 

   DAY 9 – Munnar (B, L, D)

   Morning: relaxed sightseeing of the summer resort of the erstwhile British government. Munnar, surrounded by tea plantations is bordered by The Eravikulam National Park and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and is also famous for being home to the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years (the next bloom is in 2030) and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

   Afternoon: lunch in your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your leisure. Munnar is a haven for shopping for tea and spices. Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, coffee and a variety of homemade chocolates can be bought from the number of shops spread across this hill town.

   Evening: dinner in your hotel in Munnar.

   Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

10. 

    Munnar – Pala, St. Thomas Cathedral - Kumarakom (B, L, D)

    Morning: scenic drive to Pala to visit the St. Thomas Cathedral Church. The Foundation of the first church was laid on the banks of the Meenachil river, on July 3, 1002, the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle. The church altar is adorned with a 12 feet high hand carved statue of Christ crucified in Kumbil wood.

    Afternoon: lunch in Pala and then continue to your resort in Kumarakom on the banks of Lake Vembanad with its majestic canals and streams fringed with green palms that ripple in their backwater reflections. On arrival check-in to your resort for a relaxing three-night stay.

    Evening: dinner in your resort overlooking Lake Vembanad.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

11. 

    Kumarakom – Village experience (B, L, D)

    Morning: enjoy a local village experience starting with a tuk-tuk ride and then a boat cruise on the smallest of the backwaters. Your guide will show you the village houses and a true insight into Kerala’s agriculture and local life of the people who live a simple life on the backwaters as well as visiting where they worship.

    Afternoon: lunch in the hotel followed by an afternoon to relax in the hotel or perhaps enjoy Ayurveda treatments in the hotel spa (at extra cost). Boats and drivers are also available to hire should you wish to further delve into the backwaters.

    Evening: dinner in your resort overlooking Lake Vembanad.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

12. 

    Kumarakom – Houseboat cruise (B, L, AT, D)

    Morning: board your traditional Keralan houseboat where you will spend today cruising. You will have the opportunity to see the plethora of bird life and glimpse the lives of the local people along the banks of the backwaters and Vembanad Lake and witness the birdlife skim the waters from the nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary.

    Afternoon: lunch and afternoon tea will be served on board as you relax and leisurely enjoy the tropical scenery and witness life in the local villages from the comfort of your floating home. After, enjoy high tea in your resort with further time to relax.

    Evening: dinner in your resort with live music.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

13. Kumarakom –Kokkamangalam St. Thomas Church - Cochin (B, L, D)

    Morning: leaving the backwaters behind, head to Cochin via a visit the St. Thomas Church in Kokkamangalam. It is said that St. Thomas, sailed to Kokkamangalam and converted 1600 people into Christians and installed a cross for the faithful. The cross was cut off by saboteurs and thrown into the Vembanad lake, through which it floated until coming to a stop at a place called Pallipuram where today it is still worshipped.

    Afternoon: visit a traditional home known as a Tharavad south of Cochin that has been owned by the same family for eight generations. Enjoy a friendly welcome from your very gracious and friendly hosts with a Keralan cooking demonstration followed by lunch. After, take a stroll in the gardens then a short boat ride to view the property from the water before saying farewell and continuing to Cochin to check-in to your hotel for a three-night stay in the fort area.

    Evening: dinner in your hotel in Cochin.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

14. 

    Cochin – Dutch and Portuguese heritage (B, L, D)

    Morning: Cochin, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, was an important spice trading port occupied by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British. Your sightseeing today will include visits to the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. You will also see the Chinese fishing nets along the harbour mouth.

    Afternoon: included lunch in a local restaurant in the Fort Cochin area, followed by free time to walk and shop amidst the Dutch and Portuguese historical buildings or enjoy the view of the Fort and port area while relaxing on the roof-top pool terrace of your hotel.

    Evening: enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show. Based on Hinduism Kathakali is a highly charged powerful drama that combines devotion, drama, dance, music, costumes and make-up to produce an impressive form of sacred theatre. After, enjoy dinner in your hotel.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

15. Cochin – Palayoor, Malankara and Kottakavu churches (B, L, D, DR)

    Morning: drive to Palayoor to visit the St. Thomas Church. The Syrian church was established in 52 AD by St. Thomas. Here he performed the first baptism in India and introduced Christianity to the local population. After, visit Malankara and the church believed to be started by St. Thomas and where the Apostle first landed in Kerala. The Christians here are known as Malankara Nasranis or St. Thomas Christians.

    Afternoon: after lunch in a local restaurant visit the church in Kottakavu where it is believed that the Persian Cross, which is preserved in the chapel in front of the church, might have been engraved in rock in 880 AD. A wooden cross which the saint had planted was kept in the church till the 18th century.

    Evening: farewell drinks reception followed by dinner in the hotel.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

16. 

    Depart for the UK (B, L, DR)

    Departure for Cochin Airport. Bid farewell to your local guide and check-in for your return flight to the UK (via Dubai) where you arrive the same day.

    Key to symbols: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner, DR = Drink

Essential Information

Practical information

Dates