South India Spiritual Tour,Spiritual Tour of Southern India,Booking of Spiritual Tour in Southern India

The Natural and Spiritual Highlights of Southern India

Duration : 24 Days / 23 Nights
Destinaions Covered : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Kanyakumari - Kovalam Beach - Cochin - Nilgiri Hills - Ooty - Mysore - Puttaparti - Bangalore

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Day 01
Upon arrival in Chennai, you will be met and transferred by car, a 90 minute drive, to your hotel in Mahabalipuram. This small town on the Bay of Bengal is an excellent place to relax and acclimatize to life in South India. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 02
Explore Mahabalipuram on a sightseeing tour, taking in the ancient rock cut Shore Temple and Five Rathas, UNESCO World Heritage listed sites built in the 7th Century, and Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest bas relief carving. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.

Day 03
Drive to Tiruvannamalai. Enroute you will be able to explore the sacred city of Kanchipuram, one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in all of India. Overnight in Tiruvannamalai.

Days 04 & 05
2 days to explore the holy mountain Arunachala and absorb the profound spiritual nature of this town. Spend some time in meditation at Ramana Maharshi's ashram located at the base of the mountain, and explore the Arunachaleswar Temple- a massive complex covering 10 hectares. 2 further nights in Tiruvannamalai.

Days 06 & 07
Drive to Pondicherry where Aurobindo's Ashram and all his devotees' industry give this town a community feel. Soak up this atmosphere of this French influenced town- surely the best place in Southern India for croissant and coffee! 2 Nights in Pondicherry.
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Day 08
In the morning, drive 70km to Chidambaram. Here you can visit the Nataraja Temple, where Shiva is worshipped as the Cosmic Dancer, depicted in 108 dancing poses in 10th century stone carvings. In the late afternoon drive to Tanjore to explore the Brihadishwara a Temple and Saraswati Mahal Library. Overnight in Tanjore.

Day 09
Drive to Trichy and Sri Rangam to see two stunning temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The Rock Fort Temple perched high on a cliff is worth the climb up 437 stone cut steps. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 10
In the morning, drive to Madurai to see the colorful Sri Meenakshi Temple, which gives the city a special feeling. You can also visit the Gandhi Museum which highlights many aspects of this great visionary's life and work. Overnight in Madurai.

Day 11
Drive to Kanyakumari on the southernmost tip of the subcontinent. This is a spectacular place to view the sunset (and sunrise tomorrow) and you can also take a short boat ride to the Vivekananda Memorial and visit the Gandhi Memorial. Overnight in Kanyakumari.

Day 12
Drive into Kerala after visiting Padmanabapuram Teak Palace, a magnificent structure with many exquisite carvings and paintings. Driving on you will arrive at Kovalam Beach at lunchtime.

Kathakali Dance Performance

Days 13 - 14
Rest and relaxation at Kovalam beach. You can enjoy a boat cruise through the palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala, or just laze on the beach. 2 Nights at Kovalam.

Day 15
Full day drive to Cochin and in the evening watch a Kathakali dance performance and the intricate make-up process that precedes the show. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 16
Today you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing around Fort Cochin area including the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church and Mattancherry palace. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 17
Morning embark on a long, picturesque drive up into the Nilgiri Hills to Ooty. For the last part of the journey from Coonoor to Ooty you will travel by train, one of the greatest train journeys in the world. Overnight in Ooty.

Days 18 & 19
Explore BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, staying in a secluded guest house located in the heart of the park. Explore the exotic flora and fauna on elephant back under the guidance of an experienced guide, and take two jeep safaris deep into the jungle - dusk and dawn - to have the best possible chance of seeing wildlife.

Day 20
Tourist in Mysore Market

In the morning drive to Mysore and explore the local markets. Here, sandalwood and beautiful carvings can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Overnight in Mysore.

Day 21
From Mysore, take a day trip to a Tibetan Monastery where the welcoming monks will show you their age-old traditions of butter sculpting and carpet making. Overnight in Mysore.

Days 22 - 23
Drive to Puttaparti and visit Sai Baba's Ashram where you can participate in all that is offered. Overnight at Puttaparti (2 nights).

Day 24
Drive to Bangalore to connect with your flight home.

NOTE : Please note that this, and all other itineraries on this website, are suggested programmes only and can be modified to suit your individual needs and interests.