Pilgrimage to South India Led by Canon Tony Fensome
Thursday 26th September – Thursday 10th October 2024
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
“I have come to love visiting India, a land full of vibrancy, colour and traditions. I warmly invite you to join me on a pilgrimage tour following in the steps of St Thomas (our doubting Thomas) to South India in the autumn of 2024. We will be visiting many significant religious and cultural sites, experiencing the devotions of different faith communities, watching artisans and craftspeople at work, passing through spectacular scenery, seeing a wide range of tropical wildlife and also making time to enjoy our holiday in wonderful India.”
This Pilgrimage Tour is a mix of the religious experience and holiday, with time for reflection and also time for fun and relaxation, exploring local sites and shopping with local stallholders. I do hope you will come along and be part of this fascinating journey.
The Tour Leader
Canon Tony Fensome, a retired Anglican priest, has led many pilgrimages and tours to destinations such as India, the Holy Land, Turkey, Egypt, and East Africa. He believes that understanding diverse cultures and belief systems deepens our appreciation of others’ spirituality and enriches our own faith.
The Itinerary
CHENNAI - MAHABALIPURAM - PONDICHERRY - MADURAI - THEKKADY - ALAPPUZHA - COCHIN
Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
Cathedral Basilica and Little Mount, Chennai
DAY 1: THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Depart London Heathrow Emirates EK0002 depart London at 14:20 hrs.
DAY 2: FRIDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Arrive Dubai at 00: 20 and connect EK0544 for Chennai. Arrive at 08:25, we are met on arrival and transferred by private air-conditioned coach to the Raintree hotel St. Marry Road Chennai. In the afternoon drive to Mahabalipuram and we visit the nearby ancient World Heritage site of Mahabalipuram, with its intricate granite bas-relief rock carving, known as Arjuna's Penance and temple by the sea.
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Overnight at Hotel Raintree St. Mary, Chennai -
LD
DAY 3: SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2024
In the morning we ascend St Thomas Mount, where he was martyred. Then, having descended to the city, we enter St Thomas Cathedral and visit his Tomb. After this, by contrast we experience our first Hindu Temple, the bustling Kapapee shwara Temple.
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Overnight at Hotel Raintree St. Mary, Chennai
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LD
The Tranquil Auroville Asram and Shrine, Ponducherry
DAY 4: SUNDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Today we visit Fort St. George, which once served as the very first bastion of the East India Company. Within the Fort complex is the oldest Anglican Church in India, St Mary's Church, built in 1678-1680. After attending morning service we continue south on to the French coastal town of Ponducherry.
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Overnight at Hotel The Promenade, Ponducherry
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BLD
DAY 5: MONDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024
A leisurely day is spent exploring Ponducherry, visiting the tranquil Auroville Asram and shrine founded by ‘the Mother’, the spiritual collaborator of the Indian sage Sri Aurobindo. We are also able to enter the beautiful Botanical gardens. After supper we take a beachside evening stroll.
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Overnight at Hotel The Promenade, Ponducherry
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BLD
DAY 6: TUESDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2024
Today we visit the experimental living town, the ‘self help’ community village at Sarvam, or the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny, who manage the Cluny Embroidery Centre and later take the afternoon Vaigai Express Train to the city of Trichy (Tiruchirappalli).
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Overnight at Courtyard by Marriott, Trichy
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BLD
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Trichy
DAY 7: WEDNESDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2024
We explore 2 spectacular Temples today, climbing to the Rock fort, from where the is a wonderful panoramic views across the Cauvery Delta, then visiting the Ranganathaswamy Temple around, which the busy city is built.
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Overnight at Hotel Courtyard by Marriott, Trichy
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BLD
DAY 8: THURSDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2024
Leaving the city, our journey takes us to Madurai where we visit the Gandhi Museum and stay 2 nights at the comfortable Heritage Madurai Hotel (with pool).
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Overnight at Hotel Heritage Madurai, Madurai
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BLD
DAY 9: FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2024
After visiting the Kings Palace, we enter the spectacular Shree Meenakshi Temple complex with its beautifully painted towers. We also have time shopping and site seeing.
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Overnight at Hotel Heritage Madurai, Madurai
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BLD
Backwater Thatched Boat, Alappuzha
DAY 10: SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2024
Leaving the frenetic city, we move through the stunning rural countryside on to Thekkady and check into Cardamom County. (3 ½ hr drive).
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Overnight Cardamom County, Thekkady
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BLD
DAY 11: SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2024
A whole day for exploring the amazing Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. We have a guided nature walk. Although, encounters with animals in the wild cannot be guaranteed, do keep a lookout for tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants, or gaur ( the world's largest species of buffalo). In the afternoon, there is time to unwind maybe just relaxing in this scenic setting with a drink in hand!
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Overnight Cardamom County, Thekkady
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BLD
DAY 12: MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2024
Descending the hills, following deep gorges and water falls, we continue our drive to Alappuzha. Here we cruise on a traditional air conditioned Thatched Boat passing quietly through the back waters observing waterside villages as we pass by. We stay overnight at a waterside hotel.
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Overnight at Backwater Ripples, Alappuzha
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BLD
Kathakali Dance, Kerala
DAY 13: TUESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2024
Today we travel to Cochin, visiting the old Jewish Synagogue, the impressive Mattancherry Palace, have some time for shopping, followed by an unforgettable evening Traditional Kathakali Dance Performance. We stay at the gorgeous Fragrant Nature Hotel. (with pool).
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Overnight at Hotel Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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BLD
DAY 14: WEDNESDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2024
On our last full day we journey to where St Thomas made landfall in India, visit the local fish market & more shopping.
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Overnight at Hotel Fragrant Nature, Cochin
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BLD
DAY 15: THURSDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2024
Morning transfer to Cochin International Airport to board Emirates flight to Dubai EK531, 10:30. connect EK0003 flight to London;1415-1840
Tour Cost
Tour Cost
The cost per person sharing a twin or double room £3420.00
Single room supplement £780.00
Email :- enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
How to book this tour
Please send us an e-mail at enquiries@soulofindia.com or call us 020 8901 7630. We will send you a booking form to complete. You can also complete a booking form on our website for this tour. A deposit payment of £500.00 is payable at the time of booking. Balance payment is due 10 weeks before departure.
Read our Booking Terms and Conditions | Booking Form
Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630
Travel Insurance
- It includes comprehensive medical and repatriation cover.
- It provides cover for your whole trip
- It covers you for all activities
- It covers all your pre-existing medical conditions
- Keep your Policy Number and Insurer’s 24-hour Emergency Number handy with you
- To get a competitive quote for comprehensive travel insurance click here
Cost Includes
- International flights with scheduled Emirate Airlines inclusive taxes.
- Air-conditioned accommodation with private facilities as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meal Plan: Daily breakfast and dinner at hotels, lunches at local restaurants.
- All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned coach.
- Train reservations from Pondicherry to Trichy by air conditioned class.
- Day boat cruise on backwaters of Kerala.
- Witness performance of Kathkali Dances.
- Services of English-speaking guide during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Services of Canon. Tony Fensome as trip leader.
- Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in your itinerary.
- 100% protection of your payment by our ATOL & ABTA Licenses.
- Complimentary mineral water while driving and sightseeing.
Cost Does Not Include
- Visa fee for India. E-visa is available online for India. On confirmation we will send you a step by step guide how to apply for the visa.
- Travel Insurance. For a competitive quote please visit.
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls and beverages.
- Tips and Gratuities.
Click Here To Download The Booking Form 
Read Our Booking Terms And Conditions