Church Leaders Familiarisation Tour of India

Church Leaders Familiarisation Tour of India Led by The Revd. Fr. Mark Woodrow

Saturday 27th February – Tuesday 9th March 2027

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Dear Friends,

Imagine standing in a church community that traces its origins directly back to the Apostle Thomas in 52 AD. Imagine leading your own congregation through the vibrant landscapes of South India, from the tranquil backwaters of Kerala to the sacred historical sites of Chennai.

We are looking for eight group leaders (or prospective group leaders) to join The Revd Fr. Mark Woodrow on a unique familiarisation tour of India from 27th February – 9th March 2027. This is a “working pilgrimage” designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to lead your own parish or group in the future.

Why Join Us?

Experience a sample route: Visit the churches, meet the communities, experience what it is like to journey through South India, and experience the world-renowned hospitality first hand.
Minimal Cost: Thanks to heavy subsidies, the cost is just £1,000 (inclusive of single-room accommodation, and breakfast and dinner each day) but excluding international flights (circa £500-850 in economy class) price applies at time of booking with us.)
Risk-Free: We believe so strongly in this itinerary that if you book a group tour with Soul of India within two years of your return, your £1,000 contribution & your international flight costs will be refunded to you in full.

Why UK Congregations Should Journey to India?
Revd. Mark writes, “A pilgrimage to India offers more than just a visa stamp in a passport; it provides a profound spiritual reset that can revitalise a local UK church.

Here are just some of the reasons I have discovered over decades of travelling to India both on my own and leading groups, and why as Christian ministers we should lead our congregations on this journey:

Walking the Apostolic Footsteps: India holds a direct link to the early Church through the legacy of St. Thomas the Apostle. From visiting sites dating back to 52AD across South India, it is possible to visit churches and communities that can trace their faith back to the very beginning. It is from Kerala where Thomas first set foot in India and it is to Tamil Nadu which marks the site of his martyrdom – together we can ground our modern faith in ancient, tangible history, bridging the gap between the biblical era and the present day.
Perspective on the Global Body of Christ: UK Christians often live in a “post-Christian” bubble. Witnessing the vibrant, resilient, and rapidly growing Indian Church provides a necessary reminder that the Gospel is a living, global force not confined to Western cultural norms.
Deepening Faith Through “Holy Discomfort”: Traveling to India pushes pilgrims out of their comfort zones. Navigating a vastly different culture forces a reliance on prayer and fellowship, often leading to spiritual breakthroughs that rarely happen in the routine of home life.
Interfaith Dialogue and Witness: India is a masterclass in religious pluralism. Ministers can help their congregations learn how to hold a firm Christian identity while practicing grace, respect, and peaceful coexistence among Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist neighbours.
The Legacy of Modern Missions: From William Carey to Amy Carmichael, India is the soil where modern missions were born. Visiting these historical sites inspires congregants to consider their own “missional” calling within their UK communities.
Solidarity with a Minority Church: By visiting Indian brothers and sisters, UK congregations offer vital emotional and spiritual encouragement to a community that often faces significant social and political pressure, embodying the biblical mandate to “bear one another’s burdens.”
A Lesson in Radical Hospitality: Indian culture is famed for its warmth. Experiencing the sacrificial hospitality of Indian Christians—who often give out of their poverty – can convict and inspire UK believers to practice more radical generosity in their own lives.
Congregational Bonding and Unity: Nothing builds community like shared travel. The shared experiences of worship, reflection, and even the challenges of travel create lifelong bonds between church members, strengthening the internal fabric of the UK parish.”

Interested, but want to know more about what the Familiarisation Tour will involve?

Here is an outline of the programme:

The Itinerary

LONDON – COCHIN – PALAYUR – AZHIKODE – KOLLAM – THUCKALAY – CHENNAI – MAHABALIPURAM – CHENNAI – LONDON

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

DAY 1: SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2027: DEPARTURE LONDON

10:00 Group meets at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4. Depart at 13:50 on Etihad Airways.

DAY 2: SUNDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2027: ARRIVE COCHIN

Arrive Cochin at 07:55
After clearing immigration and customs you will be met by Revd Mark and our local agent, and we will transfer to our hotel, CGH Casino Hotel for 3 nights.

Check-in and free time to enjoy hotel facilities.

18:00hrs Join local CSI Immanuel Cathedral in Ernakulam for Eucharist.

Overnight in the CGH Casino Hotel, Cochin
D

DAY 3: MONDAY 1ST MARCH 2027: COCHIN - ST THOMAS’ FIRST CHURCHES

Breakfast at hotel
08:30 hrs Departure to Palayur (2.5hr Drive).

Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost)

Return to Cochin (2.5hr Drive)

Afternoon sightseeing in Fort Cochin (e.g. Synagogue/St Francis Church).

Return to Hotel to freshen up.

Overnight in the CGH Casino Hotel, Cochin
BD

DAY 4: TUESDAY 2ND MARCH 2027: COCHIN - BACKWATER CHURCHES

Breakfast in hotel
08:30hrs Departure to Kottakkavu and Azhikode (1.5hr Drive).

Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost)

Return to Hotel (1.5hr Drive) to freshen up.

17:30hrs Sunset Cruise & Kathakali Performance & Makeup.

Dinner in Hotel.

Overnight in the CGH Casino Hotel, Cochin
BD

DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2027: KOLLAM VIA BACKWATER CHURCHES

Breakfast in hotel
08:30hrs Departure to Kokkamangalam and Niranam (3hr Drive).

Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost)

Afternoon Backwaters Cruise

Drive on to Kollam (2.5hr Drive) and our Hotel, Fragrant Nature for 2 nights.

Overnight in the Hotel Fragrant Nature, Kokkamangalam
BD

DAY 6: THRUSDAY 4TH MARCH 2027: THE CHURCH UNDER THE SEA

Breakfast in hotel.
Morning at leisure to enjoy hotel facilities

Lunch at Hotel (at own cost)

Afternoon tour of the Fort and Harbour Areas, and visit St Thomas Shrine Church (45m Drive).

Return to Hotel to freshen up.

Overnight in the Hotel Fragrant Nature, Kokkamangalam
BD

DAY 7: FRIDAY 5TH MARCH 2027: THE HALF CHURCH

Breakfast in hotel.

09:00hrs Check out of hotel
Departure to Thuckalay (Half Church) (3hr Drive).

Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost).
Travel to Trivandrum Airport (2hr Drive).

Depart at 19:20 on 6E6459 and arrive Chennai 20:40.

Our local agent will meet us at domestic arrivals.

Transfer to our Hotel, Ideal Beach Resort in Mahabalipuram for 4 nights (2hr Drive).

Hotel Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
BD

DAY 8: SATURDAY 6TH MARCH 2027: DAY OF REST AND REFLECTION

Breakfast in hotel
Rest of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy hotel facilities or personal sightseeing.
Lunch in Hotel or at local restaurant (at own cost).

Overnight in the Hotel Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
BD

DAY 9: SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2027: ST. THOMAS MARTYRDOM

Breakfast in hotel.
09:00 Full Day tour of Chennai (1.5hr Drive) including St Thomas Mount, Cathedral, Old Town
Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost).

18:00hrs Join local St Georges Cathedral in Chennai for Evensong.
Return to Hotel (1.5hr Drive) to freshen up.

Overnight in the Hotel Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
BD

DAY 10: MONDAY 8TH MARCH 2027: MAGNIFICENT MAHABALIPURAM

Breakfast in hotel.

09:00 Full Day tour to Mahabalipuram

Lunch break at local restaurant (at own cost).

Return to Hotel to freshen up.

Overnight in the Hotel Ideal Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
BD

DAY 11: TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2027: DEPARTURE

Late Monday night/early Tuesday morning transfer to Chennai Airport (1.5hr Drive)

Depart at 03:55 on Etihad airways via Abu Dhabi arrive London at 12:05

We say our final goodbyes and make our way home.

Tour Cost

The cost per person sharing a twin or double room £1000.00+ without international flights.

Excluding international flights (circa £500-850 in economy class; exact price will apply at time of booking with us).

Email :- enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

How to book this tour

Read our Booking Terms and Conditions

Email : enquiries@soulofindia.com | Call Us: 020 8901 7630

Travel Insurance

It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.

Cost Includes

International air fare on Etihad airways via Abu Dhabi.
Hotel accommodation with private facilities in double bed rooms on single occupancy.
Daily breakfast and dinner.
All transfers and sightseeing by an airconditioned coach
Services of a local English-speaking guide for sightseeing arrangements
Entry fee to monuments and places of interest mentioned in the itinerary
Complimentary mineral water while travelling and when on sightseeing
Services of Rev. Mark Woodrow as trip leader

Cost Does Not Include

Visa fee for India. We will send a step by step guide how to apply for visa.
Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages etc.
Tips and gratuities
Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.

Click Here For The Booking Form

Read Our Booking Terms And Conditions

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