West to East A Multi faith Journey From Cochin To Chennai – India Led by Rabbi Frank Dabba Smith

Sunday 03 November – Sunday 17 November 2019

Following on from the very successful multi-faith trip to northern India in 2018, we offer another superb opportunity to explore India’s heritage of extraordinary religious diversity and co-existence. Beginning in Cochin and environs on the western coast, we will visit sites of historical significance to Christians, Jews, Muslims and Jains. From this hub of trade, we will cruise the backwaters of Kerala and then experience nature in the forest of Periyar National Park and cultivation in the adjacent cardamom, coffee and tea plantations. After this exposure to rural life, we will travel to Madurai to see the finest and most elaborate Hindu temple in India before travelling by train to the spectacular ruins of Hindu temples and rock reliefs on the beach at Mahabalipuram. Our journey will end with time for relaxation at a very comfortable east coast beach resort. As on our recent trip to northern India, the cuisine and range of photographic possibilities will be superb at all stages.

After working as a freelance photographer and teacher, Frank Dabba Smith trained to be a Liberal Rabbi and has served since 1997 at Mosaic Liberal Synagogue in London. His PhD dissertation is concerned with the behaviour of the renowned camera manufacturer Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar during the Holocaust. Publications include My Secret Camera and Elsie’s War, and solo photographic exhibitions include Leica Gallery (New York) and SAK-Art Museum (Denmark). Frank serves on the International Advisory Committee of EcoPeace-Middle East, as Vice-Chair of the Brent Multi-faith Forum, on the Independent Advisory Group of the Metropolitan Police in the London Borough of Brent and as a trustee to Berakah-Arts.

The Itinerary

Kochi - Alappuzha - Thekkady - Madurai - Mahabalipuram - Chennai

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

Kathakali Dance Form, Kerala

DAY 1: SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2019 – FLY TO COCHIN

Emirates flight EK0002 from Heathrow (13:40) to Dubai (00:40+1), and connecting Emirates flight EK0530 from Dubai (02:45) to Cochin (08:05, the next morning).

(Departures are also available from regional UK airports. If you are travelling from outside the UK please contact us for flight options or price of the tour without flights.)

  • Overnight on flight
  • BD (included)

DAY 2: MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2019 – CHERAI BEACH

Arrive at Cochin airport at 08:05, and transfer to Club Mahindra, Cherai Beach, well-located for exploring the surrounding area of Jewish & Christian interest. But today we will just relax after the long journey. The hotel is positioned between the backwaters and the Arabian sea, and has a pool and a spa to enjoy.

  • Overnight at Club Mahindra, Cherai Beach
  • BD (included)

DAY 3: TUESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2019 – THOMAS’ CHURCHES, OLD MOSQUE & SYNAGOGUES

This morning we will drive a short distance to Kodungallur, where St. Thomas is said to have landed in India and built his first church at the Marthoma Pontifical shrine. The church contains a relic of the Apostle’s elbow. We will then move on to explore the old synagogues at Paravur & Chendamangalam, and the Cheraman Juma Masjid reputedly the oldest mosque in India dating back to 629 CE.

  • Overnight at Club Mahindra, Cherai Beach
  • BD (included)

Carnival, Kerala

DAY 4: WEDNESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2019 – TO FORT COCHIN

Spend the morning at leisure in at the hotel, before driving 25km to the Portuguese (and later British & Dutch) colonial harbour town of Fort Cochin, where we check into the Old Courtyard hotel and enjoy an evening stroll along the seafront with its intriguing Chinese fishing nets. Historically the area is one of considerable cultural and religious diversity.

  • Overnight in the Old Courtyard, Fort Cochin
  • BD (included)

DAY 5: THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2019 – COCHIN CHURCHES & SYNAGOGUES

This morning we will visit some of the churches in Fort Cochin, notably St Francis CSI church & Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica. Later we will visit the Jain Temple and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, and drive into the city to look around the Kadavumbagam Synagogue, a hidden place around the back of a pet shop.

  • Overnight in the Old Courtyard, Fort Cochin
  • BD (included)

DAY 6: FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2019 – OVERNIGHT BACKWATER CRUISE

Morning 55km drive to Alappuzha (stopping en route at St Andrew’s Basilica) to board the houseboat at midday, and spend the afternoon cruising the backwaters of Kerala. We will also spend the night on the houseboat.

  • Overnight on house boat
  • BD (included)

Backwater, Kerala

DAY 7: SATURDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2019 – TO PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

This morning we drive 140km to the hills and check into Cardamom County on the edge of Periyar National Park. On the way, we will make a quick stop at Deepa Spice World for a short tour of the spice plantation.

Periyar National Park is a hilly forested area surrounded by tea, coffee and cardamom plantations, and is home to tigers, elephants, macaques, deer, leopards and bison. This afternoon we will take it all in with a boat ride on Periyar Lake, a large water body at the center of the reserve.

  • Overnight at Cardamom County, Thekkady
  • BD (included)

DAY 8: SUNDAY 10TH NOVEMBER 2019 – PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK

Today we will head out (with a packed lunch) for a guided jungle walk to watch birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

  • Overnight at Cardamom County, Thekkady
  • BLD (included)

DAY 9: MONDAY 11 TH NOVEMBER 2019 – TO MADURAI

We will set off in the morning to drive 135km (about 4 hours) to the temple city of Madurai, where we check into the charming hotel Heritage Madurai.

  • Overnight at Hotel Heritage, Madurai
  • BD (included)

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

DAY 10: TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2019 – MADURAI

The Shri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is arguably the finest and most fascinating temple complex in India and is a major pilgrimage center in the south. Dedicated to “the fish-eyed goddess” Meenakshi, the site houses several shrines surrounded by 14 large colorful gateway towers adorned with 33,000 sculptures. Just a mile down the road, we also stop to visit the impressive 17th-century king’s palace of Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. We can also visit Madurai’s bustling flower market.

Late in the evening we will return to the temple for the “going to bed” ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi.

  • Overnight at Heritage Madurai
  • BD (included)

DAY 11: WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2019 – TO MAHABALIPURAM

Early morning start to catch the train to Chengalpattu, the closest train station to our coastal destination of Mahabalipuram: “Vaigai Express” (train number 12636), departing Madurai at 07:00 and arriving at Chengalpattu at 13:18. The 6h 18m journey will be in an air-conditioned Chair Car, followed by a 30km drive to check in to the Chariot Beach Resort.

The Chariot Beach Resort is a nice hotel on the beach, perfect for relaxing and spending our last few nights in India.

  • Overnight at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
  • BD (included)

DAY 13: FRIDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2019 – DAY TRIP TO CHENNAI

Today we will drive 50km into Chennai to visit the San Thome Basilica, one of the only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, and St. Thomas’ Mount, the hill on which Thomas was martyred.

  • Overnight at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
  • BD (included)

Tea Plantation

DAY 14: SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2019

Relax and enjoy the final day by the seaside.

  • Overnight at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram
  • BD (included)

DAY 15: SUNDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2019 – INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Early morning transfer to Chennai International Airport to board Emirates flight EK0545 departing Chennai at 09:45 arriving Dubai at 12:40 connecting Emirates flight EK0003, departing Dubai at 14:30 to arrive Heathrow at 18:20. Clients flying from regional UK airports or countries other than the UK will have different flights and timings.

TOUR COST

Tour Cost

The cost per person sharing a twin or double room £2780.00

Single room supplement £745.00

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.

If you wish to book this tour, please complete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of £400.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure.

You can make the deposit payment by debit or credit card or electronic transfer to our bank. Our Bank details are on the booking form.

To get a competitive quote for comprehensive travel insurance click here

Cost Includes

  • International airfare on Emirate airlines in economy class. Flights are also available from regional UK airports. Please contact us for details
  • 13 night’s accommodation in hotels as per itinerary, sharing a twin or double room with en-suite facilities (Check-in is 1400 hrs and checkout 12 noon. Early check-in late checkouts are subject to availability).
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels, lunch on days 6 & 8.
  • Afternoon houseboat cruise on backwaters.
  • All arrival/departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned coach.
  • Rail travel in AC Chair Car from Madurai to Chengalpattu.
  • Services of a local English-speaking guide for sightseeing arrangements.
  • Services of English speaking guide during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
  • 100% protection of your payment by our ABTOL & ATOL license.

Cost Does Not Include

  • India Visa Fee. E-tourist visa is now available for citizens of most countries of the world. We will send you a step-by-step guide on how to apply for E.Visa. Please be aware, that there are some spam websites offering visa services for India you must log in to the genuine government website to apply for your visa.
  • Any lunches, except packed lunch on days 6 & 8.
  • Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, gratuities, etc.
  • 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.
  • If you wish to book this tour, please complete the booking form, sign and e-mail it to us. A non-refundable deposit of £400.00 per person is needed at the time of booking. Balance payments will be due 8 weeks before departure. You can make the deposit payment by debit card or electronic transfer to our bank. Our bank details are on the booking form. Bookings are confirmed on a first-come first-served basis.
    • 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
Click Here To Download The Booking Form
Read Our Booking Terms And Conditions