Temples, Ashrams And Churches
On this tour of South India, you’ll experience the living traditions of Hinduism and Christianity through temple visits, sacred sites, and conversations with local communities.
This South India tour explores the religious and spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It’s ideal for those interested in pilgrimage tours in India, combining sacred sites with cultural insight.
Tamil Nadu is known for its ancient temples with ornate towers rising above busy towns, dedicated to the Hindu gods and goddesses. These sites continue to be popular with pilgrims and travelers in India. This guided tour takes you into the heart of Hindu devotion and temple architecture.
The journey continues into the Western Ghats and tea plantations of Kerala, where Christianity has deep roots. Some communities trace their faith back to the arrival of Thomas the Apostle shortly after the death of Christ. This lesser-known aspect of Indian religion adds another layer to the region’s spiritual landscape and our tour here.
This tour offers a well-rounded experience for anyone interested in religious tours of India, academic travel, or a more reflective holiday.
Tour Highlights
- Explore the spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu, once home to ancient civilizations and sacred traditions
- Visit the cave in the Little Mount & St. Thomas Basilica
- Explore the World Heritage-listed temples at Mahabalipuram, a key stop on any South India tour
- Witness the world-famous Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, one of India’s most celebrated pilgrimage sites
- Visit the Tea Garden of Munnar, set in the cool hills of Kerala
- Relax on a traditional houseboat in the peaceful Backwaters of Kerala
- Soaking up the architectural styles of Fort Cochin, a highlight of many cultural tours of India
The Itinerary
Chennai – Trichy – Madurai – Munnar – Kochi (Cochin)
Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
Kapaleeshwar Temple, Chennai
DAY 1: FLY TO CHENNAI
Depart from Home country for India, beginning your spiritual tour in Chennai.
A choice of International Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and regional UK airports is available, please contact us for options. Travelers from other countries can book their own flights or contact us for help with International travel to India.
DAY 2: ARRIVE CHENNAI AND VISIT KAPALEESHWARAR TEMPLE
You will be met and assisted on arrival in Chennai and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we take you to visit the 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dominated by its magnificent 37m high gopuram – temple towers covered in colourful carvings of Hindu deities and myths.
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Overnight at Trident Hotel, Chennai
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B
DAY 3: VISIT TO SAN THOME BASILICA AND ST. THOMAS MOUNT
The morning after breakfast proceeds for Chennai sightseeing tour to visit St. Thomas Mount, where Thomas the Apostle was martyred after he journeyed to India to spread the teachings of Christ, and then stop off at San Thome Basilica, the church built over his tomb.
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Overnight at Trident Hotel, Chennai
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B
Mahabalipuram
DAY 4: DRIVE TO MAHABALIPURAM
Morning drive down to the coastal road to Mahabalipuram, a popular destination for yoga holidays in India, to see the ancient rock temple on the beach and extraordinary 10th-century rock sculptures, considered to be the architectural precursors of the south Indian temple style.
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Overnight at Hotel Grande Bay Resort & Spa, Mahabalipuram
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B
DAY 5: DRIVE TO TRICHY
Morning drive to Trichy. On arrival check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest and relaxation at the hotel.
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Overnight at Hotel Sangam, Trichy
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B
DAY 6: VISIT ROCK FORT AND RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE
Morning after breakfast full day for fascinating temple visits. In the morning we stretch our legs before climbing the 326 steps up to the Rock Fort to visit its historic temples, and in the afternoon, we explore the magnificent and colorful Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to the reclining form of the Hindu god Vishnu, a key site on any religious pilgrimage in South India.
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Overnight at Hotel Sangam, Trichy
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B
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
DAY 7: DRIVE TO MADURAI AND GANDHI MUSEUM VISIT
Morning drive to the bustling city of Madurai and visit the Gandhi Museum with its fascinating collections and exhibitions, a fitting inclusion on a Gandhi heritage tour.
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Overnight in Heritage Madurai Hotel, Madurai
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B
DAY 8: SHREE MEENAKSHI TEMPLE TOUR
Morning enjoys sightseeing of Madurai which begins with a visit on foot to the Meenakshi temple to allow you to take it in at your own pace.
The Shri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is arguably the finest and most fascinating temple complex in India and is a major Hindu pilgrimage center in the south. The site houses several shrines surrounded by 14 large colourful gateway towers.
Just a mile down the road, we also stop to visit the impressive 17th century king’s palace of Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. The afternoon will be at your leisure and a great opportunity for shopping.
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Overnight in Heritage Madurai Hotel, Madurai
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B
DAY 9: AT LEISURE IN MADURAI
A day at leisure to meander through the bustling streets of Madurai, filled with bazaars, textile and craft markets, or return to absorb the atmosphere of the eclectic temple complex, a highlight for many on a pilgrimage tour of India.
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Overnight in Heritage Madurai Hotel, Madurai
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B
Tea Plantation, Munnar
DAY 10: DRIVE TO MUNNAR
Morning leave the frenetic temple city of Madurai and drive to the cooler climes of Munnar, a delightful hill station surrounded by tea plantations, forests, and soaring slopes. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of the colonial-era tea plantations.
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Overnight in Hotel Fragrant Nature, Munnar
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B
DAY 11: DRIVE TO COCHIN
Morning drive through the vivid green Keralan countryside planted with scented spice trees, teak and rubber plantations, stopping en route for a traditional Keralan meal, before continuing to the coastal town of Cochin, a key stop on many cultural tours of India.
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Overnight in Hotel Old Light House, Cochin
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B
DAY 12: COCHIN CITY TOUR
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Cochin. Visit some of Cochin’s historic houses of worship – St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, the 1586 Jewish Synagogue, and Mattancherry Palace. In the evening, enjoy a performance of traditional Keralan Kathakali dance, which colourfully recreates stories from Hindu mythology.
Owing to the extraordinary diversity in its history, Cochin is a truly fascinating destination for pilgrimage and religious studies tours in India.
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Overnight in Hotel Old Light House, Cochin
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B
Backwaters, Kerala
DAY 13: FULL DAY TRIP TO KOTTAYAM FOR BACKWATER CRUISE
Morning drive to Muhamma boat jetty (approximately 02 hrs driving time) to board Kettuvalam (houseboat) for cruising on the backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters are a maze of bridges and canals set in a labyrinth of backwater channels laced with endless stretches of lakes and lagoons. Over 900 km of this intricate network is navigable. This is the best place to explore the unspoilt countryside of Kerala.
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Overnight in an air-conditioned Houseboat
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BLD
DAY 14: COCHIN
After breakfast disembarks from your houseboat and drive to Cochin. Afternoon free for last-minute shopping and relaxation. Treat yourself to a traditional Ayurvedic massage, the perfect end to a spiritual tour of south India.
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Overnight in Hotel Old Light House, Cochin
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B
DAY 15: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE
Transfer to the Cochin international airport to board your flight to your country, concluding your cultural and spiritual journey through South India..
Tour Cost
Tour Cost
Guide price per person sharing a twin or double room £2,365*
Single room supplement £1,115*
*The price mentioned above is a guide price only. Please provide your travel dates, number of travelers, and country of departure, and we will offer you a competitive quote for the tour.
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 insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
Cost Includes
- 13 nights' accommodation in hotels (including a night stay in Houseboat) 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 at all hotels. Houseboat on full board basis.
- All arrival, departure transfers, long drives, and sightseeing by a chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned Innova car.
- Services of a local English-speaking representative for all arrival and departure transfers to assist you at the airports and railway stations.
- Services of English-speaking guides during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to all monuments during sightseeing as specified in the itinerary.
- Complementary Mineral water while travelling & sightseeing.
Cost Does Not Include
- International airfare.*
*A choice of International Flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and regional UK airports is available, please contact us for options. Travellers from other countries can book their own flights or contact us for help with international travel to India. - Any meals other than specified in the itinerary.
- India Visa Fee: E- The tourist visa facility is now available for India for citizens of most countries of the World. We will send you a step-by-step guide for an E-Tourist visa on confirmation of booking.
- Any expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc.
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health, and destination you are visiting.
- Tips and gratuities.
