Tour 14. Mysterious Malabar. Unique temples and culture of Tamil Nadu+Varkala beach. 15 days.

Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram (Mamallopuram), Pondicherry, Chidambaram, Tanjore, Trichi, Madurai, Raweshvaram, Kanyankumari, Nagerkoil, Varkala, Trivandrum airport.

In this tour:

The Southern India –incredible, emotive and impressive land of Malabar. Unique culture and temples of Dravidians. Beautiful nature and hospitable people. We will see sacred temples with special architecture very different from other India. Visit ashrams, take part in poojas and get blessing from holy elephant. Walk by the streets of Auroville-the community for people of any nations and any religions.  See sunset in the place where 3 seas meet.  Rest and relax in Varkala – one of the most atmospherical beach and resort in India. Use banana leaves as a plate and ayurvedic shirodara procedure as the best thing to relax mind. Every day will be full of new openings and emotions!

Day 1. Arrival to India. Chennai.

Our tour starts from southern city Chennai. But, we can provide you with extra support for the booking of your flight from city you arriving to India (mostly Delhi, Mumbai or Goa airport) to Chennai airport.

Pick-up from Chennai airport, transfer to hotel.

Free time.

Night in Chennai hotel.

Day 2. Chennai – Kanchipuram.

Chennai is known as a “gateway of south”. It cannot be missed, as there are a lot of interesting sightseeing here.

We will visit the beautiful garden of Theosophical Society, Sri Parthasarathy temple, Kalakshetra – academy of Arts, the St, Mary’s Church, Kapaliswara temple, San Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Mylapore area, Fort of St. George, houses of the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu.

In the second part of the day, we are moving to Kanchipuram city (75km in 2h).

Night in Kanchipuram hotel.

Day 3. Kanchipuram- Mahabalipuram.

The Kanchipuram is one of the 7 sacred cities of Hinduism and Chola kingdom capital during the 2nd sencury. Many people come here to get knowledge about Jainism, Hinduism and Buddism. We will visit the best temples: Kamakshi Amman temple and Ekambareswarar temple. Also Kanchipuram is the best place to visit the silk weavers.

In the second part of the day, we are moving to Mahabalipuram city on the Bengal cost (70km in 1,5h).

Night in Mahabalipuram hotel.

Day 4. Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry.

Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) is the ancient port of Pallava rulers who left the huge heritage. We will see caves, sculptural panels, temples and monolithic rathas.

Krishna Mandapan – is one of the most important hindu temples in Southern India. The walls are covered by numerous incredible beautiful figures of God Krishna and other gods, humans, birds and animals.

Shore temple – 8th sencury – considered the one of the best examples of Dravidian style of Indian architecture.

Paanch Rathas (Paandava Rathas) – the group of 5 monolithic temples, each in different style.

Kailasanathar temple.

Beautiful panels with Ganga and Arjuna.

Late afternoon we are moving to Pondicherry, ex-colony of France.

Night in Pondicherry hotel.

Day 5. Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry.

After the first active days, we need some time for rest. Today is you free time to relax and walk around the Pondicherry and on its wonderful beaches.

But one activity we will have – we will visit Auroville – eco-village for people of any nations and any religions to spend there some time.

Night in Pondicherry hotel.

Day 6. Pondicherry.

Today we will visit the most interesting places in Pondicherry.

Beautiful historical center with colonial architecture and special atmosphere.

Sacred Heart Church. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is an oriental specimen of Gothic style of architecture.

Rai Niwas – the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Pondicherry.

Aurobindo Ashram founded by Sri Guru Aurobindo in 1926.

Botanical garden where The Life of Pi movie was created.

Night in Pondicherry hotel.

Day 7.Pondicherry-Thanjavur (Tanjore).

Today we are moving to Tanjore city (170km in 4h).

On the way we will have one stop in Chidambram towm – the place of Lord Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer. We will visit famous Chidambram temple (Thillai Nataraja temple).

After coming to Tanjore and short rest, we will start to explore the city. First – important Brihadeeswarar temple the Shiva temple, included in UNESCO list.

Also we will visit interesting Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Art Gallery of Tanjore.

Night in Tanjore hotel.

Day 8. Tanjore-Tiruchirappali (Trichy).

Today we are moving to Trichi (60km in 1h). On the way we will make stop to visit 2 gorgeous temple complexes: Darashuram and Gongaikondacholapuram.

After short rest we will visit the most interesting and important places in this city and just will drive and walk around alive streets and colorful bazars.

First we will go to Srirangam to visit Sri Ranganathaswami temple (for Vishnu god) – one of the biggest temples in India.

Other must see places: Rock Fort temple, Jambukeshwar Temple and Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Night in Trichy hotel.

Day 9. Trichi-Madurai.

Today we are moving to Madurai city (140km in 2-3h) – the capital of Tamil Nadu, Athens of the East, one of the oldest cities in Indostan.

Here we will visit great Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple (Meenakshi Amman temple) dedicated to Parvati goodness – the wife of Shiva (named Sundareswarar in Southers India). This magnificent temple has 14 gopurams.

The other interesting sightseeing: King Tirumala’s Palace, Gandhi Museum and Great Tank.

Night in Madurai hotel.

Day 10. Madurai-Rameshwaram.

Today we are moving to Holly Rameshwaram  (170km in 3,5h)– the place of Ram god. Rameshwar is situated on the Pamban Island, in 40 kilometers from Sri-Lanka. Exactly here the very important part of Ramayana took place. Hanuman and his monkey-army created magic bridge and Rama with his warriors rushed to Sri-Lanka for the battle with Ravana daemon. After Rama’s wife Sita burnt herself here in the fire to prove her purity. And then Rama had here pooja for Shiva god to clean up from his sins. Both Shiva’s and Rama’s devotees visit Rameshwaram to prey.

Here we will visit the Rameshwaram temple for the darshan and other interesting places such as Ramanathaswami temple, Rama bridge.

Night in Rameshwaram hotel.

Day 11. Rameshwaram-Kanyankumari.

Today we are moving to Kanyankumari (300km in 5h) – the city in very beautiful and special place where the waters of Indian Ocean. Bengal Sea and Arabian Sea are meeting together.

After the short rest in hotel, we will go for a walk by the coastal area. We will see how indian people taking holy bath in these sacred waters. Here we will se beautiful sunset.

Then we will visit famous Kumari temple and will just walk all over the city looking at local people, colorful bazars, temples and beautiful white churches.

On the one of outside beaches we have chance to relax and swim in the warm welcoming ocean.

Night in Kanyankumari hotel.

Day 12. Kanyankumari.

Today we will go by ferri to the small Vivekananda island. The place famous by Parvati temple with the footprint of goodness and Indian guru, poet and philosopher Swami Vivekananda’s memorial.

After lunch we will have trip to Nagercoil and Suchidram to visit very interesting temples there.

Night in Kanyankumari hotel.

Day 13. Kanyankumari – Varkala.

Today we are moving to Varkala (150km in 3,5h) – the best place in the Southern India for beach rest and Ayurveda treatment.

Night in Varkala hotel.

Day 14. Varkala.

Today is the free day for rest in Varkala.

Night in Varkala hotel.

Day 15. Varkala-Trivandrum airport.

Today is the last day of our tour.

We will organize you transport to the Trivandrum airport (60 km, around 1,5h) for your flight home.

Optionally we can discuss transfer to other airport (Kochin, Chennai).