Religious South India Tour
Tour Overview & Travel Highlights
This 12-Day South India Temple, Heritage & Spiritual Journey is a deeply enriching
exploration of India’s most sacred temples, ancient civilizations, and living traditions.
Beginning in Chennai, the gateway to South India, the tour unfolds through the legendary
temple towns of Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Madurai, and Rameshwaram,
each carrying centuries of spiritual significance and architectural brilliance.
The journey further blends spirituality with colonial charm and philosophical depth
in Pondicherry and Auroville, before reaching the southernmost tip of the Indian
subcontinent at Kanyakumari, where three seas converge. Concluding in Trivandrum, this
itinerary offers a rare opportunity to experience South India’s devotional heritage,
Dravidian temple architecture, sacred legends from the Ramayana, and serene coastal
landscapes—all in one seamless circuit.
- Duration: 12 Days/11 Nights
- Route:Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mamallapooram - Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Trivandrum
- Transport: Private Climate-Controlled Sedan/SUV
- Sacred darshan at Tirupati Balaji Temple, one of the richest and most revered temples in the world
- Exploration of Kanchipuram, the city of a thousand temples and renowned silk weaving traditions
- UNESCO-listed and iconic temples including Mahabalipuram Shore Temple, Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, and Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
- Spiritual and cultural immersion in Madurai, home to the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Pilgrimage to Rameshwaram, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, steeped in Ramayana legends
- Visit to Pondicherry, Aurobindo Ashram, and Auroville, blending spirituality with global philosophy
- Sunset experience at Kanyakumari, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet
Detailed Same Day Tour Itinerary
DAY 01 / CHENNAI
Arrive Chennai - the gateway to southern India, meet assist at the airport and transfer to
hotel. Later half day sightseeing tour, visiting Gandhi Memorial, Kala Kshetra, Mylapore
temple and Marine beach.
Night stay in Chennai.
DAY 02 / CHENNAI - TIRUPATHI - CHENNAI ( BY ROAD )
After breakfast, proceed to Tirupathi- a temple town known for the famous ancient temple of
Lord Venkateswara ( Lord of seven hills or Balaji, as he is affectionately known ) on the
top of the 860mts high Tirumala hills. The temple of Lord Venkateswara is not only believed
to be amongst the oldest temples in the country, but also the richest of them all. Legend
has it that Delhi Agra Jaipur ToursLord Venkateswara borrowed money from the divine
treasurer Kubera for his wedding expenses. He is still paying back this debt which is why
the pilgrims donate generously to the temple funds. In the evening return to Chennai.
Night stay in Chennai.
DAY 03 / CHENNAI - KANCHIPURAM - MAMALLAPOORAM ( BY ROAD )
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram ( 76 kms/01.50 hrs ) - is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara , Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.Later drive to Mamallapooram and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the city - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipooram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town , shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Night stay in Mamallapooram.
DAY 04 / MAMALLAPOORAM - TIRUVANNAMALAI - PONDICHERRY ( BY ROAD )
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamallai(112kms/03hrs)- a pilgrim centre with an ancient
temple of Lord Shiva. Continue drive to Pondicherry (131kms/ 3.5hrs), which carries a strong
whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of
South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the
place where St.Agasthaya settled down.
Night stay in Pondicherry.
DAY 05 / PONDICHERRY ( BY ROAD )
After breakfast drive to visit Aurbindo Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of
Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurbindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and
modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter. After lunch at hotel, visit Auroville
- a unique experiment in international living and in creating a new environment where men
and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Overnight stay in Pondicherry.
DAY 06 / PONDICHERRY - CHIDAMBARAM - TANJORE ( BY ROAD )
After breakfast drive to Chidambaram (65kms/1.5hrs) also called as Thillai, which has the
famous Nataraja temple with the root of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates is
located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures
from the Bharatnatayam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Natraja is Lord Shiva as a
cosmic dancer. Later drive Delhi Agra Jaipur Toursto Thanjavur (104kms/03hrs) enroute
visiting the Brass factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings, has the
Brahadeswara temple(or the big temple of God).The temple tower rises to a height of 15mts
from a square base of 29 mts and then tapers off, making a total of 66mts.
Overnight stay in Tanjore.
DAY 07 / TANJORE - TRICHY ( 54KMS / 02HRS BY ROAD )
After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of
Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre, it is famous for
Ranganath temple at Srirangam. Later city tour visiting Rock fort and its temple at a height
of over 23mts. Also visit Srirangam and Jambukeshwar Temple.
Night stay in Trichy.
DAY 08 / TRICHY - MADURAI ( 133KMS / 3.5HRS BY ROAD )
After breakfast proceed to Madurai and transfer to hotel. The ancient city of Madurai, some
2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi
temple in the centre. Afternoon city tour visiting - Meenakshi temple, King Tirumala's
Palace, Great tank and Gandhi museum.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
DAY 09 / MADURAI - RAMESHWARAM ( 154KMS / 04HRS BY ROAD )
After breakfast proceed to Rameshwaram- the most sacred temple town of India is an island
hallowed by the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before going into
battle of Srilanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a
Lingam for worship when he set foot after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return when
the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand Lingam so that worship could be
performed in time, which is where the present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to sea
on the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines is also well known
for its magnificent corridors and the massive sculptured pillars lining them. Return to
Madurai and transfer to hotel.
Overnight stay in Madurai.
DAY 10 / MADURAI - TRIVANDRUM ( 329 KMS / 08.50 HRS BY ROAD )
After breakfast drive to Trivandrum and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure.
DAY 11 / TRIVANDRUM - KANYAKUMARI ( 87 KMS / 02.00 HRS BY ROAD )
After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari - the land's end of India where the water of the
Arabian Sea , the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of
India, it is famous for the Amman Temples - a symbol of unity and sanctity - deidicated to
the virgin Goddess , Kanya Kumari. To its South - East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock
Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Evening enjoy the Delhi Agra
Jaipur Toursbeautiful sun set and later return to Trivandrum.
Overnight stay in Trivandrum.
DAY 12 / TIVANDRUM - DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for onward journey.
Accommodation Details
Inclusions & Exclusions
What’s Included
- Pick up & Drop.
- Private Uniformed Chauffeur.
- Sightseeing by Private AC Car.
- Foreign language-speaking local Tour Guide.
- All Parking Fees, Tolls and Taxes, Allowances, Fuel, & Interstate Taxes.
What’s Not Included
- Other personal expenses.
- Entry fees for Monuments
- Any Other Activity that is not mentioned in the Inclusion.
Why Choose Amman Hospitality?
- Customizable itineraries
- Professional local guides
- Best-price guarantee
- 24/7 travel assistance
- Premium vehicle transfers
Crystal Tower, Fatehabad Road,
near Dominos Pizza, Agra, 282001, India