Tour IND4
SOUTH INDIA 15 DAYS
Day 1
Depart
Take your departure flight. Your meals will be served on board.
Day 2
Cochin
Upon arrival at Cochin, transfer to the hotel. Later we will visit St. Francis Church & Santa Cruz Basilica, Edapally George’s Syro-Malabar Forane Church & National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom (Vallarpadam). Dinner and overnight in Cochin.
Day 3
Cochin
Morning proceed to visit St.Thomas Shrine in Malayattoor which is one of the oldest Catholic churches in India. Evening free to relax. Dinner and overnight in Cochin.
Day 4
Cochin – Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. Enroute stopping at Alleppey to enjoy a houseboat day cruise with authentic lunch. Later continue your drive to Kumarakom, upon arrival, check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 5
Kumarakom – Full day visit of Churches and Shrines
Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day excursion. visit St. Joseph’s Church in Mannanam and St. Alphonsa shrine church & Pilgrim Center in Bharananganam. Later proceed to visit Syrian Christian community and churches like Valia Palli, Cheria Palli and St. Mary’s Church. Return to Kumarakom for overnight at hotel.
Day 6
Kumarakom – Madurai (260 kms/7 hrs)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Madurai. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Dinner and overnight in Madurai.
Day 7
Madurai
Breakfast at hotel. Later, city tour of Madurai visiting churches and St. Santhome Cathedral Church. Dinner and overnight in Madurai.
Day 8
Madurai – Kumbakonam (219 Kms/04 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive for Kumbakonam. On arrival check in at hotel. Later in the day visit Darasuram Temple. Dinner and overnight in Kumbakonam.
Day 9
Full day excursion to Velankanni Church
After the breakfast, we shall drive to Velankanni. Visit famous Velankanni Church, which is also known as The Church of Our Lady of Health. Return to Kumbakonam for overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10
Kombakonam – Pondicherry
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Pondicherry. Upon arrival, check in at hotel. Later visit Church of the sacred Heart of Jesus, Aurbindo ashram & French colony. Dinner and overnight in Pondicherry.
Day 11
Pondicherry – Chennai
After breakfast, drive to Chennai. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Later visit St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Mylapore and other famous churches of St. Mary’s Church, St. George Cathedral, Santhome Cathedral etc. Dinner and overnight in Chennai.
Day 12
Chennai to Kolkata (By flight)
In time transfer to Chennai airport to catch your onward flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival at Kolkata, meet our representative who will assist you and transfer to the hotel. Later we will go for the orientation tour of the Kolkata city. Start your tour with Dalhousie Square (BBD Bagh) which is the heart of Kolkata and where many famous buildings, housing, important businesses and banks are located. Next, drive through Howrah Bridge, one of four on the Hooghly River and famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. Continue your drive to Victoria Memorial, Kolkata’s imposing white marble dream inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921. It is a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring of remains of the British Raj in India.
If time permits, you may proceed to visit St. John’s Church, the third oldest church of Kolkata which became the principal Cathedral of Calcutta in 1815. Then visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, acknowledged as the first Episcopal Church of the eastern world. Dinner and overnight in Kolkata.
Day 13
Kolkata
Morning after breakfast, proceed to visit St. Mother Teresa’s House. It is a holy place of pilgrimage and reverence for those who are searching a more meaningful existence. It was established by St. Mother Teresa in 1950 with the purpose of selfless service to mankind. Visit St. Mother Teresa’s Tomb. She was buried on the ground floor of the Mother House on 13th September, 1997. Her tomb has become a place of pilgrimage and quiet meditation to people of all creeds. We also visit the Museum, close to Mother’s tomb, a small exhibition opened in 2005, entitled ‘Mother Teresa’s Life, Spirit and Message’. The exhibition includes many of St. Mother Teresa’s handwritten letters, spiritual exhortations and her few personal belongings – sari, sandals, crucifix. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Kolkata.
* Mother house remains closed on Thursday & 26th December
Day 14
Kolkata
Morning after breakfast, proceed to visit Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary, built in the late 18th century, the only remaining architectural relic of Kolkata’s lesser-known Portuguese past. Commonly called the Portuguese Church today, it is currently the seat of the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kolkata. Free time. Dinner and overnight in Kolkata.
Day 15
Depart Kolkata
In time transfer to Kolkata airport to catch your onward flight to your destination. You’ll be assisted for your check-in formalities.
YOUR TRIP INCLUDES
5 stars hotels
– 2 nights hotel Cochin
– 2 nights hotel Kumarakom
– 2 nights hotel Madurai
– 2 nights hotel Kumbakonam
– 1 night hotel Pondicherry
– 1 night hotel Chennai
– 3 nights hotel Kolkata
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Breakfast and Dinner daily
- Water/Tea/Coffee at restaurants
- Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
- 24 hrs Assistance of professional English speaking Tour Manager, from arrival to departure
- Professional English speaking local guides
- Sightseeing and admission fees as per itinerary
- Daily Mass & Spiritual activities
- Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at hotels
NOT INCLUDES
- Any personal expenses
- Tips for guides, driver, porters, waiters, etc. ($ 70 cash will be collected by Tour Manager on arrival)
Travel Protection
We strongly suggest purchasing an optional travel insurance plan which can provide a number of benefits including coverage for Trip Cancellation / Interruption and Medical Emergencies.( AXA, Travelex, Allianz, etc ). Be sure to check with your health insurance provider as many US medical coverage plans may not cover you outside of the country.
