An unforgettable journey awaits
Embark on a soulful 16-day South India Temples pilgrimage with Citibond Tours, journeying through the sacred Dravidian heartland of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Kerala. Receive Darshan of Lord Balaji at the legendary Tirupati Temple, walk the temple-strewn streets of Kanchipuram – ancient Pallava capital of 1000 temples – and marvel at the Shore Temples of Mahabalipuram before reflecting at Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville in Pondicherry. Continue to the cosmic dancer Nataraja at Chidambaram, the Chola masterpieces of Tanjore, the rock-cut Ganapathi shrine of Trichy, and the towering Gopurams of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple where the evening Aarti forms the spiritual highlight of the tour. Conclude with the holy Jyotirlinga at Rameshwaram, the sacred southern tip at Kanyakumari with its Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue, before departing from Trivandrum. Travel in comfort with international flights from London Heathrow, 4-star hotel accommodation on twin / double sharing basis, and daily breakfast and dinner included throughout.
Tour Highlights
- Darshan of Lord Balaji at Tirupati Balaji Temple
- Temple city of Kanchipuram – ancient Pallava capital with 1000 temples
- Shore Temples and Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram
- Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville at Pondicherry
- Evening Aarti at Madurai Meenakshi Temple – the highlight of the tour
- Holy Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari with Vivekananda Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue
Sacred sites you'll visit
Ekambareswarar Temple
85mKanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
One of the ancient Shiva temples of Kanchipuram, the city of 1000 Temples and the ancient capital of the Pallavas.
Kailashnath Temple
85mKanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Pallava-era temple dedicated to Shiva, among the first Shiva temples built in the 7th and 8th century with painted walls.
Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple
85mKanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Renowned Shakti Peetha temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi in the temple city of Kanchipuram.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
85mKanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
One of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varadaraja form, a major Vaishnava shrine of Kanchipuram.
Tirupati Balaji Temple (Sri Venkateswara Temple)
853mTirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
One of the most visited Hindu shrines in the world; Darshan of Lord Balaji (Venkateswara) in the sacred pilgrim town of Tirupati.
Shore Temples / Seven Pagodas
12mMahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
UNESCO World Heritage Pallava-era temples famous as the Seven Pagodas, dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, on the Coromandel Coast.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
3mPondicherry
Spiritual community 10 km north of Pondicherry promoting Sri Aurobindo's synthesis of Yoga and modern science, uniting spirit and matter.
Auroville
15mPondicherry
A unique experimental township for international living where men and women of all nationalities live together in harmony.
Nataraja Temple
50mChidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Famous temple at Thillai with the sanctum-sanctorum roof covered with golden plates, where Lord Shiva is worshipped as the cosmic dancer Nataraja; sculptures depict postures of Bharatanatyam.
Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tanjore)
59mTanjore (Thanjavur), Tamil Nadu
Magnificent Chola-era Shiva temple in Tanjore, the 'rice bowl of Tamil Nadu', a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece.
Rockfort Ucchi Pillayar Temple
83mTrichy (Tiruchirappalli), Tamil Nadu
Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganapathi atop a rock, reached by 434 steps cut into the rock side and interspersed with shrines.
Meenakshi Amman Temple
101mMadurai, Tamil Nadu
Iconic temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, consort of Lord Shiva, with towering Gopurams; the evening Aarti is the highlight of the tour.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
10mRameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva and one of the holiest Char Dham of India, set amid swell, gentle sand dunes, casuarina trees and palms.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
41mKanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Monumental statue of the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar standing on a rocky islet at the southern tip of India.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
17mKanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Sacred memorial on a rock off the Kanyakumari coast where Swami Vivekananda meditated and attained enlightenment.
Important information
- •Where 4-star hotels are not available, Good 3-star hotel or best possible accommodation will be provided
- •Services of a Tour Manager are NOT included
- •Flight options from Birmingham and Manchester are available at supplement cost
- •Pricing varies by group size: from £3150 (min 2 adults), £2875 (min 4), £2595 (min 6), £2490 (min 8)
- •Single Room supplement £675
Single room supplement: £675 per adult.
Your itinerary
London – Chennai
Depart from London Heathrow airport to Chennai.
Arrive Chennai
Arrival at Chennai Airport, Pickup and transfer to hotel. Check-in at hotel. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Chennai – Kanchipuram – Chennai
After breakfast meet with our executive who give briefing about your tour and & hand over all your travel documents. Later excursion to Kanchipuram – it 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, Kailashnath, Sri Kamakshi and Varadaraja swamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Chennai – Tirupati (140 km, approx. 3 hr), Visit Tirupati Balaji Temple
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Tirupati. Tirupati - A temple and pilgrim town. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon proceed for Darshan of LORD BALAJI. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Tirupati – Chennai (140 km, approx. 3 hr)
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed for Chennai. Check in at hotel in Chennai. Relax in the evening. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Chennai – Mahabalipuram (58 Km, approx. 1 hr)
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Mahabalipuram by surface. On arrival, check in at hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Pondicherry. Upon arrival, you will check in at the hotel. Thereafter, you will leave for a sightseeing tour of the city. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Pondicherry Sightseeing
After breakfast, Proceed for a half day city tour of Pondicherry visit Aurobindo Ashram, which is 10 km north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Aurobindo'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 evening return back to the hotel. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Pondicherry – Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Chidambaram, 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 center of the town covering an area of 40 acres. In this temple, postures from the Bharatanatyam form of dance are depicted in sculpture. Nataraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer. Leave for Tanjore. Reach and relax at hotel. In the afternoon drive to Tanjore also known as Thanjavur (The rice bowl of TAMIL NADU). Proceed for sightseeing of Tanjore. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Tanjore – Trichy – Tanjore
After breakfast a full day excursion to the city of Trichy. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, 434 steps cut out into the rock side and interspersed with shrines, lead to the temple. Return to hotel and relax. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Tanjore – Madurai (183 km in approx. 4 hr)
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Madurai by surface and en route visit Karaikudi (Chettinad). On arrival, transfer to hotel and relax. Afternoon visit the famous Madurai Meenakshi temple (dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering GOPURAMS). Watch the evening AARTI at Meenakshi Temple - THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE TOUR. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Madurai – Rameshwaram (152 Km one way)
After early breakfast, Checkout from hotel. Proceed to Rameshwaram, a city of swell and gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of Casuarina trees and stark palms. Check-in at hotel. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Rameshwaram – Kanyakumari
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Kanyakumari. On arrival, check in to hotel. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Kanyakumari Sightseeing
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to visit to the Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Memorial. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Kanyakumari – Trivandrum (264 km, approx. 6 hr)
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and proceed to Trivandrum by surface and reach late evening. Relax at hotel. Diner & Overnight stay at hotel.
Trivandrum – London
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and transfer to Trivandrum airport for flight back to London.
What's included
Included
- International Economy Class air ticket (London Heathrow to Chennai / Trivandrum to London Heathrow)
- Accommodation in 4-Star hotel in standard room on twin / double sharing basis (Where 4-star hotels not available, Good 3-star hotel or best possible accommodation will be provided)
- Daily Breakfast and Dinner at hotel
- All sightseeing and intercity transfer as per Itinerary by Private A/c Vehicle basis
Not Included
- Visa Fee
- Travel Insurance
- Lunches / Any meals not mentioned
- Expenses of personal nature like laundry, telephone bills, drinks etc.
- Any transfers not mentioned
- Any items not mentioned
- Any Monument Entrance Charges not mentioned
- Camera Fees
- Services of tour manager
- Single Supplement: £675
- Pony / Doli / Porter during trekking
- Helicopter services
- Entrance fees and monument charges
- Single room supplement
- Expenses due to factors beyond the operator's control (delays, roadblocks, weather, political disturbances)
Departure dates & prices
| Departure Date | Price (pp) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Nov 2026 | £2,490 | Available |
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