Itinerary - The Elements Temple Tour - April 17-April 28:2024

Intended Itinerary - please note scheduling may change 

Day 1: April 17 (Wednesday) - Arrive Chennai 

Check in to The Taj Connemara: Chennai

Room Type - Heritage Room

Taj Connemara, Chennai - 5 Star Hotel in Chennai near Binny Road | Taj Hotels

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 2: April 18 (Thursday) - Chennai

Early breakfast at the hotel then drive to Sri Kalahasthi - the day is dedicated to visit the temple of VAYU (Air) Lingam

Reach the temple and do the darshan

Depart the temple - and go for lunch (not included in package price)

Another opportunity for darshan

Return to the hotel

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 3: April 19 (Friday) - Chennai

Breakfast at the hotel

This day is dedicated to exploring Chennai

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 4: April 20 (Saturday) - Chennai to Kancheepuram (approximately 2.5 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel then depart for Kancheepuram

The day is dedicated to visiting the temple of BHOOMI (Earth) Lingam - we will visit the Sri Kailasthanatha and Sri Ekambareshwar Temples.

Hotel in Kancheepuram: Regency Kanchipuram By GRT Hotels

Room Type - Standard Room

GRT Kanchipuram|Kanchipuram Star Hotels|GRT Hotel Kanchipuram (grthotels.com)

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 5: April 21 (Sunday) - Kancheepuram

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit to Sri Varadaraja and Sri Ekambareshwar Temples.

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 6: April 22 (Monday) - Kancheepuram to Tiruvannamalai (about 3.5 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel

Drive to Tiruvannamalai - where we will focus our Temple visit on AGNI (Fire) Lingam.

Check in to the Sparsa Resort.

Room Type - Standard Room

Sparsa Resorts Thiruvannamalai

In the afternoon we will visit the Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple

Dinner at leisure at the hotel

Day 7: April 23 (Tuesday) - Tiruvannamalai

Day of the full moon

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit to Girivalam by foot - total distance around the hill 14km. 

Dinner at the hotel.

Day 8: April 24 (Wednesday) - Tiruvannamai

Breakfast at the hotel

This day is dedicated to exploring the area or relaxing

Dinner at the hotel

Day 9: April 25 (Thursday) - Tiruvannamai - Chidambaram (5 hours) - Kumbakonam (1.5 hours)

Depart to Chidambaram at 5:00am - with packed breakfast

Indra Lingam Agasa Lingam

Visit Sri Nataraja Temple 

Drive to Sri Vaitheeswaran Koil

Drive to Kumbakonam

Mantra Koodam hotel

Room Type - Mantra Cottage

Mantra Koodam – Resorts in Kumbakonam | Official Website (cghearth.com)

Dinner at leisure at hotel

Day 10: April 26 (Friday) - Kumbakonam 

Breakfast at the hotel

Day dedicated to sightseeing, temple visits or relaxation

Dinner at leisure at the hotel.

Day 11: April 27 (Saturday) - Kumbakonam-Trichy

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart Kumbakonam for Trichy.

Hotel: Courtyard by Mariott- Tiruchirapalli

Room Type: Standard Room

Hotel Near Tiruchirappalli International Airport and Railway Junction | Courtyard Tiruchirappalli (marriott.com)

Enroute we visit the Brihadeshwara Temple - the "Big Temple" - main shrine of this temple is Lord Brahadeewarar (Shiva). 

Drive to Trichy and visit Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple followed by the visit of Jambukeshwara (Water Temple) and Rockfort temple (aerial view of Trichy).

Finale Dinner at the hotel.

Day 12: April 28 (Sunday) - Trichy

Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to Trichy airport.

END OF TOUR 

Inclusions:

- Accommodation package as purchased

- Breakfast and Dinner at each hotel

- Transport services using air conditioned vehicle for the group

- 01 Time visit to temple

- Services of an accompanying Tour Escort from 17 April-28 April

- All currently applicable taxes

- Package as purchased

- Breakfast each day: April 18-April 28

- Dinner each day: April 17-April 28

- Group transfer to Trichy airport - April 28 

End of tour.

Exclusions:

- Lunches, Table drinks, Telephone calls, Camera fees, Spa Treatments, Laundry, Any extra incidentals

- Any services other than the ones mentioned above

- Any other expenses or charges due to unforeseen circumstances while in India

- Temple offerings to priests/gods/goddesses or offerings to deities in the temples (for examples flowers. Garlands or donations)

- Tips to Drivers and Guides. Airport Transfers

- Transfer from Chennai airport to the hotel

- transfer from hotel in Trichy to Trichy airport - if not transferring with the group

NB: Extra chargeable amounts – relevant to hotel charges, will be charged to your room and are to be paid on check out.

GENERAL EXCLUSIONS:- International flights - Domestic flights in India - Visa for entry into India - Any travel documentation required to participate in this tour - Any PCR or RAT/Lateral flow testing for travel into, and around, India, and on leaving India for travel to country of domicile, transiting or next travel destination - Travel Insurance - Credit or Debit Card fees - extra 2.9% + 80c – extra 3.9% on international cards (cards that are registered outside New Zealand) - Any extra costs incurred as a result of plans having to change due to Covid-19, World War, Border closures or Regional lockdown and any other unforeseen events.