Welcome upon midnight arrival at Chennai airport. After meet & assist services transfer to your hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Chennai.
Breakfast at hotel, proceed to visit: San Thome Basilica. Holy Mass at the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, Visit crypt & museum. St. Thomas Mount, Site of martyrdom. Time for silent prayer In the evening free for leisure / explore the local market. Then transfer to hotel and overnight stay in Chennai.
Breakfast at hotel, then drive towards Velankanni (7 hrs. / 340 kms). On arrival in Velankanni, transfer to hotel and relax. In the evening free for leisure. Overnight stay in Velankanni.
Breakfast at hotel, then proceed to visit: Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, Welcome prayer and group hymn to Our Lady, Brief history of the shrine (Marian apparitions & Portuguese connection). Explanation of Velankanni as the “Lourdes of the East. Holy mass at the main Basilica. Our Lady’s Tank Church Reflection on the apparition to the lame boy. Scripture reading (Wedding at Cana – John 2:1-11), Short Marian Litany. Morning Star Church, Evening praise & worship. Marian consecration prayer. Closing blessing for pilgrims. Overnight stay at hotel in Velankanni.
Breakfast at hotel, then drive towards Trichy (3 hrs. / 150 kms.) On arrival, proceed to visit: St. Joseph’s Church, Welcome prayer and group hymn, Brief history of the church and Jesuit missionary legacy. Explanation of Trichy as a center of Catholic faith formation. Holy Mass at St. Joseph’s Church. Our Lady of Lourdes Church: Marian devotion and reflection on Our Lady of Lourdes, Short Scripture reading and Rosary prayer, Time for personal intentions and candle offering. Evening Reflection & Prayer. Silent Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Optional Confession if priests available. Overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Madurai (approximately 2 hours / 130 km). Upon arrival, proceed to visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, where pilgrims can participate in a group Marian prayer at the cathedral garden or prayer hall. A guided introduction to the cathedral and the Archdiocese of Madurai will be provided, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Continue with visits to nearby Marian chapels and shrines, including optional visits to local chapels dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary or various saints in Madurai. Enjoy a Scripture reflection session and Marian Litany, along with an opportunity for personal prayer and quiet meditation. In the evening, join the concluding Marian devotion of the day, including the Rosary and a special blessing for pilgrims and their safe journey ahead. Overnight stay in Madurai.
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Thekkady/Periyar (approximately 3 hours / 140 km). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and relax. In the afternoon, proceed for a nature walk in the national park, followed by a scenic boat ride on the lake where wildlife can often be spotted. Later, enjoy an evening Kalaripayattu martial arts performance, showcasing Kerala’s ancient traditional combat art. Overnight stay at a hotel in Periyar.
After breakfast, drive to Kochi (approximately 4 hours / 160 km). Upon arrival, begin your sightseeing with a visit to Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, one of India’s oldest Catholic churches, originally built by the Portuguese in 1505. Admire its beautiful European-style architecture, attend Holy Mass (subject to schedule), and spend time in personal prayer. Continue to St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India and the original burial site of Vasco da Gama, which remains historically significant for Catholics. Thereafter, visit St. Mary’s Basilica in Ernakulam, a major Syro-Malabar Catholic cathedral and one of Kerala’s important pilgrimage centers, where pilgrims may attend the evening Holy Qurbana (Mass). Overnight stay in Kochi.
After breakfast, drive to Malayattoor, located approximately 1.5 hours from Kochi. Visit the renowned Malayattoor Church, an international shrine dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle and one of India’s most important Christian pilgrimage sites. Pilgrims may visit the sacred rock believed to bear the footprint of St. Thomas, spend time in silent prayer, and attend Holy Mass (subject to schedule). Return to Kochi in the evening and enjoy a traditional Kathakali Dance Show performed by a professional troupe, including English narration of the stories and explanations of their cultural and spiritual significance. Overnight stay in Kochi.
After breakfast, transfer to Kochi Airport to board your flight to Goa. Upon arrival, proceed to visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, one of the most revered Christian pilgrimage sites in India. Attend Mass at the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and visit the museum and sacred relics housed within the basilica. The evening is free for leisure and personal activities. Thereafter, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay in Goa.
After breakfast, proceed for a full day of church visits in Goa. Begin with Se Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Asia and a masterpiece of Portuguese architecture. Continue to St. Andrew’s (CNI) Church, one of the oldest heritage churches established by Scottish missionaries during the 19th century. Thereafter, visit the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, renowned for its artistic interiors and adjoining museum. Continue exploring additional historic churches and enjoy an opportunity to meet with a local religious community. The remainder of the day is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Goa.
After breakfast, visit Fort Aguada, a magnificent 17th-century Portuguese fort offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and featuring its iconic historic lighthouse. Following the visit, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight stay in Kolkata.
After breakfast, proceed to visit Mother House and Museum (closed on Thursdays), the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity established by Mother Teresa in 1950. Continue to St. Paul’s Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic-style church constructed between 1839 and 1847, famous for its stained-glass windows and colonial architecture. Later, visit Bandel Church (Basilica of the Holy Rosary), one of the oldest and most famous pilgrimage churches in India, and the Sacred Heart Church, a well-known Catholic church in Kolkata. In the evening, enjoy free time for leisure or explore College Street, the intellectual and literary heart of Kolkata, known for its bookstores, scholars, students, and vibrant academic atmosphere. Overnight stay in Kolkata.
After breakfast, proceed for the final sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Visit the Church of Christ the King, known for its architectural beauty and religious significance. Continue to the iconic Howrah Bridge, one of the world's longest cantilever bridges. Drive through Dalhousie Square (BBD Bagh), the historic commercial and administrative center of Kolkata, home to many significant colonial-era buildings, businesses, and banks. Thereafter, visit the Victoria Memorial (closed on Mondays), Kolkata’s magnificent white marble monument inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921. Following the sightseeing tour, transfer to the airport to board your scheduled flight to your onward destination.
