13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS
Christian Pilgrims Tour
ITINERARY SUMMARY
Few are aware of the incredible treasures India holds for Christians. Who knew that the Apostle Thomas arrived in Southern India in 50 A.D. starting his missionary efforts and that it was here that he was martyred in 78 A.D.? The Cathedral in Madras holds his relics, one of our main destinations on our spiritual journey through India. Who knew that St. Francis Xavier arrived in a town called Goa, established by the Portuguese in 1542 and that it is here that he is buried? His body can be viewed in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus. This and much more is in store for us as we depart on our fantastic journey to unknown lands.
Trip Attractions
Mumbai: Gateway of India, St. Thomas Cathedral, Elephanta Caves
Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Lady of Rosary Church., Sri Mangesh Temple, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Devashtan Temple, Sri Shantadurga Temple,
Cochin: St. Francis Church, Pardesi Synagogue
Chennai: St. Thomas Cathedral, St. Thomas Mount, St. George and St. Mary`s Church
Kolkata: Missionaries of Charity, St. Paul`s Cathedral, Victoria`s Memorial.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Mumbai
Upon arrival at the Mumbai airport, you will be greeted by our guide who will be at your disposal at all times. After a brief orientation drives through Mumbai, also known as the “Hollywood of India” you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Tonight you`ll enjoy a special dinner to get acquainted.
Day 2: Mumbai
We start our sightseeing with the famous Gateway of India commemorating the visit of King George and Queen Mary in 1911. In the Fort area, we visit St. Thomas Cathedral and Town Hall. In the afternoon we take a boat ride to Elephant Island exposing monumental rock carvings, the most spectacular of which is the triple-headed Shiva. Back for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 : Mumbai – Goa
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Goa, upon arrival in Goa you will be transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Goa
Our sightseeing this morning includes one of the highlights of our tour, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, where we view the body of St. Francis Xavier. Born in Spain in 1506, Francisco Xavier met Ignatius Loyola in Paris, took a vow to convert infidels, and joined the Society of Jesus. The Portuguese King dom Joao lll sent Xavier to the new colony Goa. He arrived in 1542 and made Goa his base for five voyages to the Far East. After his death in 1552 on Sancian Island, his body was returned to Goa. St. Francis was canonized in 1662. Across the square, we visit the grand Cathedral of St. Catherine and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. We finish our day with a stop at Our Lady of Rosary Church. Here St. Francis preached at evening mass. We continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Goa
Today we visit some of Goa’s most famous temples, precious to Hindus. We start with Sri Mangesh Temple displaying an elephant on wheels; next, we stop at Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Devashtan Temple, probably Goa’s most beautiful and finish with Sri Shantadurga Temple, Goa’s most popular, always crowded with people buying flowers. After lunch, we motor to Margao where we visit the splendid Menezes Mansion, some parts of which date back three centuries. You can admire the antique furniture and the spectacular ballroom. We end our day with a stop at Margao’s famous spice market. Time for shopping. Dinner and overnight at our resort.
Day 6: Goa – Cochin
Free morning to relax at our beautiful beachfront resort. Late afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Cochin.
Day 7: Cochin
Today after breakfast your visits include St. Francis Church, dedicated to the memorial to Vasco da Gama who died here on Christmas Day in 1524, the Dutch Palace, and Pardesi Synagogue. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Kerala – House Boat
Today we enjoy a boat ride down the Kerala backwaters. You can watch the locals going about their lives as they have been doing for centuries. Overnight on board.
Day 9 : Cochin – Chennai
Afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight to Chennai, formerly Madras. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Chennai
We start our sightseeing of this fascinating city with a visit to St. Thomas Cathedral where his relics are kept. It is believed that he came to India in 52 A.D. and was killed in 78 A.D. The site is equal in importance to St. Peter’s in Rome and St. James in Santiago de Compostella. Next, we proceed to St. Thomas Mount, believed to be the site where the Apostle was stoned to death. You can view the stone cross carved by St. Thomas himself and the painting of Madonna and Child by St. Luke. We continue north to fort St. George and St. Mary`s Church, Chennai’s oldest. The remainder of the afternoon is free for shopping.
Day 11: Chennai – Kolkata
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Calcutta. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Kolkata
Mother Teresa made Kolkata famous when she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979. Born in Albania, she joined the Sisters of Loreto and was sent to Darjeeling where she took her vows in 1931. Trying to help the poor and dying in Calcutta, she founded the Missionaries of Charity. We visit the Mother house of the Sisters of Loreto where she started out and enjoy a tour conducted by the principal. Later we visit St. Paul`s Cathedral dating back to the British Empire’s days and end our day with a visit to Victoria`s Memorial. Time for shopping around the new Market.
Day 13: Kolkata
Time to say goodbye for our return flight home
Tour Ends