GLORIOUS TOUR OF INDIA 2 January 18 - February 4, 2020

Led by Franciscan Fr. Mario DiCicco In conjunction with Santours (#2092786-40)

Land Only with Double Occupancy: $4,155

($160 Discount if paid by check)

Single Supplement: $1,185 ($45 Discount if paid by check)

Air fare is separate and based on the city of departure.

Day 10 :- 27/01/20 Pondichery – Madurai

After breakfast proceed to Madurai. On arrival check into the hotel. Later visit to Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple com-plex in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorb-ing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 :- 28/01/20 Madurai- Kanyakumari By Road, 250 Km 5 hrs.approximate

Drive to Kanyakumari (05 hrs drive) - Overnight in Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is the Southern tip of India where the three seas meet to-gether. Kanyakumari (virgin Goddess)temple, Vivekananda Rock Me-morial &Thiruvalluvar Statue are the main attractions in this part.

Day 12 :- 29/01/20 Kanyakumari- Kovalam

Drive to Kovalam Beach (02hrs) enroute visiting Sucheendram temple &Padmanabhapuram Palace - Overnight in Kovalam Beach. Suchin-dram temple is unique in the whole of India in that, it is dedicated to three different deities represented by one image in the sanctum and is called Sthanumalayan (Sthanu-Shiva; Maal-Vishnu and Ayan-Brahma) kovil. The temple is rich in sculpture and architecture. Padmanabhapu-ram palace is the best example for Keralan Architecture & former capi-tal for Travancore. It is Known as Wooden Palace.

Day 13 :- 30/01/20 Kovalam

At leisure - Overnight in Kovalam beach. A fishermen Village Changed to one of the famous beach for relax,

Day 14 :- 31/01/20 Kovalam- Cochin (Surface: 230 Kms, 5-6 Hours)

Drive to Cochin, on arrival check in into the hotel & free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 :- 01/02/20 Cochin

After breakfast proceed for city tour.

Cochin - the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, this is one of the finest natural harbours in the World and was one of the major canters. Sightseeing attractions in Cochin include Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Jewish Street, St. Francis Church and Chinese Fishing Nets. Evening enjoy in Kathakali Show. Overnight stay will be at hotel.

Day 16 :- 02/02/20 Cochin – Bombay ((Indigo – 07:55/10:05)

After breakfast, airport drop board the flight for Bombay. Arrive in Mumbai Airport meet our representative & transfer to hotel. On arrival check in into the hotel & proceeds for Elephanta caves (Closed on Monday). These caves are located on an island that is a few miles away from the Gateway. These caves can be reached by Ferry from the Gateway of India. This rock-cut cave temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. The Elephanta caves comprise of seven caves of which Mahesh Murti cave is of great importance. In this cave Lord Shiva is shown as a crea-tor, protector and destroyer, is a sight that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime. Overnight stay will be at hotel. Day 17 :- 03/02/20 Bombay After breakfast, proceed for visit Prince of Wales Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Hanging Gardens, Juhu Beach, Gateway of India and Marine Drive etc. Overnight stay will be at hotel.

Day 18 :- 04/02/20 Bombay - USA As per the international flight schedule drop at airport to board the flight for next destination . Package includes :

Double sharing accommodation in hotel

A/c Volvo bus as per the programme

Breakfast & Dinner at hotel

Elephant Ride in Amer Fort, Jaipur

English speaking guide cum escort for whole tour

All monuments entry ticket

All luxury taxes in hotel

All taxes and parking which is related to transport

Package does not include: Camera fees, tipping

All personal expense like laundry, telephone, food & beverages

Any international flight, airport taxes etc.

For additional information and reservations, please contact:

Fr. Mario DiCicco, OFM St. Peter’s Church

110 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60602 Cell (312) 888-1331

email: mmdicicco@gmail.com www.FrMarioTours.weebly.com

Detail Itinerary Day 01 :- USA – DELHI :- 18/01/20BY QR

Day 02 :- Delhi :- 19/01/20 Delhi Hotel Check in time 12 Noon)

Morning arrival at Delhi international airport. On arrival transfer to ho-tel . Rest of the day sight seeing tour of Delhi. Dinner and Overnight stay at hotel.

The capital of modern India, Delhi is a bustling metropolis which suc-cessfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic lo-cation was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction be-tween the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wher-ever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the city's past. Rest of the visit Half day city tour of Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the larg-est mosque in India ; walk through the colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Rajghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Day 03 :- 20/01/20 Delhi- Agra ( Every Friday Taj Mahal Closed )

After breakfast After breakfast visit India Gate - a war memorial, Presi-dent's House & the Parliament. Visit the UNESCO Word Heritage Sites : Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early ex-ample of Mughal architecture ; Qutub Minar, at 120 meters, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Later procced to Agra. ON arrival check into the hotel.

Day 04 :- 21/01/20 Agra- Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur

Early morning visit , The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Ja-han in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj be-gan in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

After breakfast visit the impressive Agra Fort, which was built by Em-peror Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audienc-es amongst many other beautiful structures. Afternoon drive, to Jaipur. En route visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri: built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of wa-ter. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Sal-im Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Jaipur. Arrive in Jaipur check into the hotel & free for leisure. Overnight stay is on the Hotel..

Day 05:- Jaipur 22/01/20

After breakfast, proceed to visit in Amber Fort. Amber Fort - The an-cient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The con-struction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput com-mander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput archi-tecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jag Mandir or the hall of vic-tory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on ele-phant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon visit Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Wind) was built in 1799. Jantar Mantar the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Pal-ace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century. Overnight stay will be at Hotel.

Day 06: - 23/01/20 Jaipur- Chennai :- By Morning flight

Morning arrival at Chennai airport . On arrival transfer to hotel . Rest of the day take a sightseeing tour of Chennai. Chennai often referred as the 'Gateway to South India' is also a place of historic importance. It is a

pulsating city, ever changing and ever expanding. The city is probably the most peaceful and green metropolis of India. It was once a group of small villages until the appearance of East India Company to set up a new trade centre in the place. It is spread over 50 miles and features a large and beautiful waterfront on the Bay of Bengal. Later take a sight-seeing tour of Chennai visiting The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government's secretariat; Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th - 15th centuries and is anoth-er colonial structure worth visiting, the Kapaleeswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the oldest temple in Chennai. Then visit Parthasarthy Temple which is an 8th century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Evening optionally you can visit Marina Beach, the sec-ond longest beach in the world. Watching sunset from here is a fascinat-ing experience. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 :- 24/01/20 Chennai- Kanchipuram- Mahabalipuram

By Road, 140 Km

After breakfast proceed to Mahabalipuram, enroute visit Kanchipuram known as one of India's Seven Sacred cities , the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a 'City of a Thousand 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. Visit the most famous temples: Kailasnathar, Vaikuntaperumal, Ekambareshwara, Kamakshiamma and Sakiswarar. You may opt to visit the silk cloth markets, as Kanchipu-ram is world famous for silk cloth and sarees, the traditional Indian cos-tume for the women. After visit proceed to Mahabalipuram . On arrival check into the hotel.

Day 08 :- 25/01/20 Mahabalipuram

After breakfast sightseeing tour of the city. Mahabalipuram with its pic-turesque location on a rocky outcrop between the beach and a lagoon is a happy combination of history, good beaches, hassle-free tourism and fabulous fish and lobster! It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the seven pagoda-style Shore temples, Rathas, Arju-na's Penance, Krishna Mandapa, Shore Temple, Mahishasurmardini Cave, Varaha Mandapa and Mandapams, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monu-ments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known ex-amples of Dravidian architecture. The rock carvings depicting mytho-logical episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum-sanctorum. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 :- 26/01/20 Mahbalipuram- Pondichery ( Auroville is closed on Tuesday)

After breakfastr proceed to Pondichery. Enroute visit to Auroville, con-ceived as a 'Universal Town'. This is a place were people with different nationalities; beliefs and culture live in harmony. Later proceed to Pondichery . On arrival check into the hotel.

Rest of the day visit attractive, former French colony exudes a Mediter-ranean aura with its sophisticated streets, elegant houses, ornamental gardens and the Hotel de Ville. Visit Aurobindo Ashram, which has been a seat of learning and Vedic cultures since ancient times. Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architec-ture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ, Ecole Françoise d'Extreme Orient, which is nearly 100 years old, with programs in Sanskrit, Tamil and Archaeological studies. The Church of Our Lady of Angels (1855), famous for an oil painting of Our Lady of Assumption given to the Church by King Louis Napoleon III, and the 17th century Chapel of Our Sisters of Cluny. Overnight at hotel.

Dear Pilgrims,

We are returning to India once again to explore more of that ancient and mystical country. In addition to a return to the Taj Mahal, always a beauty to behold, and Jaipur with the famous Red Fort, we will mainly concentrate on Southern India, an area which is very Catholic. The price includes 5-star deluxe hotels, including a stay at the famous Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, and two internal flights as well as all the tipping. The flight from the States to Delhi is on Turkish Airlines. An entry visa is required and can be obtained now online. We will be rewarded with experiences of a very rich and diverse culture. Some people may be reluctant to go but from my experience of the country three years ago and the feedback of those who went, it was an unforgettable journey. I hope you can make it.

Sincerely,

Fr.. Mario DiCicco, O.F.M.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

First Class 5 star deluxe hotels throughout

Breakfast and Dinner

Comprehensive sightseeing with paid admissions

All transportation on private air conditioned motor coach

All tips included (guide, driver, restaurant wait staff

2 internal flights

REGISTRATION FORM

Fr. Mario DiCicco

Glorious Tour of India 2

January 18 - February 4, 2020

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Single Double

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Fr. Mario DiCicco, O.F.M. St. Peter’s Church

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