18D / 17N 5Overview
Tour overview
Ahmedabad is a long way from Rameshwaram, roughly 2,000 km, so the easy way is to fly to Madurai, the nearest airport, and let us drive you the rest. We plan the whole trip from your city: the flight to Madurai, the darshan at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, the holy baths, and the road to the tip of the land at Dhanushkodi. For our Gujarati guests we can also arrange pure vegetarian and Jain food and a Gujarati speaking helper, so your parents feel at home far from home. Tell us your dates and we do the rest.
How to reach Rameshwaram from Ahmedabad
Rameshwaram sits on an island in the far south of Tamil Nadu, and there is no airport on the island. The nearest airport is at Madurai, and from there it is a road drive of about 169 to 174 km, roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours, to Rameshwaram. From Ahmedabad you have two sensible ways to reach Madurai.
By air is the quickest. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo connect Ahmedabad to Madurai, some flights with one stop. You land at Madurai, and our driver takes you to the island. This is what most Ahmedabad families choose, because the distance by road or rail is very long.
By train is the slower, cheaper way. There is a limited direct train between Ahmedabad and Rameshwaram, and more choices if you travel by way of Chennai. Because train timings and days of running change from time to time, we keep a live table of trains and flights for this route and check it every 15 days. The road leg from Madurai to Rameshwaram is about 169 to 174 km, roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
Best time to visit
The best months are about October to March, and winter, roughly December to February, is the most pleasant. Summer near the sea is hot. The heaviest rain comes with the north east monsoon, roughly October to December, and October is usually the wettest. For an Ahmedabad family, the winter school break is a good window, and we suggest booking flights early for those dates.
Food and language help for Gujarati guests
Being far from home should not mean strange food. On request we arrange pure vegetarian and Jain meals through the trip, and we can point you to vegetarian eating places near the temples. If your parents are more comfortable in Gujarati, we can arrange a Gujarati speaking helper for the main days. Please ask for these when you book, so we set them up in advance.
Good to know before you go
Dress modestly for the temples. Men usually wear a dhoti or trousers, and women a saree or salwar kameez. Photography is not allowed inside the main temples. Temple timings can shift on festival days, and darshan, abhishekam and ferry charges change from time to time, so we reconfirm them for your dates.
Tour highlights
Destinations covered
Best Time
Oct - March
Ideal For
Hindus, families
Difficulty
Easy
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.
You fly from Ahmedabad to Madurai, where our driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. If your flight lands early and you are not tired, you can visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple in the evening. This is one of the most loved temples in south India, with fourteen tall gopurams, the highest on the south side rising to about 170 feet. You spend the night in Madurai. Special tips for this day: book a morning flight so you reach Madurai with the day still ahead of you. Carry any regular medicines in your hand baggage. Tell us in advance if your parents need a wheelchair at the airport.
After breakfast you drive to Rameshwaram, crossing the sea by the road bridge beside the famous Pamban rail bridge. You check in, then go for the darshan at the Ramanathaswamy Temple, home of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the four Char Dham places. Many pilgrims first take a dip in the sea at Agni Theertham, then bathe under the 22 theerthams inside the temple, which devotees believe wash away sins. You spend the night in Rameshwaram. Special tips for this day: carry a change of clothes and a small towel for the 22 wells bath. Photography is not allowed inside the temple, so leave your camera in the vehicle. Ask us to arrange Jain or pure vegetarian meals for the day.
You see the island. Dhanushkodi lies at the far end, and the built road runs on to Arichal Munai, the last point of land, about 24 to 27 km from Rameshwaram, where the waters stretch toward Sri Lanka. This is where the old town was washed away in the cyclone of 1964. On the way you can see the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial, built by the DRDO, the Panchamukhi Hanuman temple with its floating stones, and Gandhamadhana Parvatham, the highest point on the island. You spend a second night in Rameshwaram or return to Madurai, as your plan allows. Special tips for this day: go to Dhanushkodi in the morning or early afternoon. Vehicles are cleared from Arichal Munai before dark, usually by about 5 to 6 in the evening, and no one stays overnight. Carry water, a cap and sunglasses, as the wind and sun near the tip are strong.
You drive back to Madurai for your flight home. If you have time before the flight, you can finish any Madurai sightseeing you missed, such as the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace. Special tips for this day: keep a comfortable gap before your flight, as the drive from Rameshwaram to Madurai takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. We plan a food and rest stop on the way.
What's included
What's included
Included
- ✓Hotel stay for the nights in your plan, on the room class you choose
- ✓Daily breakfast at the hotel
- ✓All ground travel by private vehicle, including airport pickup and drop at Madurai
- ✓The Madurai to Rameshwaram drive and all island sightseeing
- ✓A driver who knows the temple routes and timings
- ✓Help with Jain or pure vegetarian meals, and a Gujarati speaking helper, on request
Not included
- ✕Air and train fares between Ahmedabad and Madurai, unless your plan says they are included
- ✕Special or quick darshan tickets, abhishekam and pooja charges at the temples
- ✕Camera or special entry fees where they apply
- ✕Lunch, dinner and personal spending
- ✕Anything not listed in the inclusions
- ✕Costs from delays outside our control, such as weather or flight changes
What travellers say
What travellers say
“Had a wonderful experience with way to india for my badrinath kedarnath yatra.everything was well organized-from travel accommodation to food. A special thanks to Ms. Neha who managed everything so beautifully n was extremely supportive n cooperative throughout the journey. They took great care of us n darshan was done very smoothly.”in the last week · Google
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”3 months ago · Google
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”4 months ago · Google
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