Arthunkal Perunnal Private Trip

St Sebastian's great feast at Arthunkal's seaside basilica — Mass, candles and the statue carried to the beach and back. Your own vehicle, a driver who waits, a ride home. Event dates: Wed 20 Jan 2027 · main feast day (Feast 10–27 Jan — confirm the day's programme with the basilica).

Itinerary

• 8:00 AM — Pickup
  Home, hotel, houseboat jetty, Alappuzha station, KSRTC stand or Cochin Airport.
• 9:00 AM — Drop near Arthunkal
  22 km up the coast road; we drop as close as the police allow. (Walk the last stretch)
• Morning — Mass & the shrine
  Holy Mass at St Andrew's Basilica and prayers at St Sebastian's statue. (Very crowded)
• Midday — Lunch
  Stalls around the church or hotels in Cherthala. (Own expense)
• Afternoon — The feast procession
  The statue is carried towards the beach and back, with bands and umbrellas. (Main moment)
• 7:00 PM — Home
  Pickup at the meeting point; back home, to your hotel, jetty or the station.

Good to know

• ⛪ The feast: Arthunkal Perunnal honours St Sebastian at St Andrew's Basilica, a Portuguese-era church by the sea. Pilgrims of every faith come; many walk the last stretch or move on their knees from the beach as a vow.
• 🚧 Roads & crowds: Police close roads around the venue on the main days. Your driver drops you at the nearest open point and you walk the last stretch. Agree a meeting point and time with the driver before you get out — phone networks jam in big crowds.
• 📅 Dates: The feast runs from the flag hoisting on 10 January to the octave on 27 January; 20 January (a Wednesday in 2027) is the main day. We confirm the procession time with the basilica before your trip.
• 🙏 Manners: Shoulders and knees covered; quiet during Mass. Keep children close on the beach and away from the water.

Included

• Private vehicle and driver for the day
• Door-to-door, in Alappuzha or from your city
• Driver waits through the event — no waiting charge
• Driver bata (+ night allowance on late or 2-day trips)

Not included

• Food and stay
• Tolls and parking
• Offerings and candles

What to carry

• Modest clothes, easy footwear
• Cap, umbrella and water
• Cash for candles and snacks
• Phone, charged, with our number saved

Cancellations follow our cancellation & refund policy.

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