MAIN TOUR
Day One - Wednesday 18th January
14:00h - depart London Heathrow T5 on British Airways BA0035 to Chennai (flight time 10hrs 5mins)
Day Two - Thursday 19th January
0535h - arrive Chennai International Airport, meet with your Tour Manager and transfer to 5* Taj Coromandel hotel. Your room will be available when you arrive.
07:00 - 09:00 - breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure
12:30 - 13:30 - lunch at the hotel
14:00 - 15:30 - meet with textile artist Chitra Mandanna, winner of the first edition of the India International Quilt Festival. Chitra specialises in Confetti quilting and collage portrait quilts and will talk to you about her work and techniques.
15:30-18:30 - visit the Chennai Lighthouse to enjoy spectacular views over the beach and the Bay of Bengal. (Please note, this is a 5-storey building with approximately 120 steps. There is a lift to the upper floors.) You will also have time to explore Marina Beach which runs for 6km from the Fort of St George in the north to the Foreshore Estate in the south, making it the longest urban sandy beach in India - and the second longest in the world.
19:30 - 20:30 - welcome dinner at the hotel
Day Three - Friday 20th January
Breakfast at the hotel
09:45 - transfer to the conference venue for the India International Quilt Festival *
10:00-17:00 - India International Quit Festival
17:15 approx - transfer back to the hotel
19:30 - 20:30 - dinner at the hotel
* We have a range of optional experiences for anyone who does not wish to visit the India International Quilt Festival.
Option 1 - Kalakshetra Campus, 0800-11:30. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £30p/p and £75p/p depending on numbers.
Spread over almost 100 acres by the seashore in Chennai, Kalakshetra is a centre for artistic endeavour founded in 1936 by the vibrant visionary Rukmini Devi Arundale. It is an arts and cultural academy dedicated to the preservation of traditional values in Indian art and crafts, especially in the field of Bharatanatyam dance, Carnatic vocal and instrumental music and traditional crafts and textile design. The institute has been recognised by the Government of India as an Institute of National Importance.
Option 2 - Kalamkari workshop at the Kalakshetra, 09:30 - 13:00. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £72p/p and £115p/p depending on numbers.
Kalamkari is a type of hand printed or hand block printed cotton textile. It takes its name from the ancient style of hand painting done with a tamarind pen and using natural dyes. Kalamakari was born out of the art of story-telling - in ancient times, people used to travel from village to village telling and drawing stories - and motifs include flowers, peacock, paisleys and also divine characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Option 3 - Kapaleeshwar Temple, 15:30-18:00. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £20p/p and £62p/p depending on numbers.
Built around the 7th century CE, this temple with its giant gopuram (tower) is an emblem of the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Kapaleeswarar (Lord Shiva) and Karpagambal (Goddess Parvati) being the most prominent. The holy Punnai tree in the courtyard is one of the oldest trees of Chennai city.
Day Four - Saturday 21st January
Breakfast at the hotel
09:45 - transfer to the conference venue for the India International Quilt Festival *
10:00-12:30 - India International Quit Festival
12:30 - 13:30 - transfer back to the hotel where lunch will be served.
14:30 - 18:00 - Guided tour of Chennai. You will visit Chennai Museum to see the bronze gallery with its superb collection of Chola art and Fort Museum with its collection of colonial memorabilia. You will then drive through the flower and fruit market, past the Indo-Saracenic High Court, to San Thome Cathedral, said to house the remains of St Thomas the Apostle.
19:30-20:30 - dinner at the hotel
* If you do not wish to visit the India International Quilt Festival, we have arranged the following optional experience.
08:30-12:30 - visit to Cholamandal Artist's Village. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £28p/p and £85p/p depending on numbers.
Established in 1966, this is the largest self-supporting artist's commune in India and one of the most successful in Asia. Its artists are credited for the Madras Movement of Art (1950s–1980s), which brought modernism to art in South India. Today, the artists of Cholamandal are widely recognized as some of the best in post-war India and their work is shown regularly in galleries across the country. Several Cholamandal artists have also shown in Europe, the United States and South America. There is also a permanent gallery at the village.
Day Five - Sunday 22nd January
Breakfast at the hotel
09:45 - transfer to the conference venue for the India International Quilt Festival *
10:00-17:00 - India International Quit Festival
17:15 approx - transfer back to the hotel
19:30 - 20:30 - dinner at the hotel
* We have two optional experiences for anyone who does not wish to visit the India International Quilt Festival.
Option 1 - Theagaraya Nagar, 09:00 - 11:30. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £43p/p and £75p/p depending on numbers.
Politics and silk sarees converge in T Nagar. One of India's most prosperous business districts, this area was born out of the rise of the revolutionary politics of the ‘Justice’ party that has changed Dravidian politics ever since. This guided walk through T Nagar represents the post-colonial Indian dream at its best - learn about the origins of the first planned neighborhood of Madras and discover the stories behind some of the city’s most beloved businesses, from Nalli Silks to the Saravana Stores empire. Don’t forget to bring your shopping bags!
Option 2 - Bazaar Trail tour through the Georgetown market place, 14:30-17:00. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £39p/p and £113p/p depending on numbers.
This trail takes you through Chennai's bustling vegetable and flower market place, Georgetown. The route takes you through streets teeming with life and spilling over with colour, noise and exuberance, while intertwining history, mythology and folklore to give you a true glimpse of the living India.
Day Six - Monday 23rd January
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
09:00- 12:00 - Transfer, by coach, to Mahabalipuram, stopping en route at Dakshin Chitra, a living museum where you will see the low slung, wooden heritage houses and gain a fascinating insight into life in Southern India.
12:30 - Arrive at 4* Radisson Temple Bay Hotel.
Beautifully set on the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram (or Mamallapuram) extends across a boulder-strewn landscape with remarkable rock cut temples and monolithic shrines. Declared as the world heritage site by UNESCO, it boasts some of India’s most sublime rock-cut art. The Pallavas perfected the art of sculpting rocks to build temples without bricks, mortar, or timber. The only shore temple that remains is the spectacular two-spired shrine, which is unique as it houses both Vishnu and Shiva in its sanctum, while the open-air bas-reliefs, structured temples, artificial caves and the five monolithic “Rathas” (chariots carved from single blocks of granite) reflect this art at its best.
13:00 - 14:00 - lunch at the hotel
15:00 - 18:00 - sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram. You will visit the 7th Century Shore Temple, set a little away from the Bay of Bengal and believed to be the last in a series of temples which were revealed by the retreating waters of the tsunami, and make a stop at Arjuna's Penance. This artwork, carved into a huge boulder, depicts the daily life of the people of Mahabalipuram. You will also visit the Trimurti Cave Temple. This three-cell temple is dedicated to the holy trinity of Hinduism and is an example of the splendour of the Pallava dynasty's architecture.
19:30 - 20:30 - dinner at the hotel
Day Seven - Tuesday 24th January
*Breakfast at the hotel and a morning at leisure to enjoy the facilities.
12:00-13:00 - lunch at the hotel
13:00-18:00 - excursion by private coach to Kanchipuram, famous for its silk production. Hand looming silk is one of the main occupations here and you will have the opportunity to observe artisans designing, weaving and dyeing silk saris. Kanchipuram is also an ancient religious centre and served as the capital of the mighty Pallavas for over five centuries. They endowed the city with magnificently carved temples dedicated to the different deities that they patronised. Subsequent rulers from the Chola, Pandiya, and Vijayanagara dynasties also added to them and created a veritable repository of temples dedicated to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist gods and goddesses. These temples offer a great insight into the changing art and architecture over different eras and also the ebb and flow of religions and cults under different dynasties. A highlight of the tour is the Kailasanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, commissioned by Rajasimha Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty. The magnificent main sandstone structure, along with the 58 smaller subsidiary shrines, is a glowing testament to the splendour of Pallava temple architecture.
20:00 - 21:00 - dinner at the hotel
*There are several optional experiences which you may enjoy this morning
Option 1 - Yoga Class at the hotel, 06:30-07:30. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £25p/p and £62p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 20.)
Option 2 - Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, 06:30-11:30. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £53p/p and £198p/p depending on numbers for the Bird Watching Experience and £55p/p - £235p/p for the Photography Experience. A packed breakfast will be provided by the hotel.
Dotted with small lakes, this area has attracted many varieties of birds for centuries and in the early 18th century, was a favourite hunting spot with local landlords. It was established as a water bird sanctuary in 1858. More than 40,000 birds (including 26 rare species), from various parts of the world visit the sanctuary during the migratory season every year.
The group can be sub-divided into 02 groups based on your interests as follows:
- Explore the park with naturalist guide (Bird watching expert).
- Opportunity for field photography with an expert.
Day Eight - Wednesday 25th January
06:30 - 07:30 - Optional yoga session* Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £25p/p and £62p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 20.)
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
08:00 - 10:00 - transfer by coach to Pondicherry, stopping en route at Auroville, the experimental township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as 'The Mother') as a place where people of all races and creeds could live together in harmony.
10:00 - 13:00 - meet the owner of ethical fashion brand Upasana Design Studio who will take you to see the fabric painting, knitting and weaving units and show you their unique Solar Loom.
13:00 - 14:00 - vegetarian lunch at Solar Kitchen, a community kitchen where residents of the town eat every day
14:30 - 15:00 - continue on to Pondicherry and check in at Grand Hotel D'Europe
Pondicherry is a former French colony and, although it became a part of India in 1954, traces of its French history can still be seen in the architecture, grid-pattern streets and cuisine. You will enjoy a walk along the promenade in the early evening to look at the famous French colonial architecture
16:00-18:30 - visit Pondicherry Museum which has sculptures, archaeological finds and memorabilia of the French colonists. See the Sacred Heart Church with its Gothic architecture and stained glass windows. The tour will conclude with final stop at a shopping area for buying souvenirs.
18:30-19:00 - walk along the sea front to look at the architecture, a legacy of the French who governed this town until 1957.
19:30-20:30 - dinner at the hotel
Day Nine - Thursday 23rd January
06:30 - 07:30 - Optional yoga session* Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £18p/p and £40p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 15.)
Breakfast at the hotel
08:30-12:30 - half day tour of Pondicherry visiting Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926 by the philosopher-saint Sri Aurobindo, the Pondicherry museum with its French colonial artefacts and the Gothic Sacred Heart Church.
13:00 - 14:30 - lunch at the hotel
PM: at leisure to explore Pondicherry *
19:30 - 20:30 - dinner at the hotel
* There are three optional experiences available this afternoon
Option 1 - Explore the French Quarter with a professional photographer, 14:30-18:30. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £30p/p and £165p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 20)
Option 2 - Play Pétanque, 15:30-17:00. Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £39p/p and £43p/p depending on numbers. There is a minimum number of 4 and a maximum of 15)
Devised by the French in Provence in the early 20th century, the game Pétanque was brought to Pondicherry by the French army veterans of the World Wars. Played with metal boules and a small wooden ball called a ‘cochonnet’ (piglet) or ‘Jack’, this fun group activity is sure to get you excited. You will be divided into two teams of at least two players and the aim is to throw the metal balls as close to the cochonnet as possible. Learn the rules and scoring from your local host who is also a keen Pétanque player.
Option 3 - Bollywood Dance Session, 15:30-17:00 Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £27p/p and £33p/p depending on numbers. There is a minimum number of 5 and a maximum of 15)
Learn the moves from a professional dancer at a cultural centre.
Day Ten - Friday 27th January
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
07:30 - 11:30 - transfer by coach to Kumbakonam, stopping en-route at Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Literally translating as ‘The city of the Chola who conquered the Ganga’, Gangaikondacholapuram in Tamil Nadu served as the capital of the mighty Chola Empire for over 250 years. This tranquil hamlet is home to the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Brihadeeswarar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which reflects the pinnacle of artisanship emblematic of the Chola era with exquisitely sculpted graceful figures. The colossal figure of Nandi bull, Shiva’s vehicle, dominates the peaceful gardens surrounding the temple. The 11th century temple, comparable in both beauty and elegance to its namesake in Thanjavur is one of the three Great Living Chola Temples.
13:00 approx - check in to 4* Mantra Koodam Hotel 4*, Kumbakonam
Located between two rivers, Kumbakonam is a bustling temple town dotted with 18 colourful temples. Once an important part of the mighty Chola Empire, it retains much of its ancient heritage and traditions. The town is also renowned for its excellent educational institutions and thriving silk and metal industries. Kumbakonam hosts the famous Mahamaham Festival once every 12 years to commemorate the waters of India’s holiest rivers flowing into the Mahamaham Tank.
13:30-14:30 - lunch at the hotel
PM: at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel
17:00-18:00 - listen to a talk on sustainability at the hotel
18:00-19:00 - experience a Bharatnatyam dance performance at the hotel. This dance form expressing religious themes and spiritual ideas has flourished in the temples and courts of southern India since ancient times. It is widely recognized as one of eight forms of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.
19:30 - dinner at the hotel
Day 11 - Saturday 28th January
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning at leisure*
12:30 - 13:30 - lunch at the hotel and check out
13:30 - 17:30 - transfer to Madurai and check-in at The Heritage Hotel 5*
More than 2,500 years old, Madurai and is one of the India's most ancient cities. Often known as the Athens of the East, the city comprises of a number of temples and historical monuments and presents a beautiful blend of art, culture, spirituality, and technology. With a history dating back to the 6th century BC, it was once the seat of Tamil learning and is still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form. The old city was planned in the shape of a lotus with the outstanding Meenakshi temple and its 1000-pillared hall at the centre.
19:30 - dinner at the hotel
* There are also three optional experiences
Option 1 - Yoga, 06:30-07:30* Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £18p/p and £40p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 15.
Option 2 - Rajmohan's House, 10:00-12:00 Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £37p/p and £93p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 15.
Rajmohan’s house is keeping the ancient art form of Kalamkari alive and thriving. Kalamkari originated during the Marathas’ rule over Thanjavur and was frequently commissioned by the royal family. It involves intricate art work on fabric, where the colours are extracted from natural sources such as flowers, barks, roots and seeds to make plant-based dyes on cotton. Even the brushes and pens are carved from coconut shells and bamboo trees. Rajmohan and his team painstakingly create these stunning pieces of art at his studio, which are then washed and dried on the banks of the nearby river. The water of the river also plays an important role in giving the final piece its rich texture.
Option 3 - Pattu Silk Weaving, 10:00-12:00 Please note this option carries an additional charge of between £37p/p and £93p/p depending on numbers. There is a maximum number of 15.
Wiggling through narrow lanes of Darasuram, you reach a place where mere strands of threads are transformed into something magical. The timeless technique of 'Pattu' silk weaving is alive and thriving in the hands of these master craftsmen. Watch them weave intricate designs into silk saris with fine gold thread. The entire process of hand-assembled wooden machines meticulously weaving silk is a mesmerizing experience.
Day 12 - Sunday 29th January
Breakfast at the hotel
09:00-11:00- private coach transfer to Kaithari Nagar to see how local artisans make the town's traditional fabric using a 17th century tie and dye technique. The fabric is used for saris, shirts, salwar, handbags and bedding.
Return to the hotel for lunch
14:00-18:00 - visit the magnificent Sri Meenakshi temple, widely considered to be the best example of temple architecture in Southern India. Enclosed by 12 ornately carved gopurams (entrance towers), the highest of which stands 52m above Madurai, it is home to the triple-breasted, fish-eyed Goddess Meenakshi Amman.
19:00 - 20:00 - dinner at the hotel
Day 13 - Monday 30th January
Breakfast at the hotel and check out
10:15-11.15 - transfer by private coach to Madurai airport for your flight to Chennai
13:10 - 14:10 - internal Air India flight AI672
14:20-15:15 - arrive Chennai and check in at Trident Hotel 5*
19:30 - 20:30 - dinner at the hotel
Day 14 - Tuesday 31st January
04:00-04:15 - check out and transfer by coach to Chennai airport for your return flight to the UK
07:30 - depart Chennai on flight BA0036 for London Heathrow T5 (flight time 11hrs 15mins)
13:15 - arrive London Heathrow T5
