East & South India Textile Tour

Tour Type:
Small Group Journeys
Start:
Kolkata
Duration:
13 Days
End:
Chennai
Departs:
Guaranteed Departure Min Pax: 04

Starting From

AU$ 3203
Per Person Sharing Twin/Double Room ENQUIRE NOW

Silk has a long and rich history in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, traditionally worn by Mughal nobility. On this tour, visit textile villages, local textile shops, outlets and weaver’s studios; meet, engage and learn from these craftspeople their traditional techniques and weaving methods. Along the way see Terracotta Temples, historical sites and museums, and farmers going about their everyday life. As this program is intended for textile enthusiasts, there are several long drives to reach real artisans and learn traditional techniques. Unique food and dining experiences add another layer to this tour. Your accommodation at each point presents the finest regional cuisine, while you have the opportunity during the days’ explorations to sample local specialities at small restaurants and street food stalls (with guidance from your guide, of course).

Itinerary

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DAY 1

On arrival at the airport, meet your Tour Manager who will assist with the transfer to the hotel for two nights stay in Kolkata.

DAY 2

After breakfast and a short intro tour by Tour Manager, start a sightseeing tour of Kolkata and visit the flower market, Victoria Memorial and Howrah bridge. Evening is free to stroll around Park Street and conclude your day with authentic Bengali Thali Meal dinner.

DAY 3

Today, we head north on our Muslin Trail into the rural areas of West Bengal. Heading for Berhampur, we stop en-route and visit villages of Shantipur, Phulia and Beldanga. These villages are famous for the production of silk and cotton handwoven saris, jacquards, dhotis, and jamdani (muslin) of superfine texture. Stay two nights in Berhampur.

DAY 4

This morning we visit a textile village to see the process of extraction, reeling and spinning of different kinds of silk and also locally crafted shell bangles. Thereafter enjoy a historical tour of Murshidabad and visit Hazarduari Palace and Katra Mosque then walk around the local market.

DAY 5

Travel to Santiniketan and visit Visva Bharati University, a vision of Rabindranath Tagore, the revered poet, writer, playwright, musician, painter and also the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Craft demonstrations in and around Santiniketan may include Kantha embroidery, batik printing, Tussar silk weaving, embossed leather works and hand-made jewellery. Stay two nights in Santiniketan.

DAY 6

Morning explore textile villages around Shantiniketan. While on the visit, you will get detailed knowledge about batik work and Tussar silk weaving. Watch ladies doing conventional Kantha weaving on quilts, clothing and other household items. This work of art mixes botanical, creature and geometric string plans with pictures delineating the everyday life and culture of the rural ladies of West Bengal.

DAY 7

Travel to Bishnupur, stop en-route at Bikna, a village where we will see the ancient craft of non – ferrous metal casting using the lost wax process known as dokra. Afternoon visit the amazing terracotta temples that Bishnupur is famous for. Stay overnight Bishnupur.

DAY 8

This morning includes a trip to a potter’s village that specialises in making terracotta horses known as Bankura. Also, see the handloom weaving of the prized Baluchari silk sarees depicting detailed scenes from Indian mythology. In the afternoon, drive to Kolkata with a brief stop to see fine grass mat weaving done by the Mahishyas community of Midnapore. Stay overnight in Kolkata.

DAY 9

After breakfast transfer to the airport to board your connecting flight to Chennai. On arrival meet your Tour Manager who will assist you with transfer and stay overnight in Chennai.

DAY 10

Morning travel to Kanchipuram enroute stops at Mahabalipuram to visit the magnificent 7th-century Shore Temple a UNESCO Site and also an excellent specimen of the architectural splendour of the medieval period. Evening free to explore local shops popular to witness a range of Kanchipuram Silk and wonderfully spun material. Stay two nights in Kanchipuram.

DAY 11

Morning visit the silk weaving handloom to experience the art of making handloom and machinemade sarees including dying and designing. Kanchipuram silk sarees are woven in two parts. The palluand-border are woven as one unit and attached to the body of the sari which is woven separately. The motifs used are derived from traditional temple architectural forms. Afternoon free to relax or explore the town.

DAY 12

After breakfast travel to Chennai. In the afternoon go for a half-day city sightseeing tour visiting the Government Museum and Art Gallery, to see the art and bronze gallery (closed on Fridays and public holidays) Later drive past Fort St. George, Marina Beach and San Thome Cathedral. Rest of the evening free to relax or explore the nearby local markets for last moment souvenir shopping. Stay overnight in Chennai.

DAY 13

After breakfast tour finishes with a direct transfer to International Airport.

Inclusion

12 Nights Deluxe/Unique Boutique accommodation

Travel, sightseeing and transfers by chartered air-conditioned vehicle

Group assistance and transfers

Sightseeing as specified

Meals as specified

THO Tour Manager (minimum 07 people)

Monument entrance fees, Airfare Kolkata – Chennai in economy class

Bottled water while travelling

All current collectable taxes.

Exclusion

Any International or Domestic Airfare

Airport taxes and Visa fee

Early check-in or late check-out

Meals other than specified above

Tips & Gratuities

Travel & Medical Insurance

Camera and video permits

Expenses incurred due to flight/train cancellation or delay

Any expense of a personal nature, like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mini bar, etc

Any optional excursion or tour

Any other expense not mentioned in the prices include column

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