EDUCATIONAL and CULTURAL TOURS
223 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000 T (08) 8223 1272 ●●●● F (08) 8232 3690 ●●●● E tours@wea-
sa.com.au
TTA 183 ATAS AA11046
E&OE
PHOTOGRAPHS: Muhammad; Wesley Olson; Strudelt; Thursday next; Yashi-
ma; Meanest Indian; Ramnath Bhat; Brajeshwar Oinam; Bernard Gagnon
Day 13 Friday 25 Nov Day 16 Monday 28 Nov Day 18 Wednesday 30 Nov
Day 19 Thursday 01 Dec
Day 20 Friday 02 Dec
Day 14 Saturday 26 Nov
Day 17 Tuesday 29 Nov
Day 21 Saturday 03 Dec
Houseboat
Today you cruise along the backwaters
of Allepey where idyllic scenes unfold
from narrow canals to dense tropical
vegetation to large lakes with wide open
vistas and brilliantly coloured paddy
fields; all provide a snap shot of rural
Keralan life otherwise concealed from
the outside world. You stop at local vil-
lages and all meals are served on board.
Overnight Kerala houseboat
Breakfast ● Lunch ● Dinner
Allepey- Cochin
Transfer from your houseboat to Cochin
where you have an afternoon of leisure.
This evening a traditional dance show
has been arranged. Kathakali is a dance
form depicting Indian epics Ramayana
and Mahabharata. Dancers are dressed in
very colourful and elaborate costumes
and their faces are painted to depict epic
characters. There is much facial expres-
sion and articulate body movement.
Overnight Cochin
Breakfast ● Dinner
Day 15 Sunday 27 Nov
Cochin
With its fine natural harbour, Arabs,
Chinese, British, Dutch and Portuguese
have all left their mark on Cochin. To-
day you take a local tour which includes
the Dutch Palace - Mattancherry Palace,
which features astonishing murals de-
picting scenes from Ramayana and Ma-
habharata and Puranic legends. You also
visit St Francis church which is the old-
est European church in India and is the
resting place of Portuguese explorer
Vasco da Gama, and the Jewish Syna-
gogue built in 1568 and decorated with
Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
Overnight Cochin
Breakfast ● Dinner
Cochin - Mysore
Depart from Cochin this morning on a
short flight to Bangalore. Here you are
met by coach and taken to Mysore
where you arrive in the late afternoon
and check in to your heritage hotel in
the centre of town. Mysore is said to be
the prettiest town in India and is known
for its glittering royal heritage and mag-
nificent monuments and buildings. Its
royal palace is World Heritage listed
and it’s famous for its fine silks, incense
and sandalwood.
Overnight Mysore
Breakfast ● Dinner
Mysore
Today you have a relaxing start then
soak up the wonderful sights of Mysore
with your local guide. You visit grand
Mysore Palace which is built in the Indo
- Saracenic style and is the official resi-
dence of the Wodeyars - the Maharajas
of Mysore who ruled from 1350 to
1950. It is the finest royal building in
India after the Taj Mahal. Its sumptuous
interior is adorned with stained glass,
mirrors, garish colours, mosaic floors,
carved wood and paintings. There is a
fine collection of artefacts and sculp-
tures and a huge armoury. You also visit
Jaganmohan Palace, the 12th century
Temple of Chamundershwari and the
beautiful Gothic St Philomena’s church.
A highlight is the Brindavan Gardens,
some of the most beautiful in India.
They feature a kaleidoscope of colourful
flowers and the magical ‘dancing foun-
tain’. You visit here in the early evening
when the illuminated gardens transform
into a fairyland.
Overnight Mysore
Breakfast ● Dinner
Mysore - Bangalore
This morning you depart Mysore for Ban-
galore. This is the garden city of India and
is also affectionately called the Silicon
Valley of India. Check in to your hotel on
arrival and relax or explore this afternoon.
Promila is always happy to take anyone
interested, silk and saree shopping, barter-
ing and bargain hunting. This evening is
free to sample a local restaurant.
Overnight Bangalore
Breakfast
Bangalore - Chennai
Explore Bangalore today beginning with
the 18th century Tudor style Bangalore
Fort which is noted for its intricately
carved Islamic style arches on the gates
and walls and the well preserved Ganesha
Temple in its grounds. You also visit Bull
Temple with its huge idol carved from a
single boulder and Vidhana Soudha Ban-
galore’s best known noble landmark. You
also stroll through Cubbon Park and glori-
ous Lal Bagh a beautiful Botanic Garden.
It contains a vast collection of rare tropical
plants and century old trees. This evening
you fly to Chennai to overnight.
Overnight Chennai Airport hotel
Breakfast ● Dinner
Chennai - Singapore
Depart Chennai this morning for Singa-
pore where you connect with your flight to
Adelaide.
Overnight in flight
Meals in flight
Arrive in Adelaide this morning.
enriching lives through cultural exchange
21 Days $6260 Twin Share plus Airline Taxes $789 & Visa $153 (as of Nov 2016)
Single Supplement $1395 ● Balance Due 01 September 2016
Chennai (Madras) ● Pondicherry ● Mahabalipuram ● Trichy ● Chettinad Madurai ● Periyar ●Kerala Houseboat Cruise ● Cochin ● Mysore ● Bangalore
C oconut palms swaying gently in the warm breeze, women drawing water from village wells, fabulous produce and amazingly deli-
cious food, breathtaking temples, a spiritual stillness, the colour and frenzy of vibrant markets and festivals. Southern India will
seduce you. Travel with WEA’s Indian tour leader to an India beyond, where the distinct heritage and southern culture will intoxicate
you. Cruise the peaceful waterways of Kerala by houseboat to see an India concealed from the rest of the world, cook and sample the
tastiest of Indian cuisine and stay in beautiful heritage hotels reminiscent of a glorious past on this most enchanting of tours.
Tour Leader: Promila Gupta has led numerous tours to India for WEA Travel together with her husband Satish. She has a great pas-
sion for Indian culture, cooking and textiles and delights in taking visitors to her homeland. Often appearing in colourful sarees she
adds genuine warmth and local knowledge to the tour.
Inclusions: Flights Adelaide to Adelaide with Singapore Airlines; Fully escorted; Local Guides; All accommodation; All meals as per
itinerary; All entrance fees as per itinerary; Pre and Post tour get togethers; Study notes
Interstate passengers most welcome; Small groups; Free Travel Club; Caring tour consultants; Unique cultural focus
Day 1 Sunday 13 Nov
Day 2 Monday 14 Nov
Day 3 Tuesday 15 Nov
Day 4 Wednesday 16 Nov
Adelaide - Chennai
Depart Adelaide this morning with Singa-
pore Airlines to Chennai in southern India
with a connection in Singapore.
Overnight Chennai
Meals in flight
Chennai
To pick up a feel for old Madras you
begin exploring this morning with your
local guide. You visit the important land-
mark of Fort St George which houses St
Mary’s church, the oldest surviving Brit-
ish Anglican church in India and the Fort
Museum which displays a collection from
the tenure of the East India Companyin
Chennai including letters from Robert
Clive. The Fort itself was built in 1640 as
the first bastion of British power in India.
You also see Santhome Roman Catholic
Church which is said to house the remains
of St Thomas the Apostle who came to
India around 58AD, as well as St Thomas
Mount and Little Mount Shrine. The Na-
tional Art Gallery is also a wonderful
treasure included in your itinerary.
Overnight Chennai
Breakfast ● Dinner
Chennai
Today you have a true taste of authentic
Indian life when you visit a typical Indian
flower and fruit market with your tour
leader. You can purchase luscious tropical
fruits and marvel at the fabulous array of
tropical flowers which are such an integral
part of celebrating life in India. You also
visit the hypnotic 8th century Kapa-
leeshwar Temple built by Brahma for Lord
Shiva. There is time to join Promila
browsing and bartering for vibrant silks
and fabrics for which southern India is so
noted and in particular its silk sarees.
Chennai is also famous for its flavoursome
southern Indian food and Promila is an
expert.
Overnight Chennai
Breakfast ● Welcome Dinner
Chennai - Pondicherry
After breakfast you take the coastal route
to Mahabalipuram stopping at the 7th cen-
tury Shore Temple and the 7th century
Trimurti Temple which is perched high on
the cliff tops and dedicated to the three
supreme deities of the Hindus; Brahma -
the creator, Vishnu - the preserver and
Shiva - the destroyer. Visiting Trimurti is
likened to awakening in another era where
time has stood still. These temples are part
of the Mahabalipuram site - the ancient
port city of the Pallavas which perfected
the art of construction by carving exquis-
ite sculptures from the rock. The most
prized examples of it’s art are the five
monolith chariots. Some of the world’s
finest Bas-reliefs can also be seen here,
depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
You also visit Kanchipuram where you
explore Kamakshi Amman, the
Kailashanathar Temple and Ekam-
bareshwar Temple; both dedicated to Lord
Shiva.
Overnight Pondicherry
Breakfast ● Dinner
Day 5 Thursday 17 Nov
Day 6 Friday 18 Nov
Day 8 Sunday 20 Nov
Day 9 Monday 21 Nov
Day 10 Tuesday 22 Nov
Day 11 Wednesday 23 Nov
Day 12 Thursday 24 Nov
Pondicherry
Pondicherry was ruled by the French for
almost three centuries and French archi-
tectural styles and refinement is evident
everywhere. Today you visit Sri Auro-
bindo Ashram where people of all na-
tionalities, beliefs and cultures come to
live in harmony. It is a vibrant centre of
life. You also have a guided tour of the
Pondicherry Museum which exhibits
superb collections of bronze sculptures of
gods and goddesses, handicrafts and art.
After lunch you take to a cycle-rickshaw
on a heritage tour exploring the historical
French town and White town where or-
nate gateways and arches, garden court-
yards filled with vibrant bougainvilleas
and grand colonial houses with pink,
yellow and white facades line the streets.
The remainder of the day is free to relax
and explore this beautiful haven. This
evening you learn about and sample
some of the delicious specialities of au-
thentic southern Indian cuisine.
Overnight Pondicherry
Breakfast ● Dinner
Pondicherry - Trichy
Visit 11th century Tanjore Temple this
morning enroute to Trichy. This famous
granite stone Brihadeeswara temple was
built from a single granite block and is
now a UNESCO World Heritage protect-
ed heritage site. It’s 14 story high Vima-
na and workmanship are exquisite. Other
sites of interest here include Sarabhoji
Maharajas Fort, Rajagopal arsenal tower,
Sadar Mahal, Saraswathi Mahal Library
and Our Lady of Sorrows church. On
arrival in the magnificent holy city of
Trichy you check in for two nights.
Overnight Trichy
Breakfast ● Dinner
Day 7 Saturday 19 Nov
Trichy
The Rock Fort Vinayaka Temple is the
spiritual landmark of Trichy. It sits atop a
rock above the city and stands over 84
metres high. In the 18th century the Brit-
ish fought and defeated the French here
for possession of the Fort. It features
cave shrines and temples, the Hall of a
Thousand Pillars and the Shrive of Shi-
va. You also explore the gigantic Ranga-
nathswamy Temple complex dedicated
to the Hindu god Vishnu. You then have
free time to potter and enjoy Trichy at
your leisure. Promila is happy to browse
for locally made crafts, for which Trichy
is well known such as glass diamonds
and bangles and handloom cloth.
Overnight Trichy
Breakfast ● Dinner
Trichy - Chettinad
After breakfast you take a leisurely drive
to Chettinad. Relax and enjoy the charac-
teristic sights of this unhurried part of
India. Chettinad is known as the capital
of the spiciest and most aromatic cuisine
in all of India. ‘Chettinad’ means a social
caste specialising in the preparation of
food and Chettinads are considered won-
derful chefs. Check in to your hotel
which is reminiscent of Chettinad’s glori-
ous past then in the late afternoon learn
about and taste some of the delicious
spices and reginal dishes. Chettinad is
also noted for its fine 18th century man-
sions, hand loom cotton sarees and beau-
tiful Athangudi hand crafted tiles.
Overnight Chettinad
Breakfast ● Dinner
Chettinad - Madurai
After a leisurely start you travel to Madu-
rai, the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu.
Madurai is profoundly Tamil and is one
of the oldest cities in India, famed for its
fabulous Meenakshi Temple. There are
many grand and breathtaking temples in
India but Meenakshi is the most splendid
of them all. Check in to your hotel which
reflects wonderful southern Indian ambi-
ence and relax or explore.
Overnight Madurai
Breakfast ● Dinner
Madurai
This morning you visit the great
Meenakshi Temple, built in the sumptu-
ous Dravidian style. The present temple
dates to 1560 and was designed by
Vishwanatha Nayak. It is a huge com-
plex and its interior is adorned with
colourful wall and ceiling paintings. Its
tall gopurams are encrusted with a
breathtaking array of gods, goddesses,
demons and heroes. You also visit the
gracious Tirumala Nayak Palace famous
for the Stucco work on its domes and
arches, the lush Alagar Hills and the
mystically beautiful Thirupparan
Kundram rock hewn temple.
Overnight Madurai
Breakfast ● Dinner
Madurai - Periyar
Today you drive to Periyar. Enjoy rustic
scenes of southern Indian life as you
relax and enjoy the journey. In Periyar
you visit a spice plantation. From the
14th century onwards the hills of Periyar
have been amassed with plantations of
precious cardamom, cinnamon, ginger,
nutmeg, mace and anise.
Overnight Periyar
Breakfast ● Dinner
Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat
Take an early morning boat cruise on
Lake Periyar; a beautiful way to experi-
ence the sanctuary of Periyar where an
estimated 700 Indian elephants roam the
forests. They frequently come to the
edges of the lake to frolic in the water.
You next drive to Kumarakom to board
a Kerala houseboat where lunch is
served. One of the most memorable
experiences of travel to southern India
is the opportunity to glide along the
shimmering backwaters of Kerala on a
traditional houseboat. This labyrinth of
calm waterways between the hills and
sea stretches from Cochin to Kollam.
Overnight Kerala houseboat
Breakfast ● Lunch ● Dinner