Small Group Tour in Southern India
6 February to 21 February 2025
South India plays a major role in contributing to the country’s textile arts and craft industry. From Mysore, renowned for its lustrous and elegant silk to Calicut which boasts of handloom cotton, the textile production thrives as artisans pass their knowledge and skills from one generation to another. Although each region exemplifies a distinct textile tradition, they are all joined by a common thread of craftsmanship, creativity and cultural heritage. Today the textile industry continues to be the second largest employment generating sector in India directly employing over 45 million people.
India Unbound has designed an exciting tour that blends educational and recreational experiences as you discover the exquisite and rich textile traditions of South India. Covering the main crafts unique to each region you will participate in workshops at renowned institutions like Kalakshetra, Tasara etc. with expert local artisans for a more hands-on experience in various techniques of embroidery, natural dyeing and weaving and production of silk.
Our journey begins in the state of Tamil Nadu, exploring cities like Chennai, Kanchipuram and Pondicherry before moving westwards into Kerala with a halt en route at Mysore in Karnataka.
Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by a guide and stay at a variety of accommodations ranging from boutique properties, modern hotels and nature resorts as the landscape changes from an urban setting to the undulating hills.
The tour program has been designed with a healthy balance of learning and leisure. In that, apart from workshops and factory visits, you will enjoy the benefit of guided city tours and free time for relaxation or independent exploration. There will be plenty of opportunity to engage and interact with local communities from various backgrounds offering a glimpse into their culture and daily lives.
Itinerary at a glance –
Pondicherry – Kanchipuram – Chennai – Mysore – Wayanad – Calicut
Day 1: Arrive Chennai
Day 2: Pondicherry (Indian Coffee House, Life of Pondy tour)
Day 3: Pondy (Auroville, block printing workshop – types of dyes, methods of printing and design)
Day 4: Stay in a farmhouse at Auroville (Eco printing – botanical prints, homemade Tamil lunch)
Day 5: Kanchipuram (Tour of weaving and saree making units)
Day 6: Chennai (Explore Chennai at leisure)
Day 7: Chennai (Kalakshetra – Kalamkari workshop)
Day 8: Mysore (Train ride, Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill tour, evening Devaraja market visit)
Day 9: Mysore (Complete study of silk, village and government factory visit, embroiders area)
Day 10: Mysore (Srirangapatna, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary)
Day 11: Wayanad (Stay in a coffee and pepper plantation, leisure)
Day 12: Wayanad (Uravu – sustainable development, bamboo sector)
Day 13: Calicut (City visit optional)
Day 14: Calicut (Full day workshop at Tasara)
Day 15: Calicut (Full day workshop at Tasara)
Day 16: Calicut Depart
Journeying through ancient cities and rural farmlands, this educational tour opens a door to the fascinating world of textile industry in India. Taking you beyond the showrooms, India Unbound has put together an inspiring tour that encompasses hands-on workshops, visits to weaving villages and encounters with skilled artisans. We invite you on this special journey with us which is sure to educate and entertain in equal measure.
Please email us if you would like to know more about the tour and we will share a detailed itinerary with you – mail@indiaunbound.com.au