EDUCATIONAL and CULTURAL TOURS

T (08) 8223 1272 ● F (08) 8232 3690 ● E tours@wea-sa.com.au 223 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000

TTA 183

E&OE

Day 16 Sunday 27 November

Day 17 Monday 28 November

Day 18 Tuesday 29 November

Day 15 Saturday 26 November

Day 14 Friday 25 November

Day 13 Thursday 24 November

Day 20 Thursday 1 December

Day 19 Wednesday 30 Novem-

Photographs: Meanest Indian: McKatSavage; nborun; antani; Strudelt; Muhammad; Bhattacharyn; flikrPrince

BANGALORE -BANNERGHATTA After breakfast you have an excursion to the

Bannerghatta National Park. A variety of fauna including lions, Indian tigers, crocodiles and many other mammals can be

seen in the picturesque surroundings of Bannerghatta. Picnic corner, pet’s corner, the serpentarium, a butterfly park and the lion’s safari are among the many attractions. Overnight Bangalore Breakfast

BANGALORE-MYSORE This morning you take a train to Mysore, said to be the prettiest town in India. The journey is around 2 hours where you can relax and participate in Indian life’s colourful parade as you travel through lovely countryside, towns and villages. On arrival you check in to your hotel and have some leisure time to explore this lovely town. Overnight Mysore Breakfast

MYSORE Today you visit the Brindavan Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens in all of India. It was constructed during the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar across the

Cauvery River and below the Krishnarajasagar dam. It features huge lawns and a kaleidoscope of colourful flowers. A feature of the garden is the ‘dancing fountain’. You also tour the Maharajah’s

Palace and the Gothic-style St Philomena’s Church. Overnight Mysore Breakfast

MYSORE-MUMBAI You have some free time in Mysore this morning before flying to Mumbai via Bangalore. You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel. Overnight Mumbai Breakfast

MUMBAI Formerly Bombay, Mumbai is known as the ‘Gateway to India’ and the capital of the Maharashtra State. It represents India’s unity in diversity, representing all cultures, religions, languages and regions of the country. Derived from the Hindu Goddess Mumbadevi, it is the most populous metropolitan area in India. A fabulously vibrant city, today you discover its flair on a sightseeing tour which Other sights include the Church of St John the Evangelist, an Afghan church, the Sasson Dock and Gateway to India. Overnight Mumbai Breakfast

MUMBAI Today you visit the ‘Elephanta Caves’ located at Gharapuri Island, a group of three small villages nearby Mumbai. These caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the period from 9th to 13th century AD, are famous for the ancient sculptures it’s temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The prime deity in the temple is Ardhanarishwara, a blend of half man and half woman representing Shiva and Parvathi, these and other wonderful sculptures of Elephants, depicting three faces of Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara, are the man attraction of the caves. You also explore the ‘Colaba Causeway’ a major road link elevated by a

bank between Mumbai’s Old Woman’s Island and Colaba. The causeway, established by English East India Company, is adjacent to the Gateway of India and is a heaving frenetic maze of shops, hotels, cinema halls and restaurants. Overnight Mumbai Breakfast, farewell dinner

MUMBAI Mumbai has one of the largest film industries in the world. Today you experience Bollywood in all its glory watching a film shooting at Film City and a Bollywood movie at the Red Lounge Cinema in the evening. You watch the movie on blankets as you enjoy a picnic tea. Overnight Mumbai Breakfast and picnic tea

Day 21 Friday 2 December

Day 22 Saturday 3 December

MUMBAI –KUALA LUMPUR This morning you go on a walking tour of the Mumbai slums, said to be the largest in the world and the set for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. You also have some free time in the afternoon for last minute bargaining and sightseeing. For your convenience a late hotel check out has been arranged. In the evening you board your flight from Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur. Overnight in Flight Breakfast

KUALA LUMPUR You arrive in Kuala Lumpur in the morning and have the use of a day hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to rest, relax or explore before departing for Adelaide in the evening.

You arrive in Adelaide in the morning.

...enriching lives through cultural exchange

12 November 3 December

2011

22 days $5520 twin share + taxes Single $1450+ taxes ● Balance due 5th September 2011

Chennia ■ Pondicherry ■ Trichy ■ Madurai ■ Allepey Kochi ■ Bangalore ■ Mysore ■ Mumbai

Day 1 Saturday 12 November

Day 3 Monday 14 November

Day 2 Snday 13 November

Day 4 Tuesday 15 November Day 5 Wednesday 16 November

ADELAIDE-KUALA LUMPUR Depart Adelaide airport for Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. Overnight Kuala Lumpur Meals in flight

KUALA LUMPUR This morning you have free time in Kuala Lumpur. You may wish to visit the Kings Palace, the Famous Mosque, the Twin Towers, or the Botanical Gardens. You can visit exotic fruit and spice markets, shop in modern department stores or simply relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. You may leave your luggage at the concierge for the day. In the early evening you return to the airport to board your flight to Chennai (formerly Madras). On arrival you transfer to your hotel. Overnight Chennai Meals in flight

1680 as well as the Fort Museum with its many interesting structures and monuments. You visit the National Art Gallery to view its architectural appeal, handicrafts from 11th and 12th century and various traditions of Indian painting. In the evening you visit Kapaleeshwar Temple an 8th century temple built by Brahma (one of the three trinities) for Lord Shiva (the second trinity). Overnight Chennai Breakfast ● dinner

CHENNAI This morning you may relax or begin exploring locally. In the afternoon you visit the Fort St George an important landmark in Chennai. It houses the St Mary’s Church which is the oldest Anglican Church built in

CHENNAI Your tour guide will take you to a typical Indian Flower and Fruit Market this morning where you can purchase luscious tropical fruits and marvel at the fascinating array of tropical flowers which are so integral to celebrating life in India. Chennai is also famous for its silk sarees. Those who wish can accompany Promila in bargaining for

and purchasing beautiful sarees and vibrant fabrics. The afternoon is free to be mesmerized by the sheer colour and bustleof life in Chennai. In the evening you attend a cultural show of traditional southern Indian classical dancing including dinner. Overnight Chennai Breakfast ● dinner

CHENNAI-PONDICHERRY This morning you take a pleasant drive to coastal Mahabalipuram to visit the Shore Temple, a 7th century monument by the sea. You also visit Trimurthi Cave Temple, nestled on a high cliff this rock-cut temple also constructed in the 7th century is dedicated to the three supreme deities of the Hindus, Brahma-the creator, Vishnu-the preserver

S umptuous Southern India, perhaps less travelled than the north, has so much to delight and fascinate its visitors from the exquisite Brindavan Gardens, the most beautiful in all of India to the highly intricately decorated Meenakshi Temple, the holy temple of the Hindus and one of the Seven

Wonders of India. The balmy climate, lush vegetation and natural beauty, tropical waterways and sweeping coastlines provide a serene landscape where a rich colonial history abounds and magnificent temples attest to a deep spiritual life. Spend two nights on gentle waters on a Kerala houseboat, ride a train from beautiful Bangalore to Mysore, the prettiest city in India, feast on delicious cuisine and marvel at the sheer bustle, colour and vibrancy of Mumbai, the most populous metropolis in the country and testament to India’s unity in diversity. All the cultures, religions and languages of India are represented in Mumbai which is also home to the fabulous Bollywood film industry. Experience Bollywood in all its glory with a film shooting at Film City and a Red Lounge Cinema screening. Be enchanted by southern India, once visited, never to be forgotten. TOUR LEADER: Promila Gupta is proud of her Indian heritage and loves taking visitors to her homeland. She had led previous trips to India for WEA Travel and resides in Adelaide where she is a popular Indian cooking tutor for the WEA. TOUR INCLUDES: Adelaide to Adelaide airfares ● Hotel and houseboat accommodation ● Fully escorted ● All transportation ● All entrance fees Expert local guides ● Welcome and end of tour dinners ● Pre and Post tour get togethers ● Comprehensive tour pack ● Exclusive! WEA Pre tour class

Day 6 Thursday 17 November

Day 11 Tuesday 22 November

Day 7 Friday 18 November

Day 8 Saturday 19 November

Day 9 Sunday 20 November

Day 12 Wednesday 23 Novem-

and Shiva-the destroyer. A trip here is like awakening in another era where time has stood still. In the afternoon you continue down the coast to Pondicherry where you spend the next two nights. Overnight Pondicherry Breakfast

PONDICHERRY This city was ruled by the French for nearly three centuries. Today you visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram built in 1926. The ‘Auroville’ Ashram as it is known is perceived as a ‘Universal Town’. It is a place where people of different nationalities; beliefs and culture come to live in harmony. Many countries constructed permanent pavilions here, which reflect the customs, beliefs and culture of their own countries. Also on the itinerary is ‘Arikamedhu’ a once bustling Indo-Roman trade centre assumed to be the place of Roman settlements nearly 2000 years ago. Remains of a French Jesuit Mission House thought to be built in the 18th century can be seen. At the Pondicherry Museum the exhibits include some superb collections of sculpture, a very good collection of regional snail shells, bronze sculptures of gods and goddesses and a wide gathering of temple lamps, handicrafts and art. Overnight Pondicherry Breakfast

PONDICHERY-TRICHY After breakfast you depart Pondicherry and stop at the Tanjore Temple on the way to Trichy. This famous temple built in 1010 is constructed from a single granite block weighing about eighty tons. To transport this block to the top of the hill where it is situated now a ramp six kilometers in length was made by the Chola Rulers. Trichy is a magnificent holy city as well as the flourishing commercial hub of Tamil Nadu and is situated on the banks of River Cauvery. It is well known for its artificial diamonds, glass bangles, handloom cloth, cigars and clay toys. Promila will take those who wish on a shopping adventure to purchase these locally produced items. Overnight Trichy Breakfast

TRICHY-MADURAI The ‘Rock Fort Vinayaka Temple’ is the landmark of this spiritual city. This temple is 83 meters high and is the oldest rock in the world dating back around 3.800 million years, making it older than the Himalayas! It sits a top the pinnacle of the rock and is reached by 344 steps. You visit here this morning and continue on to Madurai for your overnight stay. Overnight at Madurai. Breakfast

MADURAI-ALLEPEY This morning you visit the great Meenakshi Temple, the holy temple of Hindus. It is the best example of a temple in which both God (Lord Shiva) and Goddess (Parvathi) are worshipped together. According to mythology, Lord Shiva visited Madurai to marry Parvathi and it has been the sacred abode of Goddess Parvathi since her birth. The wonderful architecture is among the Seven Wonders of India and the construction is highly intricate with great pieces of art incorporated in to the walls and pillars of the temple. You then journey to Allepey. Overnight Allepey on a Houseboat Breakfast

Day 10 Monday 21 November ALLEPEY Alleppey is a coastal town on the Arabian Sea and is considered to be India’s equivalent to Venice because of its numerous waterways. An intricate network of lagoons, canals, and lakes provide the town’s lifeline. Founded in 1762 by Raja Keshawadasan, Alleppey is a center for prawn farming, the Coir carpet industry and a place of numerous exotic sites of religious and historic importance. Today you drive to Krishnapuram Palace an 18th century two story building created with the traditional Kerala architectural features such as gabled roofs, dormer windows and

narrow corridors. It is famous for its mural paintings as well as its architecture. You visit the museum of antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes at the palace and also Pandavan Rock. Tonight we enjoy some traditional Kerala cuisine together. Overnight Alleppey on a Houseboat. Breakfast ● dinner

ALLEPEY-KOCHI-BANGALORE Today you journey up the coast to Kochi (formerly Cochin). Referred to as 'God's Country', ‘The Queen of Arabian Sea’ and ‘The Gateway to Kerala State.’ Throughout history, the Arabs, Chinese, British, Dutch, and Portuguese have all left their mark on Kochi making it a cultural melting pot. It was also the first European colonial settlement in all of India and is today the commercial centre of Kerala and boasts a fine natural harbour. Your sightseeing tour of this lovely town includes: the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), featuring astonishing murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends; and the Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 and magnificently decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Unique to Kochi is the wonderful sight of traditional Chinese fishing nets, this being the only location in the world outside China where such nets can be seen in use. Tradition has it that traders from the court of Chinese ruler Kublai Khan brought these nets here centuries ago and their popularity has remained. St Francis Church the oldest European church in India and where the famous Portuguese trader Vasco da Gama was once buried will also be visited. In the early evening you fly to Bangalore. Overnight Bangalore Breakfast

BANGALORE Also called the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore portrays a multi linguistic society whose life is centered around swish techno city offices and lovely gardens and parks. After breakfast you tour Bangalore Palace, built in 1887 in Tudor style. It has fortified towers, elegant interiors of carved of wood, Gothic windows, battlements and turrets. Also on your tour is Vidhana Soudha, a noble building built exclusively of local granite, is Bangalore’s best known landmark and has over three hundred rooms. You stroll through the Lal Bagh, one of India’s most beautiful botanical gardens. The garden has over 1000 species of rare plants and herbs across 2400 acres. There is a glass house depicting London’s Crystal Palace and this is the main center of attraction. Overnight Bangalore Breakfast