Exotic Landscapes & Monuments of South India and Sri Lanka November 1 14, 2019 This tour is a delightful and satisfying combination of South India s rich architectural history filled with ancient temples, colonial outposts, and vibrant cities and the historic heartland of Sri Lanka with its concentration of extravagant ancient ruins, caves temples and rock fortresses. Tamil Nadu is a gentler, more relaxing introduction to the wonders of India. Visit the grand temple complexes that are both testaments to the great cultural opulence left behind by erstwhile dynasties and displays of current spirituality and community. Meet with the priests and merchants who keep the temples alive. Chill in the French colonial vibe of Pondicherry and stroll its ocean-front promenade. Explore the fabulously decorated courtyard mansions of little-travelled Chettinad and learn to prepare the finest cuisine in India. Sri Lanka punches above its size with a plethora of extraordinary sites. With five UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this route, you ll be amazed by the timeless wonders of its 2000-plus years of culture. Legendary temples are found in caves and on hilltops and ruins of ancient civilizations spread over the central plains. We ll meet with monks in sacred hidden caves, taste Ceylon tea at the plantation, and visit medieval capitals by bike or on foot. These still relatively less travelled treasures of the sub-continent promise days filled with discovery!
View of Kandy What s great about our India: Through our own office in Delhi, we manage every aspect of the trip Authentic experiences; tuk-tuk food safaris, stopping for street-stall coffee INDIA Private access to sites and family-hosted meals Must-see sites and small villages too Volvo air-conditioned bus Chettinad Madurai Charming, small-scale accommodation alumni travellers rave about Hands-on, approachable guides and escorts Colombo Laccadive Sea Chennai Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Tanjore SRI LANKA Polonnaruwa Nuwara Eliya Kandy TOUR LEADER Manoj Abraham, a proud Keralan, heads up the logistics team in our Delhi office. Whether designing tours with a painstaking attention to detail or leading our travellers across India and Sri Lanka, Manny draws on his exceptional network of contacts to create intimate and enriching experiences.
Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Chennai (Madras) Arrive in Chennai where you are met by our local representative and accompanied to our hotel, a short drive from the city along the coast. Most flights arrive in Chennai late at night; enjoy a good night s sleep to prepare for the adventures ahead! Overnight: Fisherman s Cove Hotel, Mahabalipuram Day 2: The Shore Temple of Mamallapuram Enjoy a leisurely morning; we ll meet for brunch and then head out to visit the magnificent Shore Temple, the height of Pallava architecture. Dating from the 8th century, this is the earliest freestanding stone temple in Tamil Nadu the perfect way to begin our consideration of these magnificent buildings. At sunset, the temple s colours glow. Overnight: Fisherman s Cove Hotel, Mahabalipuram Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner Day 3: Along the Coromandel Coast to Pondicherry The former French colony of Pondicherry has retained a French fusion vibe. The city was under French rule until 1954 and now reflects a bohemian-chic feel with quiet cobbled streets lined with mustard-yellow colonial houses. Enjoy a guided walk in the Ville Noir to get a feel for the unique Franco-Tamil ambience and the restored heritage buildings. Visit the Hindu temple of Manakula Vinayagar, which has 40 different forms of Lord Ganesha and a temple elephant that blesses devotees. Overnight: Palais de Mahe, Pondicherry Day 4: Explore the capital of French India The nearby community of Auroville is conceived as a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony and to realize human unity. A morning visit introduces the community and the sustainable projects undertaken here. This afternoon is free to explore on your own; Pondi is easy to navigate and there is a huge selection of galleries, museums, and shops to enjoy. Overnight: Palais de Mahe, Pondicherry Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Traditional South Indian cuisine Day 5: The kaleidoscopic Sri Ranganathaswamy temple Our drive today (about four hours) takes us inland toward Tanjore, the rice bowl of Southern India. We ll visit the mammoth temple, so large it feels like a self-enclosed city; indeed the commercial mixes with the sacred here as you walk past shops and restaurants to see the 49 separate shrines. The end of the day brings us to a simple riverside hotel; watch farmers bringing water buffaloes home from the terrace. Overnight: Mantra Veppathur, Kumbakonam Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 6: Tanjore s magnificent temple complex, Chettinad In Tanjore this morning, we ll visit the Royal Palace, a mix of decrepit building and glorious art, and the World Heritagelisted Brihadishwara Temple as the sun captures palette of reds, oranges, yellows, and pinks over the magnificent temple. Then we drive (about 90 minutes) to Chettinad, the cultural home of the Chettiars who made their fortune as money lenders, merchants, and jewellers. Most migrated in the 19th and 20th centuries to new business ventures throughout Southeast Asia from where they sent back lavish furnishings to outfit their magnificent mansions. We re staying in one of these splendidly restored mansions for two nights. The hotel s kitchen is presided over by ladies who have carefully maintained the traditions of the distinctive Chettinad cuisine. Overnight: Visalam Hotel, Chettinad
Day 10: Anuradhapura Today we head out to discover the full extent of this fascinating city. The clavicle of the Buddha was safeguarded here and the huge brick stupas were some of the greatest archaeological feats of their time. Some of these dagobas date back to the 1st century BC; the first view of the 75 metre-high Abhayagiri stupa through a gap in the surrounding forest is breathtaking. The sacred bodhi tree in the centre of the site was brought from India and is said to be the oldest tree in the world, tended by an uninterrupted succession of guardians for over 2000 years. Overnight: Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Abhayagiri stupa Day 7: Chettinad The Indian adage has it that one is lucky to eat like Chettiar. Food in Chettinad is one of the most distinctive in the country, using a distinctive set of spices including star anise seed, peppercorns, cinnamon, bay leaves, and nutmeg plus unusual local ingredients. We ll have a cooking class this morning and learn to prepare a traditional meal. There s time this afternoon to relax and explore the lost grandeur of this striking village. Overnight: Visalam Hotel, Chettinad Day 8: Madurai Drive through the Tamil countryside to Madurai (about four hours), the soul of Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest cities in India, a metropolis that traded with Ancient Rome. Visit the Brihadishwara Temple, the crowning glory of Chola temple architecture. This evening, enjoy a tuk-tuk safari our resident foodies will share their favourite (tried and tested) food stalls for an authentic and delicious experience. Overnight: Taj Gateway, Madurai Overnight: Breakfast, Lunch Day 11: Excursion to Polonnaruwa At nearly 1000 years old, Polonnaruwa is one of Sri Lanka s ancient capital cities and one of its most spectacular with its tombs and temples, statues and stupas, ornate parks and the pièce de resistance a 2500 hectare tank. Due to its reasonably compact layout, we can explore the ruins on foot. Later visit the Minneriya National Park to observe wild elephants as the congregate around the 3rd century water tank to bath and graze on the grasses. Painted Stork, Great While Pelican and Gray Heron fly overhead. Overnight: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana Day 12: Drive to Kandy This morning visit a Spice Garden where cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and cardamom are cultivated. Our route continues to the town of Kandy, in a beautiful setting amidst three mountain ranges. Kandy is home to a rich Sinhalese cultural tradition and is home to Sri Lanka s most important Buddhist relic a tooth of the Buddha. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic when devotees offer prayers. Later attend a performance of Kandyan dancers. Overnight: Cinnamon Citadel, Kandy Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Elephants at Minneriya Day 9: Fly to Colombo, drive to Anuradhapura Take the morning flight from Madurai to the capital of Sri Lanka, and head out right away to Anuradhapura, in the heart of the country s cultural triangle. The spiritual and secular capital of the island for over a millennium, the site contains sacred Buddhist shrines; the ruins here are among the most evocative sights of South Asia. Enormous brick stupas, crumbling temples, and ancient pools are still used as holy places. Overnight: Palm Garden Village, Anuradhapura
Tea plantation Optional Extension We ll stay in Sri Lanka to further exlore Yala National Park and Galle. Yala National Park has what is thought to be the highest density of wild Leopards in the world. As a world-renowned wildlife photographer recently said If God created somewhere for Leopards, it had to be Yala. We ll discover a variety of habitats through our open-jeep safaris. Then, head to the western side of the island to enjoy the exotic coastal city of Galle, one of Sri Lanka s most underrated gems. Leopard Day 13: The ocean city of Colombo This morning head to the harbour with leafy mango trees. The port city of Colombo has been a wide open door for sailors from the early Arab traders to the present. It s now a city filled with stylish eateries, galleries and distinctive neighbourhoods; in the Fort area we ll see colonial architecture being carefully restored, Pettah is chock full of markets, and there is a fine example of the work of the renowned modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa. Overnight: Galle Face Hotel Day 14: Depart Colombo Transfer to the airport for homeward-bound flights or consider extending your stay in the south of Sri Lanka. Meals: Breakfast Galle Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events.
Cave temple in Dambulla TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$5495 Single Supplement: US$1500 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. This will be collected at 90 days prior to departure. Group Size: 14 22 participants What s Included: Airport transfers for passengers arriving and departing as per the group itinerary Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotels listed or similar Meals as indicated in the itinerary All internal transportation by private coach Sightseeing with qualified English-speaking guides All activities and entrance fees Two performances Taxes and gratuities (for guides, drivers, hotels, restaurants) as indicated above Fully escorted by your Worldwide Quest tour leader Not Included: Airfare from your home to join the tour Visa fees (obtained prior to departure, US$50) Meals other than those mentioned above Beverages with meals Fuel surcharges, if applicable Travel insurance Excess baggage charges Items of a personal nature Additional arrangements required due to any emergency or other situation Payment Details: A deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve your space on this tour. A payment of US$1000 is due six months prior to departure. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
WHAT TO EXPECT Level of Activity: Moderate A good level of fitness is required to enjoy this trip. You should be able to walk up to three hours at a time over uneven terrain both in rural areas and in crowded cities. In some places access to temples and forts is only on foot with some steep ascents. Shoes must be removed to enter some temples. Should you have any questions about your ability to take part in this tour, please give us a call. Accommodation We are staying in a mix of Western style hotels and restored heritage inns. We begin our trip at the luxury Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai. In Pondicherry and Chettinad we are staying in particularly lovely heritage inns that beautifully reflect the character and charm of their locations. In Sri Lanka we are staying in two heritage lodges in tranquil forest surroundings in Anuradhapura and Habanara, a comfortable modern hotel in Kandy and an historic seafront hotel in Colombo. Transportation We will be travelling in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle driven by a professional driver. While roads are mostly paved except on rural back roads, there are few divided highways, therefore, we cannot expect to cover distances as quickly as we might in North America. There are some long driving days but roadside scenery provides a quintessential South Asian experience. Weather We expect sunny skies and lovely warm weather throughout our South India trip. Temperatures will likely range from highs of 30 C to overnight lows of 20 C. Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. You will require a visa for India which must be obtained prior to arrival. The current cost of this visa is US$50. ADDITIONAL INFO Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946). Cancellation Policy All payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Your second payment and your final payment are non-refundable and nontransferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. Worldwide Quest Explorers Club We d like to make sure that you know about our Worldwide Explorers Club. Travel twice with us and we ll say a special thank you by taking 5% off on all your subsequent trips! The bonus applies to our brochure trips only and you ll find many there to choose from. TICO#: 2667946