At a Glance:
On our Kerala craft, textile, and culture tour, one can explore the state's rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its architecture, dance forms, music, and cuisine. Some of the must-visit places in Kerala include Fort Kochi, known for its colonial architecture and vibrant art scene, and the hill station of Munnar, which is famous for its tea plantations and scenic beauty. In addition to crafts, Kerala is also known for its traditional textiles, such as the famous Kasavu sarees and mundus, which are made from cotton and feature intricate gold borders. Other textiles such as Kalamkari, a form of hand-painted cotton or silk fabric. A Kerala craft, textile, and culture tour typically involves exploring the state's various cities, towns, and villages to learn about its unique art forms, crafts, and textiles.
Come and join this amazing journey with our expert guides.
Artists Profile:
Wendy Dolan is a fellow of The Society of Designer Craftsmen, The Sussex Guild of Designers and Makers, The Embroiderers' Guild and the crafts Council Maker's Index.
Qualified with a B.Ed. degree and a diploma in Creative Embroidery. She exhibits and sells her work at exhibitions and shows nationwide. Specialising in freehand machine embroidery and related creative stitching techniques, she offers a range of courses, lectures and workshops. She has been on several textile holiday to India as a tour leader.
Highlight of the Tour:
• 1 Natural dyeing workshop
• 1 Shibori workshop
• 1 Batik workshop
• 1 Block printing workshop
• Visit Kathakali dance performance
• Explore the fort Cochin
• Visit to tea gardens and tea factory
• Visit khadi weaving centre
• Visit to traditional Kerala saree weaving centre
• Experience the boat cruise at the Alleppey backwaters.
• Visit local villages, see paddy fields, local life, coconut and banana trees etc
Cultural and Textile Tour of Kerala
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Day 1: 20 FEB 2024 TUE DEPART UK
Flight TBA Depart UK TBA Hrs -
Day 2: 21 FEB 2024 WED ARRIVE FORT KOCHI
Arrive Kochi International Airport and transfer to your hotel.
In the evening, enjoy the Kathakali Dance performance
Kathakali is a traditional dance drama of Kerala; it dates from the 17th Century and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Kathakali is one of the most complicated, highly stylized Indian art form that is basically a Dance Drama noted for its heavy and attractive larger than life make up, elaborate costumes, detailed body movements, synchronized eye-hands movements and thematic presentation of stories with rhythmic steps.
Dinner& Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 3: 22 FEB 2024 THU FORT KOCHI
After breakfast visit to Khadi weaving centre and handloom weaving co-operatives by ferry from Fort Kochi.
Lunch will be at local restaurant on direct payment
Later explore Fort Kochi visiting St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace and Chinese Fishing nets.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 4: 23 FEB 2024 FRI FORT KOCHI TO MUNNAR
After breakfast you will drive to Munnar [150 Kms: 5 Hrs]
Arrive Munnar and check-in at your hotel. Later visit to tea gardens and tea museum
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 5: 24 FEB 2024 SAT MUNNAR
After breakfast participate in Natural Dyeing workshop at SRISHTI welfare society and explore their handmade paper factory and strawberry jam making unit.
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.
Dinner Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 6: 25 FEB 2024 SUN MUNNAR TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom[143 km: 4.5hrs]
In the afternoon Board the houseboat from boat jetty in Kumarakom. Lunch will be serve on board.
Kettuvallams, the stitched boats provide the best way to experience the colourful backwaters of Kerala. The wood commonly used to make Kettuvallams is 'Anhili', which is found in abundance in central Travancore area. Large planks are tied together using hand-made coir ropes and beaten coconut fibres. This gives the Kettuvallams enough strength to withstand heavy waves in the sea. Kettuvallams are built entirely without the use of nails. It requires great skill and adroitness to construct these giant boats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. The boats are applied with fish oil and cashew nut oil and left to cure for days. With careful maintenance, they last for generations.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 7: 26 FEB 2024 MON KUMARAKOM TO THRISSUR
After breakfast drive to Thrissur [125 Kms: 5 Hrs]
Thrissur, also known as Trichur, is a city located in the southwestern state of Kerala in India.
It is the cultural capital of Kerala and is known for its rich history, vibrant festivals, and artistic traditions.
Arrive Thrissur check-in at your hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 8: 27 FEB 2024 TUE THRISSUR
After breakfast excursion to Kuthampully [55 Kms: 1.5 Hrs approximately] to see the process of traditional saree weaving.
The traditional colors used in Kuthampully sarees are off-white, cream, and golden yellow, and the sarees are usually decorated with intricate patterns and motifs in contrasting colors. The designs often include stripes, checks, floral motifs, and geometrical shapes.
Lunch will be at local restaurant on direct payment basis.
Later visit small village [24 Kms: 50 mins approx.] to see the traditional lamp-making technique.
Dinner this evening is at your hotel.
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Day 9: 28 FEB 2024 WED THRISSUR - KANNUR
After early breakfast at your hotel
Experience the Indian Railway system.
The train will depart from Thrissur around 9.20 am and will reach by 4:30 pm
Arrive in Kannur and check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.
Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel.
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Day 10: 29 FEB 2024 THU KANNUR
After leisure breakfast visit tothe Sargaalaya Craft Village a cultural and artisanal centre.
Lunch will be at the Sargaalaya craft village and later explore one of Kannur’s thriving co-operative handloom
The craft stalls in the Sargaalaya are run by local artisans, who sell a wide range of handmade products, including clothing, jewelry, home decor, and handicrafts. Visitors can interact with the artisans and watch them create their products using traditional techniques.
Lunch will be at the Sargaalaya craft village and later explore one of Kannur’s thriving co-operative handloom workshops. The warping, winding, dyeing and weaving are all important steps in the traditional process of handloom weaving, .
Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel
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Day 11: 01 MAR 2024 FRI KANNUR TO KOZHIKODE
After breakfast visit to nearby village to see the spice plantation and everyday Life. Later drive to Kozhikode [90 Kms: 3 Hrs]. On arrival check-in at your hotel.
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.
Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.
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Day 12: 02 MAR 2024 SAT KOZHIKODE
After Breakfast is at the hotel participate in full day Batik workshop with expert artist at Tasara Weaving Centre from 10 am to 4 pm
Lunch will be served during the workshop.
After lunch continue with the workshop and later visit to fruit and vegetable market.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel
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Day 13: 03 MAR 2024 SUN KOZHIKODE
After Breakfast participate in Batik workshop at Tasara Creative Weaving Centre from 10 am to 1 pm
Lunch will be served during the workshop. After lunch participate in Shibori workshop [2 – 4:30 pm]
In the evening visit to boat makers to know the process of boat making.
The art of boat making has been practiced in Kozhikode for centuries, and the boats made here are renowned for their durability, strength, and beauty.
The traditional boats made in Kozhikode are called "Uru" or "Dhow." These boats are typically made of wood, with teak being the preferred wood for construction. The boats are built using traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations of boat builders.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel
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Day 14: 04 MAR 2024 MON KOZHIKODE
After Breakfast participate in full day Shibori workshop at Tasara Creative Weaving Centre from 10 am to 4 Pm
Lunch will be served during the workshop.
Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy independent activities.
Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 15: 05 MAR 2024 TUE DEPART KOZHIKODE
At an appropriate time, you will be transferred to Kozhikode International Airport for return flights to all destinations.
Flight TBA Depart Kozhikode TBA -
Day 16: 06 MAR 2024 WED ARRIVE HEATHROW
Arrive at Heathrow Airport and safely make your own way back home with Happy memories.
Tour Cost
| Wendy Dolan | Craft & Cultural Tour of Kerala |
|---|---|
| DATE OF TRAVEL | 20 Feb 2024 – 06 Mar 2024 |
| Based on stay in a twin share Room | GBP 2490 per person |
| Based on stay in a Single Private Room | GBP 3390 per single |
Above price does not include international airfare
