26 July – 11 August 2010
led by Pamela Draycott
13 Nights - 15 Days ~ From £2,195
This visit is a must for those with an interest in thegreat religions of India. It will provide anopportunity to experience first hand the sights,sounds, smells and tastes of India, and to reflect onthe diversity of religions practised here. It will alsooffer ample opportunity for RE teachers to deepentheir knowledge and understanding, and of course totake photographs and buy artefacts.Our visit begins in Delhi where we start toacclimatise to the excitement and contrasts of India,and encounter Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism,and of course Hinduism. We will spend some timein the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi,including making a visit to the important Raj Ghat memorial.
London • Delhi • Varanasi • Calcutta • Chennai • Tiruvannamalai • Kanchipuram • Chennai • Mahaballipuram • London
Then on to the holy city of Varanasi on the banksof the river Ganga. Here we immerse ourselves inancient Hindu traditions, and also encounter theBuddha in the Deer Park at Sarnath, where he gavehis first teaching.We continue to the great and magical city ofCalcutta, the city of Kali and Mother Teresa, wherewe also visit the “Black Hole” memorial and thatgreat reminder of empire, the Victoria Memorial.Then on to Chennai where as well as 500 year oldPortuguese churches, we discover the long traditionthat St. Thomas himself brought Christianity to India.
Then on into the heart of South India, to thetemple city of Tiruvannamalai, built at the foot ofMount Arunachala, sacred to Lord Shiva. Herethe unity of the human and divine is furtheremphasised in the ashram of the great modernsaint, Ramana Maharishi.
Our tour ends with a visit to the 10th centuryShore Temple and rock carvings ofMahaballipuram, richly deserving of their WorldHeritage status.Pamela Draycott is widely experienced in thefield of Religious Education; she worked for REToday for many years, and is now CurriculumAdviser for RE and Citizenship for Kent CC, andis also an experienced tour and pilgrimage leader.This is an opportunity not to be missed!
Day 1. To Delhi
1720 departure from Heathrow on direct British Airways flight.
Day 2. Delhi
0615 arrival in Delhi. Stay at Claridges Hotel (4*). Visit the Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Jain and Sikh temples.
Day 3. Delhi
Visit the Raj Ghat and nearby Gandhi Memorial. Overnight sleeper train to Varanasi.
Day 4. Varanasi
Stay at Clarks Hotel (5*). Afternoon visit to nearby Sarnath, where the Buddha began to turn the wheel of enlightenment. Evening aarti ceremony by river Ganga.
Day 5. Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on river Ganga. Overnight sleeper train to Calcutta.
Day 6. Calcutta
Stay at Park Hotel (5*). Afternoon visits to Ramakrishna temple and Loretto school.
Day 7. Calcutta
Visit the Kali Temple and Mother Teresa’s Home.
Day 8. Calcutta
Visit Digambara Jain temple, St. John’s Church and Victoria Memorial.
Day 9. To Chennai
0830 flight to Chennai, arriving 1025. Stay at Radha Regent Hotel (3*). Temple and church visits.
Day 10. Chennai
Visit the St. Thomas sites of Chennai.
Day 11. To Tiruvannamalai via Kanchipuram
Drive to the temple city of Tiruvannamalai, via the silk city of Kanchipuram. Stay at Sparsa Resort.
Day 12. Tiruvannamalai
All day visit to the Sri Ramana Maharishi Ashram.
Day 13. Tiruvannamalai
Early morning parikrama of the sacred hill of Arunachala, and visit to the huge Arunachaleswara temple.
Day 14. To Chennai
Return drive to Chennai via the World Heritage Site of Mahaballipuram.
Day 15. To London
0805 departure on direct BA flight, arriving London Heathrow at 1420.
Optional beach extension:
Day 14. To Mahabalipuram
Drive to Mahaballipuram to visit the World Heritage Site. Stay at eg. Ideal Beach Resort.
Day 15. Mahabalipuram
A day on the beach.
Day 16. To Chennai
Late afternoon drive back to Chennai.
Day 17 . To London
0805 departure on direct BA flight, arriving London Heathrow at 1420.
Tour prices:
Cost per person sharing double / twin room - £2195.00
Single room supplement - £561.00
2 day beach extension at Mahabalipuram
Cost per person sharing double / twin room - £155.00
Single room supplement - £69.00
Business class flight supplements are available on request.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you a land only cost for the holiday.
The Cost includes:
International airfare in economy class on British Airways including departure taxes.
Internal flights in economy class as specified including all taxes.
Accommodation as specified in the itinerary, with daily breakfast.
All transport and sightseeing arrangements by air-conditioned chauffeur driven private coach.
Entry fee to monuments and places of interest. Services of local English speaking guide for sightseeing as specified.
Services of our local office representative to assist you at airports, railway stations and hotels.
Services of tour leader.
Train tickets in highest class.
Cost does not include:
Visa fee (£30.00).
Travel Insurance
Any expenses of a personal nature
For Bookings and Enquiries: please call 020 8901 7320 or E-mail:
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