JAN. 21 Today, we drive to Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. The city revolves around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a structure in the Dravidian style of architecture. The complex houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers) ranging from 45-50 metres in height — the tallest being the southern tower, 51.9 metres high — and two golden sculptured shrines over sanctum of the main deities. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature. The present structure was built from 1623 to 1655. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple and among the highlights are the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, the Tirumala Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum. In the evening, we enjoy the night closing ceremony of the Temple. JAN. 22 After breakfast, we travel to Thekkady, a district in Kerala, famous for the Periyar National Park. After lunch we visit a spice plantation, where cardamon, pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and tea are grown. We also see Ayurvedic medicinal plants and have an opportunity to buy some garden fresh spices. JAN. 23 We start our day with a early jungle walk at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 square kilometres, it was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. In the afternoon, we enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to watch animals in their natural habitat by the water’s edge. We may see boars, Sambars, wild dogs, Langur monkeys and wild elephants. The sanctuary is also a haven for water birds. We will see plenty of darters, grey herons, egrets and kingfishers. The evening is free to explore the local bazaar. JAN. 24 We continue our journey to Kochi (formerly Cochin). Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, it is one of the principal seaports of the country. In the evening, we enjoy a Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation, typically based on the Hindu epic poems Ramayana, and Mahabharata, is a unique combination of music, dance, acting, elaborate makeup and colourful costumes. JAN. 25 We spend the day exploring Kochi, Kerala’s commercial capital with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. We will visit St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India, where Vasco De Gama’s remains were buried before being taken back to Portugal. Next we visit the Roman Catholic Santa Cruz Cathedral built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, which is famous for beautiful paintings on its ceiling. We continue to the Jewish Quarter with its Old Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese. Later we take a boat cruise to visit Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action.
JAN. 26 After breakfast, we will drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha), a city with picturesque canals, beaches, and lagoons. We board a houseboat to begin our cruise along the backwaters to the town of Kumarakom. On our journey, we will observe the traditional way of life and activities of the local people. JAN. 27 Morning drive to Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland. Traders have been coming to this area as far back as 190 AD for spices, sandalwood, and ivory. After lunch, we begin touring Trivandrum and visit the Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Palace, Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and Sri Chitra Art Gallery with its vast collection of paintings from India, as well as Japan, China and Indonesia. We overnight in Kovalam, a beach town by the Arabian Sea 16 km from Trivandrum. JAN. 28 We take an excursion to the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari, where the waters of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. This important pilgrim centre of India is famous for the Amman Temples — symbolic of unity and sanctity — dedicated to Kanya Kumari, the Virgin Goddess. To its southeast, lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. After lunch we return back to Kovalam.
Extension JAN. 29 Optional Extension to Sri Lanka begins, or return to Calgary. Those continuing to Sri Lanka will have a one-hour flight to Colombo. On arrival, we will drive to Negombo, which is a famous port city located only 30 kilometers away. The remainder of the day is free for your own discovery. We will visit the fish market on the beach and have a peaceful stroll around this beautiful town. JAN. 30 Today we spend the full day visiting Colombo, the capital of the country. It is a beautiful city with modern high-rises and old colonial buildings making it a picturesque location. We will visit the National Museum, Zoological Garden, Viharamaha Devi Park and finally make a stop at the famous Pettah market. JAN. 31 After breakfast, we will drive to Dambulla, the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka. In the surrounding area are more than 80 caves used by the monks for meditation. The major temple, which is 2,000 years old, is decorated by delicate wall paintings and carved stone statues. The Iron Wood Forest (Namal Uyana), an ancient garden built in the 10th century, and the Rose Quartz Mountain range, 500 million years old, cannot be missed while in Dambulla.
FEB. 1 Our first visit is the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, close to Dambulla. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most treasured historical monuments in Sri Lanka. Features of the fortress are the frescoes, and its mirror. After lunch, we visit Polonnaruwa, the second largest city in the province, famous for its clean and beautiful environment, amazing ancient constructions and Lake Parakrama Samudra, which was built in 1200 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. FEB. 2 After breakfast we drive to Kandy, the cultural centre of the island and a UNESCO heritage city. En route we will stop at a spice garden in Matale. The sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined at the Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the tooth. The Royal Botanical Gardens is a must see with more than 4,000 species of plants. Also, we will visit the arts and crafts centre in Kandy and the main Buddhist monasteries, Malwatta and Asgiriya Monasteries. In the evening we will see a cultural show. FEB. 3 – 4 Today, we return to Negombo. En route we will visit a tea plantation and the tea factory in Giragama and the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which is a nursery and captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants. After lunch, return to Negombo for our farewell dinner. FEB. 5 Return flight from Colombo to home.
Accompanying Instructor Valery Efimenko was born in Russia but lived in Ukraine the first 18 years of his life. He graduated from the Oriental Department of St. Petersburg State University where he studied Indian languages, history and culture. Valery has taught religion, philosophy and Russian history for Continuing Education at the University of Calgary since 2004, and this is his 5th travel study trip.
Costs Land, tuition GST on tuition TOTAL Single Supplement
$6,100 $60 $6,160 $1,900
Estimated Air Travel
$2,400
Extension to Sri Lanka Land, tuition GST on tuition TOTAL Single Supplement
$3,800 $25 $3,825 $1,400
Estimated Air Travel
$335
Full payment is due at registration. For fee details, withdrawal/ refund procedures and liabilities please see page 2.
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