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COMMUNITY WORK IN SOUTHERN INDIA
15 DAYS HOTELS BRINGING HOPE IN SOUTH INDIA Following the tsunami in 2004, we lent our support to the devastated communities in South India. 3 years on, we continue to support the school in Pudupattinam through Hope Worldwide. This tour offers the opportunity for us to get to know the community we support better and make a very real contribution to their village. Schoolwork in Pudupattinam! From Chennai, we head to Mamallapuram on the Bay of Bengal. We spend 4 days working with the villagers of Pudupattinam on a variety of projects to help build a shelter for the local fishermen and improve the school environment by painting and planting trees. Pre-tsunami there was no school in the village; now over 120 children attend classes. During our stay we'll have plenty of time to interact with the local community and learn a bit of their way of life. We'll also have time during our stay to visit the magnificent Shore Temples at Mamallapuram; dramatically situated on the windswept beach. Pondicherry & Madurai A scenic drive south brings us to the French colonial town of Pondicherry where we visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram; home to over 2,000 devotees. In Tanjore we explore the incredible Chola Temples, including the Brihadisvara Temple, a World Heritage Site. We also stop at Tiruchirapalli to see the great Rock Fort, then continue to Madurai with its soaring towers. Here we mix with the swirling crowds who pack into the Hall of 1000 Pillars within the Meenakshi Temple; a place of unceasing festive pandemonium. Our final visit is to Kanchipuram; one of Hinduism's 7 holiest cities and the silk capital of the south.
COMMUNITY
Ref VDS
CONSTRUCTION
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Chennai. 2 Arrive Chennai; city tour. 3 Drive Mamallapuram; walking tour. 4 to 7 In Mamallapuram; community work in Pudupattinam. 8 Drive Pondicherry; visit Ashram and French Quarter. 9 Drive Tanjore. 10 Sightseeing in Tanjore; drive Tiruchirapalli. 11 In Tiruchirapalli; sightseeing including Rock Fort & sacred ghats. 12 Drive Madurai; walking tour visiting Meenakshi Temple. 13 Free in Madurai; overnight train to Chennai. 14 In Chennai; day trip to Kanchipuram. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 13nts hotel, 1nt train; 12 breakfasts & 4 lunches included. See p22. Mode of Travel: Bus/Train. Comment: Rewarding work through a superb charity. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus project staff and some local guides. Group Size: Approx 14 to 18.
What are the benefits? Our tour will pay for the construction of a shelter for the fishermen, protecting their nets and livelihood, as well as materials for tree planting and painting work at the school.
DATES AND PRICES Flight Inc 15 days Sun to Sun
REF:VDS
2008 deps flight land Price in £s inc only 12 Oct-26 Oct 1545 1145 26 Oct-09 Nov 1545 1145 Land Only tour: 14 days start day 2 (Mon), end day 15 (Sat) Single Room Option: £250* see p22 for detailsThese are guide prices, see p25 for details.
INDIA
The Five Rathas in Mamallapuram/Paul Reynolds
Community Work in South India Ref VDS
AT S
Tour Georgetown, Marina Beach Kapaleswara temple & cathedral
INDIA
GH
CHENNAI (MADRAS)
Pudupattinam volunteering
EA ST ER N
Kanchipuram South Indias temple city
MAMALLAPURAM
Shore temple
T A M I L N A D U
PONDICHERRY
City tour Chidambaram Gangaikondacholapuram Kumbakonam
au
Sacred Ghats Rock temple
C
v e r TRICHY y
TANJORE
Capital of the Chola Kings
I N D I A N O C E A N
SRI LANKA km
0 200
MADURAI
Meenakshi temple
13
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