Cardamom Affair - 2008 Tour

Goddesses & Queens

Changing Perspectives Exploring India: 19 Oct - 7 Nov 2008 (20 days)

This year we are heading off to Northern India, a land of spirituality, art, architecture, history, culture and much more. We will travel through : Kolkata - Amadpur - Varanasi - Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Bharatpur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Delhi.

Explore India as Roke's special guests in a small group of women. We will be visiting unique destinations and exchanging views with groups of women activists, artists, spiritual leaders, tribal women and kids and lesbian group in India. We will also volunteer at a school, go on a desert safari, see the Taj Mahal, do some bird watching, be at the biggest Camel Fair in the world, live in a fort town and light candles and float them on the River Ganges. You will have opportunities to learn cooking, take music lessons and choose to take time outs to follow your own expeditions. Few evenings you will have the option to join "India Introspectives", a special group discussion facilitated by Roke, a life coach, about your unique experiences to share and expand your views with other guests.

Kolkata (2 days)

On Arrival in Kolkata, the capital of Bengal and the cultural capital of India, you will be met and assisted by us to reach your guest house.

The first night you will be warmly welcomed to India by Roke's grandmather and mother for home cooked dinner - special recipes from grandma's kichen will introduce you to the spices of India and falvors of Bengali cooking - as you seep in the new culture around you. Next morning we will head out to a colony of artisans who make idols of gods and godesses over each year and see Mother Ganges, the river that is the life of Northern India. In the evening you will be having a chance to meet one of the most active lesbian groups in India, this year celebrating their 10th Anniversary. Apart from all these you will be getting yourself acclimatized to India and buying anything you need for the rest of the trip.

Amadpur (2 days)

From Mamallapuram we will drive 162 kms to Pondicherry. The old french colony with it's sea front promenade, wide boulevards, charming French architecture and mouth watering french cuisine, Pondichery is unlike anywhere else in India. It is also where Sri Aurobindo Asram is, which propounds spiritual tenets that represent a sysnthesis of yoga and modern science.

Varanasi (3 days)

From Pondicherry we will drive 170 kms to Tanjore. We will be stopping at Chidambaram, to see the great temple complex of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, a Dravidian architectural highlight and one of the holiest Siva sites in South India.

Tanjore, once the capital of the Cholas, a dynasty of temple builders who ruled south India between 10 century and 14 century, maintains it's glorious past, dominated by the superb World Heritage listed Brihadishwara Temple.

Delhi (1 day)

Our next stop is Madurai. One of South India's great temple towns, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD.

Come to the home of Meenakshi the 3 breasted fish eyed godesses who kept Shiva faithful with her with her sensual charms. The awe-inspiring Meenakshi Temple in the heart of the old town is a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with the temple covered from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multicolored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. There is also a wonderful exhibition of South Indian Gods and Goddess figures within the temple complex.

Agra-Fatehpur Sikri (1 day)

From Madurai we head off to Munnar, Paradise of nature lovers, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. Surrounded by the Annamalai Hills, this hill station offers spectacular views of the craggy peaks, manicured tea estates, picturesque towns and winding lanes. Munnar in the wee hours of the morning is a dream, covered in mist.

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands is the flower Neelakurinji, which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years. Tiger, sambhar, bison, spotted deer, leopard, and Malabar flying squirrel, stripe-necked Mongoose etc. can also sometimes be spotted in the forest.

Bharatpur ( .5 day)

After Munnar, we travel to Cochin, a town that perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. Cochin has the oldest church in India, winding streets with mosques and 500 year old portugese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a 16th century synagogue in the Jewish Town, and a palace built by the Portugese given to the raja of Cochin. We will also be watching a Kathakali performance, a very old and traditional South Indian dance form.

Cochin is a tranquil place to relax, and immerse yourself in culture, nature and history.

Pushkar (1.5 days)

Often called Venice of the East, Alleppey is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Set in the labyrinth of backwater channels, the town is one of the best gateways to explore the countryside. A venue for the spectacular snake boat races during season.

We will spend a day and overnight on a Houseboat enjoying the backwaters of Kerala. Kettuvallom or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

We will spend 3 nights in an Ayurvedic Resort and/or Farmhouse. (Details coming)

Udaipur (3 days)

Now it's time to unwind and relax! What better place than Varkala, an idyllic beach town with a laid back feel, and perfect beaches set against dramatic cliff-top setting. Take long or short walks, enjoy the multi-cuisine, hang out at coffee shops on the cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, take sun baths and eat fresh coconuts and pineapples on the beach and just relax.

Jodhpur (2 days)

Jaisalmer (3 days)

Delhi (1 day)

Back to Delhi, to rest, recuperate, visit Old Delhi, do the last bit of shopping What better place than Varkala, an idyllic beach town with a laid back feel, and perfect beaches set against dramatic cliff-top setting. Take long or short walks, enjoy the multi-cuisine, hang out at coffee shops on the cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea, take sun baths and eat fresh coconuts and pineapples on the beach and just relax.

Optional Extensions

Want to stay back and travel more?

Want to spend a few days at Amma's Asram in South India?
Want to fly off to Goa and check out the scene there?
Want to rejuvinate yourself at an Ayurvedic Resort & Backwater Boatride in Kerala?
Want to check out the Ajanta & Ellora, caves with paintings & sculpture?
Want to get treatments in hospitals for an unbelievable cost?

Let us know and we can create packages tailored to your needs.