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We'll spend three days with the poorest of the world's women in Mandya a village near Bangalore at the Vikasana Institute of Rural Development.
These women produce string and other items out of waste product, and along with other like-minded organisations, Beautiful Silks purchase these at fair-trade prices to allow the workers to earn living and sustainable wages.
In Mandya, we have the option
of working on rural women development initiatives. You can take a tour of the area and join one or more of the Workshops (total cost of these, included in the tour price, is $400).
These include beading, or vegetative dyeing with India Flint, or string and vessel making with Nalda Searles. If you want to garden, there's an option to tour the organically certified gardens in the region and learn about the micro credit self help initiatives of this area. For those of meditative state, Yoga experiences are offered.
Price of the tour (content is in India ONLY – no side trip to Singapore as previously advertised) is $AU2900.00. Workshop fees of $400 are included in the tour price but bookings must be made into these workshops. You will need to pay 2 and possibly 3 meals (if you take an extra side trip) on this trip. Allow an extra $50 to cover these meals.
Costs included: India Hotel transfers within India (for those arriving 12 October and departing 22 October), standard class train journeys within India, twin-share hotels, tips, all except two hotel meals, transport to Mandya village. Meals and hotel accommodation are adequate and clean but basic - India is a third world country.
If you want to stay in one of India’s most luxurious hotel at the end of the journey, you can elect to stay ay Leela Palace Bangalore on your final night of the tour. This is an optional extra and the additional cost is twin share $400.00 per person, You will need to pay for one meal as well as (if you choose to eat dinner at the Leela) the final dinner at the luxury hotel in India. Airport transfers from Leela Palace are free. If you do not wish to stay at Leela Palace, a clean and convenient basic hotel in Bangalore is offered and included in your $2900.00. However you must arrange your own transfer and travel at your own expense by bus or taxi to the airport (Government bus fare is under $3).
NOTE: Travel bookings and insurance are the responsibility of individual travellers. A visa for travel to India will be required. When flight bookings have been confirmed, individual travellers will need to communicate with the Indian Consulate to arrange a visa, remembering to leave sufficient time for processing prior to departure. We require you to send us a photocopy of your valid travel insurance policy at least 3 weeks before the tour commences.
We suggest you consult your doctor at least one month prior to departure to discuss any travel health recommendations.
Terms and conditions 
••Silk/Metallic Stripe Crushed Embroidered Fabric
•Silk Georgette Hand Printed & Embroidered Fabric
•Hand Woven items
•Architectual fabrics
•Furnishing fabrics
•Silk garments
•Wall hangings
All factories meet our stringent "Fair Trade" standards. Do good - feel real - buy natural sustainable fibres and provide fair employment in the third world.
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These photos were taken by Anne Y on last year's trip. Top: Beading .Bottom: String making.
(as also seen in EARTH GARDEN Magazine May 2008) 
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Itinerary:
Arrive Bangalore 12th October. Stay in Bangalore one night
We start the tour on the 13th and the morning can be spent checking out the vibrant Indian city. In the afternoon we’ll transfer to Mandya which is 2 hours by 2nd class rail (it’s more colourful and fun if slightly less comfortable than 1st class.)
We’ll stay at Hotel Hari Priya (western bathrooms, twin share), and the locals will greet the Mandya textile workshop participants: Pre arrangements will be made to organize the traditional rural weavers in VIKASANA, TRAIINING CENTER, MANDYA.
Tour schedule includes (in-between workshops):
Melkote: this prominent temple for the Srivaishnava Sect and dates to 1098 AD. It’s one of the principal sacred places built on rocky hills. Early in the 12th Century, the Hindu Saint Sri Ramanujacharya took up his residence here for 14 years.
The Acadamy of Sanskrit Research (estd.1977) has more than 60 publications, 26,000 titles of Books on various subjects and 10,000 Palmleaves/paper manuscipts bearing ancient philosophy.
Srirnagapatna, on the River Cauvery. This is a historical and archeological place of interest as old as 1610. places of interst are: Dungeon, Tippu’s Palace(1799), Tippu Sultans Death Place, Ranganatha swamy Temple,
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam dates back to 1911 and is built at the confluence of the three rivers, Cauvery, Hemavathi and Lakshmanathirtha. The length of the dam is 8,600ft, and the depth is 124 feet. The height is 130ft above the river bed.,the illumination and the musical fountain are the special attraction.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a small Island on the Cauvery River, covering 100 acres of land in the midst of the river, home to many rare species. Boating is also available.
Mysore is 45kms away from Mandya and is well known for its Palace and Its lightings, Jaganmohan Museum of paintings and art., Chamundihill, Somanathpur: 30kms from mysore is an archeological spot with wonderful scriptures on stones. Mysore Zoological Garden was started in 1892. with 250 acres of land which is one of the best in the world.
Dinner in Hotel Guru Residency.Travel to Mysore and back is by charter bus.
14th October. Nalda Searles and India Flint will commence workshops. The workshops are open to tour participants. Nalda will be teaching string making with silk waste, India Flint will be looking at local plant materials and exploring their dye outcomes.
15th, 16th October. Optional workshop participation. Transport to Mysore by train – 45 minutes - is available if you wish to wander off and visit the local markets or palace. (The journey is by train. We will not be supplying a guide on these days. Any meals you eat on this side tour not included in the price).
On the 16th evening, we’ll go back (for those who want) to after the famous Mysore Krishna Raja Market which is full of Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers, Few shopping center like Cauvery Art Emporium, Lidker leather products, palace, etc.
17th, 18th and 19th interested people can go to Madikeri for home stay and coffee estates, water falls etc. There is also the possibility of a side trip to the Nagarhole National Park.
This is two hours by bus each way. Guides will take walks in the local lush rainforest, and we will explore the flora and fauna. Or you can simply put your feet up and have time out.Or, another optional tour into Mysore. (The journey is by train. Any meals you eat on this side tour not included in the price).
Those booking early can have accommodation in comfortable cabins which take 3-4 people per cabin. There is a huge demand for this and it is booked out months in advance.
20th October. Return to Mandya for a farewell meal. A review and celebration of the work. Opportunity to buy goods produced in the workshop.
21st October. Departure from Mandya. Travel by train into Bangalore. Tour groups to go to elected hotels. Leela Palace group and tour provided hotel group. Free time in Bangalore.
Shopping possibilities in Bangalore
- Commercial Street,
- M G Road,
- Multiplex, Big Bazar, Shopping area in Koramangala
22nd October. Breakfast will be provided by the tour, wherever you are staying. This is the last meal included in your fee. Free time in Bangalore until your flight leaves. Airport transfers free from Leela Palace for people who have chosen the extra luxury night. Remaining group will travel at own expense by taxi or government bus. Please ensure you get to the airport with at least 3 hours to spare. Then again, Indian airports are an entertainment themselves!
Transport between Mysore and Mandya and Mandya and Bangalore is by train.
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