Southern India has long been a centre of textile production and artistic innovation — shaped by maritime trade, regional courts and distinctive local traditions. Its cities and quiet rural landscapes remain home to communities whose skill in weaving, dyeing and decorative craft still defines the cultural character of the region.
This nineteen-day journey explores that heritage through visits to craft centres, community enterprises and conservation initiatives, complemented by hands-on workshops in natural dyeing, block printing, kalamkari and kolam. Throughout, we see how long-established practices are being sustained and revitalised as living livelihoods for local artisans.
We begin in Pondicherry's French Quarter before returning to Chennai, gateway to South India's textile traditions. Inland we reach Pollachi's ethical “farm-to-fashion” workshops, Munnar's tea estates and the weaving villages of the Kochi region. A Kerala houseboat brings an unhurried night on the backwaters, while Bengaluru and Mysuru close the journey among the south's celebrated silk and sari houses.
A Treasure Trove of Textiles & Craft
Nineteen Days, Coast to Coast
Included meals are indicated with B, L, D.
- Sat 2 Jan
Arrive Chennai
Gateway to South India and capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai has long been a great trading port on the Coromandel Coast, linking the textile centres of the interior with Indian Ocean routes. On arrival you are met and privately transferred to our hotel; the day is at leisure to settle in.
- Sun 3 Jan
Chennai to Pondicherry
We travel south to the former French enclave of Pondicherry, long associated with indigo, cotton and handloom weaving. En route we visit a globally recognised centre for environmentally friendly indigo dyeing for a hands-on workshop, then Atelier Shanti, a training centre offering a safe place to live and work for local women. A welcome dinner this evening. · B, D
- Mon 4 Jan
French Quarter of Pondicherry
A guided walk through the French Quarter's tree-lined streets, shaded verandas and quiet courtyards, hearing how the town's fortunes shifted under successive European powers. We are welcomed into a private home for a traditional Creole lunch; the afternoon is at leisure along the seafront promenade. · B, L
- Tue 5 Jan
At Leisure in Pondicherry
A day for independent exploration at a gentle pace — museums and galleries, the Tamil Quarter's traditional houses and shrines, or boutiques specialising in textiles, paper, incense and handicraft. · B
- Wed 6 Jan
Pondicherry to Chennai via DakshinaChitra
Tracing the Coromandel coastline back towards Chennai, we pause at the DakshinaChitra Living Museum — an open-air centre devoted to the art, architecture and performing traditions of South India — before checking in to our central Chennai hotel. · B, D
- Thu 7 Jan
Kalamkari Traditions in Chennai
Kalamkari — literally 'pen work' — is among India's most intricate textile arts, historically used to illustrate the Mahabharata and Ramayana on temple cloths. At the renowned Kalakshetra institution we learn the multi-stage process of preparing cotton, mixing natural dyes and applying motifs by pen and block, and try the techniques ourselves. · B, L
- Fri 8 Jan
By Rail to Pollachi
A classic long-distance train journey aboard the Shatabdi Express from the coastal plain to Coimbatore — the “Manchester of the South” — watching rural Tamil Nadu unfold, then on by road to Pollachi. · B, L, D
- Sat 9 Jan
Kolam & Ethical Textiles in Pollachi
A morning workshop on kolam — the geometric rice-flour patterns drawn at the thresholds of homes — followed by the Ethicus centre, India's pioneering ethical fashion house, where organic cotton is grown, processed and woven on revived jacquard handlooms 'from seed to sari'. · B, D
- Sun 10 Jan
Through the Western Ghats to Munnar
A spectacular drive climbing through protected forest, wildlife sanctuary and sweeping tea plantation to the former hill station of Munnar, arriving at our characterful tea-estate accommodation for the cooler mountain air. · B, L
- Mon 11 Jan
At Leisure in Munnar
A day set aside for rest — optional early-morning nature and birdwatching walks, a gentle stroll through the plantations, or simply the estate's lounge and gardens. · B, D
- Tue 12 Jan
Natural Dyeing with Aranya Naturals
At Aranya Naturals — the dyeing unit of a social enterprise supporting differently-abled young people — we see colour drawn from indigo, pomegranate rind, tea waste, eucalyptus, turmeric and marigold, then join a workshop in resist-dyeing and block printing. The afternoon visits Munnar's bazaar for tea, spice and handicraft. · B, D
- Wed 13 Jan
Houseboat on the Kerala Backwaters
Descending from the hills to Kumarakom, we board a private air-conditioned kettuvalam houseboat for an overnight cruise along palm-lined waterways — freshly prepared Kerala cuisine aboard, and the world of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things gliding past. · B, L, D
- Thu 14 Jan
Kumarakom to Kochi
A trading port for over two millennia, Kochi linked South India to Rome, Arabia, East Africa and China. After lunch we attend an afternoon performance of Kathakali, watching the elaborate make-up and costuming before the dance-drama itself, then check in to our Fort Kochi boutique hotel. · B, L
- Fri 15 Jan
Weaving Heritage & Historic Fort Kochi
A ferry to Chendamangalam, a riverside village once home to the Devanga Chettiars — master weavers to the Rajah of Cochin — to learn about their finely woven cotton saris and household linens. The afternoon walks Fort Kochi's Dutch, Portuguese and British quarters and the Chinese fishing nets. · B, L
- Sat 16 Jan
Kochi to Bengaluru
A short flight to Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka and one of India's leading design hubs. We transfer to our heritage hotel, then walk the historic quarters including the 400-year-old Chickpet market, renowned for its silk-sari trade. · B
- Sun 17 Jan
Printing Traditions in Bengaluru
A morning at Tharangini Studio, where hand-carved blocks meet environmentally responsible dyes, with a workshop in the key printing steps. The afternoon visits the Registry of Sarees, a research centre for hand-spun textiles, to see its khadi documentation and regional collections. · B, L
- Mon 18 Jan
Bengaluru to Mysuru via Kodiyala
En route to Mysuru we visit Kodiyala, historically home to the Padmashali 'Lotus Weavers' who produced fine silks for the Mysore royal family and were patronised by Tipu Sultan, learning about silk-cocoon grading and the early stages of extraction. · B, L
- Tue 19 Jan
Silk & Royal Mysuru
The Government Silk Factory follows the process from cocoon to finished sari — reeling, twisting, dyeing and weaving — before a walking tour through central Mysuru and the Devaraja Market, and a visit to the Amba Vilas, better known as Mysore Palace. A farewell dinner this evening. · B, L, D
- Wed 20 Jan
Depart Bengaluru
Our journey ends after breakfast, with a private transfer from Mysuru to Bengaluru International Airport for homeward or onward flights. · B
Hotels may vary with final group numbers; any used will be of a similar 4- and 5-star standard.
January is among the best months to visit southern India — warm, dry and stable. Days typically range from the mid-20s to low 30°C depending on altitude, with mild evenings of 18–22°C. Humidity is moderate and rain uncommon.
Activity LevelModerate to active — a full programme of walking tours, workshops, a long rail leg and hill drives. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is recommended.
Reserve a Place, or Travel Privately
This journey runs as a scheduled expert-led departure and can equally be arranged privately for your own dates and party. Speak with an Elevated India curator to hold a place or shape a private version.
Speak With a Curatorhello@elevatedindia.com · India +91 96548 17595 · USA Toll-Free +1 844 488 0007