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Welcome to the final group tour page for the retreat|recreate
SOUTH INDIA TEXTILES & HANDCRAFTS TOUR
9 – 23 February 2026
Your tour page comprises the following documents:
- Itinerary (as at 25 Nov 2025) *Please don’t share
- Trip Notes (as at 4 January 2026)
- To Do List (as at 23 October 2025)
- Travel Details form (updated 27 July 2025)
- Booking Conditions (as at May 2025)
- Packing List (as at 12 Jan 2026)
- Visa Application Information and Instructions (as at Oct 2025) – For 30 day eVisas, do not apply earlier than 28 days prior to your arrival in India. Please check the eVisa website as visa requirements can change without notice.
- Useful Information booklet (as at 1 Jan 2026) *Please don’t share
- Map showing ATMs (red symbols) near our starting point hotel, The Residency (as at 6 Jan 2026)
Our list of pre-trip reading and viewing suggestions for India is HERE
IMPORTANT DATES AND REMINDERS:
- Refer also to the To Do List for other important dates and reminders
- Apply for your eVisa within 28 days (and no less than 7 days) prior to your arrival in India. Refer to the information and instructions page at the bottom of this page.
- All foreign travellers are required to complete and submit an e-Arrival card within 72 hours before their arrival in India HERE
- Arrange to have internet access throughout the tour, not just when we’re at hotels. Refer to the Trip Notes and To Do List for options. If you purchase an Airalo e-SIM, you’re welcome to use the code SUSAN1062 to receive a small discount. A discount link for Holafly e-SIMs is HERE.
- Be sure to install WhatsApp on your phone at least two weeks prior to departure. The WhatsApp group for this tour will be created approximately one week prior to departure.
- The amount to budget for the tipping kitty is approximately INR 9000 per person (TBC). Contributions will be collected on days 1-2. The tipping kitty INCLUDES tips for on-tour hotel porters, reception, cleaners and wait staff, restaurant wait staff for included meals, specialist guides, workshop leaders and drivers.
- The tipping kitty DOES NOT include the tip for our local tour leader who will stay with us for the duration of the tour so you may wish to set aside some funds for this. It is customary to tip your tour leader at the end of the tour, for outstanding service provided throughout your trip. We suggest around INR700-850 per person, per day x 15 days = INR10,500-12750. Please tip in INR if possible. You are free to tip an amount more or less than indicated above, depending on your perception of service quality. Generally, the tour host collects tips on the last day of the tour and we present a card (which I will supply and we can all sign) along with the tip to our tour leader at the farewell dinner. You are of course welcome to hand your own tip directly to the guide if you prefer.
- Our local English-speaking tour leader is Mr Vinit Nair. Mr Vinit will be added to our WhatsApp group on day 1 of the tour.
- Your arrival transfer Meeting Point at Chennai Airport is indicated on your individual Booking Summary.
For all international flights: exit Terminal 2 at gate A5 and look for the representative holding a placard with retreat|recreate and your name on it. The representative will escort you to the buggy area where you’ll take a 2 minute ride to the parking area. The representative will introduce you to your driver who will transfer you to the hotel.
Domestic flights operated by Indigo Airlines (6E) arrive at Terminal 1 of Chennai Airport. Exit at gate A3 and look for the representative holding a placard with retreat|recreate and your name on it. The representative will escort you to the buggy area where you’ll take a 2 minute ride to the parking area. The representative will introduce you to your driver who will transfer you to the hotel.
Domestic flights operated by Air India (AI) arrive at Terminal 4 of Chennai Airport. Exit at gate A10 and look for the representative holding a placard the retreat|recreate and your name on it. The representative will escort you to the buggy area where you’ll take a 2 minute ride to the parking area. The representative will introduce you to your driver who will transfer you to the hotel. - If you’re unable to locate your driver or if your flight is delayed/rescheduled, please WhatsApp call our tour operator’s 24/7 number for assistance: +91-77288 58457 (omit +91 within India). Please call on WhatsApp, rather than text, to ensure prompt action. Alternatively, you may contact our tour coordinator, Mr Shukla on +91-90015 54422
Our STARTING POINT HOTEL IN CHENNAI: The Residency – 49, GN Chetty Road, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Our welcome briefing meeting is at 6pm on 9 February 2026 at The Residency, Chennai (see above address)
Our FINISHING POINT HOTEL IN KOCHI is: Abad Dutch Bungalow – Napier Street, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala
OPTIONAL PRE-TOUR SIGHTSEEING TOURS are listed on the Travel Details Form. As each requires a minimum of 2 participants to proceed, please indicate your interest (and preferred date/time) sooner rather than later to allow coordination with others in the group. These activities include return transfers from our Chennai hotel. These pre-tour activities will be added to the invoice for your tour balance. Bookings are indicated below in red
- Cooking class and meal with a local family (lunch or dinner) @ A$145 per person 11.30AM departure for lunch OR 5.30pm departure for dinner. Duration 2.5-3 hours
- No bookings
- Full-day guided sightseeing tour at Mahabalipuram @ A$190 per person. Visit the UNESCO World heritage site including shore temple caves, Arjuna Penance etc. Depart at 9.00AM. Duration 7-8 hours
- 8 Feb – Susan K, Sue G, Lisa, Merridy, Elaine, Madeleine, Andrea, Anita
OPTIONAL ON-TOUR ACTIVITIES: require a minimum of 2 participants to proceed. Indicate your request now and pay cash to our tour leader on 17 February.
- 19 February – Early morning basic yoga class A$45 per person
- Susan K, Sue G, Sue A, Madeleine, Andrea
ITINERARY AS AT 25 NOV 2025
TRIP NOTES as at 4 JAN 2026
TO DO LIST
TRAVEL DETAILS FORM
BOOKING CONDITIONS
PACKING LIST as at 12 JAN 2026
VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
USEFUL INFORMATION as at 1 January 2026
MAP – ATMs near The Residency hotel, Chennai
retreat | recreate 