Discover the joy of learning to weave in a stunningly beautiful landscape, by joining our authentic Kerala weaving retreat!

Enjoy an immersive 14 day weaving holiday in beautiful north Kerala. Soak up the lush tropical landscapes of palms and banana trees, golden deserted beaches and the heartbeat of waves breaking onto the shore from your beach front accommodation, five minutes from our small renovated weaving studio.

Help to halt the decline in handloom weaving in this area and support sustainability in the heart of handloom in Kerala. Be guided by an expert local English speaking master weaver, benefitting from all the knowledge and skill that the local craftsmen have to offer. Return home refreshed, renewed, re invigorated and ready to try out your newly acquired skills.

KANNUR

DAY 1

Welcome on arrival and transfer to your secluded beach resort near Kannur, north

Kerala for the duration of your 14 day weaving holiday.

Chera Rocks Beach resort is tucked away among the palms on a virually untouched

golden stretch of beach over two kilometre long. There is no road access to the beach so it remains a tranquil and quiet retreat, away from the bustle of nearby Kannur.

A community of fishermen work from the beach next to the resort in small boats as they have done for centuries. Apart from locals enjoying the beach at weekends, the beach remains an undiscovered tropical paradise.

Check in and enjoy a free day to acclimatize and settle in. Choose to arrive a day early to fully relax into the India vibe. Kerala has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 30C - 34C from November to March. After an introduction to the holiday, enjoy an inclusive Kerala home cooked dinner. at your resort.

An introduction to the weaving retreat with our master weaver at the small weaving studio, just a seven minute drive or 20 minute walk away. Each participant will have their own dedicated traditional 'Malabar' floor loom to work on for the duration of the holiday. Our master weaver will introduce you to your loom.

All aspects of setting up the loom and working with cotton on the loom will be covered today before starting on your woven pieces tomorrow.

Creativity at your fingertips as your weaving project begins. Learning the weaving technique you have chosen, whether it's mat weaving with the flat shuttle or weaving with the flying shuttle.

We will have a good choice of colours to choose from for your weft colours for the mat weaving project. Weaving 6 table mats or a larger mat for your bathroom or bedroom is possible in one week.

For the flying shuttle weaving we will be keeping the design simple with a plain unbleached warp for weaving running fabric or unbleached warp with stripes in natural dyes for weaving a simple kerala towel. Weft threads will be limited to indigo and madder dyed yarn, and pssibly one or two other colours.

Either spend the morning on your weaving projects with the support of our master weaver or journey in the morning to experience a wonderfully scenic drive

up into the mountains behind Kannur into the Wyanad region of Kerala in the Western Ghats.

Your character resort for two nights is in the tea gardens of Wyanad , surrounded by tea and birds and wildlife. It's an original colonial tea bungalow transformed into a luxury character plantation stay, with the chance to explore the tea making process and watch the tea pluckers at work.

Relax in the colonial splendour of your tea garden bungalow, enjoying the sounds and sights of nature. Guests can immerse themselves in the serene beauty of the tea estate with guided tours and teatasting sessions. The resort also provides a range of rejuvenating experiences, including a spa, cycling tours, birdwatching, and other activities.

Weave at your own pace this week with the support of our master weaver, to finish your weaving projects. Weave only in the morning and explore locally in the afternoons,

Included in the package are : A trip into Kannur for hand loom and a wide selection of fabric shopping or browsing the old bazaar area. Pay a visit to the new Handloom Museum in Kannur or the Kannur Folklore Akademie to discover the cultural history of Kannur.

Ayurvedic massage and beach yoga are both available for a local payment.

The end of your textile and culture journey with us

for now. Enjoy a free transfer to Kozhikode or Kannur International Airports for return flights to all destinations or to Kannur railway station for journeys south to Kochi.

Thank you for letting us share with you the extraordinary everyday of life in Kannur and Wyanad and for helping to raise the profile of weavers, spinners, dyers, and all Keralan artisans by spending time with us in this beautiful land between the sea and the mountains. We hope this gentle introduction to Kerala will

nourish and rejuvenate you and we look forward to welcoming you back soon to explore more of Gods Own Country with us.