Paediatrics and Child Health in South India pot

Mysore Palace
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip – it was very well organised and the
standard of hotels, food and places visited was exceptional Charles is
without a doubt the best national guide I’ve ever had, truly exceptional.”
Felicity McCormack, Optometry in Southern India 2011
Paediatrics and Child Health in South India
27 October – 10 November 2013
From the shores temples at Mahabalipuram
to the Chinese fishing nets at Cochin, travel
through the southern states of Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Kerala. Experience ancient
Tamil history, the beautiful Coromandel
coast, gracious Mysore and gentle, eclectic
Kerala. Between the wide-ranging
professional visits there is ample time to
enjoy the cultural treasures and stunning
natural beauty of South India.
Transfer from Chennai to start your tour
on the shores of the Coromandel coast at
Mahabalipuram. Relax by the sea and enjoy a
welcome drinks reception later in the afternoon,
followed by a welcome dinner.
The following day drive to the former French
colony of Pondicherry and explore the French
and Tamil quarters. This charming city is
unlike anywhere else in South India with a
distinctly Gallic flavour that can be seen in the
architecture, police uniforms and of course
the food. Visit the Pondicherry Institute of
Medical Sciences and hear a lecture by Professor
Choonara on drug safety and children. There is a

partner programme to the influential Aurobindo
Ashram and the ‘universal city’ of Auroville.
Return to Mahabalipuram with time at your
leisure.
The following morning explore rural India
on auto rickshaws past typical Tamil houses,
visiting a local temple and a rural clinic, and
enjoy a traditional thali lunch in a village house.
Return to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon to
visit the World Heritage shore temples - an
extraordinary open air showcase for Tamil art
and the world’s largest bas-relief, featuring a
stunning composition carved in stone.
Drive to Kanchipuram the next morning and
visit the local silk sari shops, before continuing
to the impressive Christian Medical College in
Vellore (CMC Vellore). Established as a one bed
hospital in 1900 to care for the women and
children of Vellore, the College is now a highly
professional 2,200 bed multi-speciality teaching
hospital with a number of community projects.
Visit the Paediatric Surgery and Child Health
Commuting in Kerala
Pondicherry
departments and hear a lecture by Professor
Choonara. Afterwards, drive to Hosur and check
into your hotel.
Next morning visit the Belaku Trust and learn
about their work in the villages supporting
women’s and children’s health (see Project on

the inside back page). Meet with paediatrician
Dr Saras Ganapathy, village health workers
and ‘dais’ (traditional birth attendants). After a
thali lunch at the Trust, continue to Mysore and
spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Sumptuous Mysore is famed for its palaces
and its silk, sandalwood and spices. Visit St
Mathew’s Children’s Nutrition Centre in the
morning and after lunch visit one of the most
astonishingly ornate palaces in India, Mysore
Palace. Afterwards, wander through the
colourful throngs of the Devaraj Market. As the
sun goes down, relax over a sunset high tea with
magnificent views overlooking Mysore from the
grand Lalitha Mahal Palace.
Next morning visit Chamundi Hill to witness the
procession of the Goddess at the Temple, which
towers over the city, before visiting the Bull.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
The next day travel into the Blue Mountains via
the beautiful Mudamadali Wildlife Sanctuary,
which protects a wealth of wildlife including
deer, wild boar, monkeys, birdlife and elephants.
Stop here for lunch en route to Ooty, where you
will check into Sullivan Court for the night.
Known as the Queen of the Hill Stations, ‘Snooty
Ooty’ is a cool, tranquil town surrounded by
hills and tea slopes. Spend the day sightseeing
in Ooty, including a visit to the indigenous Toda
community and the beautiful botanical gardens,

which were laid out by gardeners from Kew.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel in the evening.
Next day take the toy train to Coonoor, an
exhilarating switchback ride through the Blue
Mountains, to visit a tea plantation and tea
factory. Explore the town of Coonoor, including
Take tea at the Lalitha Mahal Palace (top);
On the road to Mysore (above)
Tea pickers in Coonoor (top); Mother and baby in Kerala (above)
Chinese fishing nets in Cochin (top); Turmeric sorting in Cochin;
The serene backwaters of Kerala (above)
1
3
4
5
Mahabalipuram
Chennai
Mysore
Ooty
Pondicherry
Cochin
South India
Coimbatore
Hosur
alongside vivid green rice paddies and coconut
farms. Enjoy a delicious Keralan lunch on board
before returning to Allepy and transferring back
to Cochin.
Spend the next day at leisure and enjoy
Cochin at your own pace. In the evening see a

demonstration of traditional Keralan martial art
form, Kalaripayatt, before a farewell dinner.
The next morning transfer to the airport for
your return flight, or extend your stay in Kerala
at the Marari Beach Resort.
the old railway station, and have lunch at the
Raj era Taj Garden Retreat. Return to Ooty in the
afternoon via the beautiful Ketti Valley.
Drive to Coimbatore for brunch, before boarding
the train for a wonderful journey across
lush Kerala via the Cardomom Hills and into
the coastal city of Cochin - ‘The Gateway to
Kerala.’ Upon your arrival check into the Abad
Grande Residencia Hotel in the heart of the old
Portuguese district of Cochin.

Visit the Ayurvedic Hospital in the morning and
learn about traditional approaches to massage,
yoga and diet, followed by an afternoon
exploring the multi-faceted city of Cochin. You
will visit the oldest church in India, 500 year old
Portuguese houses, the spice houses and areas
that could be lifted from an English country
village. Finish the day with a sunset cruise
along Cochin harbour, which takes you past the
ethereal Chinese fishing nets.
Make an early start next morning to visit the
baby elephants at the elephant orphanage.
Continue on to the Keralan Rural Health Mission
to look at an example of Kerala’s excellent

primary care. Afterwards drive the short
distance to Aleppy to board a private converted
rice barge for a cruise along the tranquil Keralan
backwaters. See Keralan life unfold as you sail
past families swimming, fishing, and washing
in the canals, past vegetable laden canoes
2
Itinerary 27 Oct – 10 Nov 2013
27 Oct (Sun) Mahabalipuram BD
Pm Meet with the tour leader and group for
welcome drinks reception
Eve Welcome dinner
28 Oct (Mon) Mahabalipuram /
Pondicherry B D
Am Drive to Pondicherry and explore the
French and Tamil quarters
Pm Visit the Pondicherry Institute of
Medical Sciences. Talk: ‘Drug Safety in
Children’ Prof. Choonara. Partner
programme to visit the Aurobindo
Ashram and Auroville. Return to
Mahabalipuram and at leisure
29 Oct (Tues) Mahabalipuram B L
Am Explore the countryside by bike or auto
rickshaws visiting Kadumbadi Village,
its temple and primary health centre
Pm Thali lunch in the village. Visit the World
Heritage shore temples
30 Oct (Wed) Mahabalipuram / Vellore /
Hosur B, D

Am Drive to Kanchipuram and see the silk
sari shops. Continue to CMC Vellore.
Pm Visit the Paediatric Surgery and Child
Health Departments. Talk: ‘Child Health
and Access to Medicine’ Prof. Choonara.
Drive to Hosur
Eve Arrive and transfer to the hotel
31 Oct (Thur) Hosur / Mysore B, L
Am Visit the Belaku Trust, learn of their
work in the villages and meet with
paediatrician Dr Saras Ganapathy,
village health workers and ‘dais’
Pm Thali lunch at the Trust. Continue to
Mysore and at leisure

1 Nov (Fri) Mysore B, D
Am Visit St Mathew’s Children’s Nutrition
Centre
Pm Visit Mysore Palace and the Devaraj
market
Eve Sunset high tea at the Lalitha Mahal
Palace

2 Nov (Sat) Mysore B, L
Am Visit Chamundi Hill for the procession of
the Goddess at the Temple, then visit
the Bull
Pm At leisure

3 Nov (Sun) Mysore / Ooty B, D

Am Drive to Mudamadali Wildlife Sanctuary
Pm Drive to the hill station at Ooty
Eve Dinner at the hotel
4 Nov (Mon) Ooty B, D
Am Sightseeing in Ooty. Visit the Toda
community and the botanical gardens
Pm Nature walk in the beautiful Ketti Valley
5 Nov (Tues) Ooty B L
Am Take the toy train through the
mountains to Coonoor. Explore Coonoor
including the old railway station
Pm Lunch at the Raj era Taj Garden Retreat.
Visit the tea plantation and tea factory.
Return to Ooty

6 Nov (Wed) Ooty / Cochin B, D
Am Drive to Coimbatore
Pm Take the train across the Cardamom
Hills to Cochin

7 Nov (Thur) Cochin B, L
Am Visit Nagajuna Ayurvedic Hospital
Pm Sightseeing including the Dutch Palace,
synagogue, St Francis Church and the
spice houses of Cochin
Eve Sunset cruise past the Chinese fishing
nets and return to the hotel by boat

8 Nov (Fri) Cochin / Backwaters BLD
Am Early departure to visit the baby

elephants at the elephant orphanage.
Visit the Keralan Rural Health Mission
Pm Cruise along the backwaters of Kerala
9 Nov (Sat) Cochin / Backwaters B
Am Full day at leisure
Eve Kalaripayatt demonstration and
farewell dinner
10 Nov (Sun) Cochin / Backwaters
Am Depart India or take beach extension
Please note all itineraries in South India are subject to
change according to local conditions.
LB D
= Breakfast = Lunch = Dinner
“The Mysore Palace evening,
the elephants and the Kerala
backwaters were amazing highlights
of the trip. Loved the whole trip,
would do it all again, thank you.”
Alison Birrell, Midwifery and Child Care Tour in South
India Feb 2010
3 nights Mahabalipuram - 1 night Hosur - 3 nights Mysore - 3 nights Ooty - 4 nights Cochin
Hotels
Grande Bay Resort and Spa (Mahabalipuram)
The Grande Bay Resort is an elegant modern
resort overlooking the water with excellent
facilities including a spa.
Renaissance Grand (Hosur)
This is a well appointed business hotel that
enjoys a peaceful location and provides
excellent and friendly service.

Sandesh the Prince (Mysore)
A 5-star hotel with an excellent location and
good facilities in the heart of Mysore.
Sullivan Court (Ooty)
Located in the Blue Mountains on the cool
slopes of Ooty, the Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court
has some wonderful views. It is a modern hotel
built in Ooty’s traditional Victorian style.
Abad Grande Residencia (Cochin)
Situated in an historic building reflecting both
colonial Portuguese and Keralan architectural
styles, this attractive new hotel provides a pool,
an Ayurvedic spa, a reading room and a good
restaurant. NB: this is a dry hotel, but alcohol
may be brought in.
Marari Beach Resort (Kerala extension)
A relaxed, low key resort offering superb service
and traditional Keralan style cottages set
amongst lush grounds with palm trees going
down to the beach, plus a lovely swimming pool.
Ayurvedic spa treatments are available.
“I really enjoyed every
moment. It was indeed the
trip of a lifetime. Thank you!”
Eduardo Massad, Medicine in South India 2012
The Sullivan Court Hotel lobby (top); Relax by the pool at the
Abad Grande Residencia; A girl and a baby in the market; Cruise
along the backwaters in a converted rice barge (above)
Tour Leader
Imti Choonara is Professor in Child Health

(University of Nottingham) and is based at
Derbyshire Children’s Hospital in Derby. He is
a practising paediatrician but also a paediatric
clinical pharmacologist. He is one of the Deputy
Editors of the journal Archives of Disease in
Childhood. Alongside his interest in drug
therapy in children he has visited Cuba on
many occasions, where he runs a child health
workshop, and has wide ranging international
experience. He has written numerous scientific
articles and lectures internationally. He is
also currently the Chair of the NIHR HTA
Pharmaceutical Panel, which is responsible
for commissioning research of clinical trials
of medicines in adults and children in the UK.
Professor Choonara led a highly successful
Paediatrics study tour to Cuba in 2012.
“Overall excellent exposure to the
life of South India - wonderful
Indian guide, ‘Prince’ Charles,
couldn’t do enough for us.”
Mr and Mrs Watson, Medicine in South India 2012
CPD
It is possible to gain CPD/PDP points on this
tour through the professional visits and talks.
There are eleven hours available on this tour.
If you wish to apply please contact us.
The cost of the tour is £1,985 /
AUD $3,375

The cost includes:
• Pre-trip briefing meeting and comprehensive
briefing notes
• The services of a tour leader (Professor Imti
Choonara)
• 13 nights’ accommodation in twin or double-
bedded rooms with private facilities in medium
grade and boutique hotels
The single room supplement is £470 /
AUD $799
• Half board throughout the tour (breakfast and
lunch or dinner)
• A full programme of professional and cultural
visits as per the itinerary
• Admission fees where applicable
• Full-time national guide in India (Charles)
• All transport and taxes in India
• All tips in India
The cost excludes:
• All personal extras such as porterage, laundry,
inoculation fees and drinks
• All optional excursions, tours and visits
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Indian visa
NB Please note all itineraries in South India
are subject to change according to local
conditions. Due to the nature of the tour
places are strictly limited.
Flights

Flights are not included on this tour. For flights
we recommend using Emirates if flying from
the UK. In Australia we recommend Singapore
airlines. In both cases we can assist with booking
and arranging airport transfers and additional
accommodation if required.
Due to the nature of the tour places are
strictly limited.
Please note - all tips on the tour
are included in the price
Project Details
The Belaku Trust works in villages in rural
Karnataka serving poor and marginalised
households, with an emphasis on women and
children. The Trust, established by Dr Saras
Ganapathy, a New York trained paediatrician,
works with communities to promote heath
and development via research, community
based interventions and collaboration with
existing service providers and organisations. The
Trust aims to help people help themsleves by
fostering initiatives that promote individual and
community involvement.
The shore temples at Mahabalipuram (top); The Coromandel Coast;
A spice seller in Mysore; Boys in school uniform (above)
About Jon Baines
Tours
To travel with us is to dig below
the surface, revealing the deeper
destination. Of course, you will visit

the great historical sites; marvel at
the wonders of architecture and
engineering; be moved by the riches
of culture and art; and experience
the most spectacular landscapes in
the world. What we also do is make
sure that you see the country as it is
today, giving you privileged access
that independent travel and other
tour companies rarely get close to.
We give you a variety of experiences,
from the sublime to the humble, in
the company of intelligent, curious,
like-minded people. And while we can
be worthy, we also make sure that you
have a lot of fun.
“This great adventure
exceeded my wildest dreams
– and we feel so privileged
to have been part of it.”
Dorothy Anderson, Palliative Care in South
India, Jan 2010
Jon Baines Tours (London)
1A Salcott Road, London, SW11 6DQ
Tel: +44 (0) 207 223 9485/ 5618
Fax: +44 (0) 207 228 7290
Email:
www.jonbainestours.co.uk
Jon Baines Tours (Melbourne)
PO Box 68, South Brunswick,

Victoria 3055
Tel: +61 (0) 3 9343 6367
Email:
www.jonbainestours.com