Chennai
Day: 1-2
Start your sojourn at the port city of Chennai, with a thriving global trade in silks, spices and jewels, was a capital over centuries of empires and colonies, and the region around it grew rapidly from a tiny town to the bustling metropolis it is today. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai’s location along the coast offered great opportunities for industries, and like other ports in India, some of the first few industries were set up for textiles. The streets of Chennai evoke a sense of history that is intermingled with its political identity today, the older structures fulfil modern-day administrative roles, and the port commerce has contributed to the industrial and urban development. On the streets of Chennai, it is difficult to tell the difference between the political hoardings and the movie posters – essential elements of the city’s life, as is the variety of rice-based preparations of its rich cuisine. Chennai’s identity is also forged by its distinct cultural elements: the rich traditions of Bharatnatyam dance and Carnatic music, with their accompanying instruments, and the city hosts a month-long festival every December to celebrate these legacies.
Spend your days here discovering the city with our signature experiences as below:
Recommended Activities
Chennai Sightseeing Circuit
Art & Architecture
Tour the city of Chennai; trail past Fort Saint George, Britain’s first bastion in India which was responsible for making it south India’s largest metropolitan today. Visit the St Thomas Cathedral dedicated to St Thomas points to the Portuguese influence over the city, a history that started in 1522 and ended with the arrival of the British. End the tour at the Kapaleeswarar Temple, pre-dating the arrival of the colonizers and celebrating the mythology of Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati.
Broadway Show: Fort St. George
Popular Culture
If Fort St. George was the nerve centre of the British East India Company in Madras, now Chennai, George Town was its backbone! George Town’s main thoroughfare, connecting it North to South, was Broadway built towards the end of the 18th Century. Broadway remained a major centre for business and shopping for most of the 19th Century. Today there is nothing ‘broad’ about Broadway. It is a busy street with vehicles of all shapes and sizes negotiating for space with pedestrians. However, Broadway is extremely rich in its history unlike any other street of Chennai, starting with the fascinating story..
Kalakshetra Dance Centre
Music & Dance
To truly understand a city, one must look into its cultural customs. In Chennai, a visit to the Kalakshetra centre of dance can help you explore the roots of Bharatnatyam, one of India’s oldest dances, among other forms of art and music. Bharatnatyam is an ancient dance form practiced by Lord Shiva while creating the cosmos, with its dance postures, gestures and facial expressions carved into some temples across South India. Image credits: Ananda Shankar Jayant, CC-BY
Mylapore Folklore Trail
Beliefs & Rituals
An easy walk through Mylapore, exploring fascinating stories hidden away in the mundane rituals of daily life. Stories behind everyday sights, stories of Gods and demons, of ancient customs and symbolisms, and of Mylapore and Madras. Image credits: Soham Banerjee, CC-BY
Recommended Accommodations
The Raintree Hotel, Chennai
Urban Abodes
The Raintree Hotel in Chennai offers a business class standard of hospitality, with modern conveniences and facilities to add a touch of luxury. Their eco-friendly efforts underline their detail-oriented approach to guest comfort, and its location in the heart of Chennai’s bustling heart makes it a great vantage point for culture and commerce. With stunning city views, a rooftop skybar, pool and lounge, a spa and fitness centre and restaurants offering traditional coastal and international cuisines - the Raintree Hotel is prepared to offer guests every imaginable amenity and a little more.
Vivanta by Taj – Connemara, Chennai
Luxury Boutique
Located downtown within walking distance of the city’s shopping and commercial districts, Connemara is Chennai’s only heritage hotel. Built in 1854 as the Imperial Hotel and finally established as the Connemara in 1890. The hotel also offers a list of must-sees and dos for every traveler’s first experience – including a peacock trail, a Chettinad cuisine experience and sushi rolling.
Leela Palace – Chennai
Luxury Boutique
The Leela Palace is Chennai’s first seafront city hotel, located at the conflux Bay of Bengal and the Adyar River and draws architectural inspiration from the Chettinad dynasty to provide an ambience of style and opulence along with its world-class contemporary comforts, proximity to local attractions and a spectacular sea view.
Mahabalipuram
Day: 3
Drive down the scenic East Coast Road towards Mahabalipuram.
The tiny seaside village of Mahabalipuram would have been unremarkable along a boulder-strewn stretch of the East Coast Road, had it not been for the Pallava dynasty that left its legacy behind in stone. From monolithic chariots, rock-cut caves, shore temples and shrines, and a precariously balanced boulder left behind by the glaciers of the last Ice Age, Mahabalipuram is a study in architecture; recording the transition of dynasties and faiths, an evolution of sculpture styles and icons, a witness to changing influences and regimes.
Recommended Activities
Dakshinchitra Art Museum
Art & Architecture
The name ‘Dakshinachitra, literally means a ‘picture of the South’ and it provides an interesting insight into the art and architecture of the peninsula. The Dakshinachitra Art Museum features a reconstruction of traditional houses from different parts of South India. Explore different houses, recreated streetscapes, explore contextual exhibitions, interact with village artisans and witness folk performances set in an authentic ambiance. Image credits: Dakshinachitra Art Museum
Mahabalipuram Rock Cut Caves & Temples
Art & Architecture
Explore the 7th Century Mahabalipuram’s sculpture-rich landscape – from the ruins of the Shore Temple with hundreds of Nandi bull statues looking seaward, to the Krishna’s butterball, a glacial erratic precariously perched upon the bedrock. Continue on past Arjuna’s Penance – a beautiful narrative sculpted onto a single rockface narrating a story from the epic poem, Mahabharata, optimizing the rock fissures and cracks. Then visit the ruins of the rest of the Panch Rathas remain in silent testimony to the skill of the carvers who created them. Named for the Pandava brothers who are the heros of the Mahabharat epic,..
Pondicherry
Day: 4-5
The following day, continue along the East Coast Road to reach Pondicherry. While many cities in India read like a page out of history, Pondicherry is distinct in having captured the very essence of its colonial past, and it lives on in every street and around every corner. An outpost of the French in a country of British rule, Pondicherry’s Gallic flavour is retained in the Creole cuisine, the canary-yellow architecture and the part-Indian, part-French road signs – while the cultural identity of its people is forged by Tamil ancestry and colonial assimilation. Another distinct flavour of Pondicherry is that of the Aurobindo Ashram, set up by Aurobindo Ghosh, a philosopher-poet and freedom fighter. Founded on principles of holistic lifestyle, the Ashram has drawn people from across India to live more community-centred and fewer material lives. Auroville, located a few kilometers away from Pondicherry, is a Utopian city based on similar ideals that have provided a refuge for like-minded people from around the world.
Discover the French & Tamil heritage of this charming city, and Auroville - the utopian community with some of our curated experiences:
Recommended Activities
Svaram Instruments
Music & Dance
Svaram is a musical instrument centre that one might stumble upon while riding on the dusty, unpaved tracks through Auroville. On one side of the road, the sounds of merry clinking and tinkling draws your attention to the instrument workshop; where a few artists are busy designing, carving, tuning and polishing a variety of instruments, from clay ocarinas to metal chimes, from baby rattles to windophones, and many more. In the Sound Garden that leads to the workshop, numerous curious artefacts are strung up or placed on the ground – an assemblage of percussion instruments that invite you to play..
Visit to Auroville
Beliefs & Rituals
For the curious, set off for Auroville - India’s utopian city established on holistic principles that has drawn people from across the world to live together in unity and harmony. Visit Auroville’s iconic Matri Mandir, a huge golden globe that embodies the spirit of its people with a beautiful history of its construction. End the visit, with a 15 minute meditation session in the heart of Matri Mandir - a pristine, silent chamber, where you can reflect upon the light from the largest manmade crystal in the world. Image credits: Devaiah PA, CC-BY-SA
Street Shopping
Popular Culture
For the shopaholics, the commercial arteries of Nehru Street and Mission Street offer a variety of stores; from FabIndia’s indigenous products to Hidesign’s leather accessories, from Kalki’s aromatic concoctions to Casablanca’s designer wear, there is something trendy to suit every budget.
French Connections Trail
Art & Architecture
Pondicherry is so much more than just a pretty town by the sea. Discover this little piece of France left behind in India, steeped in culture and heritage, every building, every corner tells a story. Join us on a ramble around the French quarter of the town, soaking in the sights and listening to incredible tales that bring this place to life.
Recommended Accommodations
La Villa
Urban Abodes
The highlight of any visit to Pondicherry is surely the French experience – and we recommend the 19th Century manor-styled La Villa hotel. It combines the colonial French flavour with the old Tamil style of architecture to offer the best of both, with a mixed cuisine to match. The architects Tina Trigala and Yves Lesprit, extended La Villa’s colonial facades, to create an interplay with the horizons of white walls. The spacious and cool rooms are furnished with rich fabrics and contemporary designs made from old wood. A custom- made swimming pool borders the shady, lush garden.
CGH – Maison Perumal
Luxury Boutique
This hotel offers a comfortable stay to guests with interiors that are an amalgamation of French and Tamil styles. It is a heritage structure, carefully restored to maintain the Franco-Tamil Heritage with minimalistic interiors and adorned with a spare style, located in the French quarters. Maison Perumal is a tribute to the Franco-Tamil way of life, like a sepia serigraph of another time - dusted off perhaps, but not retouched.
Palais de Mahe
Urban Abodes
Pondicherry is balanced beautifully at the intersection of two imaginings, where the street signs speak several languages fluently and historic buildings jostle against charming sidewalk cafes. Trendy boutiques stand next to sari shops and swish design studios share space with bangle sellers, temples and bustling markets. It is these rich contrasts that were studied, absorbed, and then blended into Palais de Mahe. Their architecture is faithful to a historic age, and like Pondicherry, the Palais de Mahe experience is laden with surprising modern twists and rich flavours.
Thanjavur
Day: 6-7
The following day, you can set off further south towards Thanjavur (or Tanjore – its anglicized version).
En route, stop over at the Chidambaram temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and represents the element of ‘ether’ - among the 5 basic elements. The temple has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium, and renovations have been carried out successively by the Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Chera royals throughout the ancient and pre-medieval periods. Chidambaram is the birthplace of the sculpture and bronze image representation of Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, Nataraja that has since become notable as a symbol of Hinduism.
Drive on to Thanjavur. Named after a demon in Hindu mythology slayed by an avatar of Lord Vishnu, the city of Thanjavur (or Tanjore) is situated upon the delta of the river Cauvery. Thanjavur’s Brihadeeshwara Temple of exemplary architecture and the Maratha Palace that served as an official residence for an empire are the two prominent landmarks of the city. Thanjavur has been a centre of art and culture for years, with distinct painting, music and dance traditions: Tanjore paintings with murals of Lord Krishna are sought-after artefacts, Carnatic music has been codified since the 16th Century, and the dance form, Bharatnatyam traces significant styles and modifications to the city.
Discover Thanjavur's legacy of arts and crafts, temples and traditions with some unusual trails:
Recommended Activities
Kumbakonam & Darasuram
Art & Architecture
For more architectural wonders, set off to Kumbakonam, an hour’s drive from Thanjavur. Kumbakonam, as per folklore, was the place where a pot containing the seed of all living beings on Earth came to rest after the dissolution of the Universe. Over the past thousand centuries, Kumbakonam has been ruled by numerous empires and dynasties of south India, rising to prominence as a centre for European education and Hindu culture under the British regime. With over a thousand temples, Kumbakonam has earned the epithet ‘temple town’ and witnesses tides of pilgrims all year round. Visit some of the noteworthy temples..
Bronze Casting & Gallery
Arts, Crafts & Textiles
Here’s something for the artsy. Of Thanjavur’s many local arts, the ancient techniques of bronze casting is still practised in small communities. Watch the process of bronze casting, as intricate mud sculptures are dipped into molten brass, to create beautiful artefacts. The Bronze Gallery also showcases some interesting pieces of bronzework, largely inspired by mythology with some modern-day influences.
Thanjavur Culture Walk
Popular Culture
One can walk through Thanjavur’s streets to delve further into its cultural heritage; pass the traditional instrument makers as they carve wood into the stringed veena, visit homes of local folk to learn more about their ways of life or for a private veena performance, or meet Tanjore painting artisans and discover the techniques behind this age-old style. Another interesting art form to explore is the Bommai Kolu, as it is known in Tamil Nadu, wooden or clay dolls used to depict scenes from ancient texts, everyday life or royal traditions set up by young girls or women. The Kolu..
Thanjavur Sightseeing
Art & Architecture
Take in Thanjavur’s most visited landmark, the Brihadeeswarar Temple dating back to the 11th Century. Built by a ruler of the Chola Empire in accordance with a dream he had, the Brihadeeswarar Temple was intended to display the power and position of the emperor in the universal order, and today, it has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage monument, one among three ‘Great Living Chola Temples’. Of its sculptures, the most distinct ones are those of over 108 dancing postures, evidence of the dance form Bharatnatyam tracing its roots to Thanjavur. The Museum within the complex also details the history..
Recommended Accommodations
Svatma
Wellness & Spa
Svatma is more than a highly individualistic travel destination. Designed by and for exacting individuals with Spirit - it is the epitome of Tamil culture and art evolved into a space-time capsule of mystique and allure. It is the indescribable romance of contemporary artists flirting with curated antiques and experimenting with ancient art forms in a space resonating with the chanting of Vedas.
Karaikudi
Day: 8
Continue your Southern Sojourns, as you drive off to Karaikudi – a ghost town, as some call it.
En route, you could stop over at Namanasamudram, an Ayyanar cult shrine of hundreds of terracotta animal statues located in the heart of a sacred grove. The once-brightly colored statues that line the grove were placed by devotees whose wishes have been fulfilled by offering prayers at this temple, and stand in their various states of fading and peeling as testimony to the temple's efficacy.
Continue on to Karaikudi. The region of Tamil Nadu encompassing the towns of Karaikudi and Devakottai is known as Chettinad. The Chettiars are the wealthy merchants of the South known for their business prowess made their fortunes in India and abroad. Though many of them have moved to larger metros, their legacy lives on in the ornate ancestral mansions with pillared hallways, marble floors, and other embellishments, that they return to for a few festivals during the year. The Chettinad region is also known for its fiery hot cuisine popularized by its famous “pepper chicken”.
Recommended Activities
Weekly Market Exploration
Cuisine
To immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of daily routine, we’d suggest a trip to the weekly market or the ‘sandai’ - where vegetables and fruits jostle with utilitarian tools, and hawkers compete to sell their produce and wares.
Chettinad Kitchen Recipes
Cuisine
For the culinary-keen, try your hand at a cooking session, where you can learn a few homely Chettinad recipes. The setting evokes a sense of tradition with a kitchen of olden styled utensils and recipes that have been handed down through the generations - a quintessential Chettinad experience.
Visit a Chettinad home
Art & Architecture
Visit a traditional local home to learn more about the customs and traditions that guided the design of the beautiful edifices of Chettinad homes. Most Chettinad mansions have a formal pillared hall which is usually the domain of the males in the house where they receive guests and business associates. Each pillar is created out of a single trunk. Burma teak and rosewood dominate in these mansions and create warm spaces for the family. Image credits: Sundaram Ramaswamy (CC-BY)
Chettinad Palace
Art & Architecture
The Chettiars made their fortunes not only in India but also in Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, yet their ancestral homes remain in Chettinad. Start exploring Chettinad town with its grand mansions with pillared hallways, marble floors, and other embellishments. The Chettinad Palace itself is inaccessible, but one can admire it from the outside. Follow this, with a visit to the Athangudi tile factory where you can watch the process that went into the making of the ornate tiled floors of the Chettinad mansions. Image credits: Glasreifen, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Recommended Accommodations
Saratha Vilas
Luxury Boutique
The Saratha Vilas, built by a wealthy Tamil merchant in the early 1900s is a prime example of the luxurious mansion unique to the Chettinad region. The huge property, including its buildings, courtyards and gardens, has been painstakingly restored, and converted into an eight bedroom heritage hotel by two French architects passionate about the preservation of Chettinad and its history.
CGH – Visalam
Heritage Homes/Mansions
Visalam reflects the grandeur of the region, combined with the almost yogic simplicity of the community. Fifteen rooms are available in this 75-year-old house built in art-deco style, where one can experience heritage, art and architecture of olden times. Add to this the recent renovations by CGH Earth, and Visalam now offers an intriguing mix of new and old. A highlight of the property is the restaurant that utilizes local chefs and local ingredients to serve up mouth watering delights that can be enjoyed on the large terrace overlooking the surrounding villages.
The Bangala
Heritage Homes/Mansions
The Bangala is a century old mansion that has been restored as a superb heritage hotel with all modern amenities and indulgences in place - a pool and spa, lounge and library, super comfortable rooms with airy verandahs, all decorated with classic ornate Chettinad furniture. The elaborate cuisine, served on banana leaves, is one of the charms of Bangala showcasing the region's signature Chettinad Cuisine - a rich, aromatic and spice filled array of curries of fish, chicken, meat and vegetables.
Madurai
Day: 9-10
Continue to trace South India’s history as you drive down from Karaikudi to Madurai – where another cultural legacy awaits!
Madurai, the oldest city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, has a history of global trade recorded by the Greek scholar and ambassador, Megasthenes. With a two thousand year old tradition of literary and art gatherings, Madurai is a stronghold of culture, often referred to as the Athens of the East. Madurai, the oldest city in Tamil Nadu, both in history and mythology is most for the Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Parvati and her husband Shiva, popular for its beautiful edifice, stunning architecture and festive nightly processions.
Soak in the religious overtures at Madurai with some cultural explorations:
Recommended Activities
Night procession at Meenakshi Temple
Beliefs & Rituals
Visit the Meenakshi Temple to witness the closing ceremony, where the idols of Sundareshwar (an avatar of Lord Shiva) and his consort Meenakshi (an avatar of Parvati), are carried in a riotous procession, to be confined to the bedchamber for the night.
Madurai Sightseeing Circuit
Art & Architecture
Start the exploration of Madurai with a visit to the Flower Market; a walk through the local markets; where the fresh flowers for religious offerings, fruits and vegetables for household consumption, as also the many humble economies of artisans to traders provides an interesting insight into the routine simplicity of India. Then visit the Meenakshi Temple, famed for its many carved and painted halls, this magnificent temple of goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundaram, a form of Lord Shiva, has the tallest ‘gopuram’ or temple gateway in the world.
Once Upon a Madurai
Popular Culture
Old cities often whisper a history that you have to strain to hear, Madurai, with its temples and traditions is no different. Trail through a history of millenia that has seen vain monuments dedicated to fanciful gods, the legacies of ambitious mortals cast in stone, and the more recent tales of kings and rulers, all of whom have shaped the city and still dictate its rhythms. Image credits:Aravind Sivaraj, CC-BY-SA
Recommended Accommodations
Heritage Madurai
Luxury Boutique
A hundred-year-old property, the Heritage Madurai has spacious, airy rooms with detailed sitting areas, luxurious bedrooms and unbelievably vast bathrooms, all decorated with understated elegance. Cleverly transformed light fittings delight you at every turn: a riveting piece that once was a lantern; another, a carriage light; an old diya in new avatar, and the piece de resistance: a sun deck in each villa, that opens out into your own private plunge pool. Inspired architecture combined with a tradition of hospitality makes Heritage Madurai a great choice for travellers.
The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai
Luxury Boutique
A short distance away from Madurai’s IT corridor, the Gateway Hotel Pasumalai is named so for the hilly outcrop it is located on. Offering spectacular views of Madurai’s temple-strewn skyline against a backdrop of Kodaikanal’s lush green mountains, the century-old property stretches out across sixty-two acres of landscaped gardens. In the Taj hotels tradition, the Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai offers the best hospitality and service, with some inspired culinary delights at their restaurant and Ayurvedic offerings at their in-house spa.
Munnar
Day: 11
The Southern Sojourns trail continues into the west – and one can choose between the tea plantation landscape of Munnar or the riverside Periyar National Park. Munnar offers interesting trails and hikes through lush tea gardens, as also the cloud-kissed peaks of the Eravikulam National Park – home to the endemic Nilgiri Tahr – a great option for adventurers and wildlife lovers alike.
The picturesque little town of Munnar nestled amidst acres of sprawling tea estates and verdant forests, was once the summer retreat of the British Government in South India, and still has a colonial charm. Its name meaning “three rivers” stems from its location at the confluence of three mountain streams. Besides tea, Munnar is also renowned for spices like cardamom and pepper, and the local infusions of tea and spices offer a warm respite from the chilly mountaintop climate. Munnar’s rugged landscape offers good opportunities for walks and treks through the town and nearby villages.
Recommended Activities
Srishti Handmade Paper
Arts, Crafts & Textiles
If you have a little more time on hand, a visit to Srishti Welfare Centre - a unique venture of a corporate giant, Tata, for the vocational training and rehabilitation of the physically challenged dependants of its employees. The Centre comprises of a handmade paper crafts centre, a bakery and a cloth-dyeing workshop - largely run by the differently abled, and provides an interesting socially-conscious insight into their lives. Based on school timings, one may also be able to visit the next-door DARE school - where a learning approach is based on differently abled students strengths rather than weaknesses.
Munnar Tea Trail
Popular Culture
There's no better way to explore Munnar than by experiencing a tea trail; visit the lush, verdant slopes of a tea estate to get a glimpse into an industry that is over a hundred years old and learn the story behind your morning cuppa. Follow this with a visit to the Tea Museum, which houses curios, photographs and machineries representing a turning point for the tea industry in the region, as also some colonial-style furniture. Don’t miss out on the tea-tasting demonstration, where infusions of different tea varieties and an insight into the nuances of tea-processing await!
Eravikulam National Park
Wildlife & Wilderness
Early morning, head out from Munnar to the Eravikulam National Park. This stretch of the Western Ghats is absolutely pristine and is situated at the base of the Anamudi Mountain, the highest peak south of the Himalayas measuring over 8000 ft! Eravikulam is a nature lover’s delight and was created with the specific purpose of preserving the natural environment of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, or mountain goat. The park is also a habitat for leopards, wild dogs, macaques and a vast number of birds. Eravikulam is also home to the startling blue kurunji flower that bloom only once every 12..
Munnar Hikes & Treks
Active Travel & Adventure
For the adventurous, we also offer a number of interesting hikes and treks through Munnar’s high-altitude tea plantations. Munnar's terrain offers great hiking trails through tea plantations, rustic villages, mountainside reservoirs - with picture-perfect picnic spots along the way. The hiking routes vary from easy to moderate, and can keep you engaged for a few hours to a whole day. Image credits: Bimal K C, CC-BY
Recommended Accommodations
Ambady Estate
Luxury Boutique
Nestled amidst 70 acres of cardamom plantation with a fair amount of pepper, coffee and tropical fruit trees, the resort offers a tranquil and serene environment. A farm stay combining old-world elegance with modern convenience, Ambady Estate is a unique way to experience Munnar.
SpiceTree, Munnar
Wellness & Spa
SpiceTree Munnar provides a healing mountain retreat that can reduce and transform any tense mind and body to that of genuine bliss. Spending time at SpiceTree will introduce you to the elements of nature, which could open up a gateway to look within yourself. Whether you are spending time with family, friends or other loved ones, the atmosphere at SpiceTree can re- kindle hibernating relationships, build fresh ones or just deepen any friendship.
Windermere Estate, Munnar
Remote Experiential
This private cardamom estate, located in the beautiful hill station of Munnar, is a small property with attentive staff. Explore the surrounding countryside, walk in the cardamom estate, visit a tea factory or take a walk in the past and visit the High Range Planter’s Club (jacket and tie a must!). Windermere, famous for its unique ambience and charm was established in the 19th Century. With rooms in the farmhouse and separate cottages which look over the valley below, Windermere Estate would appeal to people who like to escape from the bustling cities and who have a love for the..
Thekkady
Day: 12
The Thekkady town of tranquil countryside and rich spice plantations, skirts the Periyar National Park, a tiger reserve and home to myriad species of wildlife, birds and aquatic animals. A lake formed by a cutoff portion of the Periyar River is a watering hole for elephants, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and sambar among mammals, and also supports a diverse birdlife.
Discover Thekkady's charms at your own pace:
Recommended Activities
Wildlife-watching on a motorboat
Wildlife & Wilderness
With a rich variety of reptile and fish, a boat ride along the Periyar river is a great way to observe these lesser-known species. The river is also a lifeline for the wildlife in the park, and allows one to drift along to watch animals as they come to the banks to slake their thirst. Cruise along the mosaic of agricultural lands, the waterbodies and the woods, while keeping an eye out for the park’s noteworthy species.
Spice Plantation Visit
Popular Culture
The canopies of the forests across the Western Ghats, apart from providing corridors for wildlife, also create the perfect, sheltered conditions for spices - and this region has been at the heart of global spice trade for millenia. Set off on a spice plantation visit, where your local guide will help you identify the different trees and plants that flavour and season your food. Learn about the diverse usage of different spices and perhaps, take home a sample of fresh, farm produce whose lingering aromas can transport you back to these deep forests again someday! Image credits: Spice Village
Periyar Trekking
Active Travel & Adventure
The landscape of Thekkady, with the Periyar river running through it, is an interesting biodiversity haven. For those who'd like a more intimate experience with nature and wildlife, try our trekking trails through the buffer forest areas. As you dictate your own pace, a trekking trail allows you to take in the birds and lesser fauna that you would otherwise miss out on a jeep safari. Capture the quieter moments of the forest and the daytime visitors along the water's edge, with a forest guard as your guide. Image credits: Kir 360, CC-BY
Periyar Bamboo Rafting
Active Travel & Adventure
Kerala's best-loved wildlife destination, Periyar National Park is located close to Thekkady. One can explore Periyar's Cardamom hills in different ways. For the adventurous, set off partly on foot, partly on a bamboo raft through the forests for an intimate, unobtrusive encounter with its biodiversity. A picnic along the way is just a bonus. Image credits: Bernard Gagnon, CC-BY-SA
Recommended Accommodations
Cardamom Club – Niraamaya Retreats
Luxury Boutique
Spead out over vast cardamom plantations, the luxurious cottages of Niraamaya’s Cardamom Club is a perfect leisure getaway. With 13 unique and luxurious cottages facing their gardens or Munnar’s picturesque mountains, the property borders the fabled Periyar reserve and offers an ideal getaway in Kerala. For adventurers, the resort can organize activities like trekking, bamboo-rafting, cultural shows, spice walks, jeep safaris and shopping. The Niraamaya Spa extends a range of natural and holistic therapies to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. The infinity pool set amidst lush tree canopies with a view into the valley below, is a perfect vantage..
Shalimar Spice Garden
Wildlife Lodges
On the edge of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, in the heart of the Thekkady Forest, pepper vines snake through the balconies of each of the rooms and villas spread out amongst the natural flora and fauna of the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort. The hotel offers panoramic view of the picturesque plantations and the surrounding hilltowns, which hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
CGH – Spice Village, Periyar
Wellness & Spa
Tucked in the midst of an Indian rainforest, a short drive from the Periyar Tiger Reserve, is Spice Village. Cottages are crafted out of local materials in the local technique. In the restaurant you will find the cooks using natural homegrown ingredients and spices. In the Ayurvedic center, only natural herbs and oils are used. Activities here are endless and include bird watching, jungle treks, river cruises, river rafting, fishing, village visits, cooking lessons, spice and tea plantation tours, yoga and meditation, swimming, tennis, volleyball, billiards, badminton and more.
Kumarakom
Day: 13-14
Continue on to Kerala’s most well-known backwaters, Kumarakom - where the rivers form deltas as they meet the sea.
Tucked snugly into the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a delight for the senses. With the backwaters mirroring the blue skies and green palms overhead, few places can offer the quiet calm, tranquility and serendipity of Kumarakom making it a haven for those who want to get away from the urban hustle and bustle. Rich in tropical fruit and vegetation, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, and pineapples jostle for space with brightly coloured hibiscus and bougainvillea which spill over into the backwaters.
Spend a day at leisure on Kumarakom's traditional houseboats:
Recommended Activities
Philip Kutty’s Farm
Cuisine
One can drive out to Vechoor village to visit the charming Phillip Kutty Farm. Beautifully situated along the backwaters, the farm grows coconut, spices, fruit, and much more. The farm is run by the family who owns it and you can enjoy a delightful interactive session on Syrian Christian cuisine and learn how to cook some of these delicious dishes. The backwaters add their influence to the food at the farm with fish, duck, and poultry featuring prominently alongside farm fruit and vegetables.
Lake Vembanad Houseboat
Popular Culture
For the intrepid traveler, we recommend an early morning stroll around the shores of Vembanad Lake as the sun rises. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast after which your guide can take you to Pallaturuthy, from where you will embark on a traditional kettuvallam houseboat to cruise the backwaters of Southern Kerala. Thick foliage and tropical greenery lines these shores, within which lie a slice of Kerala’s old world charm cut off from contemporary influences. Stop off from time to time to explore the villages on foot to meet the locals and get to know more about their lives.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Wildlife & Wilderness
Take a guided walk with a trained naturalist through the tropical forests of the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. These wetlands are a haven for bird lovers and the sanctuary is home to several species of water and migratory birds. Take a boat ride on Lake Vembanad, to try your luck at spotting several species of waterfowl, cormorants, herons, egrets, the Brahminy Kite and even the Siberian Crane during the winter! Image credits: Dhruvaraj S, CC-BY
Recommended Accommodations
Coconut Lagoon
Wellness & Spa
This charming resort on the Kerala backwaters in a century-old mansion, offers heritage rooms, bungalows and private pool villas, with a swimming pool, Ayurvedic facilities, yoga and meditation center and recreation area are open to guests. Coconut Lagoon is a wonderful insight into traditional Keralan life, offering Kalari (Keralan martial art) training; cooking lessons, highlighting the uses of traditional spices; Kathakali (Kerala’s classical dance) performances and traditional music concerts.
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Luxury Boutique
Nestled on the serene banks of Lake Vembanad decorated with thick mangrove forests, green paddy fields and ripe coconut groves. Sprawling across acres of lush greenery, it exudes the charm of Kerala’s true heritage while offering a complete range of ‘new age’ amenities.
Cochin
Day: 15-16
The Southern Sojourns culminates at the coastal town of Cochin.
In 1498, Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad, a port city a little to the north of Cochin - and this city’s trade ties to the rest of the world were established and mapped. A true melting pot in every sense, Cochin or Kochi, is one of the most dynamic, vibrant and energetic cities in South India. One of the most important trading posts on the Spice Route, Cochin sports several vestiges of its multi-cultural past; Chinese fishing nets mingle with Dutch Palaces, Sephardic Synagogues and Portuguese forts – all jostling for space along the shores of the Arabian Sea. Today, Cochin has a thriving arts and cultural scene and hosts the Cochin Biennale – a major art event in Asia, every winter. Several galleries, boutiques, and artisanal restaurants stand cheek by jowl with one another, especially in the Fort Cochin area, while the spice, fish and antique markets continue to flourish side by side – just like in the days of yore.
End your trip exploring Cochin's colonial and present-day charms:
Recommended Activities
Harbour Cruise
Popular Culture
Cruise along Cochin’s coastline, to take in the sights of a city that thrives on a port economy. Watch the barges and boats bring ashore goods from far and wide, the Cochin lagoon open out into the Arabian Sea, and the quaint cantilever Chinese fishing nets against the backdrop of a splendid sunset.
Mattanchery Palace & Spice Markets
Art & Architecture
Walk down to the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese as a gift of tribute to the Raja of Cochin. The Palace was later renovated by the Dutch and became known as Dutch Palace. Today it houses a small but exquisite museum of royal artefacts some of which are extremely unusual. Then stop off at the Mattancherry Spice Market and the Kochi International Pepper Exchange, a riotous warehouse where traders stake bids at the daily pepper auction. There is also a dry ginger depot that sells a product that finds good use in the Ayurveda industry.
Kerala Folklore Theatre & Museum
Popular Culture
Step into this three-storied edifice and take a stroll down history where every encounter is tinged with the culture and heritage of bygone times. The Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum is a unique venture to preserve the splendid folklore traditions of the state. From artefacts like masks and sculptures in wood, stone and bronze, to costumes of traditional and ritual art forms, from musical instruments and traditional jewelry, to manuscripts of rare medicinal and astrological secrets (even Stone-Age utensils!) are all preserved in this museum with the utmost care. At the theatre, one can witness a range of performances from..
Kathakali Dance Performance
Music & Dance
The most iconic images of Kerala, apart from its backwaters is that of the traditional Kathakali dancers with their painted masks of green and white. Learn more about the Kathakali dance forms and the artists who perform it, with a behind-the-scenes look at their make-up rituals followed by a dance interpretation of gestures and facial expressions. Revel in an hour-long performance of Kathakali with a narrative selected from some of India’s epic poems or mythology and discover a new form of storytelling through the medium of dance and drama. Image credits: Joseph Lazer CC BY-SA 2.5
Recommended Accommodations
Old Harbour Hotel
Luxury Boutique
At the heart of ancient Fort Cochin, Kerala, a place that exudes history and culture, is the 'Old Harbour Hotel'. A 300 year-old building that has for long been a heritage monument of this town, now reopened as a boutique hotel. Built in the Dutch style of architecture with hints of Portuguese influences, it was the first hotel of old Cochin.
CGH – Eighth Bastion
Luxury Boutique
On a peaceful street corner in the centre of Dutch Cochin on a historic plot of land that has seen much building and rebuilding since the early 1700s, the Eighth Bastion was built with an elegantly curated fusion of styles, tastes and ideas, as a celebration of Fort Cochin’s Dutch heritage and its vibrant contemporary cultural pulse.
Malabar House
Luxury Boutique
A former trader's residence situated in the historic Old Fort area overlooking the parade ground, the Malabar House is one of the most stylish hotels in southern India. All the rooms are tastefully decorated and furnished with antiques. Malabar House is a fascinating and sophisticated hotel, situated on a peaceful green stretch on Fort Cochin.
CGH – Brunton Boatyard
Luxury Boutique
Moored on a historic stretch of Cochin's famed harbour, just a walk away from Fort Cochin, the Brunton Boatyard Hotel was resurrected from the remains of a Victorian shipyard. The hotel still holds the charm from its busy shipbuilding days in the 1800's, with dated Dutch maps, small navigation devices and an ancient anchor decorating the premises.
