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in the South of India you'll find a State which is very different.
It's called Kerala, also known as the "Garden of the Gods". In India
it is praised as the State with the highest level of education,
religious tolerance and ecological awareness. Kerala's colours,
its lovely warm climate, its feasts, its cuisine, its backwaters,
its elephants, tigers and orchids are undeniably tropical Indian
and simply unique. This cultural & geographical diversity can
all be experienced within just a few hours drive of each other.
Kovalam in the south has some of the best beaches in India. The
central backwaters area is a fascinating labyrinth of palm fringed
canals where traditional village life is ever present on the river
banks. As you venture further inland you encounter a more mountainous
landscape, carpeted in lush green tea plantations. You will also
discover the wonderful spice estates bursting with wonderfully fragrant
flowers and spices. This area is also home to a number of wildlife
reserves where local park rangers will take you on a guided trek
in search of elephants, wild boar, monkey & the elusive tiger.
The northern region is characterised by dense forests populated
with rare wildlife and a rare biodiversity. Stay in a Tree House
for a truly back to nature experience amongst the fantastic rainforest
landscapes of the Western Ghats.
Cochin,
the historical capital of Kerala is a vibrant harbour town with
a rich history of trade and culture. Highlights include the ancient
tradition of Chinese fishing nets which line the Fort Cochin promenade,
the Jewish Synagogue, the St. Francis Church (the oldest European
Church in India), the Santa Cruz Basilica, the Dutch Palace &
the Spice markets. Not to be missed is a performance of Kerala’s
classical dance drama, Kathakali.
Throughout Kerala we have handpicked a number of accommodation options,
largely from our own experiences. We have a choice of wonderfully
characterful hotels in Cochin, traditional Ketuvalum Houseboats
for cruising the backwaters, captivating resorts nestled amongst
the spice plantations, remote mountain retreats around the hill
stations and spectacular beach hotels overlooking picturesque bays.
For a real taste of Kerala, incorporate a stay at one of our Homestay
properties where you will be welcomed into the home of a local Family
& partake in traditional local life. Kerala is the home of Ayurvedic
health therapies and this can arranged at most places.
We organise an itinerary specifically to your requirements. Do as
much or as little as you like – the choice is yours. Local
English speaking guides will ensure that you make the most of your
sightseeing time. A private, air conditioned, chauffeur driven car
will transport you between your chosen locations & provides
an unforgettable experience in itself!
Finally,
for those seeking the ultimate combination of adventure & relaxation,
we offer 2 centre holidays to Kerala & the Maldives. Flights
operate daily from Kerala to the Maldives & flight time is a
mere 1 hour. We have stayed at around 23 resorts in the Maldives
& would be delighted to offer advice on which resort would be
most appropriate to your requirements.
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