SOUTH INDIA TOUR
From the Bay of Bengal to the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu resonates with the history and faith of the ancient Dravidians, India’s original Hindu inhabitants. With a language and poetic literature that is over 2000 years old, it boasts some of the most remarkable temple architecture in India and has a rich living tradition of music and dance. From the Coromandel Coast, with its beautiful green paddy fields, coconut groves and banana plantations, the land rises up through ancient temple towns to the tea, coffee and spice plantations in the Eastern Ghats.
Tamil Nadu is a delight on its own, but also combines easily with Kerala and/or Karnataka. The contrast between these states is striking and the combination makes for a diverse mix of history, culture and scenery.
The lush and serene southern state of Kerala, one of our favourite areas of India, has a wonderfully slow and relaxed pace, in contrast to much of the rest of the country. From the Malabar Coast and its impressive network of rivers, canals and lakes that form the backwaters, a lush blanket of palm trees leads up to verdant hills covered with tea and spice plantations. Cochin, documented since Roman times, is the oldest European settlement in India. From the quaint Jewish quarter to the bustling spice bazaars it has a seamless blend of diverse architectural and religious influences.
