Southern India - its history, its varied
culture, the greener landscapes and the beautiful coastline
make any holiday here a rich and diverse experience.
Southern India has so much to offer : imposing temples;
a glimpse of ancient civilizations; deeply religious
and calm people; lush green plantations and spices;
wildlife parks; gorgeous handicrafts inviting beaches
with isolated stretches of blue waters; a distinct cuisine,
rich in flavours. The following itineraries,
travels from the eastern city of Chennai (formerly Madras)
westwards across the state of Tamil Nadu to the wildlife
sanctuary of Periyar, the inland waterways of Kerala
and the charming city of Cochin, en route explore the
full majesty of the Southern Indian temples complex,
living museums in which rituals dating back hundreds
of years are performed by Brahmin priests, before continuing
to Periyar, one of the largest and most visited wildlife
reserves in India. The sanctuary became part of Project
Tiger in 1973 but is now better known for its elephants.
One of the highlights of the trip is a night spent on
a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala, a tropical
landscape of great beauty with spectacular festivals
and arcane rituals, explore historic Cochin, a delightful
gateway to the relaxed lifestyle of the Malabar coast
& finally relax at the beautifull beaches of Kovalam
or Lakshadweep.