The warmth of South India: Kerala and Karnataka

From the labyrinthine backwaters and Wayanad hills of Kerala, to the fishing villages and spice plantations of Karnataka, South India is a constant delight.  Explore lush forests and sprawling plantations, discover charming hill stations and secluded beaches. Enjoy a stay in a wonderful, traditional-style houseboat, built and managed by the local communities. The gentle pace of life combined with spectacular scenery will delight and enthrall.

Kerala Update  - September

All our holidays to Kerala will be available from 15th October as usual. Our regional coordinators in Kerala are on the spot in the communities and everything will be ready in plenty of time following the record monsoon floods this summer. We have also been impressed by the response from the state government in Kerala, and are confident that guests will enjoy their trips as much as ever this year.

Read the full story in our blog.

 

Our holidays in Kerala and Karnataka

Tailor each itinerary to your exact requirements

Coast, Spice and Temples of Karnataka

Explore the ancient palatial remains of the 'City of Victory' at Hampi; immerse yourself in the spice market, cycle through verdant forest and discover the secrets of the spice plantations in the charming hamlet of Hulgol; then relax on the secluded beaches at the fishing village of Pavinakurva. A thrilling exploration of exotic Karnataka.

Suggested stay 12 nights, see this holiday

Hills and Backwaters of Kerala

Book-ended with a stay in historic Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast, this holiday takes you high into the Western Ghats to the lush hill-side village of Mothakkara, set among pepper, coffee and banana plantations, before heading south to the palm-fringed rivers and lagoons to unwind on the houseboat. A wonderfully relaxing taste of Kerala.

Suggested stay 11 nights, see this holiday

Spirit of the South

Relax on the unspoiled beaches of Pavinakurva on the Karnataka coast and explore the rubber plantations and banana groves of Mothakkara in the Wayand hills. Add to this the spice gardens at Hulgol and a stay on the community houseboat for an enchanting discovery of the magical South.

Suggested stay 16 nights, see this holiday

Cycling in Karnataka

A wonderful introduction to south India, explore the lush forests, spice plantations and coastal villages of Karnataka. Enjoy day trips by bicycle from two rural villages; one set in the spice gardens of the Western Ghats and the other on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

Suggested stay 9 nights, see this holiday

 Yoga, cooking and village life

Join a small group to enjoy the warmth and hospitality of southern India, enjoying yoga sessions with an experienced Indian teacher. Discover the secluded beach at Pavinakurva and explore the exotic spice plantations at Hulgol. Enjoy delicious, fresh food and learn some of the local recipes.

 

Suggested stay 8 nights, see this holiday

Onam Festival

Kerala is a seductive place to visit at any time, but during the festival period of Onam it becomes all the more vibrant, showcasing the local culture and traditions at their very best. Enjoy the music, parades, spectacular Vallam Kali snake boat races in Kochi. Relax onboard a community-owned houseboat and visit the wonderful hillside village of Mothakkara.

Suggested stay 9 nights, see this holiday

Short Escape to the South

For guests who have existing travel plans in place or have limited availability, we offer a short break to any of our South Indian partner villages. Choose to stay in Karnataka in the coastal village of Pavinakurva or the spice gardens at Hulgol, or in Kerala on the community-run houseboat or the hillstation village of Mothakkara. Prices for short escapes include accommodation, meals and private guiding; travel can also be arranged if required.

Suggested stay 8 nights, see this holiday

What our guests say

"We will long remember the blizzard of smiles, the beauty and complexity of Hinduism and
the sounds of the forest. If you approach this trip with an open mind and heart and return those smiles, you will be repaid tenfold. The mixture of village life with some well placed hotel stays is just right and you feel you are seeing much more of the real lives of people rather than just going from one tourist attraction to another."

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