Vast, diverse, deeply spiritual and utterly unforgettable, India is unlike anywhere else on earth – a melting pot of ethnicities and religions, a treasure trove of history and culture, and a curious mixture of chaos and serenity. Stretching across more than three million square kilometres, it encompasses a staggering array of landscapes, vistas and environs, and offers unparalleled travel experiences – from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the compelling craziness of Kolkata, the sacred Ganges river banks of Varanasi, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas in Kashmir and the ancient, exquisitely crafted temples dotted across the entire country. Not to mention the vibrant, friendly people, and the incredible cuisine.
Conveniently located 16 kilometres from the city of Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is a small but well-developed tourist village on the coast of the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is renowned for its exquisite palm-lined surf beaches, and the well-known Lighthouse Beach, which is lined with an array of excellent hotels, restaurants, and shops, and a striped lighthouse at its southern end, is a must-see. The village attracts surfers with its surf culture, excellent waves, and popular surf club. Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing Ayurvedic massage, sample delicious local seafood, and try your hand at a range of exhilarating water sports.
Idyllically located on the coast of the Karnataka state of India, Gokarna is a small tourist-focused pilgrimage town centered around its numerous holy temples. While Hindu pilgrims flock to this little town for its spiritual significance, tourists are drawn to Gokarna for its pristine and secluded beaches which are exquisitely framed by the majestic Western Ghats. Gokarna’s atmosphere is low-key and laidback. Its blissfully tranquil shoreline is dotted with thatched bamboo huts and lovely little restaurants serving modest but delicious traditional meals. The town’s small and compact centre is easily navigable on foot and features notable attractions such as a lively marketplace, the Mahabaleshwar Temple which houses a huge lingam (symbol) of Lord Shiva, and the Ganpati Temple where you will find large wooden chariots which carry a Shiva idol through the streets during the Shivaratri Festival in February/March. If you are lucky enough to visit during this holy festival, you can indulge in the traditional practice of throwing bananas at the the Shiva idol for good luck!
Known as the ‘garden city', Bangalore is the attractive capital of the South Indian state of Karnataka, set on the Mysore Plateau. Leafy, cosmopolitan and well structured, it’s easy to see why the city has been named ‘most liveable city in India’. Wide boulevards are lined with a great variety of restaurants and tea stalls, where food lovers can delight in a smorgasbord of south Indian flavours. It is also known for its booming IT industry, and this factor, coupled with an effort to preserve its colonial heritage, has created a modern and sophisticated metropolis.
Situated only 40 km from the city of Cochin, in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, Mararikulam is a charming little coastal village known for its pristine sand beaches, swinging coconut palms, and quiet, laidback atmosphere. The village has managed to avoid the mass development associated with many of the other beach towns in the area resulting in an untouched natural environment dotted with only a handful of small resorts. The main attraction here is the exquisite Marari beach where you will find fishermen heading out daily to explore the Malabar coast, much as their ancestors have done for generations.
As previously described
The city of Kollam is set on the coast of the Laccadive Sea and borders the Ashtamudi Lake. This town is considered the gateway to the Kerala backwaters and part of the popular ferry tour to Alleppey. Due to its dominance in the cashew processing industry, Kollam is nicknamed the 'Cashew Capital of the World', and is surrounded by the serene Ashtamundi Lake waterways, fringed by idyllic cashew plantations, coconut palms, and traditional villages. Highlights include the picturesque Kollam beach, Thirumullavaram beach, Mahatma Gandhi Park, Thangassery Light House, Asramam picnic village, and the exciting and popular Adventure Park. Make sure to visit the exquisite 400-year-old Anandavalleeswaram Temple, and attend one of the vibrant cultural festivals held here.
Situated in the beautiful Indian state of Kerala, Palakkad serves as the gateway to this scenic state. This vibrant city boasts an ancient history, rich cultural heritage, and breathtakingly beautiful surrounding landscapes. Visitors can look forward to a variety of great activities such as exploring the historic 18th-century fort of Palakkad in the heart of the city; discovering the magnificent Malampuzha Dam, the largest reservoir in Kerala with its manicured gardens; and soaking up spectacular views of the Western Ghats from Kava viewpoint. Popular attractions include: the Nelliyampathy Hills, the Kalpathy Heritage Village and Temple Complex, Thiruvalathur Randu Moorthy Temple, and the Palakkad Rock Garden.
Vythiri is located in the tourist-friendly state of Kerala in southwest India. Although the state is best known for its backwater tours and cruises, the hill-station of Vythiri - with its high-altitude plantations (coffee, tea, cardamom, pepper and rubber) - makes for an interesting contrast to the rest of Kerala. Key destinations include the incredibly scenic Pookot Lake, a natural freshwater lake surrounded by green mountains, offering swimming, boat trips and an on-site aquarium; the Soochipara Falls, a three-tiered waterfall complex that also makes a fantastic destination for rock-climbing; Banasura Dam, which features islands you can swim to and makes a good starting-point for hikes up Banasura Peak; and Lakkidi, a popular village on the Thamarassery Ghat Pass with great local cuisine and superb valley views.
Situated on the tip of the Indian continent, Thiruvananthapuram is the bustling capital of India's 'green' state, Kerala and a gateway to the southern states. A tourist-centred metropolis, Thiruvananthapuram is rich in cultural heritage and can be easily distinguished by its British colonial architecture and plethora of art galleries. Included among the most impressive architectural gems is the 260-year-old Padmanabhaswamy temple, with its glittering, 30-metre, seven-tier eastern gateway. For those seeking a chance to soak up the sun, Thiruvananthapuram is only a stone's throw away from some of India's most beautiful beaches. Don't forget to visit the Zoological Gardens and museums where Yann Martel researched for his book Life of Pi, by studying the behaviour of Simba, Thiruvananthapuram zoo's disabled lion.
Tucked away in the Shivalik foothills, Narendra Nagar is a charming hamlet offering panoramic views of the Ganga River and the exceptionally scenic Doon Valley below. The town lies only 20 km from the popular city of Rishikesh and is situated on a popular trek route which runs between Gangotri and Yamunotri. Aside from the spectacular panoramic views, the main attraction here is ‘The Narendra Nagar Palace’ which is perched high on a ridge of Himalayan ranges offering a glimpse of the remarkable grandeur of the past. Original relief work still adorns the palace walls and two magnificent World War I cannons flank the royal gateway. The palace is now home to ‘Ananda in the Himalayas’, an internationally renowned luxury spa and holistic healing retreat.
Shimla, lying deep in the foothills of the Himalayas, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and the gateway into the more remote northern regions of Kashmir. It is also the stop-off for travellers venturing into the Kullu and Spiti Valleys. Resting at an altitude of 2159 metres, the city has a cool climate and beautiful views of river valleys, pine forests, apple orchards and steep mountains covered with maize terraces. The Mall, a long, winding pedestrian-only walkway, is the commercial and social hub of Shimla, while those looking for natural beauty should head uphill through the forest to Jakhu Temple or follow one of the many forest trails in the eastern part of Shimla. To the south of the city, the bazaars bustle with local flavour.
Situated between Trichy and the coast of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur is an important centre of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. It is also an agricultural hub, fondly known as the ‘rice bowl of Tamil Nadu’. It’s most visited monument, the exquisite Brihadeeswara Temple, is located at the centre of the city and a style of painting, called Tanjore, which is unique to the region, can be seen here. The temple is one of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in and around Thanjavur. Thousands of people still worship at the Cholas' grand Brihadishwara Temple every day.
Conveniently situated only 40 km from the city of Coimbatore in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Pollachi is the second largest town in the Coimbatore District. The town boasts the Western Ghats as its scenic backdrop, making it a popular choice among filmmakers with over 1500 films shot in the area. Aside from its spectacular surrounding landscapes, the main attractions are the nearby Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, both of which form a refuge for an impressive array of wildlife such as elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth-bear, wild bear, porcupine, pangolin, civet cat, crocodiles and a number of different bird species. Other popular attractions in the area include a large colourful market and a variety of exquisite temples.
