Luxury Safaris in Southern India
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the two most southerly states of India, have surprisingly different languages, cuisine, music and dance. Exploring these regions is a varied and delightful way of seeing southern India.
Kerala is bordered by the Malabar Coast on the west, while inland it is a network of forty four rivers, canals, and lakes, which form the well-known backwaters.
Meanwhile the Western Ghats, a range of hills, rise in the east where you can meander through the tea and spice plantations and stay in old colonial houses. To the east, in Tamil Nadu, the pace is fast and towns are alive with activity. It is a state with magnificent Hindu temples dating way back to Dravidian, Chola and Palava eras. Pilgrims gather daily to offer flowers and coconuts to their revered gods.
Travelling even further east to the coast, Coromandel is a series of simple and enchanting small fishing villages, and well off any beaten tourist track.
North from Coromandel are Pondicherry and Chettinad, whose peoples greet you with smiles, and you stay in simple hospitable hotels. Further north again is Chennai.
Throughout this region places of interest are not so far from one another as those in Rajasthan, a handy tip for those who don't relish travelling long distances.
The predominant attraction of Goa, a Portuguese colony until 1961, is its idyllic palm-bordered beaches. The best time to visit is November to February. There are any number of beaches in north Goa, but many are over busy, especially at night, with parties and music, and some are crowded with large hotels and shacks so we prefer the top level resorts between Benaulim and Palolem in south Goa. Along the length of the coast there are also some good private houses to rent.
Karnataka is an inland state behind Goa. It has its own coast south down to Kerala. A succession of dynasties left a gaspingly rich architectural heritage: a vast array of temples and sculpture at ancient Vijayanagar (Hampi); the great palaces of Mysore; (one was lit by 100,000 light bulbs); Badami's caves and temples. Karnataka has is a rich diversity of wildlife in the national parks at Nagarhole and Bandipur and in its bird sanctuaries.
"Your cheerful enthusiasm for India was very encouraging & based on reality." - Mr & Mrs Russell
We look forward to tailoring your holiday to Southern India. Please call Tim Best Travel on +44 (0) 207 591 0300, or if calling from the US, Toll Free on 1-866-205-8369 to speak to one of our luxury travel specialists.
