The oldest European settlement in India, Cochin is a melting pot of Jewish, Chinese, Portuguese and Hindu influences.
Wander through the streets of the quaint Jewish quarter, visit a Portuguese style church or a grand Hindu temple, take in the sights and smells of an aromatic spice market, and observe the Chinese fishing nets by the port. This ancient port is now divided into two areas: Fort Cochin, the old peninsula town with its winding streets and colourful merchants, and the more modern city of Ernakulam on the mainland.
If you have a lazy morning, the Old Fort area is perfect for wandering around with its quaint cafes and newly opened art galleries. Visit the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and Mattancherry Palace. You can purchase freshly caught fish directly from the fishermen and watch it be cooked nearby. Silks and other exotic fabrics are in high demand in Ernakulam and on MG road. A lunchtime Thali is affordable and delicious in Saravana Bhawan, or you can witness a cooking demonstration followed by a sumptuous lunch in a private home. For an evening thrill, take a harbour cruise and watch the Kathakali dance performance as the sun goes down.
India
Kerala Encompassed
Gain a great insight into the variety Kerala has to offer as you travel south to north over three weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in different types and styles of accommodation, ranging from tea bungalows to a plantation mansion, houseboat, treehouse and tents, to name a few.
Spend your days among tea and spice plantations, relaxing in rural settings, spotting wildlife, cruising along the Alleppey backwaters, visiting local markets and getting to know the towns that make Kerala tick. Relax on a remote beach to round off your holiday through ‘God’s Own Country’.
Highlights
Cruise the backwaters
Explore the canals on a houseboat for two nights, watching local life pass by
Birdwatching
Wake up on the banks of the Periyar River, where you’ll have the chance to spot over 120 species of birds
Safaris
Track elephants and tigers in Nagarhole National Park
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India
Birds of South India
Discover lesser-visited but beautiful areas of Southern India during this two week holiday. There is a particular focus on the region’s abundant birdlife, exceptional for casual and serious aficionados. Visit several sanctuaries and travel through the lush western ghats, known as a treasure house of endemic species, as well as the strictly protected wildlife of Bandipur National Park.
Highlights
Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary
End your journey with a visit to the Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to some 170 exquisite bird species
Valparai
Explore Valparai’s remote landscapes through forest treks in an area full of wildlife, including some of the most endangered varieties of hornbills
Bandipur National Park
Spot elusive big game on sunrise and sunset safaris in Bandipur National Park
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