The first-time traveller to India is often drawn to the North, with Delhi, the Taj Mahal and the exotic nature of Rajasthan being irresistible attractions.  But to tour to India without heading south is allowing but a glimpse of the wonders of this hugely diverse country.

For a start the climate in Southern India is so different, being tropical territory with gorgeous beaches, forests, hill stations, rivers and thriving cities. The best time to tour can be between October and March when temperatures are lower and there is generally less rain.  If you’d rather visit outside of this peak time, many believe the region is also fascinating between June and August, when the monsoon is in full swing (in Tamil Nadu, the monsoon can be much less apparent than in Goa and Kerala during these months).  Check with us for availability of certain tours.

India Tours: Diversity

The gems of the South include its myriad of religions, its unique cultures, its delicious cuisine, and of course its friendly natured people – typical of a sunny environment!  People in the south are largely descendants of Dravidians, quite distinct from the Aryans of the North, with their own unique music, architecture, dress, food and language.

And despite the influences of Muslims, Dutch, Portuguese, French and British, traditions remain.  You’ll find not only Hinduism, but also Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Jains and even the remains a Jewish community in Cochin. However, much to the delight of the traveller to Southern India, you will find that most people speak English.

India Tours:  What to see and do

There are various India Tours available to suit everyone. As for what to see as you travel Southern India, Tamil Nadu offers the towering Sri Meenakshi temple and elaborate Nagore tomb, dramatic Golconda Fort, and the English architecture of Ooty and Madras.

As well as its famous beaches, Goa offers a colonial atmosphere with massive old churches, the fading elegance of the Braganza mansion and the Portuguese-style streets in the Fontainhas quarter of Panjim. Anjuna is known for its fun, chaotic Wednesday market, Arambol and Palolem for their tranquil prettiness, and Calangute or Baga for hustle and bustle.

In Kerala, Fort Cochin reveals the influences of by-gone tea and coffee merchants, and a traditional Kathakali dance performance must not be missed.  India tours that include Kovalam and Varkala are popular for ayurvedic massages. The Keralan backwaters are also a must – a quiet tangle of waterways between Cochin and Kollam. The scenic backwaters can be explored by kettuvallam, or rice barge.  These tours are good for a few days relaxing and enjoying the scenery, but you can also visit craft producers and see spices being grown.

Wildlife and nature tours for enthusiasts are available.  You can choose India tours from the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala for langurs, elephants, otters and kingfishers; the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu for elephants, leopards and macaques; Vedantangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu for tigers, panthers, bear and boar; and the Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park in the Andaman and Nicobar islands for mangrove, rainforest and coral reefs.

India Tours

The sheer size and diversity of India means the style of food in each region is not only different in flavour, but in colour and even the method of cooking and preparation.

The food from North India traces its descent from Persian ancestors who started filtering into India from the 11th century AD and then from the 16th century AD when the Mughals came to power. The Mughals brought with them rich and fragrant dishes, such as pilaffs and biryanis, spicy kormas, koftas and kebabs used to grace the tables of emperors.

In the South the spicy curries are often pulse-based and chillies, mustard, coconut oil and other spicy seeds are used to conjure up mouth-watering dishes like dosas and idlis.

Special Food Tours

Adventure World offer India Tours especially for Indian food lovers.  You’ll get an opportunity to experience the flavours of North and South India in specially designed India food tours.  These tours focus on not only the cuisine, but the unique culture and history of each region.

On the Northern India food tour you visit Old and New Delhi, the magnificent Taj Mahal, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, ride an elephant to Amber Fort and see the highlights of Rajasthan before ending in Mumbai, home of Bollywood. Culinary experiences include cooking demonstrations on how to prepare snacks such as samosa and Naan bread, sampling the fare of traditional Indian sweet shops, and enjoying a “thali” selection of tasty dishes.

In Southern India you head from Chennai down to the coast to Trivandrum for a backwater cruise; in Kochi, the “Venice of the East’, experience a Kathakali Dance Show, and take a tour of Bangalore. Again, you sample local cuisine, particularly the wonderful seafood abundant on the coast, with cooking demonstrations and lessons, learning about the specialty spices of the area.

India Tours

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