India Tours: Southern India
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.
