Spiritual North India and Kerala
15 days
One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers an area of 32, 87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.
Itinerary Summary
Delhi
2 Nights
You can’t define Delhi in just a few words. The city is too dynamic for that. Its rich history saturated with old stories reflects in beautiful heritage buildings tucked around the sprawling city. The dusty patina of the old stonewalls gives a rumbling beauty to the city landscape and one can almost hear the sounds of the past echoing. Delhi is an exotic vivid destination deserving to be on your itinerary.
Highlights: Chandni Chowk, Laxminarayan Temple, Red Fort, UNESCO World heritage site Humayun’s Tomb
Varanasi
3 Nights
Varanasi, the holy city, is older than history and legend! Located along the banks of the holy River Ganges, it is the oldest living city in the world. Thousands of scholars and sadhus (holy men) visit Varanasi every year to gain ancient wisdom and debate the nature of Godhead, whilst Hindu pilgrims flock to the riverside to wash away their sins and conduct significant life and death rituals. An awe-inspiring melting pot, the spiritual capital of India is also known for its beautiful silks, perfumes and sculptures. Colourful, chaotic, inspiring and moving, Varanasi is not for the faint-hearted
Highlights: Boat ride on Ganges, Ganga Aarti, Sarnath, stroll through Ghats
Cochin
2 Nights
Kochi, formerly Cochin, is considered the Queen of the Arabian Sea as it was one of the first European settlements in India, due its ideal positioning for trading. Kochi has always been at the heart of the Indian spice trade. The Portuguese first colonised Kochi in the 16th century, before the city was conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century and the British in the 19th century. The city’s architecture has been shaped by its colonial rulers, yet today it remains a vibrant and busy commercial centre with a multicultural atmosphere and a cosmopolitan heart. As well as showcasing Kerala’s traditional dance and martial art forms throughout the year, Cochin plays host to several annual celebrations, including the Cochin Carnival every December, and the colourful contemporary art festival, Kochi-Muziris Biennale.
Highlights: Fort Kochi, Jewish synagogue, Jew street, Kumbalangi village, Kathakali
Munnar
2 Nights
Varanasi, the holy city, is older than history and legend! Located along the banks of the holy River Ganges, it is the oldest living city in the world. Thousands of scholars and sadhus (holy men) visit Varanasi every year to gain ancient wisdom and debate the nature of Godhead, whilst Hindu pilgrims flock to the riverside to wash away their sins and conduct significant life and death rituals. An awe-inspiring melting pot, the spiritual capital of India is also known for its beautiful silks, perfumes and sculptures. Colourful, chaotic, inspiring and moving, Varanasi is not for the faint-hearted
Highlights: Tea Plantations, Soft Trekking, Mattupetty dam, Lakshmi hills, Tea Museum
Kumarakom
2 Nights
Kumarakom is a gentle town of mesmeric beauty, where marshy mangroves, brackish lagoons, and sweeping inland lakes criss-crossed by canals, vie for attention. Located close to the city of Kottayam, Kumarakom lies on the banks of Lake Vembanad, which is the largest freshwater lake in South India, and is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad. The town is included in the interior region known as the rice bowl of Kerala, due to its neighbouring paddy fields and rice production, however it’s also able to supply delicious freshwater seafood!
Highlights: Backwaters, Houseboat ride
Kovalam
3 Nights
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. These curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, form the major attraction of this coastal town. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes.
Highlights: Beach, Trivandrum city
