Kerala

Lush, green Kerala is a coconut paradise with its watery landscapes, beautiful beaches and verdant mountains. Enjoy a city tour of Kochi walk through city streets still graced with traces of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture.

While staying in Kochi why not go to see a Kathakali performance, the traditional dance-form of Kerala. The dances are based on the two great Indian epics – the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Kathakali dance is a most stunning display of poise, elaborate make up and the art of story telling.

During your time in Kerala you may come across domesticated elephants on a number of occasions, often just walking along the road, as there are plenty of them in the state as working animals in the fields, plantations and forests. They also have a more ceremonial role attached to temples or making guest appearances at weddings and similar celebrations. You can meet these animals at close quarters the Kodanad Elephant training camp.

Next make your way down to Alleppey and stay a night on a converted rice-barge, and enjoy a gentle cruise along the backwaters. The backwaters are a bewildering labyrinth of waterways, composed of lakes, canals, lagoons and rivers, lined with dense tropical greenery. They preserve rural Keralan lifestyle that remains largely hidden from the road. Birdlife, kingfishers, eagles or parrots abound and all manner of boats and watercraft can be found.