Our special places
We design holidays tailored to your priorities. Please contact us to discuss any destination.
Secrets of Karnataka and the Malabar Coast
Fly to Hubli (via Bangalore) and continue by road to reach Hampi, once the impressive seat of power of the great Vijayanager Kings. After a long day of travelling, take your time and spend 3 nights at Hampi's Boulders, giving you time to both relax and enjoy and explore the fascinating ruined city. The remains are scattered around the south bank of the River Tungabhadra, in a landscape of surreal boulders and leafy fields. The best way to explore is by wandering the ruins at your own pace, or we can arrange a local guide should you prefer.
Depart by road and head south towards Chikmagalur in the heart of rural Karnataka, which is the perfect base to visit the 12th Century Hoysala temple towns of Belur and Halebid. The Hoysala dynasty built a series of distinctive temples, with the examples at Belur and Halebid being among the most ornate and fabulously detailed. It is worth trying to get to the Channekeshava Temple in Belur for 9am for the puja. Base yourself for 2 nights at Chikmagalur’s Gateway Hotel.
Mysore is the next port of call, a city of palaces, gardens, shady tree lined avenues and sacred temples which retains a certain old world charm. Being at altitude it is cooler than most Indian cities and is famous for its silk, sandalwood and jasmine. Whilst you are there visit Devaraja market, the biggest fruit and vegetable market in South Indian as well as Mysore palace, where the ex-Maharaja still resides. The nearby Hoysala temple at Somnathpur would also compliment your previous temple visits, and is considered the most complete. Spend 2 nights at the Metropole Hotel.
From Mysore travel 100km west to the Western Ghats, stopping en route at Bylakuppe, the oldest Tibetan community in India, before reaching the hill region of Kodagu. Kodagu (formerly Coorg) comprises mountain terrain with cardamom jungle and coffee plantations at over 1000m above sea level. There are a range of activities on offer here such as trekking, or visiting the working plantations, and the area is also renowned for bird watching. The Dubare Elephant Camp is a popular visit as you can bathe and feed the creatures before riding through the forest to a nearby waterhole. Have 2 nights at Orange County.
Head over the border into Kerala to the calm Arabian sea to finish your trip in style with 4 nights at the beautiful Neeleshwar Hermitage, where you can relax on the beach and indulge in the fine food and spa treatments on offer. Transfer to Mangalore airport to connect with your flight back to the UK.
Prices from £2715 per person including flights, transport and all accommodation. To get a tailored quote or to discuss any of our other South Indian journeys please call 0207 359 3938 or email Matt and we can put together a tailormade trip of a lifetime.
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