Whether you’re on safari in the wilds of Mudumalai National Park, trekking with the pilgrims in Madurai, riding a train through the scenic tea plantations in Ootacamund or snapping a million photos of the colonial mish-mash that is colourful Kochi, southern India is a lush and tropical paradise just waiting to delight. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights we can help to arrange for you on a holiday to southern India.
Explore flora and fauna
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve boasts a heritage rich in flora and fauna, perfect for a day or two surrounded by nature. The wild delights on offer here include over 100 species of mammals, 80 species of reptiles, about 3,300 species of flowering plants, 350 breeds of birds, roughly 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of fluttering butterflies.
If you’re lucky, you might even spot the Asian elephant or the elusive Nilgiri tahr. In the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, there’s a dedicated tiger reserve housing 48 tigers all free to roam about. Ask our Concierge travel reps about your visit today.
Marvel at the amazing Jog Falls
Jog Falls is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India, located in Karnataka. It’s best visited during the monsoon season when its four gushing flumes blend together to great a powerful torrent.
Plunging loudly down a steep incline in the Shimoga district, Jog Falls is the tallest untiered waterfall in the country, surrounded by great trekking opportunities. Our experienced guides can assist you with accommodation near Jog Falls and help arrange a guide for your trip.
Get wild at Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
If you’ve had a taste of the local wildlife and are craving more Indian adventure in the great outdoors, the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a must-visit hotspot in southern India. This 285 square km protected area in Kerala is home to four different indigenous tribes who have settled in six colonies and live happily and inspiringly amongst nature.
We can help arrange permission for you to visit the sanctuary and see for yourself. Ask us about staying in the exclusive treehouse accommodation in the Reserve Forest area in Thoonakkadavu and spot animals such as lion-tailed macaques, elephants, Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, wild boar, sloth bears, flying squirrels and gaur.
Take a river trip on a houseboat in Kerala
Imagine cruising along in the silence, watching local village life before your eyes on the riverbanks, sipping fresh coconuts as your private chef cooks up a pot of curry. Houseboat life is one you’ll want to experience on the backwaters of Kerala – a mesmerising network of interconnected rivers, lakes, canals and inlets, consisting of over 900 km of waterways.
Alappuzha (Venice of the East) or Alleppey, as it is known by locals, is the most prominent township in this unique and fascinating ecosystem, where seawater from the Arabian Sea meets freshwater from the rivers. The native oarsmen in charge of your Kerala adventure will impress with great cooking, amazing sights and your own luxuriously furnished houseboat. Ask us about your Kerala houseboat options today.
Whatever you have in mind when it comes to exploring the delights of southern India, a world of beauty, culture and kindness awaits. Call us and speak to our team of knowledgeable travel experts today and you’ll be experiencing “God’s Own Country” before you know it.
