South Indian Tea and Spices Homestay Tour

Our  Tour features the following locations

BANGALORE: Considered to be the cool cousin among India’s top four metros, Bangalore boasts a great foodie, music and café scene and an equally incredible bar and nightclub culture. The city is located close to some of the most beautiful vineyards that India has to offer, and while it lacks historical sites in the true sense, it more than makes up with its infectious buzz, glitzy malls, and cosmopolitan lifestyle. For a change of scenery, simply head over to one of the many museums, gardens, temples and palaces that Bangalore has to offer. There’s some beautiful Victorian-era architecture worth exploring as well!

WAYANAD: This incredibly bio-diverse region is quickly becoming one of the star attractions of Kerala for nature lovers. Considered to be a tiny slice of paradise in god’s own country, Wayanad lies in the midst of the Western Ghats and is one of the few places that has remained unfazed by development and stardom. It hosts some of the country’s oldest tribes and is home to a number of engravings dating back to the Mesolithic Age. The place is brimming with beautiful forests, rice paddies, picturesque hills, aromatic spice plantations and untouched wilderness and is an absolute treat for sore eyes. Some of the star attractions of Wayanad include Pookote Lake, Chembra Peak, Meenmutty Falls and the Edakkal Caves. Spotting animals such as wild elephants, langur, Indian bison, tigers and spotted deer is quite common here.

COORG: Beautiful sandalwood forests, lush teakwood jungles, dreamy hills, spectacular waterfalls and sprawling coffee plantations, Coorg is an absolute delight for photographers. Popularly called the Scotland of India, Coorg is blessed with an old-world charm that makes it the perfect destination to enjoy varied experiences, right from outdoor adventure activities such as white water rafting and trekking to watching elephants in their natural habitat. The locals belong to the Kodava race, believed to be descendants of Alexander the Great’s armies and migrating Persians and becoming a part of major festivals such as Keil Poldu and Cauvery Shakaramana is perhaps the perfect way to discover Indian culture at its eloquent best. Or you could simply spend your time watching exotic birds, enjoying idyllic retreats and enjoying luxe spa treatments.

COONOOR: The serene hill station of Coonoor lies in the arms of the Nilgiri Hills. In fact, Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1800 m. Geographically speaking, Coonoor lies at the head of Hulikal ravine. This picturesque retreat is covered by grassy meadows, tea bushes, a profusion of sunflowers, marigolds, and rhododendrons, all growing wild. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.

MUNNAR: Welcome to Munnar. As the largest tea-growing region in South India, this beautiful hill station brings you closer to the fascinating world of Indian tea, but the presence of vast rolling hills, magnificent mountain scenery, gorgeous views and a pleasant culture make sure you’re never far away from the best of nature. Once a summer resort for the British Empire, Munnar now greets travellers with pollution-free air, romantic vistas, adventure activities, rich wildlife and an easy-going atmosphere. One of the key attractions of Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr. This is a fantastic place for trekking as the slopes are covered in a stunning shade of blue, thanks to an endemic plant found in this part of the world which blooms once every decade. Other things to see in Munnar include Mattupetty, Power House Waterfalls, Top Station, and Tea Museum.

THEKKADY: Thekkady is enchanting as the road winds through tranquil countryside, rich plantations & thick jungles. The Sanctuary, 60 km from Idukki, 190 km from Cochin and 114 kms away from Kottayam is open throughout the year, but the best season for a visit is from September to March. The sanctuary is centred on the large (24 sq km) artificial lake formed by a dam across the Periyar River. The main attraction is a boat trip over this man-made lake of Thekkady.

KUMARAKOM: The mere mention of Kumarakom is enough to remind you of those serene backwaters, splendid tours into the heart of nature, incredibly romantic experiences and the very best of Indian culture. Consisting of a bunch of islands surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is dotted with forts, mansions, and palaces, all of which were once used by the kings and queens of India. A one-night cruise of the backwaters is a must but if you can make it Two you will not be disappointed. We can book your own private houseboat and float past ancient villages, enjoying the blissful scent of spices carried by winds gently ruffling your hair, rejuvenating your senses surrounded by chirping birds, intricate lagoons and endless natural beauty. Other places to see in Kumarakom include the Bay Island Drift Museum, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall, and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Don’t forget to check out History House, the place where Baker from The God of Small Things (Arundhati Roy’s Booker Prize-winning novel) lived. Standing tall on the banks of Vembanad, it looks even more beautiful in real life.

COCHIN: Those Chinese fishing nets sitting along the harbour are a sight you simply cannot forget. Popularly called the gateway to God’s own country, Kochi manages to hold out on its own with its picturesque locals, leisurely activities, luxe accommodation and incredible homestays. The city is primarily divided into three major areas, modern-day Ernakulam and the historic districts of Fort Cochin, where all our client stay, then there is Mattancherry. Each area boasts fascinating architecture, spice markets, amazing food and interesting attractions. A beautiful Portuguese Palace, 17th-century Dutch homes, a synagogue and India’s first European Church ensure there is much to see and do in Kochi. The resulting mix presents a fascinating blend of a medieval English village full of Portuguese and Dutch architecture, a testimony to the sentiments that have drawn travellers and traders for more than 600 years to this beautiful port town. The best time to visit Kochi is between the months of October to April.

MUMBAI: Mumbai the city of dreams. One of the best and most cosmopolitan cities of Asia. The commercial lifeline of India. Home to Bollywood, the second largest film industry in the world. A place where some of the biggest slums share the area with sprawling metropolises. The epicentre for fashion and Indian wine. A trip to Mumbai is everything you’d expect from a major metropolis, yet so much more. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. But it’s also fascinating, edgy and exciting. Those colonial-era relics, incredible bazaars, hidden wine cafes and enclaves of peace and serenity really do have a way of putting you at ease.