This trip focuses on quality accommodation in some of the many beautiful properties in the South, including homestays and restored heritage buildings...

This trip focuses on quality accommodation in some of the many beautiful properties in the South, including homestays and restored heritage buildings.

The locations are occasionally a little bit off-the-beaten track, ensuring a more tranquil environment during your holiday.

Day 1 Cannanore

Calicut is well connected by domestic flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Cochin. After arrival, drive 2 hours north to a delightful and little-visited strip of Kerala’s coast where swimming at a semi-private beach can be enjoyed; overnight near Kannur.

Day 2 Cannanore

Two days to enjoy the beautiful beaches and small fishing villages which dot the coast, with plenty of optional day trips.

Day 3 Cannanore

Two days to enjoy the beautiful beaches and small fishing villages which dot the coast, with plenty of optional day trips.

Day 4 Wayanad

Drive 5 hours up into the hills of the Western Ghats. Staying in the Wayanad district, you can enjoy the cool air and lush, verdant forests of the area. Overnight in a small family-run guest house.

Day 5 Wayanad

Take a guided trek in the hills or a jeep safari to a wildlife sanctuary further afield – there are many options, or you can just take it easy.

Day 6 Palakkad

Drive 5 hours to Palakkad, enjoy a meal at the riverside restaurant and this resortstyle hotel.

Day 7 Palakkad

Visit the Kerala Kalamandalam, a major Keralan music and dance school, and observe the students and masters at work.

Day 8 Cochin

Drive 4 hours to Cochin and transfer to your hotel in the historic area of Fort Kochi; in the evening attend an evening Kathakali dance performance.

Day 9 Cochin

Enjoy a morning tour of Fort Kochi with a local guide; afternoon free for shopping, walking or relaxing, followed by sunset harbour cruise.

Day 10 Alleppey

In the morning drive 2 hours to Alleppey and board your houseboat – complete with three staff, air conditioning, and dining and bedrooms – for cruise on the backwaters.

Day 11 Kanjirapally

Disembark houseboat after breakfast, drive 1 hour to historic Kalaketty Estate in the Peermade foothills, set amongst a rubber plantation.

Day 12 Dindigul

Drive over the Western Ghat mountain range into the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Tonight you will stay at a small guest house set on a traditional farm, which is run by an English expat, long resident of the district.

Day 13 Dindigul

Two days to enjoy the ambience of this delightful lakeside property set in a secluded valley, with plenty of scope for trekking, bird-watching and seeing the farm in operation.

Day 14 Dindigul

Two days to enjoy the ambience of this delightful lakeside property set in a secluded valley, with plenty of scope for trekking, bird-watching and seeing the farm in operation.

Day 15 Chettinad

Two hour drive to Karaikudi in the Chettinad district; with an overnight stay at Chettinad Mansion, a restored private palace.

Day 16 Tranquebar

Morning visit to the hand-painted tile factory before drive to Tanjore to see the World Heritage listed Brihadeeswara temple, then on to the old Danish settlement at Tranquebar for overnight stay in the restored governor’s mansion.

Day 17 Pondicherry

Drive 4 hours up the coast to Pondicherry, a former French Colony. Your hotel here is a restored colonial building in the historic French Quarter.

Day 18 Chennai

In the morning, take a self-guided heritage walk through the French Quarter. Afternoon drive 3 hours via Mahabalipuram to Chennai airport for your onward connection or flight home.