South India Sojourn
Highlights: Ancient temples | French back-dropped Pondicherry | Chettinad mansions | Delicious Thaalis
Unravelling ancient empires
No. of Days: 10
Overview: From the glories of ancient empires and the search for enlightenment in equally old temples to unending stretches of the coast, Tamil Nadu is your one-stop culture and heritage dose. Dynamic and yet immersed in tradition, travelling here offers a dimension that we often miss. It’s a reminder to stop and smell the flowers – even if it means the smell of the jasmine flowers being sold in baskets outside temples. Gopurams (spires) stretching towards the skies are slathered with exquisite carvings and tall ceilinged sanctums and halls home to ancient deities make for a large part of the trip. Within that, you can sprinkle modern history in Madras and Chettind, or veer towards the boho-chic Pondicherry with a decided French lineage.
Set in the deep South, Tamil Nadu can often be seen as the hot and humid sauna of the South, but not if we take you to the forest-clad parts and amaze the senses. Amongst hill stations towards the Western Ghats, Ooty-Coonoor- Kotagiri don’t disappoint. For those who like the idea of steering further on untrodden trails, we take you to Valparai in the Annamalai Hills.
What to Expect: Tamil Nadu is one of the most hospitable states of India. Focus on the food, culture and natural surroundings for a trip full of layers. The tropical symphony of the coast and inland wonders reverberates with the finest tunes. Add to that some local festivals and you come back in love with Tamil Nadu. This steamy heartland of the south may be a far departure from the peaks and plains of the north, but it promises a versatile trip for the traveller.
