South India Heritage Trail

Breakfast. Check out and proceed to Cheruthuruthy. En route, take a guided tour of Muziris—an introduction to the many faiths and cultures of the Malabar Coast. Muziris is the name of an ancient port city on the Kerala coast. Enriched by trade contacts, Muziris became a melting pot of world cultures. Start your visit with the Paravur Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues of the Malabar Jews in Chendamangalam. Visit the Chendamangalam Handloom Viewing Centre and interact with the workers. Continue your journey with a Kudumbashree program in Chendamangalam village. Kudumbashree is a women’s self-help group empowered to promote gender equity and communal harmony through self-sustainability. Established in 1998, its mission is to eradicate poverty in rural areas by teaching women skills such as organic farming, weaving, and handicrafts.

After the traditional welcome, enjoy a folklore performance by the members of Kudumbashree, followed by a feast featuring Sadhya-a vegetarian lunch served on banana leaves. After lunch, proceed to Guruvayur. A large number of pilgrims and tourists visit this fascinating spot every day. Continue driving to Cheruthuruthy. Later, stop at Guruvayur Temple to observe the vibrant life surrounding one of the most revered temples in Kerala-a visual treat for any visitor. Check in to your hotel, River Retreat. Overnight stay in Cheruthuruthy.

In the morning, after an early breakfast, check out and drive to Calicut. Follow a musical trail known locally as Vadya Parichayam to the Sopanam Panchavadyam musical school, where artists and students will introduce various musical instruments used in temples, within a temple premises. The introduction will be followed by a short performance demonstrating the use of these traditional instruments. Continue driving to Calicut. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, followed by lunch at Raviz Kadavu. Later in the evening, go on an orientation tour of Calicut. Pass by the Gujarati quarters, where Gujarati traders migrated from northwest India as early as the 4th century. These traders were instrumental in developing trade relations in Calicut, and it is even said that they guided Vasco da Gama, the great sailor, to this city. Stop for a "one-meter tea" at a local tea stall. If time permits, enjoy a visit to SM Street (Sweet Meat Street), a lively marketplace. Afterward, visit a Kalaripayattu school to watch a demonstration of this traditional martial art form of Kerala by its students. Kalaripayattu is considered one of the oldest surviving fighting systems in the world. Optional: Dinner at Adaminte Chayakkada, a local dining experience in Calicut. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Check out after breakfast and drive to Wayanad. Stop for a visit to a tea factory. Have lunch at Vythiri. Visit Uravu, a non-governmental organization that supports the community by promoting the use of natural resources, especially bamboo. Observe the cultivation and processing of bamboo, as well as the production of handcrafted bamboo products. Continue to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of Wayanad. Visit the Wayanad Heritage Museum, one of the best-maintained museums in Kerala. The Ambalavayal Heritage Museum houses a rich collection of artifacts that testify to the existence of an advanced civilization in the mountains of Wayanad.This heritage museum is one of the largest and best archaeological museums in the state. Exhibits include various stone weapons, stone carvings, sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries, pottery from the Megalithic Age, hunting equipment, clay sculptures, and other fascinating artifacts. The museum also features idols made of hard and soft rock, which are believed to have been worshipped by ancient people. Next, visit a pottery-making unit. After lunch, visit the Kurichia tribal community, which played a significant role in the guerrilla warfare between Pazhassi Raja and the British. In the village, Govindan, a member of this tribal community, will introduce you to his collection of old tools and weapons used in warfare. Learn how to craft a traditional tribal bow or watch in awe as his skilled hands create one. Though many members of the community appear more modern today, they still maintain their traditional lifestyle. These visits provide valuable insight into their unique way of living. Drive back to the hotel.Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed to Nileshwar, a tranquil area with empty beaches fringed by coconut plantations, uncrowded inland waterways, and lush hillside spice gardens set against the vastness of the ocean. The long beach is clean and excellent for swimming-deep and safe. The region is also home to folk arts, temple festivals, sacred groves, and old markets. Enjoy lunch en route at Ayisha Manzil. Later, stop to interact with women engaged in beedi (local cigar) making at a cooperative society. Upon arrival, check in at Nileshwar Hermitage. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed to Anandashram, founded by Swami Ramdas-endearingly called Beloved Papa—at Kanhangad, South India, in 1931. The ashram upholds the ideal of universal love and service, based on a vision of divinity in all beings and creatures of the world. Here, every man, woman, or child—regardless of denomination, creed, or caste—has free access. Engage in an interactive session with the ashram authorities.Continue driving to Bekal and visit Bekal Fort. This 300-year-old fort is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure, made of laterite, rises 130 feet above sea level and stands on a 35-acre headland that extends into the Arabian Sea.Spend the afternoon at leisure on the beach. In the evening, visit a nearby temple and experience its daily rituals.Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, continue your heritage journey and drive to Coorg. This charming hill station is known for its exotic coffee plantations, delicious cuisine, and, above all, a rich and persistent living culture. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation at Orange County, Coorg. Its heritage villas, inspired by ethnic Kodava architecture, offer a unique opportunity to experience the planter’s way of life. This afternoon, take a guided tour of the 300-acre working coffee and spice plantation on foot. Walk through the tranquil greenery of the estate and learn the differences between Arabica and Robusta coffee. Tonight, you may opt to enjoy dinner featuring traditional Coorg delicacies at the in-house home-style restaurant. Once the sun sets, this restaurant transforms into a spectacular setting, where no meal is complete without a portion of their signature Kodava pandhi curry (spicy pork curry).Overnight stay at the hotel.

This early morning, you may opt for one of the activities offered by the hotel: A cycling village trail to explore the surroundings and interact with local people. or A stroll through the bazaars to observe the rhythms of daily life and sit by the banks of the Cauvery, sipping a special tea. For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, start your day with an early morning birdwatching walk on the vast grounds of the resort. Considering that Coorg alone accounts for over 25% of all bird species in India, it is no surprise that birding here is so popular. Later, receive an introduction to Ayurveda from the doctor at the Ayurveda spa Vaidyasala. This session will present the ancient secrets of the world’s oldest healing system—designed to rejuvenate, regenerate, and revitalize the body and mind. In the afternoon, visit Dubare Elephant Sanctuary. This camp is a project undertaken by the Forest Department in collaboration with Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. The sanctuary houses numerous elephants that are trained under the guidance of naturalists, who will explain various aspects of elephant history, ecology, and biology. Visitors can not only observe and learn but also participate in various activities involving elephants. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing and enjoying the infinity pool amidst the working coffee and spice plantations. Overnight stay at the hotel.(Bed & Breakfast)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Mysore. En route, visit Somnathpur, well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakeshava Temple, one of the three finest representations of Hoysala architecture nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Upon arrival, check in at The Hotel. This afternoon, proceed on a sightseeing tour. Visit the Maharajah’s Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Inside, you will find a stunning display of stained glass, intricately carved wooden doors, and mosaic floors. Continue towards the vibrant Devaraja Market, followed by a visit to Chamundi Temple, which overlooks Mysore from the 1,062-meter summit of Chamundi Hill. At the top of the 1,001 steps leading up the hill stands a 12th-century temple that houses a golden statue of Chamundi—the Hindu goddess worshipped by the Maharajas.End your tour with a cup of authentic South Indian filter coffee. Later, experience a heritage Tonga ride (horse-drawn chariot). These vehicles once ruled the streets in their heyday and are now used to ferry visitors around heritage buildings, offering insights into the local culture.Return to the hotel. Overnight stay. (Bed & Breakfast).

Early in the morning, proceed on a heritage walking tour to experience the charm of this historic city. Take in the sights at your own pace as you pass by beautiful colonial structures, old local monuments, and temples, while learning the stories behind them. Return to the hotel for breakfast. By midday, proceed to a cooking demonstration of Mysore-style cuisine by a culinary expert who draws upon generations of knowledge to present Ayurvedically balanced and flavorful recipes. After lunch, drive to Srirangapatna (16 km from Mysore), the island fortress of Tipu Sultan and the early capital of the Mysore Wadiyars. Here, you will find several significant monuments, including: Tipu’s Mosque (built in 1787), with its twin minarets. Tipu’s Summer Palace (Daria Daulat Bagh), built entirely of wood and now converted into a museum that houses remarkable artifacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. The Gumbaz, the burial site of Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, and other members of the royal family. Then, proceed for a quick stop at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for a boat ride. Spanning 40 acres, this reserve serves as an important nesting and breeding ground for thousands of bird species. It also attracts numerous migratory birds from as far as Siberia, North America, and Australia. In the evening, witness Kushti—traditional Indian wrestling. This is not just a sport but an ancient subculture where wrestlers live and train together, following strict discipline. The matches take place in a clay or dirt pit, preserving the authenticity of the tradition. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Hassan via a beautiful winding road.En route, visit the 58-foot-tall monolithic statue of Gommateshvara, located on Vindyagiri, one of the twin hills in the village of Shravanabelagola. It is considered the world’s largest monolithic stone statue.Then, continue to Hassan, a town named after the goddess Hassanamba. The city was founded by Channa Krishnappa Naik in the 11th century.Upon arrival, check in at Hoysala Village. Later in the day, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Belur and Halebid. This day is dedicated to exploring two major Hindu architectural sites, particularly those of the Hoysala dynasty.A few kilometers from Hassan, Belur is the first site built by the Hoysala dynasty (11th and 12th century). Its many intricate reliefs depict scenes of battle between the Cholas and Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala king, who fought against his Tamil Nadu neighbor.At Halebid, the Hoysaleshwara Temple stands as a masterpiece, renowned for the exquisite quality of its sculptures. No detail is overlooked in this stunning depiction of the great Hindu myths. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Half Board).

Hospet is the perfect base for visiting the Hampi ruins. Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka.Once the capital of one of India’s most formidable empires—the powerful Vijayanagara—Hampi was home to a population of half a million and was protected by more than a million soldiers. The Vijayanagara Empire, which stretched from the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean, left behind ruins that now cover an area of more than 26 square kilometers. The city was naturally fortified by the tempestuous Tungabhadra River to the north and by rocky granite ridges on the other three sides. However, it may not have been military strategy alone that led the god-conscious Vijayanagara kings to choose this dramatic landscape for their great imperial city. The area also held legendary significance, as it was believed to be the site of Kishkindha—the monkey kingdom associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana. The presence of a large number of monkeys, still considered sacred, seems to support this belief. The best way to experience this World Heritage Site is to take a leisurely stroll through its eloquent ruins. Most of the significant structures are located in two main areas, generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre contains structures believed to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples used for ceremonial purposes. The Sacred Centre is situated on the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. Visit the Vittala Temple and Virupaksha Temple to admire their stunning architecture and historical significance.Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the Sacred Centre, starting with Virupaksha Temple, then head to Krishna Temple and Krishna Bazaar, located southward. Further south, explore Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and the adjacent Badavilinga Shrine, followed by Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple.Take a walk through Hampi Bazaar before enjoying lunch at a popular local café by the river.In the late afternoon, visit Vittala Temple, Queen’s Bath, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal Enclosure, Elephant Stables, and Hazara Rama Temple.A significant amount of walking is involved. Guests who maintain a steady pace can explore even more areas.

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After breakfast, explore Hampi on a cycling trail, strolling through the eloquent ruins. Most of the important structures and ruins are located in two main areas, generally referred to as the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre.The Royal Centre contains structures believed to have been palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples used for ceremonial purposes.The Sacred Centre is situated on the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. Visit Vittala Temple and Virupaksha Temple to admire their architectural splendor and historical significance. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner).

After breakfast, proceed to Hubli. En route, visit Lakkundi, a historic site renowned for its temples. Explore the temples of Lakkundi, which include Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara, and many more. Lakkundi is of great antiquarian interest, featuring around 50 temples, 101 stepped wells (known as Kalyani or Pushkarni), and 29 inscriptions spanning the periods of the Later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seunas, and the Hoysalas. A significant center of Kalyani Chalukyan art, Lakkundi is home to several notable temples, among which the Kasivisvesvara Temple is the most ornate and elaborately decorated. The town also houses the Brahma Jinalaya, the largest and oldest Jain temple in Lakkundi. Additionally, visit the sculpture gallery (museum) maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to explore exquisite artifacts from different dynastic periods.Continue driving to Hubli. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. In the late evening, enjoy a Bollywood dance workshop with a local instructor. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast depart for Goa.