The best of Kerala, without the crowds: jungle safaris, tribal festivals, and a little bit of royal history thrown in. Explore a magnificent range of south Indian landscapes and experiences, all while avoiding the traditional tourist trail.

Begin in a Karnatakan city, steeped in royal and colonial history. Move on via jungle safaris to tea and spice plantations in the Keralan hills, then from a sleepy fishing town to remote village temples bursting with tribal traditions. Finally, round it off with a backwater cruise and a few days by one of India’s best beaches. Northern Kerala Explorer has a little of everything that makes this corner of India so special.

Trip Highlights

• Steep yourself in local culture with a day of guiding in Mysore, an afternoon heritage walk in Tellicherry (with Kalari martial arts demonstration), and a day at Theyyam festival in the hinterlands of northern Kerala
• Experience the different landscapes of northern Kerala with a plantation tour in Wayanad and a day of houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Neeleshwar
• Go on four wildlife safaris in Kabini, including one by boat

This trip showcases the variety of Kerala and Karnataka, from a historic city to a wildlife reserve, a hill station, a coastal town, tribal villages, a backwater houseboat, and a remote beachside retreat. It includes some real stand-out accommodation, with hosts who’ll help you get beneath the surface of Keralan culture. Though we’ve included a range of cultural and wildlife experiences, you’ll have several days to relax by the sea at the end of your trip.

What's included

• Breakfast every day, three lunches, eight dinners
• Five half-day experiences: one morning Mysore Palace guided visit; one afternoon Best of Mysore Trail with street food; one afternoon plantation tour with your hosts at Pepper Trail in Wayanad; one afternoon heritage walk with kalari martial arts demonstration in Tellicherry
• Two full-day experiences: one guided Theyyam tour with an expert in Tellicherry; one day of backwater cruising on a converted rice barge
• Four safari experiences in Kabini: Three safaris (one morning; two afternoon); one morning boat safari
• All accommodation
• All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
• All domestic transfers and transport

Not included

International flights

Any necessary visas

Any lunches or dinners unless stated

Entrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiences

Tipping and personal expenses

Tourist taxes & any National Park fees