South India’s Timeless Heritage Route

After breakfast, check out and head toward Cheruthuruthy. On the way, join a guided exploration of Muziris, where you’ll discover the diverse religious and cultural influences that have shaped the Malabar Coast. Muziris, once a thriving port city on Kerala’s coast, flourished as a center of global trade and became a crossroads for many civilizations.

Begin your tour at the Paravur Synagogue, one of the oldest Jewish synagogues in Chendamangalam. Next, visit the Chendamangalam Handloom Viewing Centre, where you can meet the artisans at work. Continue with a visit to a Kudumbashree initiative in Chendamangalam village—a women-led self-help group dedicated to advancing gender equality and community harmony through sustainable livelihoods. Founded in 1998, Kudumbashree aims to eliminate rural poverty by equipping women with skills in organic farming, weaving, and handicrafts.

After a traditional welcome, watch a folklore performance by Kudumbashree members, followed by a Sadhya feast—a vegetarian meal served on banana leaves. After lunch, travel on to Guruvayur, a destination that draws countless pilgrims and visitors each day. Continue your drive to Cheruthuruthy, pausing at Guruvayur Temple to witness the vibrant atmosphere surrounding one of Kerala’s most revered temples. Upon arrival, check in at the River Retreat hotel for your overnight stay in Cheruthuruthy.

Begin your day with an early breakfast before departing for Calicut. Embark on a cultural exploration through Vadya Parichayam, a musical journey leading to the Sopanam Panchavadyam school, where temple musicians showcase traditional instruments followed by a live demonstration. Proceed to Calicut, check into your hotel, and have lunch at Raviz Kadavu. In the evening, take a guided tour passing the historic Gujarati quarters, known for their role in establishing trade links and reportedly aiding Vasco da Gama’s arrival. Pause for “one-meter tea” at a local stall and optionally explore SM Street’s bustling market. Conclude with a Kalaripayattu performance, an ancient martial art, and consider dining at Adaminte Chayakkada for authentic local cuisine before returning to your hotel for the night.

After breakfast, check out and set off for Wayanad. En route, stop to tour a tea factory. Enjoy lunch in Vythiri. Next, visit Uravu, an NGO dedicated to empowering the community through the sustainable use of natural materials, particularly bamboo. Observe how bamboo is cultivated, processed, and crafted into handmade products. Proceed to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, begin your Wayanad sightseeing tour with a visit to the Wayanad Heritage Museum, recognized as one of Kerala’s most well-preserved archaeological museums. Located in Ambalavayal, this museum showcases an extensive array of artifacts that highlight the presence of advanced ancient societies in the Wayanad hills. The museum, divided into four sections—Veerasmruthi, Gothrasmruthi, Devasmruthi, and Jeevanasmruthi—features items such as stone weapons, hero stones, terracotta figurines, sculptures from the 14th to 16th centuries, pottery from the Megalithic period, hunting tools, clay artworks, and other remarkable relics. Among the displays are stone idols, both hard and soft, believed to have been revered by early inhabitants.

Continue your exploration with a stop at a pottery-making unit. After lunch, head to the Kurichia tribal community, known for their significant role in the guerrilla resistance against the British alongside Pazhassi Raja. In the village, a local named Govindan will present his collection of traditional tools and weapons used in historic battles. You can try your hand at crafting a classic tribal bow or observe as he skillfully demonstrates the process. While many community members have adopted modern ways, they still retain much of their traditional culture. These experiences offer a unique window into their distinctive lifestyle. Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, head to Nileshwar, a serene destination featuring secluded beaches lined with coconut palms, peaceful inland canals, and verdant spice gardens on rolling hillsides overlooking the expansive ocean. The pristine, lengthy shoreline is ideal for swimming, offering deep, safe waters. The area also boasts traditional folk arts, vibrant temple celebrations, sacred forest groves, and historic markets. Pause for lunch at Ayisha Manzil during the journey. Later, visit a cooperative to meet women crafting beedi (local cigars). Arrive and settle into Nileshwar Hermitage for an 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 enjoying breakfast at your hotel and completing check-out, set out for Coorg to continue your exploration of its cultural heritage. This picturesque hill station is celebrated for its lush coffee estates, flavorful local dishes, and a vibrant, enduring cultural legacy. Upon arrival, settle into your stay at Orange County, Coorg, where the heritage villas, inspired by traditional Kodava design, immerse you in the authentic lifestyle of the region’s coffee planters.

In the afternoon, embark on a guided walk through a sprawling 300-acre coffee and spice plantation. As you stroll amid the peaceful greenery, discover the distinctions between Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties. For dinner, you can choose to savor classic Coorg specialties at the in-house restaurant, which transforms into a captivating setting after sunset. A meal here is not complete without sampling their renowned spicy Kodava pandhi curry. Stay overnight at your hotel, surrounded by the serene beauty of Coorg.

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 your hotel, set out for Mysore, stopping on the way at Somnathpur to explore the remarkable Prasanna Chennakeshava Temple, a prime example of Hoysala architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee. On reaching Mysore, check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour, starting with the Maharajah’s Palace, celebrated for its exquisite stained glass, finely carved wooden doors, and intricate mosaic floors. Next, visit the lively Devaraja Market before heading to Chamundi Temple, perched atop Chamundi Hill at 1,062 meters, where a 12th-century temple houses a golden idol of the goddess Chamundi. Complete your sightseeing with a cup of traditional South Indian filter coffee. Later, enjoy a heritage Tonga ride—a horse-drawn carriage that once dominated Mysore’s streets and now offers a unique way to view the city’s historic landmarks. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay with breakfast included.

Begin your day with a heritage walk through the historic city, admiring colonial buildings, ancient temples, and local landmarks while discovering their histories. After breakfast at the hotel, attend a Mysore-style cooking session led by a chef using ancestral techniques to craft Ayurvedic dishes. Post-lunch, travel 16 km to Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan’s island stronghold, to explore key sites: the 1787 mosque with twin minarets, the wooden Summer Palace-turned-museum showcasing Haider Ali and Tipu memorabilia, and the Gumbaz mausoleum for the royal family. Later, visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for a boat tour across its 40-acre habitat, home to resident and migratory birds from distant regions. Conclude with an evening of Kushti—traditional wrestling in a dirt pit, reflecting an age-old discipline. Stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, set out for Hassan along a scenic, winding route. On the way, stop at Shravanabelagola to see the impressive 58-foot monolithic statue of Gommateshvara on Vindhyagiri, one of the twin hills in the village. Recognized as the world’s largest monolithic stone sculpture, it is a remarkable sight. Continue to Hassan, a city named after the goddess Hassanamba and established in the 11th century by Channa Krishnappa Naik. Upon arrival, check in at Hoysala Village. Later, embark on a sightseeing trip to Belur and Halebid. The day is devoted to exploring two major Hindu architectural landmarks, especially those from the Hoysala dynasty. Situated just a few kilometers from Hassan, Belur is the earliest site built by the Hoysalas in the 11th and 12th centuries, featuring intricate carvings that illustrate battles between the Cholas and Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala king who fought neighboring Tamil Nadu. In Halebid, visit the renowned Hoysaleshwara Temple, celebrated for its outstanding sculptural detail and vivid depictions of Hindu mythology. Stay overnight at the hotel, with half board included.

Hospet serves as an ideal starting point to explore the Hampi ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Karnataka’s most striking archaeological locations. Once the thriving capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi boasted a population of around half a million and was defended by an army exceeding a million soldiers. The empire’s reach extended from the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean, leaving behind ruins that now span over 26 square kilometers. The city’s natural defenses included the turbulent Tungabhadra River to the north and rugged granite hills on the other sides.

Beyond its strategic advantages, the landscape held deep mythological significance, believed to be Kishkindha—the legendary monkey kingdom from the Ramayana. The presence of numerous monkeys, still revered today, reinforces this connection.

Exploring Hampi is best done on foot, allowing visitors to appreciate its evocative ruins. The main monuments are grouped in two primary zones: the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre features remnants of palaces, ceremonial baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples, while the Sacred Centre lines the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. Notable highlights include the Vittala Temple, renowned for its architectural grandeur, and the Virupaksha Temple, celebrated for its historical and religious importance. After a day of discovery, an overnight stay at a local hotel completes the experience.

Begin your morning at the Sacred Centre, starting with Virupaksha Temple, then proceed to Krishna Temple and the nearby Krishna Bazaar to the south. Continue further south to see Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and the adjacent Badavilinga Shrine, then visit Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple. Stroll through Hampi Bazaar before having lunch at a well-known riverside café. In the late afternoon, explore Vittala Temple, Queen’s Bath, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal Enclosure, Elephant Stables, and Hazara Rama Temple. The itinerary involves considerable walking, but those who keep a brisk pace can cover even more sights.

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Begin your day with breakfast before setting out to discover Hampi by bicycle, weaving through the evocative remnants of its ancient past. The main attractions are grouped in two key zones: the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre features remnants of palaces, ceremonial baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples once reserved for special occasions. The Sacred Centre, located along the revered Tungabhadra River, is home to significant spiritual sites. Be sure to visit the Vittala Temple and Virupaksha Temple, both celebrated for their remarkable architecture and rich heritage. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay, with breakfast and dinner included.

After breakfast, head towards Hubli, stopping en route at Lakkundi, a heritage site famed for its remarkable temples. Discover Lakkundi’s architectural gems, including Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara, and others. The town, celebrated for its antiquity, features about 50 temples, 101 stepwells (Kalyani or Pushkarni), and 29 inscriptions from the eras of the Later Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Seunas, and Hoysalas. Lakkundi stands out as a major center of Kalyani Chalukyan art, with the Kasivisvesvara Temple noted for its intricate and ornate design. The Brahma Jinalaya, the largest and oldest Jain temple in the area, is also a highlight. Visit the sculpture gallery managed by the Archaeological Survey of India to view artifacts from various dynasties. Continue your journey to Hubli, check in at your hotel, and later, take part in a Bollywood dance workshop with a local instructor. Stay overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast depart for Goa.