Kerala - Paradise found

Kerala, God’s Own Country, has been voted by National Geographic as one of its top ten ‘paradise found’ places on the planet. Situated in the south western corner of India, it is a green and fertile state thanks to the annual south west monsoon. Traders have been sailing to Kerala for 3,000 years, riding the directional monsoon and trade winds. The Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch and Portuguese have all traded here and the coastal city of Kochi (formerly Cochin) reflects the diversity of these influences: Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace.



From Kochi/Cochin you can explore the fertile hinterland:

Travel inland through palm, rubber, tea and spice plantations before arriving at Lake Periyar National Park, a tiger reserve surrounding an artificial lake constructed by the British in the 19th century. This reserve is also home to bison and elephant.

Sail along the Backwaters, an extensive fresh-waterway of rivers, lakes, lagoons and canals with small settlements, palm groves and fishing nets adorning the banks.

Allow yourself to be transported along these waterways on a Kettuvallam, a houseboat in the style of the traditional rice boats. Enjoy the views in style while your meals are being prepared!

And for the ultimate paradise experience, why not sleep 40 metres up in the canopy in a Tree House?