27 Day Itinerary
£15,800pp
Journey across the Indian Ocean to discover varied landscapes teeming with rare wildlife, ancient architectural marvels, panoramic mountain views, and the stunning atolls of the Maldives.
Stay in the old capital city of the Kingdom of Mysore, ruled by the Wadiyar Dynasty.
Spend one night in the art and cultural capital of Karnataka, a historic town with great textiles, silk production, spices and markets. Stay at the Royal Orchid Metropole, one of the most renowned heritage hotels in Mysore, originally built by the Wadiyar dynasty as a guest house. From here you can explore the ‘City of Palaces’ with a visit to the majestic Palace of Mysore or the Chamundi Hills and sample the local sweet treat, Mysore Pak. The hotel also offers High Tea and a variety of restaurants for you to enjoy your evening in relaxation and comfort.
Feel like part of the family at a charming homestay overlooking the Karapuzha Reservoir.
Stay in an abandoned coffee and rubber farm in Wayanad’s misty mountains overlooking the beautiful Karapuzha Reservoir and the Western Ghats. At the Amaryllis Homestead you will be treated like one of the family, with homemade meals, tea on the verandah, warm hospitality, cooking displays and evenings under the stars. The homestay is in a great location to get to know local life, with trips to local tribal villages and temples like the Jain Temple. During your stay, trek to Chembra Peak or head to the Muthanga National Park where you can spot wildlife like gaur, sloth bears, leopards, bears, elephants and even the elusive tiger.
Enjoy a unique safari experience influenced by the social tapestry of the local Kadu Kuruba tribe.
Head to this safari lodge in the less-visited National Park for an expert safari experience. Hop on a daily boat safari up the neighbouring Kabini River for a chance to spot bathing Asiatic elephants, smooth coated otters and sunbathing crocodiles. Take a vehicle safari across the park to see if you can spot the famous tiger hiding in the undergrowth or the crested serpent eagle flying overhead on a nature walk. Try something unique with a traditional coracle boat ride, unique to the rivers of southern India, or watch a local Kiruba tribal dance by campfire before a candlelit dinner cruise down the river.
Wander through spice scented pathways under jackfruit trees whilst you explore a working coffee and spice plantation.
Drive to the Evolve Back Chikkana Halli Estate, Coorg, one of the most popular hill stations of Karnataka with vast hills home to a dense history of coffee, tea gardens and spice plantations. The estate itself is nestled within a 300 acre working coffee and spice plantation, which you can explore on foot on a guided plantation walk and enjoy the spice scented pathways. Coorg alone counts for 25% of all bird species in India, making it a bird watching paradise; set out in the morning to listen to the calls of grey hornbills, brainfever birds and more. Explore the local villages, stopping at a riverside teashop on the banks of the Cauvery to sip local teas and observe the rhythms of local life, or head to the Bylekuppe Tibetan settlement to see the Golden Temple.
Drive to Malabar for some well deserved beach and relaxation time in the beautiful North Kerala.
Swap hilly plantations for the Arabian Sea’s sandy shores with a four night stay at the Neeleshwar Hermitage in Northern Kerala. The Hermitage provides an expert wellness programme, where you can try some guided yoga and meditation classes as well as unwind at the Ayurvedic Spa with a consultation to nourish and rejuvenate. Here you can relax on the beach or cruise down the secluded waterways that feed the local paddyfields in the Lotus Houseboat. The Hermitage also offers traditional musical concerts, dance performances of Theyyam, Malabar dishes and guided tours of local temples and festivals.
Enjoy an evening in Mumbai in style with a stay in the city’s landmark hotel overlooking the majestic Gateway of India.
Drive back to Mangalore before flying to bustling Mumbai for a chance to stay at the legendary Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. Here you can simply relax at the Jiva Spa, where you’ll find old Indian healing techniques mixed with the finest natural ingredients, or cool off in the pool. Alternatively, explore the city of Mumbai with a guided tour, stopping at heritage sites and the Colaba Causeway for some shopping. In the evening, pick from the hotel’s nine acclaimed restaurants and bars, including authentic Indian cuisine at Masala Kraft, or enjoy private dining at the chef’s studio to make your stay unique.
The Wallawwa’s exceptional location make it a great overnight stay to prepare for the Sri Lankan part of your adventure
Fly from Mumbai to Colombo for an evening at the traditional and colonial style boutique hotel, the Wallawwa, in the rural hinterland of Negombo. Here you can prepare before your Sri Lanka adventures begin: the hotel has a beautiful pool set in 200-year-old tropical gardens as well as a heavenly spa, carved out of a 17th century manor house. In the daytime, take a trip to Negombo, where you can take a tour of the fishing market, the old Dutch canals and mangrove lagoon on a boat or kayak. The next day set off north, stopping at the beautiful Dambulla Caves before arriving at the Golden Triangle.
See some of Sri Lanka’s most famous and sacred UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a stay in Anuradhapura.
Spend three nights at a 150-year-old village chieftains mansion, surrounded by paddy fields for the prime location to visit Sri Lanka’s incredible heritage and archaeological sites. From the Ulagalla Anuradhapura, visit the great UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the great Kingly rock fortress of Sigiriya. You can also either cycle or hop on a tuk tuk tour of the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, supposedly established around a cutting of the Buddha’s ‘tree of enlightenment’. Alternatively, head to the Wilpattu National Park, famous for bears, elephants and leopards in its dense jungle spotted with beautiful ponds.
Head to the heart of Sri Lanka’s Tea Country for its enveloping tea hills, cooling waterfalls and spectacular panoramas.
Feel as if living in a bygone era with your three day stay at Goatfell bungalow, surrounded by tea bushes amidst the Concordia Estate in the Kandapola hills, 2,000 metres above sea level. Here you can enjoy your locally sourced spiced curries or a swim in the pool with unrivalled vistas of the Sri Lankan hills and cloud forest, lit up magically at sunrise and sunset. Walk to the Finlay’s Tea Factory for a guided tour to learn about the production of the famous brew or explore the sights of the colonial era hill station of Nuwara Eliya. Hike through beautiful woodlands to reach Sri Lanka’s third highest and less-known mountain peak, the Thotupola Kanda. From here, enjoy panoramic views over Horton Plains and Adam’s Peak.
Experience paradise for yourself during a five night luxury stay on Moofushi Island in the Maldives.
Catch a flight to the Maldives in the mid-afternoon, and after a short sea plane ride over the Indian ocean and its islands, arrive at the Constance Moofushi for your five night stay in paradise. On this own secluded island you will experience barefoot luxury; stay in a private villa floating on stilts above the turquoise waters and wake up every morning to the sounds of the ocean. Spend your days exploring one of the best diving sites in the world around the South Ari Atoll or try big game fishing Maldivian style. In the evenings, sail down the coast in a traditional Dhoni to sip on sundowners and spot playful dolphins before dining on freshly caught seafood and fine wines with your toes in the sand.
Day Itinerary
£15,800pp
7 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £4995pp
Blend a trip to Jordan and Oman, discovering iconic historic sites like Petra and the ancient fortress Bala Fort. Experience diverse landscapes by stargazing in Jordan’s Valley of the Moon, floating in the Dead Sea and camel riding across the dunes of Oman’s Wahiba Sands.
11 Day Itinerary
Guide Price: £6,200pp
Experience the highlights of India, from having unobstructed views of the Taj Mahal, sampling an array of culinary specialities and exploring the spectacular landscapes, National Parks, the ‘Pink City’ and the colonial architecture of Old Delhi.
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