Karnataka to Kerala

Another crossing of India’s cultural heartland, this time beginning in the mid-south at Karnataka’s Bangalore, whence we fly north to Hubli and the nearby World Heritage Site of Hampi, capital of the Vijayanagar kings, who dominated southern India from 1336 to 1565, when they went the way of all empires. Next to Chikmagalur, once a major hill station of the Raj, now a beautiful coffee-growing area. We’ll make an excursion over to the fine, fresco-decorated temples at Belur and Halebid, then continue south to the Sandalwood City of Mysore and its majestic Maharaja’s Palace. Then up to Coorg, set on the edge of the Western Ghats (stopping at Bylakuppe, the oldest Tibetan community in India, where Tibetans settled in the dense, green hills in the 1950s when the Chinese began their attempt to destroy Tibetan culture). After a couple of nights in these serene highlands, we drive down to the Malabar Coast and Tellicherry, where we’ll be welcomed into a colonial home to feast on the area’s famous Moplah cuisine. Then down-coast to Kochi (Cochin) and up to the tea estates of Munnar (see Into the Heart of South India), finally ending with two nights on Kerala’s serene backwaters and the excitement of a local village festival.

Days 1 & 2: USA to Bangalore • Day 3: fly to Hubli, drive to Hospet • Day 4: exploring Hampi • Day 5: Hospet to Chikmagalur • Day 6: excursion to Belur and Halebid temples • Day 7: Chikmagalur to Mysore • Day 8: Mysore to Coorg • Day 9: Coorg • Day 10: Coorg to Tellicherry • Day 11: Tellicherry to Kochi (Cochin) • Day 12: Kochi • Day 13: Kochi to Munnar • Day 14: Munnar • Day 15: Munnar to Kumarakom and the Kerala backwaters • Day 16: on the backwaters and temple festival • Day 17: Kumarakom to Kochi, fly to Mumbai • Day 18: return to USA.

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