See a different way of life with walking holidays in Karnataka and Kerala

 See a different way of life with walking holidays in Karnataka and Kerala

Article by Dipika Patel

See a different way of life with walking holidays in Karnataka and Kerala

Booking walking holidays in India is one of the best ways to see different ways of life and experience a number of unique cultures.

The southern states of Karnataka and Kerala are particularly good for this, as they remain relatively undiscovered by tourists. As a result, they are still unspoiled and there are lots of opportunities for meeting people who still live in the traditional way.

This part of the country has everything you would expect to find during trekking holidays in India, with dense forests, rolling hills, ornate temples and palaces, elephants and ruined ancient cities among the things you can look forward to seeing. Spice plantations, where vanilla pods, nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon are grown, add to the beautiful look of the area and also ensure the air is filled with wonderful fragrances.

You will discover there are plenty of great guest houses to stay in during your time in Karnataka and Kerala, where you will enjoy comfortable accommodation and traditional local cuisine. Some of them are owned and managed by local people, ensuring you can help to support the community, while others are run to raise money for charity and environmental projects.

You will begin your holiday with a day of sightseeing in cosmopolitan Mumbai, before taking an overnight journey on an air-conditioned train to Hubli and then heading to the idyllic village of Hulgol in Karnataka by road. You will be based here for three days, as your guide takes you on walks and bike rides to some of the finest local sights.

Among the things you can look forward to seeing as you trek through the forests and over the hills are the cave temple of Yana and the remains of the ancient hillside city of Vijayanagara, where you will discover palaces, temples and elephant stables. If you have time, head to the town of Sirsi to experience a colourful piece of local life at the spice auction.

The next stop on your walking in India holiday will be Mysore, where you will spend two days exploring the Chamundi Hills and visiting attractions like the lavish palace built for the Wodeyar dynasty. Next up is two days based at the ex-colonial hill station at Coonoor to trek through the dense woodland of the Nilgiri Hills and see the botanical gardens of Sim’s Park.

It will then be time to cross into one of India’s most tranquil states, Kerala. Much of the terrain here is dominated by water, with villages dotted in between lagoons, rivers and canals. The best way to explore is on the waterways, so it makes sense to use a houseboat as the base for this section of your holiday.

Your houseboat will have high-quality sleeping space onboard, but you won’t need to worry too much about catering. As you travel to a range of villages during your four days in the area, you will be treated to some mouth-watering dishes by the friendly locals. Visiting the settlements will also enable you to meet craftsmen and fish farmers, giving you an insight into the traditional way of life in the region.

Round off your holiday with a real treat and spend two days in the beautiful coastal resort of Fort Cochin. If you can tear yourself away from the seaside views, there is lots of history to enjoy here, including relics from the British Raj and ancient mosques.