North Kerala Culture & Nature Tour

Take a 2 week tour to North Kerala, a quiet contrast to the more popular, and consequently more developed, South of the region. Tranquil beaches, lush green vegetation, and a distinct lack of the more garish trappings of tourism development make this a haven for those seeking real peace and serene natural beauty.

It seems almost unbelievable that a place like this could have escaped the attention of the crowds for so long. Kerala is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and yet the North of the state remains largely unknown to outsiders; because of this it seems to have avoided the fate of so many destinations that become backpacking hotspots: instead of being littered with haphazard and often ugly development, the North is dotted here and there with beautiful homestays and luxury lodges, offering a completely different kind of Indian experience. For those that want to get away from the surface noise and crowds and delve deeper into the rich and distinctive Keralan culture and traditions, this is definitely the way to go.

On this tour you’ll take part in a pottery workshop and learn about traditional Keralan handicrafts, and later witness the practice and performance of classical South Indian dance and music. You’ll get to know more about the music of the region when you stay with a family of professional musicians, and become familiar with the phenomenal polyrhyhmic complexity of Keralan drumming. You’ll have a chance to get involved with the process of traditional weaving, and discover both the tropical beauty of the Nila River by boat, and the amazing local wildlife on safari in Tholpetty wildlife sanctuary, including Spotted Deer, Indian Bison, Elephants, and- if you’re very lucky- even Tigers.

This is a trip for those who are interested in exploring the culture and landscape of a beautiful part of South India that’s still relatively unfamiliar to most Westerners. The emphasis is on real, meaningful interaction and fostering a genuine appreciation of the arts and traditions in this part of the world. The tour is well-paced, with structured activities during most days, but always ensuring that you have sufficient free time to digest your experiences. The tour also supports both local community projects and the Nila Foundation, set up to protect and regenerate Kerala’s second-longest river.