Luxury Kerala Holidays & South India Tours

Kerala has drawn travellers to her shores since 3000 BCE, when the spice trade first earned her the name ‘Spice Garden of India’. Today, her palm-fringed backwaters, tea-clad hills and Ayurvedic traditions make her one of India’s most rewarding luxury destinations — a world away from the deserts of the north. Kerala is also the natural starting point for a wider tour of South India, from Goa’s colonial coastline to Tamil Nadu’s temple heritage. At Enriching Journeys, we design tailor-made journeys through the South shaped entirely around your interests.

Discover Kerala on a Bespoke Holiday

Kerala has enchanted travellers since 3000 BCE, when Babylonian and Egyptian traders knew her shores as the ‘Spice Garden of India’. Little has dimmed that magic today, and Kerala tours remain among the most rewarding ways to experience South India’s diversity — from tranquil backwaters to misty tea hills, wildlife-rich jungle and centuries of layered history.

Kerala Backwaters

A private houseboat cruise is the quintessential Kerala experience — drifting silently along palm-fringed waterways, past emerald paddy fields, coconut groves and villages where life moves at its own gentle pace. Staying in Kumarakom or Marari extends this further, with waterside retreats where mornings begin on the water and evenings end on the beach.

Munnar

Rising into the Western Ghats, Munnar’s tea plantations blanket the hills as far as the eye can see, among the highest tea-growing estates in the world. It’s a destination made for walking, with cool mountain air, dramatic viewpoints and a slower pace that makes it a natural retreat within any Kerala luxury holiday.

Thekkady

Bordering Periyar National Park, Thekkady rewards travellers with jungle walks in search of wild elephants, leopards and a small population of tigers, set against a backdrop of aromatic spice plantations growing pepper, cardamom and cinnamon. It’s an ideal pairing of wildlife and wellness, with Ayurvedic traditions rooted deep in the region.

Cochin

Cochin (Kochi) distils centuries of Arab, Portuguese, Dutch, British and Jewish influence into one atmospheric city. Wander Fort Cochin’s lanes past the iconic Chinese fishing nets, explore its Jewish heritage in Mattancherry, and watch Kathakali performers transform through hours of intricate costume and make-up. Cochin’s cuisine — fiery curries built on local spice, fresh seafood and coconut — is reason enough to linger, making it one of the highlights of any luxury Kerala travel itinerary.

Unique Experiences to Include in Your Kerala Tour

Cruise the Kerala Backwaters — Glide by private houseboat past riverside villages, fishing communities and coconut-lined banks, with fresh Keralan cuisine served on board.

Experience Kerala’s Living Culture — Watch a Kathakali performance, explore local temples and festivals, and connect with communities keeping these traditions alive.

Discover Ayurveda & Wellness — Experience authentic Ayurvedic treatments at their place of origin, rooted in centuries of cultural and philosophical tradition.

Explore Tea & Spice Country — Walk through Munnar’s rolling tea plantations and the spice-growing hills that first drew traders to Kerala’s shores.

Wildlife in Southern India — Spot wild elephants, leopards and rich birdlife on jungle walks and boat safaris around Periyar National Park.

Relax on Kerala’s Coast — Unwind on Marari’s quiet sands, the perfect close to a journey through temples, tea estates and backwaters.

Explore Southern India Beyond Kerala

Kerala can be the centrepiece of a South India journey or the starting point for a wider tour of southern India. Tamil Nadu offers Hindu temple culture and traditional architecture at its finest, from Kanchipuram to Chettinad’s heritage mansions and colonial Pondicherry; Karnataka pairs the UNESCO ruins of Hampi with wildlife around the Kabini River; and Goa adds palm-fringed beaches and Portuguese charm. Together, these states make for some of the best cultural tours in India, rich in plantations, cuisine and living tradition.

Where to Go on a South India Tour

Tamil Nadu — Explore India’s finest Hindu temple architecture, from Kanchipuram to Madurai, alongside centuries of heritage, distinctive cuisine and rich cultural traditions.

Karnataka — Discover Mysore’s royal palaces, Coorg’s coffee plantations and misty hills, and historic sites including the UNESCO ruins of Hampi, alongside wildlife-rich landscapes.

Pondicherry — Wander French colonial streets, sample Franco-Tamil cuisine, and enjoy a relaxed coastal atmosphere shaped by centuries of European influence.

Goa — Relax on palm-fringed beaches, explore Portuguese colonial architecture in Old Goa, and discover a laid-back interior known for its Indo-Portuguese cuisine and wellness retreats.

Tailor-Made Kerala & South India Journeys

South India rewards those who know it well, and our team’s first-hand experience across Kerala’s backwaters, Tamil Nadu’s temples, Karnataka’s ancient ruins and Goa’s coastline shapes every itinerary we design. Trusted local guides and long-standing partners on the ground mean our South India tours offer access and insight you won’t find in a standard package, with support close at hand from the moment you arrive to the day you leave.