The captivating Malabar Coast has been a meeting place of cultures throughout history. Its lush landscapes were fragrant with the precious spices that brought traders from far and wide, making this coastline rich in both wealth and culture. This tour takes you through the most evocative parts of Malabar, taking inspiration from Hortus Malabaricus (meaning "Garden of Malabar").
Hortus Malabaricus, with its beautiful illustrations, captured the flora of the Western Ghats. It brought Malabar’s indigenous plant knowledge to the attention of the world. Nearly thirty years in the making, it was published in Amsterdam from 1678 to 1693. K. S. Manilal, the respected Cochin botanist, translated the Latin Hortus into English and Malayalam. Each day on the tour has a botanical theme, which will be discussed briefly, that day.
Start your tour in Bangalore, traditionally known as the Garden City, and learn about plants that heal and restore balance in an Ayurvedic garden. Continue to sumptuous Mysore, famed for its palaces and its silk, sandalwood and spices, where you will visit a palace, a sandalwood factory, take high tea in a heritage building and watch the strictly traditional hand rolling techniques in a family run Ayurvedic plant.
Enjoy a spectacular journey into the Blue Mountains up to the hill station of Ooty to visit a tea plantation, an old cinchona factory and its famed botanical gardens. Head over the Cardamom Hills to Madurai, with its vividly magnificent temple, and discover the precious indigenous plants of the highlands. Continue to the highlands of Periyar on a spectacular drive past vivid green tea, coffee, rubber, pineapple and spice plantations, to visit the spice smallholding of Mr and Mrs Abraham and immerse yourself in the life of local spice producers. Head back down to the coast and board a converted rice barge to cruise along the tranquil Keralan backwaters. Finish your tour in historic, languid Cochin – the birthplace of the Hortus Malabaricus.
After the tour, there is the option to extend your trip for three nights in Kumarakom.
Start your tour in Bangalore, traditionally known as the Garden City. Continue to sumptuous Mysore, famed for its palaces and its silk, sandalwood and spices. Enjoy a spectacular journey into the Blue Mountains up to Ooty to visit a tea plantation, an old cinchona factory and its famed botanical gardens. Head over the Cardamom Hills to Madurai, with its magnificent temple, and discover the indigenous plants of the highlands. Continue to the highlands of Periyar on a spectacular drive past vivid green tea, coffee, rubber, pineapple and spice plantations. Head back down to the coast and board a converted rice barge to cruise along the tranquil Keralan backwaters. Finish your tour in historic Cochin.
Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala.
Visit elegant Ooty ('Snooty Ooty') to visit a tea plantation, an old cinchona factory and its famed botanical gardens.
Visit the spice smallholding of Mr and Mrs Abraham and enjoy a home cooked lunch.
On 7 February, transfer from Cochin to Kumarakom, a village on Vembanad Lake in the tranquil, canal-laced backwaters of Kerala. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary being home to many species, including cuckoos and Siberian storks. Arrive at the luxury Kumarakom Lake Resort to relax at your leisure for three nights. On the 10 February, depart Kumarakom and transfer to Cochin Airport for your return flight.
Some walking between destinations, more time spent standing, and increased travel distances. Requires a reasonable level of fitness.
If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.
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