IndiaKerala & Tamil NaduKerala and Tamil Nadu form the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent: Kerala the thin strip of the tropical western coast; Tamil Nadu the wide, arid plains of the east. Running like a spine between them are the Western Ghats, a mountain range older than the Himalayas. They harbor hill stations, incredible treks, and a bountiful diversity of wildlife. Overview Trip ideas Experiences Regions Best time to visit Accommodation Back to India's regions Tamil culture is one of the few living classical civilizations in the world, shaped by the powerful Dravidian empires of the Cholas, Pandyas and Pallavas. Its temple architecture, characterized by gopuram towers swarming with elaborate and colorful figures, is one of the highlights of any visit to the south – as is its cuisine, rich in tamarind, coconut and black pepper.In Kerala, meanwhile, rolling tea fields blanketed in a sea of green descend toward the coast into coconut groves, paddy fields and the myriad waterways of the backwaters. Keralan culture has been shaped since antiquity by its position on the Arabian Sea, first by traders from ancient Rome, Arabia and China – then by colonizers from Europe in the Golden Age of Exploration. Its coastal regions are a maze of palm-fringed waterways, while in its hinterlands you’ll find villages, tea plantations and bewitching tribal festivals. Its beaches, we should also mention, are among the finest in India.Kerala and Tamil Nadu make a fantastic pairing for showcasing India’s diversity and contrasts. Plus, as two of the country’s wealthiest and most progressive states, they’re wonderfully accessible for first-time visitors. Destinations in Kerala & Tamil Nadu India CalicutA cultural crossroads, seaside Calicut is refreshingly un-touristy – despite having plenty to see and do, from medieval mosques to martial arts. India ChennaiYoung, vibrant and always in the throes of change, Chennai is one of India’s most exciting and creative cities — with some of the best street-food anywhere. India ChettinadA land of ghostly, abandoned mansions, like the ruins of a fairytale kingdom, Chettinad is one of the most spectacularly unexpected destinations in India. India Kannur & TellicherryThis charming, low-key corner of Kerala wouldn’t get much press if it weren’t for Theyyam: a Hindu festival unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. India Kerala backwatersKerala’s pride and joy, the backwaters offer mile upon mile of jungle-fringed paradise, where life is slow, water is king, and everything happens by boat. India KochiIndia’s coolest and most progressive state capital, Kochi feels like a European city transplanted to the palm-fringed Keralan coast. India KumbakonamPaddy fields, betel farms and coconut groves provide a picture-perfect backdrop for experiencing village life in rural south India. India Madurai‘The Soul of Tamil Nadu’, ‘The Athens of the East’, ‘The city that never sleeps’ – Madurai is one of the oldest cities in India, and it has collected its fair share of epithets over the years. India MahabalipuramWorld Heritage temples combine with sand, surf and backpacker vibes to make Mahabalipuram a beach break with a difference. India MarariArguably the best beach destination in Kerala, with golden sands, glittering seas, and plenty of laid-back south Indian charm. India MunnarEnjoy old-world luxury in a plantation bungalow, surrounded by the emerald-green tea fields and mist-cloaked mountains of Munnar. India MuvattupuzhaExperience life in the Keralan countryside, surrounded by lazy waterways and fields of pineapple, banana, coconut and black pepper. Load More