Houseboats and backwaters
The south of India is diverse and very different from the north. Here you will find baroque temple complexes, a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, beautiful palaces, nature and game reserves and colourful markets in vibrant cities. Kerala is an area with lush vegetation including lots of spices (pepper, ginger, turmeric, cashews and coconut fiber) and more than 600 tree species. A special and attractive aspect of Kerala are the omnipresent rivers and canals, lakes and creeks. Board a houseboat and spend the night in the midst of the familiar backwaters: sea lagoons that dominate the surroundings of Kumarakom. On the backwaters of Kerala, the busy, chaotic and noisy India is nowhere to be seen. Well smeared against the mosquitoes you enjoy on the deck of your houseboat the tranquility, the birds and the greenery on the waterfront. Every now and then a fisherman in a canoe comes by looking for the evening meal for him and his family.
Port and trading city of Cochin
A special spectacle is also the coastal town of Kochi (Cochin). Fishing here includes'Chinese fishing nets'. They are huge wooden stellages of more than ten meters high. The operation, according to the leverage principle, is done manually by usually six fishermen. Large chunks of stone serve as counterweights as the men lower the net in the water and lift it back up. In the port town of Cochin you will find many Portuguese and Dutch influences. The VOC used Cochin for a long time as an export port for the herbs and spices harvested in Kerala and transported by boat to the Netherlands.
On safari
Last but not least is Periyar National Park. This national park and tiger reserve is an absolute highlight during your trip through south India. There are good walking routes through the forest and under the guidance of a guide you can explore the park on foot. The elephant is not the only resident of the park. There are several monkey species, boars, otters, deer and a wide variety of bird species. A special but hard to spot resident is the tiger. It is estimated that there are about 35 to 40 tigers living in the Wildlife Sanctuary. The chances of seeing a tiger are very slim. The animals prefer to stay at a safe distance from humans.
