Privacy in Kerala with IndianExplorations.com

So much so that several blogs can and probably will be devoted to Kerala backwaters and beaches! What a lot of people don’t know is that Kerala is an absolute paradise for nature lovers, walkers, birders, cyclists and kayakers. The birding and wildlife is absolutely outstanding. In the lowlands a famous bird sanctuary is the Salim Ali Sanctuary,Thattekkadu. This is one the last extensive patch of lowland rain forest left in Kerala and is a haven for over 300 species of birds including such rarities as the Ceylon Frogmouth, Peninsular race of the Jungle Owlet, Mountain hawk-eagle, Jerdon’s Baza and much more. A charming and comfortable tented camp called Hornbill is situated just opposite the sanctuary across the Periyar River. They keep kayaks at camp and that is a thoroughly enjoyable way of exploring this lush landscape of rain forest and emerald paddy fields with the high ranges of the Western Ghats in the background. As you venture into these you are offered a wonderful choice of converted homes, plantation bungalows and purpose built resorts many tucked away in quiet, remote valleys or ridge commanding magnificent views.

The Malabar House in Kerala with IndianExplorations.com

One of our favourites is a place called Paradisa Resort owned by Simon Paulose. From the cottages – restored heritage wooden Kerala homes – and the dining room you look out over a superb mountain landscape of forest, tea and coffee plantations and spice gardens. Even the cardamom and coffee estates which require the shade of rainforest giants, are a haven for birders and the local walking trails where you may be guided by a tribal guide can reveal a colourful wealth of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and plants. Back at Paradisa you can cool off from the mid-day heat in the charming swimming pool designed in the shape of Simon’s wife’s foot (or so the story goes!) or work off cricks and stiffness with an Ayurvedic massage. Paradisa also serves superb food – traditional Kerala specialities and they also organise classes for this interested in learning about the unique flavours of Kerala cooking, that distinguish it from other south Indian cuisines.

Luxury Holidays to Kerala with IndianExplorations.com

Not far from Paradisa is one of India’s great tiger reserves – Periyar – with its herds of wild elephants and immense habitat diversity that supports the greatest variety of birds, insects, reptiles and probably mammals of any park in south India. For the intrepid walker and wildlife enthusiast the real joy of Periyar is in the buffer forests where you can experience an absolutely amazing rain-forest trek – but that is for another blog!

Kerala luxury safari holidays with IndianExplorations.com

Dense rain forest clothed these slopes once housing an incredible diversity of life. And even today – despite the surge of humanity up these mountains – they are counted amongst the worlds 24 biodiversity hotspots. Elephants roam these forests and I’ve seen tracks of tiger at over 600 feet high in the Munnar hills. Endemic species like Nilgiri Tahr (wild goat) and lion-tailed macaques make their home here. Coffee and cardamom with their dense cover are favourite haunts. At the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve, in the buffer zone forests many of which now have an understorey of cardamom, it is possible to walk and camp in the wilderness. A single fruiting fig can hold one mesmerized as it attracts insects and birds to fruits and more birds hunting the insects and more birds hunting birds.

Tigers safaris with IndianExplorations.com

As evening falls the canopy comes alive with palm civets, eyes gleaming emerald in the torchlight and the distant trumpeting of elephants is suddenly drowned by the explosive alarm calls of sambar deer that sets the hair on the nape of your neck erect. In the morning you emerge from the tents and head out for another adventure packed day along trails that plunge across streams and then climb out to high clearings with the most exhilarating views you can imagine. And one of the joys of Kerala is that a luxury pad is never far from reach. I’ve always felt a little bit guilty ‘adventuring’ from such a luxury base – but the feeling passes quickly.

Luxury Kerala with IndianExplorations.com