Kerala Expedition

This Expedition takes us to Kerala, a region of South-west India famed for its stunning natural beauty that for centuries has been at the heart of the maritime spice trade. Bordered by the tropical rain forest of the Western Ghats on the east, and the Arabian Sea on the west, Kerala is covered by lush tropical vegetation and has a coastline that stretches for over 500 kilometres.

From the emerald green of the Cardamom Hills, to the endless waterways of the Backwaters; from the tropical forest of Periyar National Park, to the ivory beaches fringed with palms of the Malabar coast, Kerala’s range of sceneries makes this a singularly beautiful land offering abundant opportunities for landscape and people photography.

Kerala’s history goes back to the Hindu epic Ramayana. Hindus believe that Kerala, whose name means ‘the land of the coconut palm’, was created when the sage Parashurama - an incarnation of Vishnu – stood on the mountains of the Western Ghats and threw his battle-axe into the sea, making the waters recede. An ancient land with a millennia old tradition of commerce, Kerala is known as ‘God’s Own Land’ in recognition of its mythological origins and the wealth of its natural resources.

The richness of Kerala’s flora has marked its history, inextricably linking its fortunes to the spice trade. In antiquity, the Egyptians, the Phoenicians, the Romans, and the Arabs undertook fabulously adventurous journeys to acquire cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and above all – black pepper, which is grown here. Transported along a vast network of sea and land routes, spices were traded throughout the ancient world as articles of luxury that could only be paid for in gold. Such was the allure of these plants, that it is thought that exploitation of the monsoon winds for navigation was developed in response to the need to transport them.

In more recent times, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British fought for control of the commerce in sandalwood and spices grown in this region. Over the centuries, the customs of the people who reached the Malabar Coast have become intertwined with the local traditions, giving rise to a uniquely cosmopolitan culture.

The Expedition begins in Kochi, the fascinating Queen of the Arabian Sea, overlooking a natural harbour. The crumbling capital of an extinct Portuguese empire, Kochi reigned supreme over the spice commerce for centuries, whilst people of every race and creed landed in its port. Our journey will then take us across the spice plantations of the Cardamom Hills, to the tropical forest of Periyar National Park, on the slopes of South India’s highest mountain range. Later, we explore the unique eco-system of Kerala’s Backwaters, aboard Kettuvalams, the magnificent Houseboats that glide along this spectacular network of waterways.

Dates: 1 March - 12 March 2009
This Expedition begins and ends in Kochi, Kerala, India. Dates refer to actual days on the ground (11 nights).
Expedition Leader: Dariusz Klemens
Participants: 6-8
Cost: £ 2150
Includes: 11 night’s accommodation, on twin-share basis, with breakfast daily. Houseboat cruise on the Backwaters, with overnight stay and all meals on board. All transfers within Kerala, by private, air-conditioned vehicles. Translator and local guides. All entrance fees.

Notes:

The group will meet in Kochi on day one of the Expedition. Accommodation is in a heritage hotel in Fort Kochi and in mid-range hotels elsewhere.

We make every effort to ensure that we travel and sleep in comfort. However, participants should note that this Expedition involves some uphill walking/trekking in tropical forest.

For a sample of images from the area, please visit our Kerala Expedition Gallery.