Points South

Individual Tours to India and Sri Lanka

The Points South Experience of travelling in India and Sri Lanka

Jane Points has over 40 years experience of travelling in India and Sri Lanka, she has a passion for sharing her knowledge with others. South India has proved a rewarding and gentler experience for her clients visiting India for the first time.

Whether you are looking for an introduction to India and Sri Lanka or a return adventure, Jane’s insight and ‘on the ground knowledge” obtained from her personal visits ensure that your holiday meets your specific requirements.

Northern India

India is a vast continent, we think it is better not to attempt covering both the North and South unless you have abundant time. The food is different to the South, more meat is eaten, with dishes more familiar to the Indian food served in restaurants in the UK. The tourist trail is well established, especially in Rajasthan, it is possible to enjoy this vibrant state by staying in the smaller restored palaces, where the owners insight can often lead to special discoveries. Points South has compiled a rural Rajasthan tour specifically for this purpose.

Tamil Nadu

While Kerala has prospered from tourism in the last decade, its neighbour Tamil Nadu remains largely untouched and undiscovered. From the Coromandel Coast to the Nilgiri hills there is much that will reward the more adventurous traveller. The temples are open to non-Hindu’s, here you can experience centuries-old rituals, often as the only western presence. As a refreshing contrast to the heady temple trail, the 19th century Chettiar trader’s mansions in Chettinad still stand, several have now been converted into small hotels. The architecture and history are an interesting comparison to that of the East India Company, whose headquarters were originally in Chennai, the coastal capital city of Tamil Nadu. While Pondicherry’s French heritage still influences the town’s unique cuisine.

Kerala

Kerala offers a gentle introduction to India. The climate is less harsh than the north and the scenery is lush due to the abundance of water. Kerala has been a popular tourist destination for many years.

Kerala offers a diverse choice of destinations from the cooler climate of the Western Ghat mountains to the stillness of the backwaters. The cities offer a fascinating insight into Kerala’s rich cultural history, Fort Cochin retains many interesting historical buildings reflecting the many faiths and cultures that have flourished together . Kerala has an excellent selection of hotels, with many properties using a strict environmental code, such as the award-winning CGH Earth group, the home stays offer the opportunity to experience the life and customs of a local family.

Karnataka

Karnataka is the most diverse of the Southern Indian states. The climate is less humid, tourism is less developed than Kerala. There is plenty to see with outstanding palaces and temples, particularly in the Mysore area.
Bangalore is a thriving city with direct flights from the UK. We prefer the nearby city of Mysore with outstanding National parks close by. In our view Karnataka provides a manageable itinerary for a shorter visit, encompassing the historical palaces of Mysore, the rich architectural legacy of the ruined city of Hampi combined with the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid then enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the National parks at Nagarhole and Wayanad.

Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka sits just to the south-east of southern India, about the size of Ireland.The size of the island makes it far easier to travel to the various places of interest. With ancient cities, cool green hill country, lovely beaches and fascinating old towns this is a perfect holiday destination, I would describe Sri Lanka as “calm India”. The beaches of the North east coast are still un-spoilt and not affected by the summer monsoon, making this area ideal for the summer holidays, combined with a wildlife park and a visit to the Kandy Perahara festival.

Please contact Jane Points to discuss your specific holiday requirements.

Mob: +44 (0)780 106 3335 email info@points-south.co.uk