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The Living South - India

Karnataka • Kerala

This itinerary is inspired by NĀDA (sound in Sanskrit)

Nāda. The first sound. The vibration before form.

Some cultures have to be reconstructed for the visitor: rebuilt, staged, translated back into something legible. The South never needed that. It simply never stopped. The Living South follows that continuity down through fourteen unhurried nights: from the intricate stone architecture that stands the test of time, regal royal palace, into the rich wildlife of India, across hiking trails through bio-diverse hotspots, and down, finally, to a stretch of coast where mortals embody living deities.

Destinations Covered

Leela Palace Courtyard at dusk

Bengaluru

intricate pillar built using lathe technique inside Chennakeshava temple Belur

Belur Halebidu

Amba Vilas Palace, the Wodeyar residence in Mysuru

Mysuru

safari jeep through the forests of Nagarahole in Karnataka

Kabini

Coffee plantations on the Wayanad plateau, Kerala

Wayanad

Theyyam performance in Kerala

North Malabar

road trip to Mangalore

Mangalore

South India Route Map

This thematic itinerary is a suggestion of what is possible. Consider this as an inspiration for your own trip. Every SEVN journey is tailored to your interests, personality, and style.

Bengaluru

01/07

  1. Bengaluru

    The capital city of Karnataka, where your journey begins. Experience the evocative, timeless beauty of classical Carnatic music with a private performance tailored to your journey. Enjoy the familiarity of a city before old world takes over.

    Leela Palace Courtyard at dusk
  2. Belur Halebidu

    Step into the UNESCO-listed wonders of Belur and Halebidu with a private guide. Decades of painstaking artistry transformed soft soapstone into lace-like carvings that still capture the imagination today. These monuments were crafted to transcend generations, standing as testaments to human devotion and skill.

    elephants on the doorway of Halebidu temple
  3. Mysuru

    Historic residence of the Wodeyars of Mysuru. Go on a private guided palace walkthrough covering family history, artefacts and memorabilia spanning 27 generations. But Mysore is more than its royal palace. Explore the historic streets of Mysore through markets, silk, sandalwood, local banana leaf meal, and everything that makes this city iconic.

    Amba Vilas Palace, The Wodeyar Palace In Mysuru
  4. Kabini

    Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, at the edge of Nagarahole national park, is known for its healthy population of tigers, Asian elephants, and standard Indian leopards. It's most legendary resident popularly known as the black panther named Saya. A genetic mutation gives Saya his dramatic coal-black coat though he is the exact same species as the spotted leopards he shares the forest with.

    kingfisher perched on a branch, with deers in the background
  5. Wayanad

    Trek through misty, bio-diverse rainforests and venture into ancient prehistoric caves where centuries of history whisper from the shadows. Deep within the moss-draped canopy, lives the elusive Galaxy Frog - a rare, night-sky-speckled gem along with other species endemic to this region.

    Coffee plantations on the Wayanad plateau, Kerala
  6. North Malabar

    Chance to Witness Theyyam between November and May. Rooted in ancient ritual calendars, Theyyam transforms humans into living deities through over 400 distinct forms—ranging from fierce fire-dancers like Vishnumoorthy to gentle, ancestral protector spirits. The venues vary - from midnight temple pyres, village groves (kavu), to private family courtyards.

    Theyyam performance in Kerala
  7. Mangalore

    Road transfer for onward departure, aligned with confirmed flight timings.

    road trip to Mangalore
  8. In a Glance

    Road trip through South India covering heritage, palaces, living traditions, and wildlife.

Curated Experiences

Follow what draws you.

Our specialists curate each journey to reflect your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.

A Theyyam ritual performed at a temple, North Malabar, Kerala

01

Witness a Theyyam performance

A rare chance to witness the transformative power of Theyyam - where mortals embody living deities across more than 400 distinct forms, from fierce midnight fire gods to serene daylight spirits. This journey bends to the ritual calendar.

SOUND

Amba Vilas Palace, the Wodeyar residence in Mysuru

02

Inside the Wodeyar Court

A private guided walkthrough of Amba Vilas Palace covering family history, artefacts and memorabilia spanning 27 generations

SIGHT

The forests of Kabini, Karnataka

03

Wildlife in Kabini

Safari through Kabini Wildlife guided by a naturalist. You might spot a tiger or a melanistic leopard if you are lucky, though the forest makes no promises. It’s about letting the wilderness reveal itself on its own schedule.

SMELL

A river running through the Wayanad plateau, Kerala

04

Into the Shola Plateau

Explore nature trails and hiking trails through misty, bio-diverse rainforests of the Western Ghats for a rare chance to encounter endemic species found nowhere else on Earth.

SOUND

Malabar biryani, a dish of the Kerala coast

05

Experience the delights of Malabar Cuisine

Experience Malabar cuisine - the legacy of centuries of Silk Trade Routes.

TASTE

India is Waiting to Discover You

Let's start crafting your Nāda itinerary. Speak with our India specialists.