Sacred Plants, Tea, Spices & The Power of Healing

Bangalore is also known as the Garden City with its many gardens and green spaces. Among its many gardens, Lalbagh stands out as a testament to the city's botanical heritage.

Cubbon Park is another gem in Bangalore's crown, offering a serene escape from the city's bustling streets. This sprawling green haven serves as the lungs of the city and is home to a variety of flora and fauna, as well as several historic buildings. The park's meticulously maintained gardens and walking paths provide a perfect setting for leisurely strolls and picnics.

These gardens not only enhance the city's aesthetic appeal but also play a crucial role in its environmental sustainability. They reflect Bangalore's commitment to preserving its natural beauty amidst rapid urbanization.

For those interested, an orientation tour of the city can be arranged ( time permitting).

The Lalbagh Garden is one the world’s largest botanical gardens spread over 240 acres and is renowned for its stunning landscape and glasshouse inspired by London's Crystal Palace. You will walk among an abundance of tropical plants, medicinal herbs, and century-old trees, making it a haven for botany enthusiasts. You can enjoy a guided tour of the garden's various sections, learning about the history and significance of the plant species there. This immersive experience will deepen your appreciation of the biodiversity and the meticulous care that goes into maintaining such an exquisite botanical garden.

Afternoon embark on a heritage walk through the city's historic quarters. Bangalore is called the Garden City and even though the city has now expanded and developed into a sprawling metropolis, there are still places where you can experience the Bangalore of the past. Start your journey at the beautiful Cubbon Park, a green haven that serves as the lungs of the city. You then visit flower markets, a temple, ancient monuments and also experience the traditional cuisine in some of the restaurants in town.

The Government Cocoon Market is Asia's largest silk cocoon market and a major commercial centre for the world’s silk industry. Farmers and reelers from across Karnataka and neighbouring states sell their cocoons here, with over 50 tonnes sold daily. This is also the main source of silk that feeds the famous silk industry in Mysore. Later you visit the Sula Vineyard for a tour of the winery and enjoy a tasting session to sample the wines that they produce.

On arrival check-into your hotel in Mysore. Stay at the Grand Mercure/Southern Star for 3 nights. Both are comfortable modern hotels that offer a choice of dining and a pool.

Starting with a drive to a village on the outskirts where silk farming is still practiced using traditional methods. You will be shown the process right from the hatching of the worms to the production of the fabric. You will also visit the Government silk factory in the afternoon to see how it is commercially produced.

The intricately carved Hoysala temple at Somnathpur is well worth a visit. This temple, dedicated to Lord Keshava, is renowned for its star-shaped base, intricate carvings and detailed sculptures that narrate stories from Hindu mythology.

It’s a great place to see the fruits and vegetables that are grown in the area.  Later: enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Mysore city including Srirangapatanam, Ranganathittoo Bird Sanctuary and the City Palace. Evening enjoy a visit to the Devaraja fruit and vegetable market, one of the many colourful, vibrant markets.

The property has 10 rooms surrounded by 16 acres of plantations that predominantly cultivate coffee and pepper. They also produce spices, fruits and vegetables. The property has great views of the Western Ghats and is a paradise for bird watchers and nature lovers.

They offer a plantation walk for those interested. If you would like to explore further then you could walk to the village and interact with local people to learn more about their way of life.

Go for a plantation walk to start your day, where you will see how various spices are grown, harvested and processed. The property also produces organic coffee.

In the afternoon, visit Uravu, a not-for-profit bamboo based developmental organisation that strives for rural empowerment through sustainable solutions. Established in 1996, Uravu works with people, government and businesses to facilitate initiatives with the prime motives of sustainable development and to implement focused end-to-end programs in the bamboo sector. A hands-on  workshop will be arranged where you will have the opportunity to learn and experience more about the way they work.

Situated in the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is famous for its picturesque landscapes, tea gardens and colonial architecture. Stay at the Willow Hill for 2 nights.

You will visit a tea plantation and factory to learn about the history of tea and the process from plant to product. You will also visit Sim’s Park, a beautiful botanical garden established in 1874, spread over 29 acres and home to a wide variety of plant species, including exotic trees and vibrant flower beds.

Optional: Plantation walk in the morning or explore the markets in town. Later transfer to Coonoor railway station to board the famed Blue Mountain steam train to journey down the hills to Mettupalayam. On arrival, transfer by road to Coimbatore. Stay at the Residency Towers for the night.

On arrival check in to the Resort at Hortus Malabaricus for 2 nights. This 27-acre garden draws inspiration from the 17th-century Hortus Malabaricus, the monumental botanical work by Dutch commander Hendrik van Rheede. Dedicated to the conservation and study of Kerala’s native medicinal plants and the endemic flora of the Western Ghats, the garden features over 1,200 species, including 742 documented in van Rheede’s treatise.

The garden is thoughtfully divided into sectors, each with its own story to tell. Explore the Sacred Grove, a tribute to India’s 7,000-year-old tradition of plant worship, or marvel at the Butterfly Garden, a 20-terraced, one-acre sanctuary at the highest point of the property, home to numerous native butterfly species. Other must-visit areas include the Cycads and Palms Garden, Kadalivanam, the Malabar Garden and the Pepper Garden.

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine, originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, and is considered one of the oldest medical disciplines in the world. Based on the idea that disease develops due to an imbalance in the body or stress in one's consciousness, Ayurveda primarily encourages lifestyle change and uses natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment.

Once the heart of India’s spice and tea trade, Fort Cochin sits on the northern tip of a peninsula between the Arabian Sea and the mouth of Vembanad Lake. Its red-tiled, low-rise skyline reflects a rich colonial past, with Lusitanian chapels, Jewish synagogues, Dutch burghers’ houses, Armenian mansions, and British bungalows and warehouses lining the narrow lanes—forming the largest concentration of early colonial architecture in Asia. Today, the area also charms visitors with its art galleries, cafés, and boutique shops.