Ten Good Reasons to Visit Southern India 1. India will open your eyes – You will quickly get a different perspective on life when you become immersed in the Indian culture. You will automatically begin to feel grateful for what you have and realize how fortunate you are. Our personalized attention will guide you through the culture shock and eye-popping experiences and insulate you from the masses of people and confusion, and chauffeur you in comfort through the maddening traffic, safely to all your destinations. 2. Kerala is the very best place to start for those experiencing India for the first time, because of its tropical beauty, high literacy, and lower poverty rate. Being one of the Indian states with a large literate population, it is not unusual to find Keralans who speak understandable English and are eager to communicate with foreigners. Depending on where you go, you may be as much an attraction as any local feature, because foreigners are in a conspicuous minority outside the few big cities in Kerala and many kind and friendly Indians will want to greet you. 3. You have many varied choices of adventures in Southern India – From seashores, to tropical forests, to backwaters, to ancient history, temples, and relics, to highly cultivated mountainous regions, to spiritual ashrams, to wildlife preserves- there is enough variety to keep anyone touring Southern India for weeks. Kerala has many wide-open and secluded spaces where you do not feel the pressures of population. The mountainous districts of Wayanad and Idukki are the least populated and have the mildest climates of India. 4. India is inexpensive – You can travel as frugal or as lavish as you wish. With India’s bargains, you may even want to pack light and purchase most of your clothes during your trip. Electronics are priced about the same as in US, while most other commodities are bargains. Using your international ATM or credit card, you will probably get about 70 rupees per US dollar, and usually a 3% foreign use fee. While there are many ATMs wherever you go in Kerala, many of the merchants do not take plastic, so you will need Rupees to get the bargains. 5. Meals are delicious and portions are plentiful – You have many choices of tasty food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian, many times all you can eat. While vegetarian choices are plentiful, seafood, chicken, and beef are available everywhere you go. The Keralan diet is white rice accompanied by various curries made with complex combinations of vegtables, herbs, and spices. It can take a little getting used to eating with one hand, although most places have utensils for foreigners. The typically spicy food of Kerala can take a little getting used to as well.. 6. Indian hospitality makes you feel like royalty – Everywhere you go in Southern India, you will be greeted with respect and a smile. The Indian people consider it an honor to have guests and they go to great lengths to please you. Rather than staying in a hotel room your entire trip, you have many homestay choices for experiencing genuine Indian hospitality, staying in homes with Indian families. They are always eager to share their food, spirituality, and life stories. 7. Kerala is a tropical paradise – Literally translated, Kerala means “land of coconuts”. Everywhere you go in Kerala, you will encounter lush groves of coconut, mango, rubber, banana, and palm trees. Fields are planted with tea, coffee, herbs, pineapple, tapioca, and every vegetable imaginable. During the Monsoon season beginning in June, rivers swell, waterfalls appear where there were none before, and existing waterfalls become even more spectacular. Kerala is also famous for leisurely backwater cruises, is the exotic spices capital of the world and has been for centuries. 8. Quality medical care is very inexpensive and widely available – You may be interested in one of the many centers that specialize in Ayurvedic, one of the many well-trained dental care specialists, or even surgery equal to western standards at remarkably low cost. Some could easily save the price of their plane ticket with the low cost of Indian medical care, and Indian doctors are the best in the world. A 14-day Ayurvedic treatment regime is said to take years off your age. Homeopathic practionors can get you off all medications using herbs. Root Canal US- $1400 ~ Kerala- $35 by highly skilled Indian doctors. 9. There are many opportunities to uniquely explore and develop your spirituality – Many people visit India to experience its mystical ambiance and ancient tradition of yoga, Vedic teachings, temples, ashrams, gurus, festivals, and pilgrimages. The Indian Vedas that defined Hinduism, the way of life for 80% of Indians, originated thousands of years before Christ. The Vedas told of deities such as Krishna, Lord Shiva, Kali, and many others. There are many temples you can visit in Southern India that have been in operation for more than 1000 years. Kerala has a larger Christian congregation than any other part of India. 10. You will be guided your entire trip by Rajesh, who speaks excellent Engish and several other languages, and Johnny – While you are adjusting to the culture shock, you will be insulated from all the confusion, and the language-barrier will not be an issue. You will be stepping outside your comfort zone by visiting India- we will keep you out of the danger zone while you do so. Relax, unwind, and enjoy being chauffeured, informed of your new surroundings, and pampered while being awed and intrigued with the beauty and mystery of India.