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Kerala Photography Expedition

Join us on a magnificent journey through the region of South-west India famed for its stunning natural beauty that for centuries has been at the heart of the spice trade.

Unique in the subcontinent for the richness of its natural resources, Kerala is a tropical paradise offering superb photographic opportunities. If you are looking for a spectacular photographic journey, encompassing landscape, wildlife and street photography, you need look no further – our Kerala Expedition, quite simply, has it all.

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, with a coastline that stretches for over 500 Kilometres. From the emerald green of its hills, to the shimmering waterways of the Backwaters; from ancient rituals to colonial architecture and palm-fringed beaches, Kerala is a singularly beautiful land with a vibrant, cosmopolitan culture shaped by a tradition of commerce that originated in antiquity, when the Phoenicians, the Egyptians, the Romans, and the Arabs undertook fabulously adventurous journeys to acquire the spices - above all, black pepper, grown here.

Our photographic journey begins in the port city of Kochi. The crumbling capital of an extinct Portuguese empire, Kochi is rich in photographic opportunities. Drenched with colour, saturated with history, the fascinating 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' looks over a natural harbour, where fishermen still operate the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets brought here over seven centuries ago, by representatives of the court of Kublai Khan.

We will look for images in the narrow alleyways and vast warehouses of the Jewish quarter - home to the world's only international Pepper Exchange, and witness up-close the elaborate costume and make-up ritual that precedes the performance of Kathakali, the Indian classical dance-drama that originated in Kerala.

From Kochi, we will travel across the spectacular scenery of the Cardamom Hills, to reach the hill station of Munnar; hidden amongst swathes of green, the town lies in the shadows of the highest peaks of the south-western Ghats, the mountain range that divides Kerala from its neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

Dotted with the yellow, orange, and fuchsia saris of the tea-pickers that keep them in pristine order, the tea plantations surrounding Munnar are among the highest in the world. We will take our time exploring the geometries of this manicured landscape - a visual feast that is often shrouded by mist.

One of the wonders of this journey is the chance to photograph some of Kerala's wildlife. A globally recognised bio-diversity hotspot, the Western Ghats rank amongst the top 25 biologically richest areas in the world; our itinerary includes excursions to Eravikulam National Park, a vast expanse of grassland and evergreen forest at the foot of the of the Ana Mundi massif, South India's highest, as well as Periyar National Park. Part of 'Project Tiger', Periyar is home to leopards, tigers and elephants, amongst myriads of others animals.

Descending from the Ghats, we will reach the Backwaters – a seemingly endless succession of canals, rivers and lakes, extending between the hills and the coast, where freshwater meet the seawater, creating a unique ecosystem and a stunning landscape of islets rimmed by palm trees leaning at improbable angles.

We will navigate this lush labyrinth aboard Kettuvalam houseboats gliding in comfort to the more remote corners of the Backwaters, where tiny communities live encircled by water. There can be few more pleasurable ways of taking pictures than while cruising on a Kettuvalam's shaded deck, as schools, churches, and houses covered with flowers drift in and out of view.

Lastly, our journey will take us to a small coastal town, perched on the edge of a spectacular, red cliff formation overlooking the Arabian Sea. Here, we will photograph the fishermen of what was once known as the Pepper Coast, as well as the Hindu pilgrims who come to wash away their sins and pray at the local 2000-year old Temple.

Tropical, exotic, and multifaceted the Kerala Expedition is a magnificent photographic journey into the heart of South India.