“Life of Pi”
Wildlife Safari to India

This adventure immerses you in the jungles, lush rainforests and wildlife sanctuaries of India’s north and south as you observe and experience the majesty of her most magnificent mammals, birds and plants.

Together we’ll safari into misty mornings and golden evenings as we catch sight of elephants, lions, rhinos, water buffalo; even the elusive tigers and leopards. We’ll search for glimpses of rare birds and radiant flowers.

And when we’re not enveloped in India’s spacious preserves and expansive nature parks, we’ll visit temples and palaces, partake of regional specialties and discuss books from our reading list over refreshing meals and cocktails.

We’ll be guided by the generous spirit and vivid imagination of Yann Martel’s bestseller, “Life of Pi.” 

Day One, Sunday, Nov. 9:
Arrive in Delhi, oh-so-travel-weary but alive with anticipation for the coming adventure! Make your way to your nearby hotel, where a quiet, comfortable room will await you.  

Meet Kerri and your fellow Sojourners for a refreshing cocktail and an early dinner before retiring for a restorative night’s slumber.

Lodging in Delhi;
Meals: Cocktails, Dinner.

Day Two & Three, Monday & Tuesday,  Nov. 10 & 11:
Arise to savor a nourishing breakfast because we are off to the airport and winging our way to Guwahati, where we’ll be greeted by our guides. We are en route to one of India’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, a forested, watery, meadowed expanse that shelters a majority of the planet’s remaining one-horned rhinos.

Created in 1908 by the wife of a colonial-era viceroy, Kaziranga National Park is luxuriant with deciduous forests, graceful grasslands that support migratory birds and growing populations of tigers and other large animals.

We are visiting at the best time of the year when the weather is expected to be dry and mild and the rhinos are active.  

We’ll gather in the morning and evening for safari drives with time during the day for relaxing and reading and delightful conversations about books from our reading list.

Lodging at Kaziranga;
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Book Conversation

Day Four, Wednesday, Nov. 12:
Indulge in an extra croissant slathered with plenty of tropical jam this morning because we are on the move. We’ll depart early for the drive back to the airport in Guwahati, where we’ll board a flight for Bangalore on our way to the historic city of Mysore.

Renowned for its palaces, sun-drenched gardens and splendid history, this city was governed by Sultan Tipu until the British arrived in 1799.

We’ll check into the Royal Orchid Metropole, a building constructed and beloved by the Maharaja of Mysore for his European visitors.

Let’s refresh ourselves with a cool drink and leisurely dinner.

Lodging at Royal Orchid Metropole;
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner.

Day Five, Thursday, Nov. 13:
We are exploring Mysore with all of its historic treasures, exquisite temples and lavish shrines.  After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll enter the 13th century Somanathpura Keshava Temple, a center of worship that features multiple chambers and shrines. The carvings tell a story of kings and battles and scenes from ancient Hindu literature!

From the temple, we’ll travel beyond the borders of the city to Srirangapatna, a one-time capitol from which Sultan Tipu once ruled. We can see ruins and artifacts of ancient times and the ornate purported tomb of Ghulum Ali Khan, the man who cared for the Sultan’s sons when they were kidnapped by the British. 

We’ll enjoy lunch together and then enter the marvelous gates of the Lalitha Mahal Palace.  Constructed by the Maharaja of Mysuru (Mysore) to house the Viceroy of India, the columns and domes and verandas blaze white against the blue sky.

We’ll browse the pavilions and displays and pause for a cool drink before going on (if there’s still daylight) to visit a 2000 year old temple in the Chamundi Hills.

Lodging at Royal Orchid Metropole;
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Dinner with time for shopping on your own.

Day Six & Seven, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 14 & 15:
Replete with the cultural treasures of Mysore, we are headed back into the wild where tigers prowl, leopards howl and tropical birds abound.  

For two glorious days, we’ll absorb all that the renowned Nagarhole reserve has to offer, with safari drives at dawn and dusk and afternoon time for reading, contemplation or a spa treatment. 

Our lodge, Waterwoods, is perched on a rise between two magnificent tiger reserves and we can take in the view as we gather the second evening for an alfresco cocktail and book conversation before dinner.

Breathe deeply of the cool air and be present. This is one of the most enthralling parts of our exceptional experience.

Lodging: Waterwoods;
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Eight, Sunday, Nov. 16:
Carry the grace of your tranquility into another day as we marvel at the sights of elephants, antelope, leopards and sloth bears. We are entering Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park, where river tributaries draw animals and luxurious forests hide the bright eyes of Bengal Tigers.

Day Nine, Monday, Nov. 17:
Our day opens with one last pre-dawn foray into the wonders of Nagarhole and then we are off to climb the hills into Ooty. Nestled into the Nilgiris Hills, the town, known as the “Switzerland of India” is surrounded by tea plantations, groves of eucalyptus trees and thriving bird populations.

We’ll board the Ooty train and settle in one of the historic blue and cream carriages as the engine pulls us 30 miles through the mountains and down into the plains.

When we disembark, we’ll chase the fading rays of the sun to walk the lanes of a beautiful garden in Coimbatore, where you will have time to shop and dine on your own.

Lodging: The Residency at Coimbatore;
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Dinner & shopping on your own.

Day Ten, Tuesday, Nov. 18:
Rise eager and refreshed for we are headed into the Western Ghats, one of the planet’s most ecologically diverse places and a World Heritage site. 

We’ll climb through cloud forests, where Lion-Tailed Macaques thrive, and look for sloth bears, leopards and elephants.

We’ll learn how conservation efforts halted habitat destruction from logging and has encouraged the replenishment of trees and indigenous plants.

We’ll take in the emerald green of tea plantations where they flourish on misty hillsides and once we have settled in for the afternoon, we’ll take a walking safari to breathe deeply of the pristine mountain air.

Lodging: Briar Tea Plantation;
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day Eleven, Wednesday, Nov. 19:
Savor a leisurely breakfast at our mountainside chalets and embark on a day of immersion in sweet, pure air, lush forests and relaxation.  We’ll take walks, gather for a book conversation and take the time for meditation and contemplation as our expedition together winds down.

Lodging: Briar Tea Plantation;
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Day Twelve, Wednesday, Nov. 20:
Our repast this morning will be bittersweet as we descend from the mountains and make our way toward Kochi. But first, one more delight!

We cannot depart without taking in the magnificence of Athirappilly Waterfall. Lush green forests surround the falls, which drop with rushing speed and spray into the Chalakudy River.  

Soak in the scenery, take a photograph and prepare to wish your fellow travelers well as we turn our thoughts back to home.

Your departure city will be Kochi, India.

OR….Come with Kerri on a “Covenant of Water” Adventure in Kerala.  

Explore the Wonders of “The Covenant of Water” 

Nov. 20 - 25

This Siren Sojourns adventure ushers you into the pages of Abraham Verghese’s astonishing novel as we explore a landscape defined and enlivened by that most essential element:  water. 

Together we’ll breathe in the scents and sights of the tranquil islands and slender peninsulas that make up this breathtaking part of southern India, where the land is steeped in ancient tales and Indian tradition comes alive.

“The Covenant of Water” will be our guide as we roam Kerala’s waterways, riverside villages and cool mountain sanctuaries that are home to endangered birds and wildlife. We’ll sample the foods the novel’s characters created, take a cooking class together and share the awe and wonder of our experiences over serendipitous and planned book conversations. 

Day One, Nov. 20:
As we arrive in Kochi, we’ll spend the afternoon winding through the shaded streets of this historic city, known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea,” and we’ll spot the architecture and art that reveals a vivid blend of cultures.

We’ll also recall Abraham Verghese’s infusion of faith traditions in the novel (remember Big Ammachi’s Christian prayers?) as we learn about Kerala’s intriguing mix of religious rituals expressed in beautiful mosques, churches and synagogues.

We’ll check into our hotel and gather in the evening for a Foodie tour of Kochi and a classical dance performance. 

Lodging: Fragrant Nature Hotel, Kochi
Breakfast, Dinner 

“The moon hangs low like a lantern, illuminating the angular scaffolding of the Chinese fishing nets, more than a dozen of them along the water’s edge. The poles crane out over the water like long-necked shore birds, while the netting billows like the sails of dhows.”  - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

Day Two, Nov. 21:
Rise to the languorous sounds of a southern port city and partake of a splendid breakfast before we embark on a walking tour of a city that was at the heart of the ancient spice trade thousands of years ago.  

“Legend has it that Saint Thomas arrived in 52AD, disembarking close to present-day Cochin. He met a boy returning from the temple.“Does your God hear your prayers,” he asked. The boy said his God surely did. Saint Thomas tossed water into the air and the droplets remained suspended.“Can your God do that?”

By such displays, whether magic or miracles, he converted a few Brahmin families to Christianity; later he was martyred in Madras.” - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

Imagine parcels of cinnamon, saffron, ginger and pepper being loaded onto camels and horses so they could be carried away from the Malabar Coast and into Europe and beyond. There was a time when nutmeg sold on the streets of European capitals for more than gold. 

As we walk, we’ll see historic spice warehouses and learn about how the fishing trade drew Portuguese and Chinese immigrants, who put their stamp on Kochi’s culture.

After a refreshing lunch, we’ll have time to wander into book stores, shop for spices or relax with a book at our lovely hotel.

Lodging: Fragrant Nature Hotel, Kochi
Breakfast, Lunch.
Dinner & Shopping on your own.

Day Three, Nov. 22:

“Out from the canals now, onto a carpet of lotus and lilies so thick she could walk across it.  The flowers are opened like well-wishers.  Impulsively she picks one blossom, grabbing the stem anchored deep down.  It comes free with a splash, a pink jewel….” - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

We’ll rise early and make for the famed Backwaters of Kerala. These are rivers and canals, lagoons and waterways that form a sparkling labyrinth between the mountains and the Arabian Sea.

Note the traditional Kerala architecture of sloped roofs and carved walls as we head for a historic villa that will transport us into Kerala’s past. Vinod’s home was built more than a century ago and we’ll learn about the traditions that are still observed here.

We’ll partake of traditional kuttanadan cuisine and sample the spices that are cultivated on Vinod’s family estate.

Lodging: Emerald Isle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

“A fruity scent fills the boat.  She counts twenty-four petals (on the lotus.)  Pushing through the lotus carpet they emerge onto a lake so wide that the far shore is invisible, the water still and smooth.” - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

Day Four, Nov. 23:
We are truly immersing ourselves in the world that Abraham Verghese created in “The Covenant of Water” as we drift through the canals on a wooden houseboat. We’ll see traditional villages and learn about the farming done in the backwaters.

There will be time to soak up the sunshine and discuss “The Covenant of Water” as we take in the sights and sounds of such a wondrous place.

We’ll learn about spice farming, which is passed on through generations, and the culinary traditions that have emerged from these agricultural settlements.

Our midday meal will be a traditional farm-to-table experience.

“Naturally, when spices fetched the price of precious jewels in Europe, the Arab sailors who brought them from India kept their source a secret for centuries.” - The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

Lodging: Emerald Isle
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5, Nov. 25:
Let’s rise with thoughts of roasting turkeys and  days of wonderful camaraderie on our minds as we prepare to fly home in time for Thanksgiving.

After a wholesome breakfast, our transport will return us from Emerald Isle to the airport in Kochi and we’ll begin our odyssey home.