Up the Ooty

Serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. An intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. Think of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English village grafted into one on the the tropical Malabar Coast and you have Fort Kochi. It is also a centre for Keralan arts.

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills dotted with sprawling tea plantations. It is home to Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak.

Eco Farm Hotel Elephant Valley is a nature reserve, organic farm and plantation. It is located on 100 acres in the Palni hills, Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats. The hill-station Kodaikanal is just 20 kms away. Elephant Valley is located on an old elephant migration route next to the border of the national forest which extends into the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala. The motorcycle ride to Elephant Valley leaving Munnar by the north mountain road is simply wonderful.

‘Snooty Ooty' as its known was established by the British in the early 19th Century as the summer headquarters for the Madras Government. Its known as the ‘Queen of the Hillstations’ and mixes Raj era bungalows with Hindu Temples and Eucalyptus and Pine forests. Located in the Nigiri Mountain range we have the chance to explore some great motorcycle rides. We also take a trip on the Mountain Railway Steam Train which the region is famous for.

Heading south east we stay over in Cheruthuruthy. A wonderful River Retreat which used to be home to the Maharaja of Cochin. We continue heading south hugging the coast for a little staying one night on the beach at Vypin before completing our circuit .