The Malabar Coast has been a meeting place of cultures throughout history; its lush landscapes produced precious spices, rubber, teak and tea, which brought traders from far and wide. This tour takes you through the most evocative parts of Malabar, from Bangalore to Mysore, known for its glittering royal heritage, a city of sandalwood, spices and silk. Travel into the highlands of Ooty and Coonoor and explore the pristine high montane forests of the Blue Mountains, before continuing to the Cardamom Hills to Madurai and the low lying spice plantations of Periyar, with its verdant landscapes and rich birdlife. Continue to Cochin, a melting pot of culture and religion through the ages, and onto the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, where you will cruise the backwaters on a luxury houseboat. Learn about the trade in spices, plants and ideas with expert talks and visits.
Bill Bynum is Professor Emeritus at University
College London. A Yale graduate in medicine,
he began his career in the history of medicine
with a Cambridge PhD before moving to the Wellcome Institute for the History of
Medicine. His 'History of Medicine: A Very Short
Introduction' and 'A Little History of Science' have
been translated into 14 languages.
After a PhD in the History of Medicine from University College London, Helen Bynum lectured at the University of Liverpool before beginning a freelance career as a medical historian and popular science writer. Together with Bill she edited 'Great Discoveries in Medicine' before turning their attention to the world of plants and their histories in 'Remarkable Plants that Shape our World' and 'Botanical Sketchbooks'. ‘Team Bynum’ have led and lectured on successful tours and cruises for Jon Baines Tours.
Ground only cost of the tour (excluding international flights and transfers) is US$4,030 pp sharing