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Restaurant, Xandari Resort & Spa, San Jose, Costa Rica

Windermere Estate

Kerala, India

Once the summer resort of the British Government in South India and set at the confluence of three mountain streams, Windermere is a 60-acre Cardamom Plantation known for its excellent hospitality.

Why we like Windermere Estate

Full of character and charm, it remains the best place to stay in Munnar and offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys.

Facilities

The Cottages and Garden Rooms are spacious and have king-sized beds, with a view of either the valley or garden, while the Planters Villa Rooms, set among oaks and with perfect views of the surrounding tea-clad hills of the Western Ghats. There are big bathrooms, bigger beds (over six feet), and thoughtful inputs, such as a balcony and large windows.

Activities

The spice plantation and cardamom estate are a fascinating exploration. It’s also possible to hire bicycles and ride through the local villages and quiet, winding roads. There is good shopping in Munnar, especially for spices. Treks and walks can be arranged depending on fitness and ability. There are some challenging treks or gentle strolls. A tea safari in a jeep through a local tea estate is a visual feast, as it’s the highest tea estate in the world. Perched on a treacherous ridge rising above the plains of Tamil Nadu, it’s almost otherworldly in its magnificence.

Windermere Estate, Costa Rica

Idea

Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench and Satpura

With small private eco-lodges providing a comfortable base, discover the rich biodiversity of India’s most prolific national parks. Pench is famous for its leopard sightings, while the dense forests and the large prey base at Kanha, provide the perfect territory for tigers.

15 days from £6,500pp

Axis Deer, India

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Idea

Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.

15 days from £14,205pp

Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Our snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by its team of expert trackers. Spend four full days exploring the Ulley Valley searching for ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’.

Departing 19th February 2023

13 days from £5,995pp

Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

View Group Tour

Idea

Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from £5,995pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

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Idea

Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. There are few places in the world that pack such a powerful, cultural punch with festivals, architecture, people and food all combining to produce a heady…

14 days from £5,945pp

Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

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Idea

An Introduction to Bhutan

This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses.

13 days from £7,895pp

Sun Temple, Bhutan

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Idea

Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.

12 days from £5,495pp

Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

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Idea

Central India’s Cultural Highlights

This holiday idea to Central India has been designed to combine some of the most evocative and memorable experiences from the religious ceremonies in Varanasi to the perfectly preserved temples of Khajuraho.

12 days from £3,855pp

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India

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Idea

South India’s Temples

This holiday idea offers you the most comprehensive, contrasting and experience-led journey through Southern India’s temple state of Tamil Nadu.

9 days from £3,995pp

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India

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Idea

A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

This family-friendly journey to South India is brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous of children. A beautiful combination of private river cruising, wildlife safaris and child-friendly, insightful experiences amongst working plantations guarantees a holiday packed with variety. We have…

14 days from £3,855pp

Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our India holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the India holidays that we love today.

Idea

Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench and Satpura

With small private eco-lodges providing a comfortable base, discover the rich biodiversity of India’s most prolific national parks. Pench is famous for its leopard sightings, while the dense forests and the large prey base at Kanha, provide the perfect territory for…

15 days from £6,500pp

Axis Deer, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.

15 days from £14,205pp

Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

Group tour

On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Our snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by its team of expert trackers. Spend four full days exploring the Ulley Valley searching for ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’.

Departing 19th February 2023

13 days from £5,995pp

Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

View Group Tour

Idea

Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from £5,995pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. There are few places in the world that pack such a powerful, cultural punch with festivals, architecture, people and food all combining to produce…

14 days from £5,945pp

Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

An Introduction to Bhutan

This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses.

13 days from £7,895pp

Sun Temple, Bhutan

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.

12 days from £5,495pp

Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Central India’s Cultural Highlights

This holiday idea to Central India has been designed to combine some of the most evocative and memorable experiences from the religious ceremonies in Varanasi to the perfectly preserved temples of Khajuraho.

12 days from £3,855pp

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

South India’s Temples

This holiday idea offers you the most comprehensive, contrasting and experience-led journey through Southern India’s temple state of Tamil Nadu.

9 days from £3,995pp

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

This family-friendly journey to South India is brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous of children. A beautiful combination of private river cruising, wildlife safaris and child-friendly, insightful experiences amongst working plantations guarantees a holiday packed with variety.…

14 days from £3,855pp

Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas View all group tours

Where to stay in India

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

More luxury accommodation

Spice Village

£££££

Spice Village is a collection of individual cottages set in a landscaped spice garden in Thekkady, close to Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

Deluxe Villa, Spice Village, Thekkady, India

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Wellness and Spa
£££££

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort in Kerala is an award-winning wellness retreat perfect for those looking for a luxury beach setting whilst experiencing the Keralan traditions of Ayurveda. Carnoustie is an all-villa beach resort offering private…

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Mararikulam, India

Taj Bekal Resort & Spa

Beach and Island Escapes
£££££

Vivanta by Taj – Bekal is an exceptional beach resort tucked away in Northern Kerala in an area that hasn’t seen an influx of tourism and remains one of India’s best-kept secrets, being surrounded by lush…

Vivanta by Taj Bekal, India

Ayana Fort Kochi

City
£££££

Set in a 200-year-old building, Ayana boutique hotel offers a sanctuary from the kaleidoscope of activity on Fort Kochi’s streets outside. With art-deco design, striking colours and checked tiled floors, the property is one of classic…

Ayana Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala, India

Brunton Boatyard

City
£££££

Brunton Boatyard is an elegant colonial-style hotel with distinguished decor, a fantastic outdoor pool and an excellent selection of restaurants. Sophisticated and chic, heritage-style hotel with a superb seafood restaurant.

Swimming Pool, Brunton Boatyard, Cochin, India

Coconut Lagoon

£££££

This traditional-style, eco-friendly hotel promising complete escapism. Individual cottages, called tharawads, are set amongst lawns and gardens amid a network of pools and waterways.

Heritage Bungalow, Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, India

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A faultless trip so brilliantly expedited and organised by Steppes Travel but with a major backup from those on the ground, in India.

India

A great itinerary for an introduction to India. It has given us lots of ideas and enthusiasm for a return trip.

India

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?

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