Few regions of the planet are as beguiling as the southern sector of the Indian subcontinent. Our journey begins in Hyderabad, famed for its Indo-Islamic architecture and unique fusion of cuisines earning its status as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO. In Hampi, explore the otherworldly remnants of the late-medieval Vijayanagara Empire— ornate temples, royal courts and elephant stables—sprawling over a boulder-strewn landscape. Mysuru holds opulent palaces and centuries-old silk weaving traditions. In the Western Ghats, an ancient mountain chain that is one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, explore dense rainforest, highland tea and coffee estates, and spice gardens. Wind up with a languid boat trip in Kerala’s peaceful backwaters, cruising through narrow canals and fishing villages where daily life unfolds at water’s edge.