Painting in India

Where we paint - click on a region

Kerala is a painter's paradise, with fresh enchanting images at every turn.

Kerala is a large region of south west India. It includes the maritime region along India's tropical south-west coast in addition to the hinterland with its mountains, spices and tea plantations. Its warm yet gentle climate makes it a wonderful place to relax, to wander, to explore and of course to paint. The lush greens, the brilliant patterns of the birds and butterflies, the subtle blues and greys of the waterways and the vibrant colours of the saris ensure you'll enjoy a fresh visual feast at every turn.

Kerala is a cultured state, yet thanks to the moderate tropical climate and the diversity of the landscape, it is one of the richest in natural beauty.

Painting in the Venice of the East

Painting holidays in Kerala must be the answer to any painter’s dream. We'll explore the lagoons, canals and rivers on foot and by boat, stopping to paint at selected locations - you'll soon realise why Cochin has been dubbed the 'Venice of the East'.

All our holidays enjoy two waterside locations. Kumarakom in the heart of the backwaters and the seaport of Cochin on the Malabar Coast, a spice trading centre since the 14th century. Cochin sits on a headland dividing the inland lagoons and backwaters from the Indian Ocean – Fort Cochin is the site of an old Indian settlement whose architecture will take you back to the days of the British Raj.

As always with Authentic Adventures holidays, our hand-picked local guides will add a depth of understanding you could never hope for as a conventional tourist. You'll see the fantastical Chinese fishing nets, take in the bustle of the tradespeople in the waterside villages and relax at two lovely hotels right on the water.

Tigers and tea plantations

Our Colours and Culture tour includes several nights exploring in the inland regions of Kerala. From Cochin we visit the spectacular Western Ghats, a 1000-mile long mountain range which rises to nearly 9000 feet. Among its peaks and valleys lies Periyar Tiger Reserve, whose extraordinary wildlife has made it one of India's most important nature reserves. From Periyar we go on to the hill town of Munnar, the centre of Kerala's beautiful tea region. The cooling hill breezes of Munnar once made it a favourite summer resort for India's colonial rulers.