Explore the atmospheric remnants of the great citadels of the Vijayanagar Empire around Hampi by bicycle in the surreal boulder strewn landscape of the Deccan Plateau, trek through the verdant rainforests and coffee plantations of Coorg or travel by narrow gage steam train up the vertiginous slopes of the Western ghats to stay in a colonial style among spice and tea plantations. Get blessed by an elephant in one of the vast thriving temple complexes in the plains of Tamil Nadu or take a jungle safari in a wildlife park to see herds of wild elephants that still roam in forests where there is also a chance of spotting a tiger or leopard.