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Starting From
This tour will take you to hidden places in south India, covering the Karnataka and Kerala regions. Experience the culture, rituals, villages and colonial buildings that jostle for space with churches, synagogues and mosques; golden beaches, quiet inland waterways and a backdrop of jungle-covered slopes.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our Tour Executive at the airport lounge with a TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS signboard. Transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Bangalore.
This morning after breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of the “city of gardens” as it is commonly known because of its beautiful parks, avenues, and gardens. Bangalore was founded in the 16th century by Chieftain Kempe Gowda but never came upon the scene till Tipu Sultan converted it into the summer capital of Mysore. The Wodeyar’s also contributed to developing the city through gardens and parks they built. But to the British goes the credit of making it into an administrative centre. Bangalore has now become one of Asia’s fastest-growing cities and because of its high concentration of IT industry is now pegged as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Visit The Bull Temple; carved out of single granite rock, it houses the magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull Nandi, Bangalore Palace; Built in the Tudor style and inspired by Windsor Palace, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. Later travel to Mysore. On arrival transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight at Mysore.
The one-time capital of the Mysore Maharajas, it is the second biggest city of Karnataka state, which still preserves its age-old glory in its majestic palaces, forts, and gardens. While peeping into history, one finds that Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyar’s and was their capital. Under the Wodeyar’s patronization, the city developed as the center of art and craft. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood oils, rosewood carved products and Mysore silk saris. After breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour and visit Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore, the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor) built in 1911–1912 is the harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. The evening takes a walk in the Brindavan gardens and enjoys the spectacular “Musical Dancing Fountains”. Dinner and overnight at Mysore.
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Ooty visiting Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary en route. The sylvan hilly topography of the Western Ghats renders Madhumalai (ancient hills) a highly attractive wildlife reserve because it is clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests.
On arrival go on wildlife Jeep safari; the terrain of the wildlife sanctuary is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses, and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrubs forests compared with the nearby reserves. The sanctuary is home to the wild elephant, gaur, deer, and primates like the bonnet macaque and langur. The predators that inhabit the park are the tiger, leopard, and dhole – the Asiatic wild dog that hunts in packs. The predators of the skies are the crested hawk-eagle and the crested serpent eagle, with the rest of the avian population boasting of flamboyant, hornbills, the great black woodpecker with its red crest, mynas, barbets, parakeets, tiny eared owl, an owl.
After the park visit drive continue to Ooty; arrive and check-in at the hotel. Stay for two nights in Ooty.
After breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Ooty, known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', snugly ensconced in the heart of the Nilgiris. This scenic hill station is dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls, gurgling brooks, and terraces of lush green tea gardens, orchards of peaches and plums and eucalyptus. Founded by the British in the early part of the 19th century, Ooty is home to many Britishers who have fallen in love with this hill station where they discovered a little bit of England. “.....such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud” is how Lord Lytton-Viceroy of India from 1876-1880 described Ooty to his wife. Before that time, the area was inhabited by the tribal people; visit the Botanical Gardens, Lake, and tribal Village. A hill station with a landscape perpetually enveloped in mist, Ooty’s beauty has a timeless appeal.
Evening experience the most enchanting “toy train” ride from Connor to Ooty (01 hours / 15 minutes journey); A century after it first attracted travellers, the Nilgiri Mountain Toy train continues to inspire weaving through forests, moving through time, along the valleys and into the little dark winding tunnels, round the bends, up the gradients, through the glens, trees, and birds. A whiff of mist, a myna's trill, sunlight dances on yonder hill, whistling, chugging, fire, steam-clacking, moving into a dream Gorge, gorgeous, misty, foggy shrouded peaks, drizzles clothe the slopes. Stay Overnight at Ooty.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km. from the seashores of Kozhikode, this verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests, and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast landmass for the wildlife to move about in their most natural abode. Arrive Wayanad and check-in at the resort. Later walk around the resort and stay for two nights in Wayanad.
Morning get ready for a fun-packed jungle safari. A jungle safari along the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary where elephants, deer, sloth bears, tigers, and panthers roam free and numerous rare birds chirp through the skies. Set off towards the Kuruwa Island, a bunch of desolate islets sprinkled in the middle of the vast Kabini River. Now it is a soaring hub of ecotourism supported by the locals as well as forest administration. Crossing the dangerous-looking and rock-strewn waters is an experience to cherish. Also, check out some tracks off the beaten track with the help of your guide. On the way back, visit Edakkal Caves too. Afternoon free to relax at the resort.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive Bekal, a small region with adoring attractiveness situated in the shoreline of the Arabian Sea in Pallikare village in Kasargod district of Kerala. The district of Kasargod lies in the northernmost region of Kerala, during Perumal age Bekal was a section Mahodayapuram. On arrival check into your hotel located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and the rest of the day free to relax. Stay two nights at Bekal.
After breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Kozhikode and visit Visit Beypore, a prominent port and fishing harbour of ancient Kerala. Afternoon explore the famous Mithai Theruvu or SM (Sweet Meat) Street for handicrafts and textiles and the wholesale spice market at Big Bazaar Road.
After breakfast check out from hotel and travel to Cochin, en route visit En-route visit Guruvayoor Temple (Surface area outside the temple). This small town of Guruvayoor near Thrissur, famous for its Shree Krishna Temple which draws an uncountable stretch of devotees to it. As a hallowed town and a major pilgrim centre of Kerala, it has visitors throughout the year. Stop at Punathoor Kotta – the elephant sanctuary with more than 60 elephants. Thereafter continue your journey to Cochin and stay for two nights in Cochin.
After breakfast, proceed on a sightseeing tour of the oasis state of Kerala and one of India’s most colourful cities. The Port of Cochin is known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” and is the industrial hub of the state where the ancient civilization mingles with the 20th century.
This morning we visit the synagogue; the centre for the Jewish community — which can be traced back to the exodus from Palestine 2000 years ago. The magnificent structure was built in 1568. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, copper plates of inestimable historical worth containing the privileges granted to Jews by the Cochin Maharajas, and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are artefacts of great interest at the synagogue
The area around the synagogue is known as “Jew Town” and is one of the Kochi spice trade centres. We also stop at Mattancherry Dutch Palace which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Maharaja of Cochin in 1568. At the centre of the building is a large coronation hall. Seventeenth-century mural paintings depicting scenes from the India epic Ramayana can be seen in the palace.
We see St. Francis Church; the first church to be built in India by the Portuguese. Vasco-de-Gama, who discovered the sea route to India from Europe, was originally buried here (his remains were later taken to Portugal). We see the High Court Building, Santa Cruz Cathedral and also view the famous Cochin Chinese fishing nets.
Evening we enjoy a Kathakali Dance performance. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form that is native to Kerala, with elaborate costumes and makeup. Male dancers portray both male and female roles that tell the stories taken mostly from the epics of the Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast travel to Alleppey, on arrival embark on the houseboat. Start the journey of backwaters in the boat through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Witness the local with children swimming and playing in the water, women attending to their daily chores and men fishing from their canoes. Enjoy fishing and the sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats while heading towards Kumarakom. All meals with overnight on board.
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and travel to Kovalam through green coastal belt and cashew plantations. On arrival check into the resort with rest of the day free for your own activities. Take an enticing walk along the beach to enjoy the scene of the Arabian waves embracing virgin sands, with steep palm covered headland. A glittering silvery sand contour into an arc, edging on one side with cerulean waters and on the other side by a magnificent row of the green palm groves, provides a spectacular view of the seeming eternal sea and sunsets. The waterfront is lined with a number of shops with spreads of jewellery, handicrafts and clothes. Kovalam means a grove of coconuts trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches give it a ravishing look. Afternoon, enjoy an Ayurveda basic massage. The warm and clean atmosphere, luring surroundings, azure sea and solacing sun, make Kovalam a perfect relaxing holiday destination. Stay 02 night at Kovalam.
After leisurely breakfast, transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the flight for your onward journey.
Inclusion
16 Nights accommodation with private facilities
Assistance
Travel, transfers and sightseeing by a private air-conditioned car with driver
English-speaking local guide
Meals as specified
Entry fees and monument charges
01 night on board private houseboat
01 standard Ayurveda oil massage
02 game drive
Kathakali dance show
Toy train ride
Bottled water while travelling
All current collectable taxes
Exclusion
Any international or domestic airfares
Train fares other than specified in the what's included section
Airport taxes, visa & passport fees
Extra baggage charges
Early check-in or late check-out
Meals other than specified in the what's included section
Tips & gratuities
Travel & medical insurance
Camera & video permits
Expenses incurred due to flight/train cancellation or delay
Any expense of a personal nature, like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mini bar, postage etc
Any optional excursion or tour
Entry charges at monuments/forts etc
Any other expense not mentioned in the what's included section
