Kochi – Kumarakom – Periyar – Madurai – Ooty – Kabini – Mysore – Bengaluru
• Witness life around backwaters
• Day cruise with lunch on board on backwaters
• Arti ceremony, food walk and tuk tuk ride in Madurai
• Toy Train ride in Ooty
• Visit botanical and tea gardens in Coonoor
• Boat safari, game drive and nature walk in Kabini
Upon arrival in Koch Airport, our representative will meet and greet you and you will be transferred to you hotel for overnight stay.
Believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world, Kochi deserves its description as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. You can cruise around man-made islands, with lawns sloping down to the water’s edge, enjoying the oldest European settlement in India. Generations of visitors came, saw and stayed for hundreds of years – Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French, Portuguese – all adding to the charm of this city Kochi’s history is a bright tapestry – many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present. Its involvement with the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British are evident in the architecture of city buildings, the old durbar hall is the spice in the dish! Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists.
Accommodation: The Taj Malabar Tower wing
Meals: None
Transfer: 1.5 hrs from Airport to hotel
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Kochi. Visit the local market. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour’s mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use “Chinese Fishing Nets” which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved. Later tranfer to Kumarakom.
Kumarakom is set in the backdrop of Vembanadu Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Kerala. The place is popular for backwaters tourism.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Activity: 2 hrs city tour of Kochi
Morning at leisure.
Later embark the houseboat for day cruise across the backwaters with lunch. The houseboat cruise takes you through the intricate maze of backwaters, mesmerizing and surprising you at every turn with its serene beauty & simple charm. Enjoy the countryside of Kerala at its best. Soak your eyes & soul with array of coconut trees & endless paddy fields. You will also get chance to take a small stroll through the villages & interact with the locals. Lunch overboard.
Return to your resort after the cruise.
Overnight stay at hotel
Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Activity: 3 hrs day cruise with lunch onboard
After breakfast transfer to Periyar.
Afternoon proceed for spice plantation tour. Learn about various spices of this state – the pepper, the clove and many more. In the evening you will have a cooking demonstration by hotel at fixed time. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Spice Village
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Activity: 1 hr spice plantation tour, cooking demo with in house chef
Morning proceed for a nature walk accompanied by a naturalist. Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km in length. This is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands
After the visit transfer to Madurai. One of the oldest cities in South India, Madurai has been the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Spread along the rocky banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu, this modern industrial city is today. Known as the Temple City, Madurai was the capital of the ancient Pandya kingdom. It was during the long reign of the Nayaks (10th-18th centuries) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple was constructed
Late evening proceed to witness evening ceremony at Meenakshi temple.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriot
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Activity: 1 hr nature walk, 1 hr evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple
Early morning proceed to the flower market walk. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai City and Meenakshi Temple – The temple town is unique in that all its temples are living temples and it remains a major religious centre attracting pilgrims the year round. Madurai’s main attraction is the famous Meenakshi temples in the heart of the old town, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with gopurams (towers) covered from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multi-colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple complex is a city within a city and one can spend days exploring its labyrinthine corridors and halls. Another attraction is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace (1636) restored by Lord Napier, dance drama concerts are performed daily.
Evening proceed for a food walk near to Meenakshi Temple. This will be a street food walk and you hear some stories as you savour the food. How did the Muslims indulge their fancy for iced drinks in hot, sultry Madurai? Why should you eat Indian food with your fingers? What are poppy seeds doing in a popular South Indian sweet?
Overnight at the hotel.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriot
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Activity: 1 hr flower market visit, 3 hrs city tour, 3 hr food walk
After breakfast at hotel, transfer by surface to Ooty. Ooty being one of the most popular hill stations in India and a scenic one.
Rest of the day to relax at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Taj Savoy
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transfer: 305 kms / 7 hrs
Morning board Toy train from Ooty to Coonoor
Ooty / Coonoor 56139 0915 / 1015 Hrs
The journey is quite scenic as you enjoy the beauty of Nilgiri Mountains and tea plantations. It was in 1854, that the first plans were made to build a mountain Railway from Mettupalaiyam to the Nilgiri Hills. The line was completed and opened for traffic in June 1899. The line was extended to Ootacamund from Coonoor sometime in 1908 on the same gauge over a distance of 11 and ¾ miles at a cost of Rs. 24,40,000. The Railway line from Mettupalaiyam to Ooty is 45.88 kms long. The train earlier used to run on steam engine, but owing to environmental concerns it is now operated on bio-diesel.
From Coonoor drive back to Ooty.
Afternoon visit botanical gardens, Stephens church, government museum, Ooty lake
Dinner and overnight at hotel
Accommodation: Taj Savoy
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transfer: 20kms/12mi – 30 mins
Activity: 1 hr toy train ride, 2 hrs sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to Kabini. The Kabini River borders both the Bandipur and Nagerhole National Parks where there is an abundance of wildlife, reputed to have the highest density of wildlife in South India. To be seen from plenty of elephants to the elusive tiger and leopard. Due to the waterside location, this is also a bird-spotters paradise – there are over 250 different species, migratory and months.
Check into the picturesque The Serai resort.
Post lunch boat safari (subject to water level) on the Kabini River. On the banks of the river one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants, peacefully feeding and bathing in the river. In addition to diverse wildlife sighted on the extensive river banks, the boat safari offers you an opportunity to observe the Marsh Crocodile, the Smooth-coated Otter and a myriad of water birds.
Post dinner at the lodge proceed for a night trail to explore nocturnal life along the Kabini waterline. Armed with a flashlight and a spirit of adventure , accompany a skillful naturalist to encounter the fascinating world of beetles, spiders, owls, moths ,lizards and even plants as you go about this unusual night expedition.
Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Accommodation: The Serai
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Transfer: 125kms/77mi – 4 hrs
Activity: 1 hr boat safari, 1 hr night trail
This morning proceed for a guided Nature Walk along the banks of the river Kabini and then through the scrub and along the village roads to explore and unravel the beauty of birds, insects, trees and wild flowers. Return to lodge for breakfast.
Optional: Coracle ride / Kayanking on River Cauvery. Coracles are local fishing crafts that are circular and ideal for navigating these waters. This journey gives you a fish eye view of the surrounding forests and habitation and allows you to be a part of the ebb and flow of the riverine life.
Post lunch game drive in search of bison, elephant, tiger, spotted deer, wild boar, mongoose, jungle fowl and countless other species of birds and animals.
Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Accommodation: The Serai
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Activity: 1 hr nature walk, 3 hrs game drive
After breakfast a 2 hour drive takes you to Mysore, the former capital of the Wodeyar dynasty, Mysore has been home to one of the longest established empires in Indian history and the current Maharaja of Mysore still resides in the opulently-decorated city palace. Rebuilt in 1897 after a fire, it is an imposing centerpiece at the heart of the city, especially on Sundays and public holidays when it is lit by nearly 100,000 light bulbs.
Afternoon drive to the top of Chamundi Hill to visit the hilltop Sri Chamundeswari Temple and the huge monolith Nandi Bull.
Evening visit Devraja Market. A walk through the colorful streets of this 100 year old market is a great local experience for a traveler. Flowers, spices, fruits, vegetables – you can see numerous hawkers selling these stuffs. Get lost in the chaos of a busy Indian market, try to taste street food or tea/coffee to add to your adventure. Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Grand Mercure
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transfer: 106 kms/ 65mi – 2 hrs
Activity: 1 hr Devaraja market walk, 1 hr visit to Chamundi hills and Nandi Temple
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour visiting the Amber Vilas, or city palace, it has stained glass with peacocks and flowers, avenues of carved pillars and huge inlaid doors.
Later drive to Bangalore via Srirangapatnam the scene of political change in the Sultanate of Mysore and is synonymous with Tipu SultanThis island fortress was the summer capital of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. It is picturesquely located in River Cauvery. Here you can see Tipu’s summer palace, his mausoleum and Sri Ranganathaswamy temple.
Drive onto Bangalore (3 hours) on arrival check into the Taj West End. Originally a British-run guest-house, opened in 1887, the Taj West End is situated in a lush, 20-acre garden in the middle of Bangalore, and the property boasts of Art Deco features and is the proud home to many of the city’s heritage trees, including a beautiful 125-year old Banyan Tree.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Taj West End
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Transfer: 145 kms / 3 hrs
Activity: 1 hr city palace visit, 2 hrs Srirangapatnam visit
Breakfast at hotel.
On time pick up from hotel and transfer to Airport to board international flight for onward journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer: 35 kms / 1.5 hrs drive from hotel to airport
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