Overview
Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the enchanting landscapes of South India, beginning with the vibrant city of Bangalore and the regal charm of Mysore. Discover the lush coffee plantations and serene hills of Coorg, the wilderness of Kabini, and the tranquil beauty of Wayanad. Conclude your adventure in Nileshwar, a coastal paradise offering pristine backwaters and golden beaches - a perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation.
Trip Duration - 12 Days
Grade - Premium
Accommodation - 11 Nights Hotel Stay
Category - Nature Trails
Upon arrival at Bangalore airport, meet and assistance by our representative, followed by transfer to Hotel, Check-in Hotel. Afternoon Sightseeing tour of Bangalore, visit to Tippu's Summer Palace, is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan. Evening visit to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, is an old botanical garden in Bengaluru, India. First planned and laid out during the dalavaiship of Hyder Ali and later adorned with unique plant species by his son Tippu, it was later managed under numerous British Superintendents before Indian Independence. Overnight stay at Hotel.
After breakfast proceed to Mysore, En-route take a visit at Somnathpur, well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakeshava Temple, one of the three famous & finest representations of Hoysala architecture nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Continue drive to Mysore, Check-in hotel. This afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour. Visit the Maharajah's Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Inside, you will find a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors. Continue towards the colourful Devarajan Market and also visit Chamundi Temple, overlooking Mysore from the 1062 metre summit of Chamundi Hill. At the top of the 1,001 steps up Chamundi Hill, lies a 12th century temple that houses a golden statue of Chamundi - the Hindu goddess worshipped by the Maharajas. End your tour with a good local cup of filter coffee. Back to hotel. Overnight stay.
Early Morning proceed with a Heritage walking tour to get a feel of this charming city. Take in the city at your own pace as you past some lovely colonial structures, old local monuments and temples and get to know the stories behind them, experience a heritage Tonga ride (horse-drawn chariots) during the tour. After noon, drive to the visit of Srirangapatna (16km from Mysore) - the island fortress of Tipu Sultan and the early capital of the Mysore Wodiyars - Here you will find monuments such as Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets built in 1787, Tipu’s Summer Palace (known as the Daria Daulat Bagh) built completely on wood and converted into a museum that houses some fantastic artefacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the Gumbaz where lie buried Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali and others of the royal family. Back to hotel, Overnight stay at the hotel.
Morning after breakfast, proceed to Coorg. This old-world charm station is filled with exotic coffee plantation, amazing food and amongst all a persistent living culture. At your arrival check-in your hotel. This afternoon, experience a coffee plantation walk, complete it with a visit to the factory to learn how coffee is processed from bean to a piping cup. Overnight stay at hotel.
Morning after breakfast drive to visit to Byalkuppe Tibetan town (40Kms from Coorg) (Visit subject to permission), inhabited by 7,000 Tibetans. Bylakuppe consists of a number of agricultural settlements, number of monasteries in the entire major Tibetan Buddhist traditions and many Buddhist universities for advanced Buddhist practices. Then continue your journey with a stop at the Dubare Reserve Forest & Elephant Camp, where about 150 elephants are bred and trained undertaken by naturalists. Back to hotel, enjoy a campfire followed by dinner at your hotel. Overnight stay at your hotel.
After your breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Kabini. On arrival, check-in at your hotel situated in the fringes of the Nagarahole National Park. This afternoon, enjoy a boat safari in the surrounding peaceful backwaters and enjoy Aquatic bird watching and other wild life on the water edge. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Early morning proceed for a Land Safari into the Nagarahole national park, accompanied by experienced drivers and naturalists. This area boasts of the highest density in Asiatic wildlife and is considered one of the best places in India to view the Asiatic elephants and gaur. Back to hotel and breakfast. After breakfast Check-out and proceed to Wayanad, Check-in hotel, evening enjoy a plantation walk. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast visit Uravu Craft Village, promotes social enterprises based on value addition of local, natural resources, especially bamboo, the "green gold". Uravu implements integrated, end-to-end programs in the bamboo sector, which include providing skill training in bamboo processing, establishing micro enterprises, marketing of bamboo handicraft and cultivation of bamboo. Followed by a visit to a pottery making unit, will further nurture your artistic skills by showing you how to mould wet clay into beautiful shapes. Afternoon enjoy a jeep safari at Muthanga wildlife sanctuary, is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region. The sanctuary has a large population of pachyderms and has been declared a Project Elephant site. Back to hotel, Overnight stay at your hotel.
After early breakfast proceed to Neeleshwar, check-in houseboat at Nileshwar backwater. Behind the Hermitage lies a network of secluded backwaters that feed the local paddyfields and eventually open out into the sea. Attractive and spacious houseboats, converted from traditional Kerala rice barges, provide the perfect setting for cool, tranquil and relaxing cruises to refresh the mind and enliven the spirit. During the day one can watch the local life as it unfolds unhurriedly along the banks: people washing clothes, collecting water for the home, working in their gardens, fishing with traditional nets, going to the temple. In the evening the wide variety of local birdlife gathers in flocks to roost for the night while the sky is ravished by a spectacular sunset. Overnight stay on board.
After breakfast check-out and sightseeing tour of Bekal & Nileshwar, visit Lotus Temple & Bekal fort , The 300-year-old Bekal Fort is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. This imposing circular structure of laterite rises 130 ft. above sea level and stands on a 35 acre headland that runs into the Arabian Sea. Followed by visit at Anandasram , was founded by Swami Ramdas, endearingly called Beloved Papa, at Kanhangad, South India in 1931. "The ideal which the Ashram holds before it is Universal Love and Service based upon a vision of divinity in all beings and creatures of the world. Here every man, woman or child, to whatever denomination, creed or caste the person may belong, shall have free access. Check-in. Overnight stay.
Breakfast at residing hotel. Day at Leisure, Explore the nearby villages and witness the “Theyyam” rituals happening in the local temples or sacred groves. The Theyyam season began in Kerala with the commencement of the Malayalam month Thulam that falls during October/November and lasts till May. With utmost zest, zeal and reverence Kerala welcomes the living Gods. The sleepy hamlets of North Kerala are ready to witness the divine verve and vigor of Theyyam deities in all their grandeur. Theyyam performances are usually held during the dark hours and like a night giving way to light, with blazing fires, loud, fearful costumes, intricate face paintings and masks and powerful spontaneous movements the Theyyam performers enter. The movements are intended to invoke the Gods and the performers are gradually possessed by the divine power and go to a trance. Thousands throng the temples and sacred groves of North Malabar to watch this unique ancient ritualistic artform and to seek the blessings of this dancing deity. Overnight stay.
Departure transfer to Kannur Airport and connect your flight to home.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Vibrant cityscapes
Royal heritage
Coffee plantations
Wildlife sanctuary
Scenic hills
Coastal backwaters
Rich traditions