Southern Splendors: Culture & Wildlife Adventure

Upon arrival at Bangalore airport, you will be greeted by our representative and assisted before setting off for Mysore. On the way, stop at Srirangapatna, located 16 km from Mysore, which served as the island stronghold of Tipu Sultan and was the original seat of the Mysore Wodiyars. Here, you can explore landmarks such as Tipu’s mosque with its distinctive twin minarets built in 1787, the entirely wooden Summer Palace (Daria Daulat Bagh) now functioning as a museum showcasing remarkable artefacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the Gumbaz, the mausoleum where Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, and other royal family members are interred. Continue to Mysore and check in at The Metropole hotel for your overnight stay with bed and breakfast included.

Following breakfast, embark on a city tour to soak in the atmosphere of Mysore as you pass by elegant colonial-era buildings and historic landmarks. Begin with a visit to the Maharajah’s Palace, renowned as one of India’s finest architectural marvels, where you can admire vibrant stained glass, intricately carved wooden doors, and mosaic flooring. Next, head to the lively Devaraja Market, famous for its colorful displays, before making your way to Chamundi Temple, perched atop Chamundi Hill at 1,062 meters. After climbing the 1,001 steps, you’ll reach the 12th-century temple that enshrines a golden idol of Chamundi, the deity revered by Mysore’s rulers.

In the afternoon, make a brief stop at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for a boat ride. Spanning 40 acres, this sanctuary is a vital breeding ground for thousands of birds, including many migratory species from Siberia, North America, and Australia. Later, enjoy a heritage Tonga ride—horse-drawn carriages that once dominated the city’s streets—offering a unique way to explore Mysore’s heritage sites and experience local culture. Return to your hotel afterward. (Breakfast & Lunch)

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, set out for Nagarahole National Park. Upon arrival, check in to the Kabini River Lodge, located on the park’s southern edge. The lodge features colonial-style architecture combined with contemporary comforts. Later in the afternoon, embark on a Jeep Safari through Nagarahole, guided by skilled drivers and naturalists. This region is renowned for its exceptionally high concentration of Asiatic wildlife, making it one of India’s premier destinations for observing Asiatic elephants and gaur. Dinner and overnight accommodation are included, with all meals provided.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. In the early morning, take a peaceful motorboat ride along the tranquil backwaters of the Kabini River, observing aquatic birds and other wildlife as they search for their morning meal. Return to your hotel, and later in the afternoon, set out on a Jeep Safari in Nagarahole Park with skilled drivers and knowledgeable naturalists. Spend the remainder of the day unwinding in the calm surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay follow.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing from the Kabini river towards the open landscapes of Bandipur National Park. Together with Nagarhole, Wayanad Sanctuary, and Mudumalai National Park, Bandipur forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, one of South India’s premier wildlife destinations. The park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, sheltering leopards, four-horned antelopes, crested serpent eagles, and aromatic sandalwood trees.

During your journey, stop at the Venugopalaswamy temple on Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, the tallest peak in Bandipur at 1,450 meters. This hilltop Krishna temple, constructed by King Chola Bhallala in 1315 AD, attracts many pilgrims and offers stunning sunrise vistas over the park.

Check in at the Windflower Resort and Spa, conveniently located near the forest reserve. Unwind in your jungle retreat, then set out on a short 5 km trek from the hotel to a nearby hill for sweeping views of the sanctuary and a chance to see deer gathering by the reservoir. Conclude your day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Begin your day with an early morning wildlife and birdwatching excursion around the national park. Board a Jeep Safari for a two-hour journey through Bandipur National Park, accompanied by expert guides. Keep an eye out for elephants feeding on bamboo, groups of spotted deer, Indian bison, and crested serpent eagles. After the safari, return to the resort to freshen up and have breakfast.

Later in the afternoon, prepare for another adventure as you visit the nearby Mudumalai National Park. After completing the entry procedures at the Karnataka–Tamil Nadu border, enter the park for a canter bus safari. This ride follows the peripheral roads along the forest edge, rather than venturing deep inside. Mudumalai is a sanctuary for endangered and vulnerable animals, including Indian elephants, Bengal tigers, gaurs, and Indian leopards. Once the safari concludes, head back to Bandipur to unwind and enjoy your evening at the jungle resort. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel complete the day.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and head to Ooty. Known as the Queen of Hill Stations, Ooty is a scenic and lush destination, widely regarded as the most popular hill retreat in South India. Set in the Western Ghats at 2,240 meters above sea level, Udhagamandalam serves as the Nilgiris district headquarters, where the two Ghat ranges converge. Alongside its coffee and tea estates, the hillsides are dotted with conifers, eucalyptus, pine, and wattle trees. Upon arrival, check in at the Sullivan Court hotel. In the early afternoon, board the Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, constructed by the British in 1908, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2005 as an extension to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. On reaching Coonoor, enjoy sightseeing at Lamb’s Rock, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding tea and coffee plantations, then continue to Dolphin’s Nose, a viewpoint perched over 1,000 feet above sea level and located 10 km from Coonoor. Return to Ooty for an overnight stay at the hotel, including bed and breakfast.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before heading to Pollachi, a place steeped in the cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. Historically, Pollachi was called “pozhilvaichi,” signifying its abundance of natural wealth and prosperity. Upon arrival, you will be guided to Shenbaga Vilaasam, your guesthouse—a former countryside retreat for the Vanavarayar royal family, constructed in the early 1900s. Here, you’ll be welcomed with genuine hospitality. Shenbaga Vilaasam showcases an architectural style unique to South India and is adorned with family heirlooms and antiques collected over generations.

Later, venture out to discover the charm of the surrounding villages, taking a traditional bullock-cart ride to Samathur, located on the outskirts of Pollachi. The city is renowned for its vibrant markets, particularly those selling jaggery, coconuts, fresh produce, and livestock. Along the way, you can pause to watch local artisans at work, visit a village temple, or simply enjoy the lively conversations of village life. Conclude your day with an overnight stay at the hotel.

Begin your morning with a peaceful stroll, accompanied only by the calls of peacocks echoing through the town. Afterwards, set off for Munnar, the largest tea-producing area in South India, traveling through undulating hills and meticulously maintained tea plantations. Upon arrival, check in at Ecotones hotel. Later, visit Eravikulam National Park (subject to its availability), a haven for the Nilgiri Tahr, South India’s native mountain goat. The park is renowned for its sweeping grasslands that cover 97 square kilometers in the Kannan Devan hills. Afterwards, stop by Mattupetty Dam, where the tranquil waters mirror the surrounding tea gardens. Stay overnight, with breakfast included.

After breakfast, set out for a full-day trek across Munnar’s gentle hills and picturesque tea plantations (easy level, 4-5 hours). A Jeep will take you to the starting point at Top Station village. Begin your walk from there, weaving through tea estates where you can meet and talk with the tea workers. Follow the trail to Pazhathottam village, observing local farmers tending their crops. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the route. At the end of your trek, a Jeep will pick you up and transfer you to Koviloor village before returning you to your hotel for an overnight stay. (Breakfast & Lunch included)

After enjoying breakfast at the camp, complete your trek where our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to Thattekadu, crossing the scenic Ghats. Along the way, stop at a Tea Factory to learn all about Nilgiris tea and observe the entire manufacturing process firsthand. Upon reaching Thattekadu, check in at the Hornbill Camp, nestled within a coconut grove on the banks of the Periyar River. The camp features cottage tents elevated on platforms and overlooks the lush lowland forests of the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, renowned as one of the richest bird habitats in peninsular India. Here, you can enjoy a kayaking trip along the Periyar River to explore the dense forests across the water, or opt for a cycling excursion through the surrounding spice-growing villages and plantations (activities payable locally).

Begin your morning with a guided birdwatching tour at the nearby Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, accompanied by a naturalist who will lead you through the forest and assist in spotting and identifying the sanctuary’s rare bird species, all while you enjoy a packed breakfast. Afterward, return to your hotel, check out in the early afternoon, and set off for Cochin—known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and Kerala’s commercial heart, where the old world meets the new. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Fort Kochi and spend the remainder of the day unwinding and exploring the charming colonial streets at your own pace. In the evening, experience Kerala’s renowned dance drama, the Kathakali show, distinguished by its dramatic gestures, elaborate costumes, and intricate makeup, with stories drawn from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Stay overnight at your hotel, with breakfast and lunch included.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before setting out to discover the authentic daily life of Cochin on an ethnic tour. Start by viewing the iconic Chinese fishing nets, whose large, cantilevered frames arch over the water like giant hammocks and have become a symbol of Fort Kochi. Next, visit St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India, built in 1503 and the original burial site of Vasco da Gama, followed by the impressive Santa Cruz Basilica, renowned as one of India’s most striking churches.

Continue your journey with a tuk-tuk ride, the favored way to travel among locals. Make a stop at Dhobi Khana, the traditional laundry area that, though quieter now, was once bustling with activity. Proceed through the narrow lanes of Mattancherry to the fruit market on Palace Road, where residents shop for fresh, organic produce at competitive prices.

Don’t miss the vibrant Spice Market, where the air is filled with the scents of ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, and pepper from the nearby warehouses. Take a break to enjoy a refreshing cup of “one meter” tea at a local tea shop.

The tour also includes an opportunity to meet a Brahmin family, members of the highest Hindu caste, traditionally serving as priests and scholars responsible for conducting important ceremonies. You’ll be invited to have intricate designs drawn on your hands in a ritual known as Mehndi, which holds deep cultural significance and is an essential part of Indian pre-wedding celebrations.

Later, visit the Jewish Synagogue, located in the heart of Jew Town, and conclude with a tour of the Dutch Palace, famous for its exquisite 17th-century mural paintings. Overnight at your hotel with bed and breakfast included.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Cochin airport for your return flight home.