DAY 01 BANGALORE TO MYSORE TO NAGARHOLE
Morning drive to Mysore (about 140km/03-04hrs), enjoy a half day city sightseeing of this Sandalwood City where thanks to royal patronage, artists, writers and craftsmen have flourished, making it the cultural epicentre of Karnataka.
It is a major centre for the manufacture of incense, and its flowers-spice-vegetable market amongst the finest in India. Also Mysore silk is well known for its quality and everlasting luster.
Our half days’ sightseeing highlights include: The Markets, The palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12 that is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture and the St. Philomena’s Church the largest neo- Gothic churches in India. Late afternoon you will drive to Nagarhole (about 90km/03-04hrs), check into the hotel, situated in the heart land of the Kadukuruba tribe of Nagarhole forest and surrounded on three sides by the Kabini river. All the cottages are built in authentic Kuruba village style. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 NAGARHOLE.
Once an exclusive hunting ground for the rulers of My sore, Nagarhole acquired the status of a national park in 1975. Spread over 643 sq. km of wilderness against the backdrop of the Brahmagiri Mountains, it is one of the best wildlife experiences in India. Recently, the park has been renamed Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Flanked by Bandipur National Park to the southeast and Kerala’s Wynad Sanctuary to the southwest, Nagarhole is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Nagarhole derives its name from the Kannada word, naga that means snake, and hole meaning streams. True to its name, the park is criss-crossed by serpentine rivers and streams. A perennial water reservoir is at the centre of the park, while a series of slopes and shallow valleys spread outwards, covered with bamboo, teak, and cassia forests, as well as marshy swamps. This varied habitat makes Nagarhole home to a diverse wildlife population.
Nagarhole is one of the remaining habitats of the Asian elephant, which you can see in large herds here. Other animals to be seen are tiger, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, bison, leopard, wild boar, deer, dhole (wild dog), sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, bonnet macaque, and pangolin, among others.
Nagarhole National Park is also home to over 250 bird species including the Malabar pied hornbill, crested hawk eagle, golden-back woodpecker and southern tree pie. Crocodiles, pythons, and several species of snakes and lizards are also found here
Early morning explore the park by jeep safari, accompanied by a trained naturalist and the safari provides a good opportunity to observe the various herbivores & predators.
Later in the afternoon explore the Nagarhole National park, by couple of hours boat ride, accompanied by a trained naturalist, the safari provides a good opportunity to observe a wide variety of water birds and marsh crocodiles in addition to the other wildlife. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 NAGARHOLE :
Morning and afternoon game drives in the park by jeep / boat along with a resident naturalist. The day time free to explore nearby local tribal village by bi-cycle. O/n Hotel.
Day 04 NAGARHOLE TO COORG:
Afternoon drive to Coorg (about 120km/04hrs), check into a charming resort, nestled in the Western Ghats, perched at 800 meters above sea level and set amidst 300 acres of coffee and spice plantations. Rest of the day free to relax or go for a nature walk within the resort. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 COORG
After an early breakfast make a short drive to nearby Durbare Elephant Camp, where we will have a couple of hour experience with Elephants consisting of the following activities:
- Elephant Grooming: Visitors can watch Elephants been given a scrub-bath in the River and also watch how oil is applied on their forehead, tusks and other aspects of Elephant grooming.
- Elephant feeding: Visitors can watch the food being prepared for the Elephants and how they are fed. They can even participate by feeding the Elephants themselves – for this, we can give them some sugarcane, coconuts or bananas.
- Commands: The Mahouts will then demonstrate the various commands the Elephants can obey. This can be vividly portrayed by making Elephants perform some mock logging operations.
- Naturalist: While visitors are going through all these activities, a Naturalist will explain to them about all aspects of Elephant ecology, history, conservation etc. The visitor’s interaction with Elephants will be as participatory as possible. Further, a leaflet giving interesting information on the same will be given to visitors.
- Elephant Ride: Finally, visitors will be taken on a 10 to 15 min Elephant ride into the Dubare Reserve Forest. Before, they get on to the Elephant they can watch how the Howdahs is actually tied etc.
Afternoon visit Bylekuppe, which is the second largest settlement outside Tibet. The Golden Temple has some very impressive 40-foot high golden idols of Buddha. The prayer sessions are a sight to behold too, as more than 400 monks chant in unison. There are also a few Tibetian handicraft shops selling shawls, artifacts and souvenir items.
Back to resort and take a guided tour of the 300 – Acre working coffee and spice plantation. Learn how coffee and spices are cultivated it can be a rewarding experience. The refreshing aroma of spices and fresh coffee fills Coorg. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 COORG TO NEELESHWAR
After breakfast drive to Neeleshwar (about 140km/04hrs), check into your ‘eco-friendly beach spa’- combines the best of Indian traditions with a contemporary level of comfort and a refined aesthetic sensibility.
Rest of the day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 NEELESHWAR
neeleshwarAfter breakfast explore the nearby village, which stretches a large network of small roads and lanes that give the visitor a wonderful experience of local life. The ideal way to explore this hinterland is by bike. You will enter a world of paddy fields, garden compounds, shrines, temples and mosques, and can follow a lovely coastline along which lie traditional fishing villages where boats and nets are made and repaired.
Back to hotel and relax; later in the afternoon make a short drive to Bekal to visit the imposing circular fort, which is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Kerala. Also enjoy the beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 NEELESHWAR
Morning free to relax, afternoon board your houseboat and explore the network of secluded backwaters that feed the local paddy fields and eventually open out into the sea. Attractive and spacious houseboats, converted from traditional Keralan 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. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 NEELESHWAR TO MANGALORE
After breakfast transfer to Mangalore airport (about 90km/03hrs), to board flight to your onward destination.
