A superb holiday visiting some of the finest national parks in South India, the journey also offer overnight cruise in unique houseboat of Kerala.
Best time: Mid October to Mid March.
Duration: 16 days.
Route : Bangalore – My sore – Nagarhole – Vythiri – Ooty – Cochin – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Marari.
DAY 01 BANGALORE TO MY SORE
Arrive Bangalore from your home country. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer directly to My sore (about 140kms/03hrs). Check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 MY SORE
Morning after breakfast we visit St. Philomina’s Church, built in an imposing gothic style with its stained glass windows is a truly majestic sight. Move to Maharaja’s Palace, designed by Henry Irwin and built in 1897. It is in the Indo-Saracenic style in grand proportions, with domes, arches and colonnades of carved pillars and shiny marble floors – ‘Wondrous Kitsch’. Afternoon at leisure, evening we make a short drive to Chamundi Hills to visit the 12th century temple of Sri Chamundeswari. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 MY SORE TO NAGARHOLE
Morning after breakfast drive to Nagarhole National Park (about 80kms/02hrs), check into the hotel. Afternoon gameviewing the park by safari. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Jungle Lodge.
DAY 04 NAGARHOLE
Nestled amidst the Karapur Forest in the southern part of Nagarhole National Park lies a pristine piece of land that abounds with nature. A view from the Kabini River Lodge proves to be absolutely breathtaking. Patches of bright blue pools hidden between the trees, the sun peeping through the thick forest and animals roaming free…. Just some of the visual delights of this forest.
Morning go for a jeep safari to sight the animals, and have a ride on elephant in the jungle. Evening cruise through the serene backwaters of the Kabani River on a motorboat viewing crocodiles and chirpy birds, intent on their evening catch. O/n Jungle Lodge.
DAY 05 NAGARHOLE TO VYTHIRI
Morning gameviewing the park. After breakfast drive to Vythiri (about 85kms/03hrs), a very picturesque journey over the Whestern Ghats. Check into the resort. The rest of the day explores the dense forest and the birds around there by trekking. Under the shadow of verdant forest amidst the fragrance of a thousand scents, where times move according to the ancient rythms, where you will learn the art of living in the easy going way, gentle, relaxed and carefree. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 VYTHIRI TO OOTY
Morning after breakfast drive to Ooty (about 171kms/05hrs), the road winds you through Niligiri Hills and the views are superb. Check into the hotel.
DAY 07 OOTY
Early morning we will make a short drive to Dodabetta for our Snowdon – Ooty walk. It is a pleasant walk which curves gently downhill through a variety of woodland (eucalyptus, conifer, shoal), the walk offer fine birding after few hours walk we will drive back to the hotel for overnight.
DAY 08 OOTY TO COCHIN
Morning after breakfast transfer to railway station to board Toy Train to Coonoor at 09.15 – 10.25hrs. Experience the journey in a Toy Train; the train puffs up through an area with plantations, tea gardens, lush forests and pretty little stations on its one-hour descent from Ooty. Upon arrival, direct drive to Cochin (about 280kms/06hrs). Check into the hotel, evening free to relax after our marathon journey. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 COCHIN
Morning after breakfast we visit this old Kochi town which has a fascinating blend of cultures. Visit the Mattancherry Palace – also called the Dutch Palace, The Clock Tower, The Synagogue built in the 18th century and the St.Francis Church, and then the Chinese Fishing Nets, which adorn the north shore. Afternoon free to relax, evening we make a short drive to watch the dance-drama of Kerala – The Kathakali in a local theatre. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 THEKKADY
After breakfast drive to Thekkady ( about 205kms/4hrs). Afternoon Boat Ride in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary Overnight in Resort.
DAY 11 THEKKADY
Morning after breakfast we will go for a full day trekking & rafting at Periyar wildlife sanctuary. The adventure starts at 0800 hrs from the Lake Periyar boat landing. Maximum of 05 persons are allowed per raft and 02 rafts are functioning. It involves a 2-hour trek in to the core area, 3-hours rafting and 2-hours return trek. There will be one-armed guard and 2 tribal trackers along with each raft. A simple vegetarian lunch will be served as well as snacks and tea or coffee. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
Early morning we will go for a 02hrs boat ride at Periyar Lake in search of rich flora and fauna. After breakfast drive to Kumarakom (about 140kms/03hrs). Much of its beauty is laid out in all its glory along the road, which winds from Periyar to Kottayam through Cardamom, Coffee, pepper and rubber plantations. Check into the hotel. Afternoon visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary known for local varieties like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl and the water duck. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY
Morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 50kms/01hr), here we embark our houseboats that each comprise two twin rooms, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Spice Coast Cruises is a journey down Kerala’s enchanting backwaters on a houseboat. We cruise for about 3hrs. through the backwaters and coconut groves, and then moor up for the night of Vembanadu lake. O/n Houseboat.
DAY 14 ALLEPPEY TO MARARI
Morning after breakfast disembarks from the houseboat, straight drive (about 20kms), to Marari beach resort, offering fine accommodation in Fisherman Village style, the resort is set in 30acreas of coconut grove with the delightful sandy beach , a perfect place to end you journey!
DAY 15 MARARI
Day at leisure/ Swim/ Aurvada Treatments or Massage. O/n Hotel.
DAY 16 MARARI TO Cochin.
Morning after breakfast transfer to Cochin int’l airport to board flight to your home country.