Abroad – Bangalore

Arrive Bangalore
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel

Bangalore

Morning sightseeing tour of Bangalore - city with its centuries old trees, sub tropical herbs and well laid out gardens. Visit the beautiful botanical gardens of ‘Lal Bagh’, the ‘Nandi Bull Temple’, the impressive building of the ‘Vidhana Souda’ (Secretariat). Continue onwards to the ‘Palace of Tipu Sultan’. It was started by Hyder Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan. One of the three summer palaces built by the two Mysore rulers, it is made entirely of wood, except for the internal pillar supports. Within are gloriously painted walls, ceilings, and balconies in red, black and gold. Bangalore has rapidly become an important industrial center and, has been nicknamed the 'Silicon Valley' of India.

Late evening visit to the ‘Nrityagram Dance Village’. Designed by a French architect a school and performance center for various forms of Indian Classical Dance, the village won an award for its design. The tour includes some absolutely beautiful displays of classical dance and a vegetarian lunch made from produce grown in the village. Overnight at the hotel.

Bangalore – Cochin – Periyar

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cochin.

Leave: Bangalore at: 0915 hrs by: IC 502
Arrive: Cochin at: 1050 hrs

Upon arrival in Cochin – you will be met & proceed straight to Periyar (200 kms). Upon arrival, check–in at the hotel.

Periyar - Sprawling across 777 sq kms of the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, it is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Alive with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked away among hills.

Overnight at hotel

Periyar – Kumarakom

Early morning game viewing cruise on Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around - tropical jungles, wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq km the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 metres to 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.

Afternoon, drive to Kumarakom (130 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.

Kumarakom - is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages.

Overnight at hotel

Kumarakom – Houseboat

Morning at leisure.

Afternoon, board the traditional rice boats - “Kettuvallam” for a fascinating cruise through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world’s truly unforgettable experiences. These traditional houseboats of Kerala are one of the most enduring images of the backwaters, its natural, cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside. You can relax on the sundeck and watch the way of life and activity of the local people, sipping from a tender coconut and enjoying the sheer peace of the surroundings.

Overnight on board

Houseboat – Marari

After breakfast on board sail to Alleppey & disembark. Upon arrival proceed directly to Marari (30 kms).

Mararikulam- is one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coastline of Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of coconut palms.

Marari Beach Resort - is set in a superb location of 25 acres of coconut palm grooves leading down to the vast expanse of beach. The hotel is built in the style of traditional fishing village with thatched villas that have been designed to be keeping with local village style.

Overnight at hotel

Marari

Full day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel

Marari

Full day at leisure for own activities.

Overnight at hotel

Marari – Cochin

After breakfast, drive to Cochin (60 kms) and check in at hotel.

Late afternoon witness the Kathakali dance performance - Kathakali is a unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100 different ‘mudras’ or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings - each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths.

Overnight at hotel

Cochin – Ooty

Morning drive to Ooty (281 kms). Upon arrival check-in at hotel

Ootacamund (Ooty) - the summer capital of the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu), it is known as the Queen of Hill stations. It nestles in the Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2300 m. Ooty still maintains its definite air of elegance and there are British Raj reminders everywhere-notably in the stone cottages with flower gardens, the beautiful Botanical gardens (1840), the Churches, tea gardens and eucalyptus plantations.

Day at leisure for own activities.

Overnight at hotel

Ooty - Mysore

Morning drive to Mysore (160 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel

Overnight at hotel

Mysore

Morning visit the beautiful city of Mysore, that is known for its fine craftsmenship in wood, ivory, sandal-wood and for its silk.

Visit the Mysore Palace - Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, it is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open onto luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The Marriage Pavilion is adorned with glazed tiled flooring, stained glass and domed ceilings. The walled palace complex houses the Residential Museum, temples and shrines, including the Shwetha Varahswamy Temple. The magnificently jewel-studded golden throne, the pride of the ruling Wodeyar family, is displayed here during the Dussehra festival. (Once a week on every Sunday the palace is lit up in the evening) presenting a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.

Then proceed to the Chamundi Temple on a hill above the city.

Overnight at the hotel

Mysore – Hassan

Morning, drive to Hassan (115 kms) enroute visiting Srirangapatnam and Sravanbelgola

Visit Sriringapatnam from this small Island fortress - town straddling the river Cauvery came the two brilliant Muslim leaders Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, who rulled a powerful empire comprising much of Southern India for 40 years. Tipu Sultan “The Tiger of Mysore” became the most dreaded foe of the British in the south, and inflicted two punishing defeats on the forces of East India Company before at last being overcome in 1799. Tipu was killed and his town razed, but his elegant Summer Palace, or Daria Daulat Bagh remains intact; the British kept it for their own use. Later Duke of Wellington, lived here for a spell while serving as governor of Mysore.

Sravanbelgola famous for its colossl statue of the Jain Saint Gomateshwara. 614 steps lead to his monolithic statue 18 meters tall and standing atop the hill of Indragiri. Every 12 years Jains from all over India gather here for the spectacular bathing festival of the statue

Upon arrival at Hassan - check into hotel

Overnight at hotel

Hassan

Sightseeing tour of Halebid and Belur.

Later drive through lush tropical landscapes to Halebid and Belur - Built in the 12th and 13th century in the superb baroque style, these temples are carved of stone and are truly magnificent. As one architect and critic said "These friezes carved with a minute elaboration of detail are one of the most marvelous exhibitions of human labor to be found even in the patient East". The temple at Belur is famed for its profusely ornamented exterior, and the one at Halebid for its sculptured figures and open-air museum. Also visit the colossal monolithic Jain statue, 57-ft high, which stands on top of a steep bare hill.

Bangalore – Abroad

Depart: Bangalore