Tour Duration: 11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations Covered: Bangalore - Mysore - Coonoor - Ooty - Cochin - Alleppey - Kumarakom - Periyar - Madurai - Bangalore
Day 01: Arrival at Bangalore
As soon as you arrive at Bengaluru International Airport, our tour executive will welcome you in a traditional Indian manner. Later, be escorted by him to the hotel and make a check in. Bangalore is a city with panache and splendor as it is a mix of modern marvels as well as historical and cultural heritage. A special welcome dinner is organized for you at the hotel where you will stay for the night.
Day 02: Bangalore
You will be served breakfast in you rooms in the morning. This day is reserved for exploring the beautiful city of Bangalore. You will be visiting some awe-inspiring and marvelous sightseeing spots which display the golden heritage of the city. These tourist attractions include the splendid structure of the Neo-Dravidian age called Vidhana Soubha which lies on the Northern part of the beautiful and picturesque Cubbon Park. The next destination will be Lal Bagh, a peaceful and serene place with a number of varieties of exotic flowering and fruit plants. From here, drive to Tipu's Palace which preserves the 16th century magnificent Ganapathi Temple. Proceed to the shopping district where you can shop till you drop or lounge around in any of the numerous pubs in the downtown area. End the day with a good night's sleep at the hotel.
Day 03: Bangalore - Mysore
After gorging on a delectable breakfast at the hotel, you'll embark a 3-hour journey to Mysore. As soon as you reach there, you'll make a check in at the hotel and relax for sometime. Thereafter, head out for a sightseeing tour of this beautiful historical city. Srirangapatnam Fort which used to be the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, the historic Ranganatha Temple, the Grand Palace, Saint Philomina's Church, the Venkatappa Art Gallery and the Mysore city market, from where you can buy a number of souvenirs, will be the major highlights. Visit the famous Chamundi Hills later on, which are the USP of Mysore. A small but ancient garden is located on top of the hill known as Brindavan Gardens. You also have Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery on schedule which harbors a number of artifacts including Russian Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore gold leaf style of painting. Ride to the hotel and make a check in. Enjoy the lavish dinner served before dozing off in your room.
Day 04: Mysore - Coonoor - Ooty
You'll be served with sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. This will be followed by a drive to Coonoor, a small idyllic hill station on the outskirts of the popular hill station of Ooty. Being the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, Coonoor offers a plethora of pleasant and breathtaking tourist attractions. Sims Park - an elaborate botanical garden, tea and coffee plantations, and Pomological Station are the major highlights. In the afternoon, you'll be journeyed to Ooty in a Toy Train. You will come across a number of tea plantations and idyllic villages during the trip. The soothing climate and rustic setting provide Ooty an innate charm. The rolling hills and meandering roads are a treat to watch. On reaching Ooty, you'll be accommodated in an old colonial resort where you will stay overnight.
Day 05: Ooty
Breakfast will be served at the resort. A visit to the beautiful botanical gardens is on the cards next. The best gazing point located on the hill station is the Dodabetta Peak, from where you can enjoy the vast expanse of greens scattered in valleys and ravines. This place is a shopper's paradise for buying spices and exotic oils. Spend the evening strolling through the markets and picking up plenty of these goodies. Return to the resort for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06: Ooty - Cochin
After having breakfast at the resort, you will drive to the next destination - Cochin. Cochin is perhaps one of the finest natural harbors in the whole world. The city has a number of monuments which reminds an explorer of its Portuguese past. The places worth visiting are the colossal Fort Kochi and the majestic Dolphin's Point. You will be taken on a cruise to witness the beautiful sunset. You will be staying at the hotel overnight.
Day 07: Cochin
Enjoy the delicious morning meal served at the hotel. The community settled here is mostly Jewish because of the European colonial influence. As such, a visit to the Jewish monuments is a must on the tour itinerary. The pious Paradesi Synagogue, the International Pepper Exchange, the beautiful Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue, and Mattancherry Palace are the major sightseeing spots. In the evening, a stunning Kathakali dance will be presented to you. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Cochin.
Day 08: Cochin - Alleppey
After a delectable breakfast at the hotel, you'll continue with your trip to Alleppey. After you reach, check in at the hotel. Freshen up and relax for a while. Thereafter, you'll be taken on a small tour of Alappuzha, wandering through a number of markets and crossing beautifully structured bridges. Alleppey is famous for its boat races and backwaters. This day is reserved for a cruise in the backwaters in a traditional houseboat. Enjoy the traditional delicacies served for lunch and dinner on the boat. Spend the night in the boat amidst serene beauty, striking sky, and pristine waters.
Day 09: Alleppey - Kumarkom - Periyar
Breakfast will be served at the boat, after which you'll cruise towards Kumarakom on your houseboat. Enjoy the natural beauty scattered around you - the traditional houses, the tea gardens, and the rubber plantations. Halt by a tea factory to see the processing of tea. Kumarakom offers a lot more to its visitors than just the backwaters. It is full of surprises, some being the mangrove forests, paddy fields, coconut groves, and waterways and canals. Plus, a visit to the Bird Park is also on the cards. Later, drive to Periyar, the best part of it being the wildlife sanctuary located here. You'll be taking a walk through the serene greens and groves of the Periyar National Park. The evening is reserved for a visit to the spice market, followed by an overnight stay at the hotel in Periyar.
Day 10: Periyar
Start early in the morning with a jungle trek through the national park. Enjoy an outdoor breakfast during the excursion. A number of wild animals are waiting to welcome you. Elephants, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Wild Pigs, Wild Dogs, Porcupine, Lion-tailed Macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear, Gaur, and Black Langur are some species prevalent here. In the evening, visit the spice plantations and enjoy a boat ride inside the park. Night stay will be at the hotel.
Day 11: Periyar - Madurai
Pamper your taste buds with a wholesome breakfast at the hotel. This will be followed by a drive to Madurai. After a long 3 hour journey, you'll reach Madurai. This fabled city is famous for the stone carved temples, especially the Famous Sri Meenakshi Amman temple which is an exquisite example of Dravidian architecture. It is a major trade center for spices and cotton Sungudi saris. A visit to the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple will be paid in the evening. Overnight stay will be at a resort in Madurai.
Day 12: Madurai - Bangalore
You'll be served a yummy breakfast at the resort. A guided tour of Madurai is scheduled thereafter. Beginning with Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, a big tank located near Meenakshi Temple, you will be visiting Gandhi Museum, which displays artifacts and paintings related to India's struggle for independence and to the father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi. Thirumalai Nayak Palace and the flower market of the city will be the next stopovers. The day will end with an evening flight to Bangalore International Airport, from where you'll board a flight for your onward journey.
