Home > India Wildlife Tour > Flora and Fauna Tour of South India
Duration : 16 Days & 15 Nights
Location : Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Ranganthittu – Mysore – Nagarhole – Bandipur – Madumalai – Coonoor – Ooty – Munnar – Eravikulam – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin.
Location : Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Ranganthittu – Mysore – Nagarhole – Bandipur – Madumalai – Coonoor – Ooty – Munnar – Eravikulam – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin.
Day 01
Bangalore Arrival:
COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE will receive you on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Bangalore is a booming city and considered fifth largest and the fastest growing city in Asia. Bangalore combines a quaint old world charm with the hustle and bustle of a modern metropolitan city. It is a delightful place with an amalgamation of various rich cultures, crafts, and heritage centers. This city while enjoying the reputation of being a modern, high-tech city, still offers a lot of places of historical interest for the avid sightseer to explore. A trip around the city can be very interesting and provides a varied sightseeing experience with Palaces, museums, temples, churches and gardens. It has an enviable posterity and presents much to be discovered. Despite being one of Asia's fastest growing cities, Bangalore remains one of the most elegant metros in India. A well-planned city, with tree-lined avenues, a large number of parks, gardens and lakes, Bangalore is aptly called India's garden city. Bangalore is even gaining the status of the "Floriculture Capital of India" due to the present blossoming of flower exports from the city. The beautiful parks like the Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are indeed a treat to the eyes.
Overnight will be at Bangalore.
Day 02
Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Mysore:
By Road 150Kms/04hrs
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing.
Cubbon Park: Lord Cubbon laid down the 300-acre park in 1864. A perfect place for joggers and nature walkers, it also has red Gothic structures to see such as the State Central Library with its rare treasure of books, architectural style and fluted pillars, the High Court, the Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall, Ottawa Chatter, Museum, Century Club and the Press Club.
Lalbagh Gardens: A small fruit orchard of Hyder Ali, this garden had the glory of Tipu Sultan introducing several exotic trees here such as Cypress, Thuja, Junipers, Grapes, Guavas, Raspberries and Strawberries while John Cameron's period was certainly its 'Golden Era'. The Lalbagh Glass House once displayed the flora imported from England.
Vidhana Soudha: An imposing 46m high Bangalore granite monument that resembles the Temple architectural style houses the Legislative Chambers of the state government. The building has 22 departments and 300 rooms, four domes on all its corners and the four-headed lion.
Tipu’s Palace: Similar in many ways to the Summer Palace of Tippu Sultan at Sriangapatna, this palace was begun by Haider Ali and completed by Tippu in 1791. Known as `Rashk-e-jannat' (Envy of Heaven), it has massive wooden work and is known for five exquisitely ornamented arches with beautiful minarets and paintings on walls and ceilings.
Drive to Mysore, on the way visit Srirangapatnam - 16 km before Mysore, this fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali. Tipu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tipu's airy Summer Palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here, is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Reach Mysore and check into the hotel.
Mysore is a major tourist city of Karnataka. The city was the erstwhile capital of the state and hence has played an important role in the history of the state and of South India. Today it has developed into a modern city like many other cities in the country. But this city has not lost touch with its rich historical and cultural legacy. Mysore city is a favorite tourist destination in Karnataka. Tourist from within the country and from outside come see the splendor of the city of Mysore. The city has a number of places a person can visit. There are a number of Royal buildings, gardens, waterfalls, temples, museums and modern amusement parks.
The city of Mysore is known as the 'City Of Palaces'. There are number of buildings built by the Royal family and are exquisite examples of Dravidian architecture and display grandeur and lavish life lead by the Emperors while they ruled the state. Apart from the Palaces there are number of other tourist’s attractions that one can visit in Mysore. One of the popular spots is the Chamundi hills and the temple on top of the hills. This prominent landmark of Mysore is a favorite destination for the locales as well.
You could do some climbing to catch a great sunrise from the Chamundi Hill or a walk to the lakes.
Try some fine South Indian dishes such as the famous Mysore Masala dosa and the Mysore Pak sweet.
Mysore is famous for its silk sarees and sandalwood. You can shop at places like Cauvery Art and Crafts Emporium, and on roads like Ashoka, Sayyaji Rao and Devaraj Urs.
Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 03
Mysore:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for the sightseeing.
The Chamundeswari Temple, atop the hill of Chamundi, is of great religious significance. It is dedicated to the Goddess Chamundi or Durga, who killed the demon king. This temple earlier was a small one, but later was expanded under the Wodeyar rule. It displays Dravidian influence in some of its architecture. It is quadrangular in shape, and there is a statue of the Lord Ganesha on the doorway.
Another temple to see is the Mahabaleshwar Temple, which is said to be older than the Chamundeswari Temple, which somehow lost its importance with the latter gaining significance. Inside this temple you can see images and statues which have been built in the styles of Hoysala, Ganga and Chola art.
The Mysore Palace is said to be the most magnificent and looks even more captivating on festive nights when it is lit up with as many as 97,000 light bulbs. Located in the city's centre, this is said to be the fourth one that stands there on the very same site.
This Palace is also called the Main Palace or the Amba Vilasa Palace, and it has drawn influences from Dravidian, Oriental, Roman and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles and is a three storeyed structure made of grey granite. You enter this palace through a Doll's Pavilion called Gombe Thotti, which is home to dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another interesting feature is the seven cannons in front of this pavilion which are still used at the beginning and end of the Dusshera festival. The Palace houses 12 temples.
The museums talk about the rich cultural past of the city. A museum to visit is the Jayachamarejendra Art Gallery inside the Jaganmohan Palace, which is a reservoir of rare art, artifacts, and paintings. A three-storeyed structure, the ground floor comprises paintings depicting the lineage of the Mysore Kings; the first floor with paintings from artist’s world over and in India; the second floor, home to many musical instruments; and the third floor once again with a gallery of paintings depicting the Dusshera processions.
Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 04
Mysore – Excursion to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary;
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for full day excursion to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is a Bird Sanctuary in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India. It is a very small sanctuary, being only 67 km². in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. These birding site lush green islands on the river Cauvery is known for migratory birds from Siberia, Australia & South America. It's a grea place to spot Spoon bills, Open Bill Stork, White Ibis, Little Egret, Darter, Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Cormorant, Wild Duck, Peafowl, large cormorant, shags , river tern, great stone plover, kingfisher, Indian cliff swallow and the lesser whistling teal. Also offers a great chance to witness Marsh Crocodiles, otters, Flying foxes, bonnet macaque, common mongoose, palm civet.
Return back to Mysore. Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 05
Mysore – Nagarhole – Bandipur:
By Road 150Kms/04hrs
Drive to Nagarhole after a leisurely breakfast.
Nagarhole derives its name from two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams. Truly, a number of rivers meander through dense forests of this sanctuary. Extending across 640 kilometers, Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagarhole stretches over a series of gentle hills and valleys north of the river Kabini. This wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka’s Nagarhole, forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which also includes neighboring sanctuaries like Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wynaad. The original forest was once a private hunting ground for the former Maharajas of Mysore. Later in 1955, this sanctuary was developed around a beautiful water reservoir which was formed after the construction of dam on Kabini River. Twenty years passed thereafter, when it was chosen as a national park.
Nagarhole's vegetation is refreshingly different from Bandipur's dry scrub – moist deciduous forests, including bamboo, teak, eucalyptus and cassia, cover much of the sanctuary, providing a refuge for a wide range of animals and birds. Nagarhole has all the resident wildlife of the Nilgiri hills: Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, bison, leopard, Asian elephant, wild boar, deer, dhole (wild dog) and porcupine, besides tigers. A high canopy of trees- up to thirty metres tall in some places- harbors rare birds such as the endangered Malabar trogon, the Malabar pied hornbill and the crested hawk-eagle.
Nagarhole saw some upheavals in 1992, when quarrelling between the wardens of the park and the local villagers resulted in arson which had an enormously adverse impact on the park and its wildlife. It will still take a few years for Nagarhole's forest and animal count to get back to normal but there has already been a resurrection of sorts and things get better every year.
Drive to Bandipur after the safari.
Bandipur National park is one the many reserves located within the forest belt between the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Mountains. Most of these reserves are demarcated more by political boundaries than by truly physical ones. Bandipur lies in the southern state of Karnataka and covers a forest area of 865 square kilometers. It was declared a National Park in 1974 and is one of the original 9 tiger reserves under the watchful eye of "Project Tiger".
The park is situated on the border with Kerala to the south and Tamil Nadu to the west. The national park lies at the heart of an extensive forest at the confluence of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. Bandipur was made a national park in 1974. The sanctuary was elevated in status and enlarged to 80,300 hectares in 1941 and renamed Venugopal Wildlife Park after a temple. The national park is included in the proposed Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The terrain is undulating and broken by chains of hills, flat-topped hillocks and water-courses. The reserve is drained by the Kubini, Nugu and Moyar rivers and by the Bavali, Moolehole, Kekkanalla, and Marandi streams. The River Moyar has cut a picturesque gorge, known as Mysore Ditch, which is 260m deep.
Underlying rocks are mainly metamorphic: gneiss, quartzite, mica, and hornblende schists are generally widespread. Igneous intrusions of granite and charnokite appear as out crops at high levels and in the beds of water courses (Neginhal, 1974). The soil is usually a mixture of red laterites and black cotton soil, but the latter does not show a higher concentration of salt. In some places sandstones, semi-quartz and shales are present.
Cold, dry and wet seasons are distinguished. The cold season lasts from November to mid-February, and is followed by a dry season lasting until June. The wet season starts mid-June, though heavy pre-monsoon showers fall in April and May. Temperatures range between 18 – 24 degrees celcius in November and 21 – 33 degrees celcius in June.
Overnight will be at Bandipur.
Day 06
Bandipur:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Spend a day in the wild. All meals will be at the resort. Enjoy the elephant ride and spend time with the cubs.
Overnight will be at Bandipur.
Day 07
Bandipur – Madumalai:
By Road 90Kms/02hrs
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Drive to MADUMALAI NATIONAL PARK.
Madumalai is a paradise in the wild. The name itself suggests visions of bees and honey. However, it is much more than that. It is a virgin valley of fresh, crisp foliage and loafing tigers, gaurs, deer and elephants over acres of jungle. Tiny brooks and streams along with the Kabini River form the nerve system of the sanctuary. Surrounded by the three Ghats with the Niligiris forming a sort of gulf below, bordering the Kannads above, one finds here a potpourri of deciduous trees and shrubs of several rare species. Madumalai is an invigorating experience for those tired of the bustle of cities.
Enjoy the safari of the park.
Overnight will be at Madumalai.
Day 08
Madumalai – Coonoor:
By Road 60Kms/02hrs
Drive to Coonoor after breakfast and the morning safari.
Coonoor is a fabulous hill station in the Nilgiri hills about 19 km from Ooty. Coonoor, located at an altitude of 1,856 meters, is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills.
The Sim's Park with all its natural beauty was constructed in 1874 has unique trees and plants. Fascinating and unforgettable view points for tourist are Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose; Lady Canning's Seat to name a few. Tourist can avail of the Toy train facility to get a detailed view of this place.
Coonoor called as a small tea garden. Coonoor is the first of the three hill stations in the Nilgiri- Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor. The Sim's Park with all its natural beauty was constructed in 1874 has unique trees and plants. Coonoor is a right spot for the lover of nature. It sparkles with fresh vegetation and sceneries. Coonoor has a number of ideal picnic spots which are green feast for the eyes of the visitors.
Coonoor is a fantastic spot for the tourist in India. It is noted for the different varieties of birds. Various species of vultures, eagles and owls, song birds like bulbuls, thrushes, babblers, larks, cuckoos, robins and several others act as melodious music gives new adventure effect for the visitors who are accustomed to the city sound pollution.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Overnight will be at Coonoor.
Day 09
Blue train to Ooty:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Take the TOY TRAIN (blue train) to OOTY. This is one of the best highlights of the BLUE MOUNTAINS and enjoys the train ride with plantations on both sides and pretty villages.
Reach Ooty & check into the hotel.
Ooty, short for Ootacamund (an anglicized name for Udhagamandalam), is a popular hill resort in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India.
The name Udhagamandalam is derived from the TODA word "othakal-mund" which means "house in mountains". Ooty stands at 7,347 feet above sea level in the Nilgiri mountain range. It was founded in the 19th century by the British, and served as the summer headquarters of the Madras Presidency.
Located in the mountainous range called the Nilgiris ("Blue Mountains"), it draws swarms of tourists every year. The weather is quite pleasant at a mean of 15-20°C around the year, dropping to lows of 0°C during winter. The landscape is marked by rolling hills covered with dense vegetation, smaller hills and plateaus covered with tea gardens, and eucalyptus trees. Many portions of the hills are preserved as natural reserve forests, and special permits will be needed to camp in noncamp sites. Ooty is not the destination in itself, as much as it is the focal point of attraction. Auto touring the surrounding country side is certainly a must do. Unfortunately, the hill town suffers from overcrowding and erosion of natural resources. Tourism has placed an enormous strain on the natural resources resulting in pollution, water shortage and roads.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Botanical Gardens: This is one of Ooty's most-visited places and is 2kms from town. It dates back to the mid-18th century. Covering an area of 22 acres, it was originally meant as a ground to study the vegetation in and around the hills of Nilgiri. Today it functions as a park open to all. It is home to as many as 650 species of plants and trees, and also happens to be a bird watcher's delight. It also has a fossil of a 200 million year old tree.
Ooty Lake and Boat House: This is the most popular tourist hub in the town, just behind the bus-stand. An artificial lake, it was built by John Sullivan in the mid 18th century. One can go for various kinds of boat rides here from morning to evening. There is also a children's park and a deer park nearby.
Rose Garden: Another popular tourist spot of Ooty, Rose Garden or Mini garden is around 3-4 Kms from the Charring Cross and has a variety of exquisite blooms to see.
Thread Garden: This is home to a variety of flowers and what is unique is that these are not natural flowers but made out of threads. It is believed that it took 12 years to create this garden.
Stone House: This was the first British house built by John Sullivan, which also paved the way for further settlements in Ooty. It is located inside the Government Arts College.
Doddabetta Peak: Standing at an altitude of 2,623 mts, and 10kms from Ooty, it is the highest point in the district and one of the best spots to catch a brilliant view.
Tiger Hill: This is located at DoddaBetta Peak’s lower bend, and is an excellent place for trekking.
Enjoy local shopping picking up natural oils and spices.
Overnight will be at Ooty.
Day 10
Ooty - Munnar:
By Road 241Kms/07hrs
After breakfast proceed to Munnar. Reach and check into the hotel.
Munnar meaning “three rivers”, is located at the confluence of three mountain streams videlicet Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at an altitude of 1600 meters above the sea level, the place offers an ideal escapade from the heat and buzzing of urban life into the tranquil laps of nature. The mist covered rolling hills, exotic plantations, colonial remnants, panoramic views, and pristine wilderness all add to the exquisite beauty of this hill station.
The idyllic, picture postcard hill station of Munnar was once the summer resorts of the erstwhile British Raj. The town still proudly retains its old-world colonial charms in much the same way. The exotic flora and fauna found in the region further accentuates the beauty of Munnar. Munnar cordially welcomes a visitor by rolling out a plush green velvet carpet of verdant valleys laced with tea plantations. This fairytale town will stupefy you with its dazzling kaleidoscopic visions of nature. Come along and discover the fascinating magic of Munnar as we take you on a virtual magic carpet ride to this exotic land.
Overnight will be at Munnar.
Day 11
Munnar – Excursion to Eravikulam National Park:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for full day excursion to Eravikulam National Park.
Eravikulam National Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district of Kerala state, India.
The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Apart from tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the Lion-tailed macaque, leopards and tigers.
An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area - Rajamalai - the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters.
Don't make this your destination for a monsoon visit because visitors are not allowed here during this season.
Overnight will be at Munnar.
Day 12
Munnar – Thekkady:
By Road 110kms/04 hrs
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Thekkady. Reach and check into the hotel.
Discover the veritable essence of Kerala’s well kept wilderness secrets at Thekkady. This green oasis is one of the last safe havens for the elusive Indian tiger- an endangered species now on the verge of extinction. This exotic land reminds of a colorful impressionistic painting stirred to life as if by a miracle. Thekkady fantabulous landscape is diffused with exotic spice plantations, green carpets of endless tea gardens and lush tropical forests. Garbed in vibrant hues and bountiful gifts of nature, Thekkady offers a perfect romantic escapade into the soothing laps of Mother Nature. Thekkady is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of the best among the 27 tiger reserves in India. The very name of this romantic land conjures up exotic visions of wildlife, plantations, spice scented air, crystal clear lakes and mist covered endless rolling hills. Thekkady epitomizes Kerala’s sublime beauty in all its pristine glory. Come and be overwhelmed with a vacation of your lifetime in this dazzling land of impeccable beauty. Each day in this exotic land is a celebration of life and nature; epitomizing “La Dolce Vita”.
Relax and then enjoy the sightseeing.
Kumily: The quaint town of Kumily lies at a distance of about 4 km from Thekkady nestled in the realms of the majestic Cardamom Hills. The plantation town is surrounded by tea and spice plantations making it an ideal place to study how Indian spices are grown and how they are used in local cuisines. The scenic beauty of the area is further accentuated by its crisp blue skies, lush greenery and mist drenched mountains. This hub of spice trade is located at the vicinity of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and makes a perfect base to explore the region.
Plantation tours: Do make it a point to visit some of the numerous tea and spice plantations in the area. This is the best way to understand how these exotic spices are grown and to learn how they are used in the local cuisines. Tea factories could also be visited to see how the tea leaves are processed and to meet some of the workers involved in it. There are vanilla, cardamom and spice plantations in the region which could be visited with permission.
Enjoy elephant ride.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Day 13
Thekkady:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Today you will visit the rare species of plants and animals by taking a short walk and enjoying the safari.
Periyar Tiger trail: A trekking expedition could be organized inside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with the permission of the authorities. There is a set limit to the maximum number of people per expedition and it’s also subjected to meeting certain medical standards. This is because of the strenuous nature of this expedition through the dense remote jungles. The guides for this trail were poachers earlier and are now actively involved in protecting the unique ecosystem and the wildlife of the region.
Trekking and Mountaineering: Trekking is the best way to explore the scenic beauty of the mountainous terrain. Trekking expeditions could be undertaken at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary provided you take prior permission from the authorities. You have to take a guide approved by the authorities before you can go trekking inside the jungles.
Bamboo Rafting: This exciting adventure sport is available at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can get in touch with the forest authorities for permission to do bamboo rafting in the Periyar Lake. This is one of the best ways to experience the area and to catch glimpses of wildlife at close quarters.
Overnight will be at Thekkady
Day 14
Thekkady – Kumarakom:
By Road 120Kms/04hrs
After breakfast proceed to Kumarakom.
Kumarakom, a prime backwater-tour destination, is world– renowned for its bewitching backwaters and picturesque tropical landscapes. This naturally blessed land has loads to offer even for the most discerning traveler. The unique geographical terrain of the region dispersed with vast paddy fields, palm groves, mangrove forests, lagoons, canals and backwaters make Kumarakom quite distinct from any other place in Kerala. Life in this small hamlet revolves around the Vembanad Lake – the life-line of Kumarakom; people here lead a unique water-based lifestyle quite different from the rest of the state.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.
Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. The boat will be anchored in the backwaters along a paddy field and you can go for a stroll into the village or relax at the deck of the boat.
Dinner will be on the boat. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
Day 15
Alleppey - Cochin
By Road 50Kms/02hrs
Breakfast will be on board the boat.
Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.
Disembark the boat at the finishing point where your driver will be waiting for you to drive to COCHIN.
The striking port city of Kochi or Cochin is a tourist's paradise. Lush mangroves, coconut tress reflected in the translucent waters of backwaters, ancient churches, cathedrals and fort - tourists on sightseeing tours of Cochin would find all these and more. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the majestic looking Arabian Sea in the west, Kochi occupies a very strategic location and has been a significant trading zone and attractive tourist destination since time immemorial. The tradition and reputation of this enchantingly quaint port city has maintained till date. Here's a list of popular sightseeing places to be seen on a tour of India.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Fort Kochi: Even a casual stroll through Fort Kochi located in the port city of Kochi in Kerala is enough to make you feel transported to another world and time. The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout easily make Fort Cochin distinct from other cities and towns of Kerala. Since Fort Cochin was under the possession of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British at different points of time, the region still bear the influence of European architecture.
Bolghatty Palace: The splendid Bolghatty Palace is located on the Bolghatty Islands, in the Cochin city of Kerala. The appeal of the palace lies in the fact that it is among the oldest existing palaces built by the Dutch in India, during the pre-British times.
Chinese Fishing Nets: The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, located in the Kochi city of Kerala, make up a very popular tourist attraction. They are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing.
Mattancherry Palace: Even though it is austere in its appearance, the Mattancherry Palace of Cochin has a quaint charm of its own. The credit for building this landmark monument partly goes to the Dutch, who captured Cochin city of Kerala during the pre-British period.
Marine Drive: Marine Drive is a beautiful promenade in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala state of India. The Marine Drive is built facing the backwaters of Kochi. It is a popular hangout for the local populace as well as the tourists.
Jewish Synagogue: The Jewish Synagogue in the port city of Kochi is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. Thus, it comprises the topmost slot in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the city.
Pareekshith Thampuran Museum: Pareekshith Thampuran Museum is a very good archeological museum located near the Shiva temple, on the Durbar Hall Road at Ernakulam. This museum boasts of an impressive collection of 19th century paintings, ancient monuments and coins, scriptures made in stone and Plaster of Paris, murals as well as memorabilia belonging to the Cochin royal family.
St Francis Church: St Francis Xavier's Church at Fort Kochi was built in the year 1503, by the Portuguese traders. They came here with Admiral Pedro Alvarez de Cabral, via the same route taken by the legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who landed at Calicut in 1498.
Willingdon Island: The Willington Island contains the modern port serving Cochin city of Kerala. The island is an artificial man-made island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port.
Museum of Kerala History: Do not take the Museum of Kerala History in the Cochin city of Kerala as any ordinary museum. The significance of this 'live' museum lies in the fact that it recounts the history of the land through magnificent and informative light and sound shows.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
Day 16
Cochin – Departure:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Enjoy last minute shopping.
As per the flight timings you will be transferred to the airport to take flight back home with sweet memories of TOUR.
...........................................................................TOUR ENDS...........................................................................
INCLUSIONS:
Bangalore Arrival:
COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE will receive you on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Bangalore is a booming city and considered fifth largest and the fastest growing city in Asia. Bangalore combines a quaint old world charm with the hustle and bustle of a modern metropolitan city. It is a delightful place with an amalgamation of various rich cultures, crafts, and heritage centers. This city while enjoying the reputation of being a modern, high-tech city, still offers a lot of places of historical interest for the avid sightseer to explore. A trip around the city can be very interesting and provides a varied sightseeing experience with Palaces, museums, temples, churches and gardens. It has an enviable posterity and presents much to be discovered. Despite being one of Asia's fastest growing cities, Bangalore remains one of the most elegant metros in India. A well-planned city, with tree-lined avenues, a large number of parks, gardens and lakes, Bangalore is aptly called India's garden city. Bangalore is even gaining the status of the "Floriculture Capital of India" due to the present blossoming of flower exports from the city. The beautiful parks like the Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are indeed a treat to the eyes.
Overnight will be at Bangalore.
Day 02 Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Mysore:
By Road 150Kms/04hrs
After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing.
Cubbon Park: Lord Cubbon laid down the 300-acre park in 1864. A perfect place for joggers and nature walkers, it also has red Gothic structures to see such as the State Central Library with its rare treasure of books, architectural style and fluted pillars, the High Court, the Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall, Ottawa Chatter, Museum, Century Club and the Press Club.
Lalbagh Gardens: A small fruit orchard of Hyder Ali, this garden had the glory of Tipu Sultan introducing several exotic trees here such as Cypress, Thuja, Junipers, Grapes, Guavas, Raspberries and Strawberries while John Cameron's period was certainly its 'Golden Era'. The Lalbagh Glass House once displayed the flora imported from England.
Vidhana Soudha: An imposing 46m high Bangalore granite monument that resembles the Temple architectural style houses the Legislative Chambers of the state government. The building has 22 departments and 300 rooms, four domes on all its corners and the four-headed lion.
Tipu’s Palace: Similar in many ways to the Summer Palace of Tippu Sultan at Sriangapatna, this palace was begun by Haider Ali and completed by Tippu in 1791. Known as `Rashk-e-jannat' (Envy of Heaven), it has massive wooden work and is known for five exquisitely ornamented arches with beautiful minarets and paintings on walls and ceilings.
Drive to Mysore, on the way visit Srirangapatnam - 16 km before Mysore, this fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali. Tipu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tipu's airy Summer Palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here, is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Reach Mysore and check into the hotel.
Mysore is a major tourist city of Karnataka. The city was the erstwhile capital of the state and hence has played an important role in the history of the state and of South India. Today it has developed into a modern city like many other cities in the country. But this city has not lost touch with its rich historical and cultural legacy. Mysore city is a favorite tourist destination in Karnataka. Tourist from within the country and from outside come see the splendor of the city of Mysore. The city has a number of places a person can visit. There are a number of Royal buildings, gardens, waterfalls, temples, museums and modern amusement parks.
The city of Mysore is known as the 'City Of Palaces'. There are number of buildings built by the Royal family and are exquisite examples of Dravidian architecture and display grandeur and lavish life lead by the Emperors while they ruled the state. Apart from the Palaces there are number of other tourist’s attractions that one can visit in Mysore. One of the popular spots is the Chamundi hills and the temple on top of the hills. This prominent landmark of Mysore is a favorite destination for the locales as well.
You could do some climbing to catch a great sunrise from the Chamundi Hill or a walk to the lakes.
Try some fine South Indian dishes such as the famous Mysore Masala dosa and the Mysore Pak sweet.
Mysore is famous for its silk sarees and sandalwood. You can shop at places like Cauvery Art and Crafts Emporium, and on roads like Ashoka, Sayyaji Rao and Devaraj Urs.
Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 03 Mysore:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for the sightseeing.
The Chamundeswari Temple, atop the hill of Chamundi, is of great religious significance. It is dedicated to the Goddess Chamundi or Durga, who killed the demon king. This temple earlier was a small one, but later was expanded under the Wodeyar rule. It displays Dravidian influence in some of its architecture. It is quadrangular in shape, and there is a statue of the Lord Ganesha on the doorway.
Another temple to see is the Mahabaleshwar Temple, which is said to be older than the Chamundeswari Temple, which somehow lost its importance with the latter gaining significance. Inside this temple you can see images and statues which have been built in the styles of Hoysala, Ganga and Chola art.
The Mysore Palace is said to be the most magnificent and looks even more captivating on festive nights when it is lit up with as many as 97,000 light bulbs. Located in the city's centre, this is said to be the fourth one that stands there on the very same site.
This Palace is also called the Main Palace or the Amba Vilasa Palace, and it has drawn influences from Dravidian, Oriental, Roman and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles and is a three storeyed structure made of grey granite. You enter this palace through a Doll's Pavilion called Gombe Thotti, which is home to dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another interesting feature is the seven cannons in front of this pavilion which are still used at the beginning and end of the Dusshera festival. The Palace houses 12 temples.
The museums talk about the rich cultural past of the city. A museum to visit is the Jayachamarejendra Art Gallery inside the Jaganmohan Palace, which is a reservoir of rare art, artifacts, and paintings. A three-storeyed structure, the ground floor comprises paintings depicting the lineage of the Mysore Kings; the first floor with paintings from artist’s world over and in India; the second floor, home to many musical instruments; and the third floor once again with a gallery of paintings depicting the Dusshera processions.
Overnight will be at Mysore.
Mysore – Excursion to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary;
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for full day excursion to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is a Bird Sanctuary in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India. It is a very small sanctuary, being only 67 km². in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. These birding site lush green islands on the river Cauvery is known for migratory birds from Siberia, Australia & South America. It's a grea place to spot Spoon bills, Open Bill Stork, White Ibis, Little Egret, Darter, Pond Heron, Cattle Egret, Cormorant, Wild Duck, Peafowl, large cormorant, shags , river tern, great stone plover, kingfisher, Indian cliff swallow and the lesser whistling teal. Also offers a great chance to witness Marsh Crocodiles, otters, Flying foxes, bonnet macaque, common mongoose, palm civet.
Return back to Mysore. Overnight will be at Mysore.
Day 05 Mysore – Nagarhole – Bandipur:
By Road 150Kms/04hrs
Drive to Nagarhole after a leisurely breakfast.
Nagarhole derives its name from two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams. Truly, a number of rivers meander through dense forests of this sanctuary. Extending across 640 kilometers, Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagarhole stretches over a series of gentle hills and valleys north of the river Kabini. This wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka’s Nagarhole, forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which also includes neighboring sanctuaries like Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wynaad. The original forest was once a private hunting ground for the former Maharajas of Mysore. Later in 1955, this sanctuary was developed around a beautiful water reservoir which was formed after the construction of dam on Kabini River. Twenty years passed thereafter, when it was chosen as a national park.
Nagarhole's vegetation is refreshingly different from Bandipur's dry scrub – moist deciduous forests, including bamboo, teak, eucalyptus and cassia, cover much of the sanctuary, providing a refuge for a wide range of animals and birds. Nagarhole has all the resident wildlife of the Nilgiri hills: Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, bison, leopard, Asian elephant, wild boar, deer, dhole (wild dog) and porcupine, besides tigers. A high canopy of trees- up to thirty metres tall in some places- harbors rare birds such as the endangered Malabar trogon, the Malabar pied hornbill and the crested hawk-eagle.
Nagarhole saw some upheavals in 1992, when quarrelling between the wardens of the park and the local villagers resulted in arson which had an enormously adverse impact on the park and its wildlife. It will still take a few years for Nagarhole's forest and animal count to get back to normal but there has already been a resurrection of sorts and things get better every year.
Drive to Bandipur after the safari.
Bandipur National park is one the many reserves located within the forest belt between the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Mountains. Most of these reserves are demarcated more by political boundaries than by truly physical ones. Bandipur lies in the southern state of Karnataka and covers a forest area of 865 square kilometers. It was declared a National Park in 1974 and is one of the original 9 tiger reserves under the watchful eye of "Project Tiger".
The park is situated on the border with Kerala to the south and Tamil Nadu to the west. The national park lies at the heart of an extensive forest at the confluence of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. Bandipur was made a national park in 1974. The sanctuary was elevated in status and enlarged to 80,300 hectares in 1941 and renamed Venugopal Wildlife Park after a temple. The national park is included in the proposed Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The terrain is undulating and broken by chains of hills, flat-topped hillocks and water-courses. The reserve is drained by the Kubini, Nugu and Moyar rivers and by the Bavali, Moolehole, Kekkanalla, and Marandi streams. The River Moyar has cut a picturesque gorge, known as Mysore Ditch, which is 260m deep.
Underlying rocks are mainly metamorphic: gneiss, quartzite, mica, and hornblende schists are generally widespread. Igneous intrusions of granite and charnokite appear as out crops at high levels and in the beds of water courses (Neginhal, 1974). The soil is usually a mixture of red laterites and black cotton soil, but the latter does not show a higher concentration of salt. In some places sandstones, semi-quartz and shales are present.
Cold, dry and wet seasons are distinguished. The cold season lasts from November to mid-February, and is followed by a dry season lasting until June. The wet season starts mid-June, though heavy pre-monsoon showers fall in April and May. Temperatures range between 18 – 24 degrees celcius in November and 21 – 33 degrees celcius in June.
Overnight will be at Bandipur.
Bandipur:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Spend a day in the wild. All meals will be at the resort. Enjoy the elephant ride and spend time with the cubs.
Overnight will be at Bandipur.
Day 07
Bandipur – Madumalai:
By Road 90Kms/02hrs
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Drive to MADUMALAI NATIONAL PARK.
Madumalai is a paradise in the wild. The name itself suggests visions of bees and honey. However, it is much more than that. It is a virgin valley of fresh, crisp foliage and loafing tigers, gaurs, deer and elephants over acres of jungle. Tiny brooks and streams along with the Kabini River form the nerve system of the sanctuary. Surrounded by the three Ghats with the Niligiris forming a sort of gulf below, bordering the Kannads above, one finds here a potpourri of deciduous trees and shrubs of several rare species. Madumalai is an invigorating experience for those tired of the bustle of cities.
Enjoy the safari of the park.
Overnight will be at Madumalai.
Day 08 Madumalai – Coonoor:
By Road 60Kms/02hrs
Drive to Coonoor after breakfast and the morning safari.
Coonoor is a fabulous hill station in the Nilgiri hills about 19 km from Ooty. Coonoor, located at an altitude of 1,856 meters, is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills.
The Sim's Park with all its natural beauty was constructed in 1874 has unique trees and plants. Fascinating and unforgettable view points for tourist are Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose; Lady Canning's Seat to name a few. Tourist can avail of the Toy train facility to get a detailed view of this place.
Coonoor called as a small tea garden. Coonoor is the first of the three hill stations in the Nilgiri- Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor. The Sim's Park with all its natural beauty was constructed in 1874 has unique trees and plants. Coonoor is a right spot for the lover of nature. It sparkles with fresh vegetation and sceneries. Coonoor has a number of ideal picnic spots which are green feast for the eyes of the visitors.
Coonoor is a fantastic spot for the tourist in India. It is noted for the different varieties of birds. Various species of vultures, eagles and owls, song birds like bulbuls, thrushes, babblers, larks, cuckoos, robins and several others act as melodious music gives new adventure effect for the visitors who are accustomed to the city sound pollution.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Overnight will be at Coonoor.
Blue train to Ooty:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Take the TOY TRAIN (blue train) to OOTY. This is one of the best highlights of the BLUE MOUNTAINS and enjoys the train ride with plantations on both sides and pretty villages.
Reach Ooty & check into the hotel.
Ooty, short for Ootacamund (an anglicized name for Udhagamandalam), is a popular hill resort in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India.
The name Udhagamandalam is derived from the TODA word "othakal-mund" which means "house in mountains". Ooty stands at 7,347 feet above sea level in the Nilgiri mountain range. It was founded in the 19th century by the British, and served as the summer headquarters of the Madras Presidency.
Located in the mountainous range called the Nilgiris ("Blue Mountains"), it draws swarms of tourists every year. The weather is quite pleasant at a mean of 15-20°C around the year, dropping to lows of 0°C during winter. The landscape is marked by rolling hills covered with dense vegetation, smaller hills and plateaus covered with tea gardens, and eucalyptus trees. Many portions of the hills are preserved as natural reserve forests, and special permits will be needed to camp in noncamp sites. Ooty is not the destination in itself, as much as it is the focal point of attraction. Auto touring the surrounding country side is certainly a must do. Unfortunately, the hill town suffers from overcrowding and erosion of natural resources. Tourism has placed an enormous strain on the natural resources resulting in pollution, water shortage and roads.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Botanical Gardens: This is one of Ooty's most-visited places and is 2kms from town. It dates back to the mid-18th century. Covering an area of 22 acres, it was originally meant as a ground to study the vegetation in and around the hills of Nilgiri. Today it functions as a park open to all. It is home to as many as 650 species of plants and trees, and also happens to be a bird watcher's delight. It also has a fossil of a 200 million year old tree.
Ooty Lake and Boat House: This is the most popular tourist hub in the town, just behind the bus-stand. An artificial lake, it was built by John Sullivan in the mid 18th century. One can go for various kinds of boat rides here from morning to evening. There is also a children's park and a deer park nearby. Rose Garden: Another popular tourist spot of Ooty, Rose Garden or Mini garden is around 3-4 Kms from the Charring Cross and has a variety of exquisite blooms to see.
Thread Garden: This is home to a variety of flowers and what is unique is that these are not natural flowers but made out of threads. It is believed that it took 12 years to create this garden.
Stone House: This was the first British house built by John Sullivan, which also paved the way for further settlements in Ooty. It is located inside the Government Arts College.
Doddabetta Peak: Standing at an altitude of 2,623 mts, and 10kms from Ooty, it is the highest point in the district and one of the best spots to catch a brilliant view.
Tiger Hill: This is located at DoddaBetta Peak’s lower bend, and is an excellent place for trekking.
Enjoy local shopping picking up natural oils and spices.
Overnight will be at Ooty.
Day 10
Ooty - Munnar:
By Road 241Kms/07hrs
After breakfast proceed to Munnar. Reach and check into the hotel.
Munnar meaning “three rivers”, is located at the confluence of three mountain streams videlicet Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at an altitude of 1600 meters above the sea level, the place offers an ideal escapade from the heat and buzzing of urban life into the tranquil laps of nature. The mist covered rolling hills, exotic plantations, colonial remnants, panoramic views, and pristine wilderness all add to the exquisite beauty of this hill station.
The idyllic, picture postcard hill station of Munnar was once the summer resorts of the erstwhile British Raj. The town still proudly retains its old-world colonial charms in much the same way. The exotic flora and fauna found in the region further accentuates the beauty of Munnar. Munnar cordially welcomes a visitor by rolling out a plush green velvet carpet of verdant valleys laced with tea plantations. This fairytale town will stupefy you with its dazzling kaleidoscopic visions of nature. Come along and discover the fascinating magic of Munnar as we take you on a virtual magic carpet ride to this exotic land.
Overnight will be at Munnar.
Munnar – Excursion to Eravikulam National Park:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for full day excursion to Eravikulam National Park.
Eravikulam National Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district of Kerala state, India.
The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Apart from tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel etc Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the Lion-tailed macaque, leopards and tigers.
An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area - Rajamalai - the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters.
Don't make this your destination for a monsoon visit because visitors are not allowed here during this season.
Overnight will be at Munnar.
Day 12 Munnar – Thekkady:
By Road 110kms/04 hrs
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Thekkady. Reach and check into the hotel.
Discover the veritable essence of Kerala’s well kept wilderness secrets at Thekkady. This green oasis is one of the last safe havens for the elusive Indian tiger- an endangered species now on the verge of extinction. This exotic land reminds of a colorful impressionistic painting stirred to life as if by a miracle. Thekkady fantabulous landscape is diffused with exotic spice plantations, green carpets of endless tea gardens and lush tropical forests. Garbed in vibrant hues and bountiful gifts of nature, Thekkady offers a perfect romantic escapade into the soothing laps of Mother Nature. Thekkady is home to the Periyar Tiger Reserve, one of the best among the 27 tiger reserves in India. The very name of this romantic land conjures up exotic visions of wildlife, plantations, spice scented air, crystal clear lakes and mist covered endless rolling hills. Thekkady epitomizes Kerala’s sublime beauty in all its pristine glory. Come and be overwhelmed with a vacation of your lifetime in this dazzling land of impeccable beauty. Each day in this exotic land is a celebration of life and nature; epitomizing “La Dolce Vita”.
Relax and then enjoy the sightseeing.
Kumily: The quaint town of Kumily lies at a distance of about 4 km from Thekkady nestled in the realms of the majestic Cardamom Hills. The plantation town is surrounded by tea and spice plantations making it an ideal place to study how Indian spices are grown and how they are used in local cuisines. The scenic beauty of the area is further accentuated by its crisp blue skies, lush greenery and mist drenched mountains. This hub of spice trade is located at the vicinity of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary and makes a perfect base to explore the region.
Plantation tours: Do make it a point to visit some of the numerous tea and spice plantations in the area. This is the best way to understand how these exotic spices are grown and to learn how they are used in the local cuisines. Tea factories could also be visited to see how the tea leaves are processed and to meet some of the workers involved in it. There are vanilla, cardamom and spice plantations in the region which could be visited with permission.
Enjoy elephant ride.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Day 13
Thekkady:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Today you will visit the rare species of plants and animals by taking a short walk and enjoying the safari.
Periyar Tiger trail: A trekking expedition could be organized inside the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary with the permission of the authorities. There is a set limit to the maximum number of people per expedition and it’s also subjected to meeting certain medical standards. This is because of the strenuous nature of this expedition through the dense remote jungles. The guides for this trail were poachers earlier and are now actively involved in protecting the unique ecosystem and the wildlife of the region.
Trekking and Mountaineering: Trekking is the best way to explore the scenic beauty of the mountainous terrain. Trekking expeditions could be undertaken at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary provided you take prior permission from the authorities. You have to take a guide approved by the authorities before you can go trekking inside the jungles.
Bamboo Rafting: This exciting adventure sport is available at the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. You can get in touch with the forest authorities for permission to do bamboo rafting in the Periyar Lake. This is one of the best ways to experience the area and to catch glimpses of wildlife at close quarters.
Overnight will be at Thekkady
Thekkady – Kumarakom:
By Road 120Kms/04hrs
After breakfast proceed to Kumarakom.
Kumarakom, a prime backwater-tour destination, is world– renowned for its bewitching backwaters and picturesque tropical landscapes. This naturally blessed land has loads to offer even for the most discerning traveler. The unique geographical terrain of the region dispersed with vast paddy fields, palm groves, mangrove forests, lagoons, canals and backwaters make Kumarakom quite distinct from any other place in Kerala. Life in this small hamlet revolves around the Vembanad Lake – the life-line of Kumarakom; people here lead a unique water-based lifestyle quite different from the rest of the state. Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.
Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. The boat will be anchored in the backwaters along a paddy field and you can go for a stroll into the village or relax at the deck of the boat.
Dinner will be on the boat. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
Day 15
Alleppey - Cochin
By Road 50Kms/02hrs
Breakfast will be on board the boat.
Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.
Disembark the boat at the finishing point where your driver will be waiting for you to drive to COCHIN.
The striking port city of Kochi or Cochin is a tourist's paradise. Lush mangroves, coconut tress reflected in the translucent waters of backwaters, ancient churches, cathedrals and fort - tourists on sightseeing tours of Cochin would find all these and more. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the majestic looking Arabian Sea in the west, Kochi occupies a very strategic location and has been a significant trading zone and attractive tourist destination since time immemorial. The tradition and reputation of this enchantingly quaint port city has maintained till date. Here's a list of popular sightseeing places to be seen on a tour of India.
Relax & then proceed for the sightseeing.
Fort Kochi: Even a casual stroll through Fort Kochi located in the port city of Kochi in Kerala is enough to make you feel transported to another world and time. The architectural style of the buildings and the town layout easily make Fort Cochin distinct from other cities and towns of Kerala. Since Fort Cochin was under the possession of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British at different points of time, the region still bear the influence of European architecture. Bolghatty Palace: The splendid Bolghatty Palace is located on the Bolghatty Islands, in the Cochin city of Kerala. The appeal of the palace lies in the fact that it is among the oldest existing palaces built by the Dutch in India, during the pre-British times.
Chinese Fishing Nets: The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, located in the Kochi city of Kerala, make up a very popular tourist attraction. They are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing.
Mattancherry Palace: Even though it is austere in its appearance, the Mattancherry Palace of Cochin has a quaint charm of its own. The credit for building this landmark monument partly goes to the Dutch, who captured Cochin city of Kerala during the pre-British period.
Marine Drive: Marine Drive is a beautiful promenade in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala state of India. The Marine Drive is built facing the backwaters of Kochi. It is a popular hangout for the local populace as well as the tourists.
Jewish Synagogue: The Jewish Synagogue in the port city of Kochi is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations. Thus, it comprises the topmost slot in the itinerary of the tourists visiting the city.
Pareekshith Thampuran Museum: Pareekshith Thampuran Museum is a very good archeological museum located near the Shiva temple, on the Durbar Hall Road at Ernakulam. This museum boasts of an impressive collection of 19th century paintings, ancient monuments and coins, scriptures made in stone and Plaster of Paris, murals as well as memorabilia belonging to the Cochin royal family.
St Francis Church: St Francis Xavier's Church at Fort Kochi was built in the year 1503, by the Portuguese traders. They came here with Admiral Pedro Alvarez de Cabral, via the same route taken by the legendary Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who landed at Calicut in 1498.
Willingdon Island: The Willington Island contains the modern port serving Cochin city of Kerala. The island is an artificial man-made island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port.
Museum of Kerala History: Do not take the Museum of Kerala History in the Cochin city of Kerala as any ordinary museum. The significance of this 'live' museum lies in the fact that it recounts the history of the land through magnificent and informative light and sound shows.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
Cochin – Departure:
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Enjoy last minute shopping.
As per the flight timings you will be transferred to the airport to take flight back home with sweet memories of TOUR.
...........................................................................TOUR ENDS...........................................................................
INCLUSIONS:
- ACCOMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
- DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS,
- AC VEHICLE WITH THE DRIVER FOR ALL TRANSFERS & SIGHTSEEING AS PER THE ITINERARY,
- MEET AND ASSIST AT THE AIRPORT/STATION ON ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE,
- ENGLISH SPEAKING LOCAL GUIDES AT APPLICABLE PLACES
- SHARED SAFARIS IN BANDIPUR, MADUMALAI & NAGARHOLE,
- ELEPHANT RIDE IN BANDIPUR,
- TOY TRAIN RIDE FROM COONOOR-OOTY
- KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION IN COCHIN,
- TEA ESTATE VISIT IN MUNNAR,
- DAY PACKAGE WITH BAMBOO RAFTING IN PERIYAR,
- SPICE PLANTATION TOUR IN PERIYAR,
- ELEPHANT RIDE IN PERIYAR,
- OVERNIGHT STAY IN HOUSEBOAT,
- ALL MEALS IN HOUSEBOAT,
- ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES, AND
- ALL PARKING WITH DRIVER ALLWANCES AND ROAD TAXES.
- LUNCHES & DINNERS,
- MONUMENT ENTRANCES,
- CAMERA CHARGES AT THE MONUMENTS,
- PORTER CHARGES,
- TIPS &
- PERSONAL EXPENSES.