Wonders of Southern India

Special Tour 12 days
South India Kerala, Karnataka

Tour Duration – 12 days
10 nights – Hotel  Stays
01 night – Houseboat

SYNOPSIS – Variety is the spice of life is what we learn while traveling through the most beautiful part of India – Her southern side. The tour is set to experience the varied landscapes, distinct architecture, ancient traditions and rich heritage – not to mention its people.

KERALA – Witness the greenery put up by the land of the gods. The culture and the flawless natural creations will make sure that the person, who seek for it, is gifted with an experience of a lifetime . Kerala, being very close to equator, has a tropical climate.. Known for its backwaters, mountains, coconuts, spices and art forms like Kathakali and Mohini Attam , they bring out a lot of variety into the arena .

KARNATAKA- The histories left over by the kings and queens that filled the land ages ago maks karnataka’s heritage a must visit. The rich flora and fauna inherited takes you to the peak of natural miracles. Shop in the one of the fastest cities in the world . The mountains filled with cold breeze and beliefs takes you to a whole new world .

 


DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION
Cochin International Airport (Google Map)

DEPARTURE TIME
Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight.

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES :
  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis at all places
  • Services of local English Speaking Guide in Bangalore, Mysore, & Cochin
  • Breakfast at all places except house boat where all meals are provided
  • Overnight cruise in
  • Tickets for Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor
  • Travel as per itinerary by chauffeur driven Air conditioned Car
  • Arrival and departure assistance
  • Entrances fees and activities as covered in the program
  • All currently applicable Taxes

TOUR PACKAGE NOT INCLUDES :
  • Any other services not covered under inclusions
  • Any Personal Expenses such as tips, Laundry, telephone,extras at the hotel.
  • Any Flight/ Train tickets, airport taxes, visa/insurance charges,

ATTRACTIONS

  • Dravidian Architecture
  • Toy Train
  • Colonial Kochi
  • Enchanting backwaters
  • Pristine Beach
Day 1: Arrival at Bangalore

Arrival at Bangalore airport. Meet with our representative who shall assist you for the transfer to your hotel. check-in. Rest of the time at leisure.
or
Afternoon proceed for local visits and sightseeing. Overnight stay.
visit of the elegant Tipu Sultan’s Palace – a fine specimen of military architecture from 18th century, notable for its teak pillars and ornamental frescoes. Pass by the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, the Cubbon Park, a sprawling 120-hectare garden, surrounded by wonderful colonial architecture, including the red-painted Gothic-style State Central Library and the colossal neo-Dravidian-style Vidhana Soudha and neoclassical Attara Kacheri built in 1864 and houses the High Court. If time permits, indulge yourself with a visit at the National Gallery of Modern Art, world class art museum, housed in the former vacation home of the Raja of Mysore, and showing paintings by some of the most famous artists in India. Overnight stay (Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 2: At Bangalore

After breakfast drive to the country side of Bangalore towards the Grover Zampa Vineyards to understand the history of wine cultivation in India. After strolling through rows of grape-bearing Wines, witness the entire process of wine-making–crushing of grapes, fermentation to the final labeling and packaging. Head into the barrel room, setup with real oak barrels, where ageing of premium wine is done Experience a wine tasting session of selected varieties of wines. Finish your day with a Lunch at the vineyard. In the evening visit Dravidian-style Bull Temple built in the 16th-century. Overnight stay (Bed, Breakfast and Lunch)

 

Day 3: Bangalore – Mysore ( 150 kms, 3 hrs)

Post breakfast; proceed to Mysore; Enroute visit Srirangapatnam (16km from Mysore) – the island fortress of Tipu Sultan and the early capital of the Mysore Wodiyars – Here you will find monuments such as Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets built in 1787, Tipu’s Summer Palace (known as the Daria Daulat Bagh) built completely on wood and converted into a museum that houses some fantastic artefacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and the Gumbaz where lie buried Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali and others of the royal family. Check into the hotel . Overnight stay ( Bed & Breakfast)

Day 4: At Mysore

Early Morning proceed with a Heritage walking tour to get a feel of this charming city. Our story teller shall be more than happy to shar the history of the lovely colonial structures, old local monuments and temples you pass by. Back to Hotel for Breakfast. . Later on in the afternoon proceed on a sightseeing tour. Visit Chamundi Temple, overlooking Mysore from the 1062 metre summit of Chamundi Hill. At the top of the 1,001 steps up Chamundi Hill, lies a 12th century temple that houses a golden statue of Chamundi – the Hindu goddess worshipped by the Maharajas. Continue towards the colourful Devarajan Market. Visit the Maharajah’s Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Inside, you will find a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors. Back to hotel for Overnight stay. (Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 5: Mysore – Ooty ( 150 kms, 3 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and proceed to Ooty. Called the Queen of Hill Stations – Picturesque, green Ooty is the most popular hill station in South India. Located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 2240 m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two Ghats ranges meet. Apart from Coffee and Tea plantations, trees like confiers, eucalyptus, pines and wattles dot its hillsides. Upon arrival check-in the hotel. In the evening visit the Boatnical Garden. Overnight stay.( Bed & Breakfast basis)

 

Day 6: Ooty – Coonoor Toy Train

Morning post breakfast proceed to take the Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor.( ETD: 09:15 am ETA 10:25) The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, built by the British in 1908, in July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. On arrival in Coonoor proceed for the sightseeing – Lamb’s Rock, view point of the surroundings Tea and Coffee plantations then heads up to another viewpoint. Back to the hotel by road for overnight stay ( bed & breakfast )

 

Day 7: Ooty – Cochin ( 300 kms/ 7 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. Long drive and early start.
On arrival at Cochin check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

 

Day 8: At Cochin

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we go close to the Real life styles of Cochin during an Ethnic tour –go on a walking tour to visit the most renowned Chinese Fishing Nets of Cochin. Next visit is at the St. Francis CSI Church, the oldest European church in India built in 1503, where the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried and pass by the Santa cruz Basilica, one of the finest and imposing churches in India. Then experience a tuk tuk drive– the most popular mode of transport among the locals. stop at the Dhobi Khana (laundry station), once throbbing with activity, it is now a picture of slow extinction. Continue through the small streets of Mattanchery, and arrive at the Fruit market on Palace road where locals get a variety of fresh and organic produces at bargains prices. Walk through the Spice Market, where the aroma of the finest ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric and pepper spreads out from the spice warehouses lining the street. Make a pause with a refreshing tea at one of the tea shops where you get the “one meter” tea. Later visit the Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. There is now an opportunity to interact with a Brahmin Family. The Brahmin are the highest of the four Hindu castes of priests and scholars of Vedic literature, their traditional occupation is to conduct rites at marriages, births and other auspicious occasions. Finally visitt the Dutch Palace with its beautiful mural paintings from the 17th century. Back to the hotel. Rest of the day free to explore the colonial Kochi. Overnight stay. ( Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 9: Cochin – House Boat

Breakfast at the hotel. By mid day ,Drive to Alleppey to board your Private Houseboat for an enchanting cruise through the Backwaters. These boats are a reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times -once used to carry tons of rice and spices, today are converted into comfortable floating accommodation. Cruise through the palm fringed canals enjoying the beauty of rural village life. A sumptuous Keralan Meal is served on board. The trip continues through a wonderful area of the lush green vegetation of Kerala backwaters. Tea and Local snacks are served. Dinner and Overnight on board.

 

Day 10: House Boat – Mararikulam ( 20 kms / 45 minutes

Wake up to the tunes of Birds, Breakfast on board. After a short cruise Check out and proceed to Marari Beach. Check-in your hotel on arrival. Mararikulam (Marari) is a typical fishing village, located on the southwest coast of central Kerala. Marari is the experience of clean and pristine shoreline, swaying coconut palms, thatched huts, small paths that crisscross through courtyards and a striking view of the sunset. The day free to indulge in the resort activities. Overnight stay (Bed & Breakfast)

 

Day 11: Mararikulam

Breakfast at the hotel.. Enjoy the serene BEACH, SUN and the SAND. Overnight stay at hotel ( Bed & Breakfast )

 

Day 12: Mararikulam – Cochin International Airport. (110 kms/21/2 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Airport on time to connect your outbound flight.

SYNOPSIS - Variety is the spice of life is what we learn while traveling through the most beautiful part of India – Her southern side. The tour is set to experience the varied landscapes, distinct architecture, ancient traditions and rich heritage – not to mention its people.

Duration: 12 days 10 Nights - Hotel stays 01 Night- Houseboat stay

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