Wilderness in South India

After breakfast set off on a Mysore sightseeing tour. Drive to Srirangapatna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Dariya Daulat Bagh, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, built of teak wood in Indo-Muslim architectural style within a well-manicured garden. Also visit Ranganathaswamy Temple, an intricately carved temple dedicated to Shri Ranganathaswamy, presiding deity of Srirangapatna. We return to Mysore and visit Mysore Palace, a historical palace and royal residence of Wadiyar Dynasty, a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Later visit Chamundi Hills, a Hindu pilgrimage centre. Rest of time is free to explore the local market.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast drive to Nagarhole National Park (1.5–2.5hrs drive). Check in to the hotel and in the afternoon proceed for a shared jeep safari in the national park in search of the flora and faunal collections of the park.

Nagarhole National Park is one of the premier tiger reserves of the country along with its neighbor Bandipur National Park, part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park has rich forest cover, small streams, hills, valleys and waterfalls and home to a large variety of wildlife including Bengal tiger, elephants, Indian leopard, dhole (wild dog), gaur, boar, various species of deer, slow loris, macaque, langur and more. The park also inhabits around 270 species of birds like oriental white-backed vulture, lesser adjutant, spotted eagle, nilgiri wood pigeon, darters, oriental white ibis, greater grey headed eagle, red-headed vulture, malabar grey hornbill and more.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today proceed for the secong game drive by shared jeep in the national park. In the afternoon enjoy a shared motor boat safari, cruising through the serene backwaters of the River Kabini, viewing sleepy crocodiles, birds  and a variety of wildlife, especially the elephants which come down to the river to bathe or drink.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast drive to Bandipur National Park (2–3 hrs drive), check in to your hotel on arrival. In the afternoon head in to the national park for a game drive by shared jeep and discover its wealth of wildlife.

Bandipur National Park, one of the country’s premier tiger reserves along with its neighbor Nagarhole National Park. It’s also part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and has many types of biomes, but dry deciduous forest is dominant. Known for its wildlife, Bandipur supports a good population of Indian elephants, gaurs, tigers, sloth bears, muggers, Indian rock pythons, four-horned antelopes, jackals, dholes, gray langurs, Indian giant squirrels and many others. The park is also home to around 200 species of birds including peacock, drongos, honey buzzards, red-headed vultures, Indian vultures, flower-peckers, hoopoes, Indian rollers, brown fish owls, crested serpent eagles, changeable hawk-eagles, bee-eaters and many more.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Early morning proceed for another game drive by shared jeep in to the national park in search of the animals residing in the forest. Later, after breakfast, drive to Ooty (1.5–2.5hrs drive) and check in to your hotel on arrival. The rest of the time is free to relax at the hotel or to explore the hill station on your own.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you will be transferred to Ooty railway station to board the UNESCO World Heritage Nilgiri Toy Train. We will enjoy a 45 mins Toy Train ride to Wellington. Later drive back to Ooty for sightseeing, visiting the Botanical Gardens and Doddabetta Peak, the highest point of Nilgiri Hill, and a Tea Plantation.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Morning drive to Coimbatore Jn. Railway station (2–3hrs drive) to catch day train Ernakulam Exp (12:55 / 16:55 hrs) to Kochi. You will be assisted at Ernakulam Railway station and transferred to hotel.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast start a city tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, later renovated by the Dutch (closed on Fridays). See the Jewish Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) and St. Francis Church, one of the oldest churches in India built by Europeans. Walk through Fort Kochi and see Chinese fishing nets, a unique cantilever fishing technique. Later we will drive to Thekkady (3–4hrs drive) where you check in to your hotel.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning set off on a jungle walk in Periyar National Park while in the afternoon take a shared boat safari on Periyar Lake. Both Jungle walk and boat safari provide opportunities to see the animals which inhabit this park.

Periyar National Park, located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats, is a notable elephant reserve and home to rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna. It forms the major watershed of two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba. Home to Indian elephants, gaur, sambar, Indian giant squirrel, travancore flying squirrel, sloth bear, nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, nilgiri langur, Bengal tiger, stripe-necked mongoose, nilgiri marten and more. It is also home to around 266 avian species including malabar grey hornbill, nilgiri wood pigeon, blue-winged parakeet, nilgiri flycatcher, crimson-backed sunbird, white-bellied blue flycatcher, eagle-owl, nilgiri thrush, rufous-bellied hawk-eagle, brahminy kite and great hornbill.

Overnight: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning drive to Alleppey (3.5–4.5hrs drive) where you board a houseboat. Start cruising through the backwaters of Kerala, exploring the rural life and daily activities of the people surrounding the backwaters, while relaxing on the sun deck of the houseboat. The houseboat will cruise till sunset.

Overnight: Houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and drive to Kochi airport (2–3hrs drive) to board the flight to your next destination.