Kerala:

With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. An equable climate. A long shoreline with serene beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters. Lush hill stations and exotic wildlife. Waterfalls. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Ayurveda health holidays. Enchanting art forms. Magical festivals. Historic and cultural monuments. An exotic cuisine… All of which offer you a unique experience. And what’s more, every one of these charming destinations is only a two hour drive from the other. A singular advantage no other destination offers.

Karnataka:

Karnataka is a state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines. The capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife. To the southwest, Mysore is home to lavish temples including Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s maharajas. Hampi, once the medieval Vijayanagara Empire’s capital, contains ruins of Hindu temples, elephant stables and a stone chariot.

Tour Schedule Summary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Bangalore / Sightseeing

Our services begin here. You are greeted at the airport by our Travel Facilitator and driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check-in. The next day’s plans are briefly reviewed and you are presented with your welcome package includes your travel documents.

Afternoon, start your exploration with a guided city tour of Bangalore. Take a drive around the modern metropolis and visit Cubbon Park, which is a century and a half old park made up of 300 acres of beautiful gardens in the heart of Bangalore. In the park you will enjoy a guided tour of the Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery. The museum is one of the oldest in the country and was established in 1886. It contains priceless relics from the prehistoric Mohenjo-Daro period and terracotta from Mathura. The Art Gallery is part of the museum and has about 600 paintings from major artists. Finish your exploration of Bangalore with a visit to the Vidhan Soudha, the impressive granite structure that houses the state legislative complex.

Overnight Stay at Bangalore

Day 2 Bangalore – Hassan

Morning checkout from your hotel and drive to Hassan. Located in the state of Karnataka, Hassan is the headquarters of the district of Hassan. This city gets its name from the Hindu goddess Hassanamba. For a lover of history, monuments and temples this is the right place to be. Hoysala Empire ruled this city for a long time and their influence can be seen in the art and inscriptions on the different monuments. This is one place in India that’s covered in temples and monuments that are several centuries old and hence extremely popular among tourists, pilgrims, and history lovers.  On arrival check in to resort and relax.

Overnight stay at Hassan

Day 3 Shravanabelgola, Belur & Halebidu Day visit

After breakfast, proceed for a guided visit to the awesome site of Shravanabelgola. One of the holiest Jain pilgrimages, Shravanabelagola is synonymous with the colossal monolithic statue of the Jain saint Lord Gomateshwara. Shravanabelagola occupies a significant place in the Jain legacy of Karnataka, for being the place where Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, became a Jain ascetic after relinquishing his throne. The statue, created around 983 A.D., standing atop the Indragiri hill and at a height of 18 meters, is regarded the tallest monolithic statue in the world. Afternoon visit to Belur & Halebidu. Belur, an erstwhile capital of the Hoysala Empire, is renowned for its magnificent Hoysala temple complex. Halebidu lies 17 Km away from Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple perched on a star shaped base is a sculptural extravaganza. The temple walls are rich with endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala kings.

Overnight stay at Hassan

Day 4 Hassan – Coorg

Morning checkout from your hotel and drive to Coorg. Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is the most affluent hill station in Karnataka. It is well known for its breathtakingly exotic scenery and lush greenery. Forest covered hills, spice and coffee plantations only add to the landscape. Coorg is Located amidst imposing mountains in Karnataka with a perpetually misty landscape, Coorg is the place to be for all nature lovers.  This popular coffee producing hill station is not only popular for its beautiful green hills and the streams cutting right through them. It also stands as a popular destination because of its culture and people. The Kodavas, a local clan specialising in martial arts, are especially notable for their keen hospitality. On arrival check in to your resort and relax. 

Overnight Stay at Coorg

Day 5 Coorg- Mysore

After breakfast, join your chauffeur for your drive to Mysore. Arrive at Mysore and check in at your hotel. Afternoon , Explore the main tourist attraction of Mysore – The Mysore Palace, an incredibly opulent structure that is one of the most impressive palaces in the world. You’ll be amazed by its sheer size, the incredible richness of its interior, and the beautiful facade of this Indo-Saracenic architectural gem. It was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, and the current version was commissioned in 1897 and finished by British architect Henry Irwin in 1912. Afternoon – Enjoy a guided exploration of Mysore’s other attractions. Drive up the hill to the temple of Chamundeswari, Mysore’s patron goddess. The 12th century temple overlooks the city and has several granite statues of Nandi (The Bull), including one that is over 15 feet high and 24 feet long. After the temple you pay a visit to St. Philomena’s church, one of the largest churches in India. Built in 1933, its design was based on the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Most visitors marvel at the Victorian Gothic architecture of this active place of worship. At the end of the day, before returning to your hotel, you will enjoy a walk through the local flower and fruit market.

Overnight Stay at Mysore

Day 6  Mysore – Wayanad 

Morning breakfast at your hotel and enjoy the fascinating drive through the Western Ghats as you to head for Wayanad. This is one of the most beautiful drives in all of South India. Arrive at Wayanad and you are assisted with your check-in to your scenic nature resort. Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km. from Wayanad the sea shores of Kozhikode, this verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in their most natural abode. Wayanad enjoys a salubrious climate throughout the year. The mean average rain fall in this district is 2322 m.m. Lakkidi, Vythiri and Meppadi are the high rainfall areas in Wayanad. Annual rain fall in these high rain fall areas ranges from 3,000 to 4,000m.m. High velocity winds are common during the south west monsoon and dry winds blow in March-April. High altitude regions experience severe cold. At Ambalavayal in Wayanad, the Tribes in Wayanad mean maximum and minimum temperature for the last five years were 29oC and 18oC respectively. This place experiences a high relative humidity which goes even up to 95 percent during the south west monsoon period. Generally, the year is classified into four seasons, namely, cold weather (December-February), hot weather (March-May), south west monsoon (June-September) and north east monsoon (October-November). The dale Lakkidi, nestled among the hills of Vythiri taluk, has the highest average rainfall in Kerala. The misty environs of Wayanad offer a wide range of trekking opportunities, plantation visits and wildlife tours. 

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 7 Wayanad Sightseeing   

After breakfast proceed for Wayanad sightseeing. Start your day with Edakkal caves. Twenty five kilometers away from your resort lays two caves which showcases nature’s skill and philosophy on architecture. These caves are located 1,200 m above the sea level on Ambukutty Mala. The name ‘Edakkal’ literally means ‘a stone in between’. Here you can see a cave formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves. One of the stories is that, these caves are said to be formed with the arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Sri Rama. Another one is associated with Kutti Chathan and the Goddess Mudiampilly. The local people used to have a pilgrimage trip to this place to honour the Goddess. Edakkal caves The caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. He discovered the Edakkal rock-shelter, situated on the western side of Edakkalmala. To his surprise, he identified the place as a habitat of Neolothic people. Edakkal caves are famous for its pictorial paintings (cave paintings), which are considered to be of 6000 B C. To reach the caves, one has to trek through the Ambukutty Mala. It will take around 45 minutes to climb the hill and you will never get disappointed in your trip to these historic caves. Inside the cave, you can see two chambers. The lower chamber is 18 ft long, 12 ft wide and 10 ft high and the upper chamber is 96 ft long, 22 ft wide and 18 ft high. You can sight carvings of human, animal figures and objects used by humans, on the walls of the caves. These carvings give great evidence for a highly civilized society who lived in the pre-historic age. Edakkal caves have drawn great attention of archeologists and historians worldwide. Edakkal caves Edakkal is the only known place in India with Stone Age carvings. You can see here carvings belonging to Neolithic and Mesolithic age. The human figures of these caves have raised hair and some have masks. They all have archeological significance and are interesting too. Along with these pictorial carvings, you can also watch Tamil and Brahmi Script in Edakkal caves. Edakkal is said to have some links with Indus Valley Civilization too. Around 400 signs were discovered recently, which had shown its relationship with the ancient civilization. The prominent among them was ‘a man with a jar cup’.

After lunch, Visit Uravu Bamboo grove. “Uravu Bamboo Grove” is an eco-friendly community tourism project located on the elevated and picturesque mountain plateau of Wayanad, Kerala, southern India. Situated just outside the peaceful Thrikkaipetta Bamboo Village and surrounded by rice fields, the stunning Uravu Bamboo Grove encircles a beautiful pond and a bamboo grove. The main objective of the Uravu Eco Links tourism project is to develop and run a sustainable, eco-friendly tourism venture by involving and benefitting the local community. The villagers are taking part in the management of the project, which features innovative building designs based on latest environmental standards, locally sourced materials and include the ideas of local artisans. These homespun designs have been paired with local knowledge of sustainable construction and an enthusiastic team of international and local experts in the areas of architecture and design, engineering, innovative water and energy management, tourism and craft. After the visit drive back to resort. 

Overnight Stay at Wayanad

Day 8 Wayanad – Cochin

Morning check out and drive to Calicut railway station and board your train to Cochin. Arrive at Cochin Railway station and transfer to Hotel and you are assisted with your Check in. Evening – drive to nearby local theater where you get to experience Kerala’s ancient performing art, a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali literally means the art of storytelling through dance and the dance form is an ancient forefather of many Asian dance forms. After the show drive back to the hotel.

Overnight Stay at Cochin

Day 9 Cochin Sightseeing – Kumarakom Backwaters

After breakfast -Explore the fascinating port city of Cochin and marvel in its culture and architecture, a result of centuries of various European influences combined with rich indigenous history. The guided tour begins from the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays) which was built in 1568 and is still an active house of worship for the few remaining Jews in the area. If the synagogue is closed on this day, the visit can be facilitated on one of the other days that you are in Cochin. Next to the synagogue is Cochin’s ancient and colorful Jew Street with its antique stores and souvenir peddlers. There is evidence of a Jewish presence in Kochi from 70 A.D. After the synagogue visit Mattancherry palace. The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, is one of the finest examples of the Kerala style of architecture interspersed with colonial influences. It was built around 1545 C.E. by the Portuguese as a present to King Veera Kerala Verma of Kochi dynasty. It came to be known as the Dutch Palace as it underwent major repairs at the hands of the Dutch. It is famous for its long and spacious halls along with its central courtyard. It is also the home of the deity of the royal family, Pazhayannur Bhagavathy (the Deity of Pazhayannur). Next to synagogue you visit the St. Francis Church, which was established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. This is one of the first European churches built in India, and the famed Vasco Da Gama was buried in its courtyard for a few years before his remains were returned to Portugal. You now visit the most photogenic of Cochin’s attractions, the Chinese fishing nets. Folklore will have it that these enormous nets (or at least their design) were brought here by famed Chinese Explorer Zhang He about 600 years ago. Local fishermen manipulate these massive nets with an ease that comes from centuries of practice – it is a vocation handed down by generations. The lowering and raising of the nets has a synchronicity and rhythm that is quite an amazing experience. Some of the nets are more than a century old as the fishermen patch them up and keep going. Finish your exploration with a short guided walk through Fort Kochi and experience the unique local culture and architecture – Fort Kochi is one of India’s best cities to explore on foot.  After lunch drive to Kumarakom backwaters. Kumarakom lies on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake. It is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms, paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters are the central attractions. On arrival check into backwater facing resort. You are at Leisure reminder of the day. In your surroundings you can enjoy the local life and beauty that is spread as far as your eyes can search for. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Overnight Stay at Kumarakom

Day 10  Kumarakom – Alleppey Houseboat

After breakfast, checkout from your hotel and drive to Alleppey Backwaters. Arrive at Alleppey and board your houseboat. Take our word for this, your backwaters cruise will very likely become one of your most treasured travel memories. The incredible lushness of the vegetation around the freshwater canals, rivulets and lakes, the beauty of the water bodies themselves and the abundance of coconut trees and other exotic plants create a subtropical environment not found elsewhere on this planet. When you combine this with the opportunity to be part of a unique way of life that hasn’t changed much for a few centuries, it results in most visitors’ second highest rated experience in India (after the Taj Mahal). Relax and have a great time until the next morning as you cruise the amazing backwaters. The cook and other staff make sure that all your needs are taken care of, while serving you with delicious Kerala cuisine. You have the option of taking shore excursions at one or two of the tiny rural communities as you cruise by – the locals are very friendly and communicative.

Overnight stay at Alleppey Houseboat

Day 11 Alleppey – Cochin Departure

After breakfast, disembark from your houseboat and drive to Cochin airport and board your international flight/Flight to next destination.

*** END OF TOUR ***

Hotels Envisaged / Similar

Includes

• Assistance on arrival and departure
• Monument entrance fee
• Accommodation in Twin/Double sharing basis as per the Itinerary 
• Meal Plan on Bed & Breakfast 
• Kathakali show at Cochin
• English speaking guide for sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Air-conditioned Medium car for all transfers and sightseeing as per Itinerary
• All Govt. Taxes currently applicable. 
• Bottled water in the coach

Excludes:         

• Any Airfare/Trainfare
• Any meals which is not specified in the above itinerary.  
• Any outreach activities and lecture material  
• Any service not specifically mentioned in the inclusions.  
• Personal expenses such as tipping, laundry, room service, shopping, telephone calls, etc.  
• Video Camera/Still Camera fees wherever applicable as per actual.  
• Meals and services other than mentioned in the program 
• Electronic Travel Authorization fee for Visas upon arrival 
• Early check-in and late check-out at hotels

Be Rest Assured!!