A Drive to Wildlife and Dravidian Glories

DAY 1 : Bangalore

Arrival in Bangalore. Welcome at the airport and move to the hotel. Bangalore (Bengaluru) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 2 : Bangalore – Mysore

In the morning, drive to Mysore. 150km / 4h.
On the way, stop at Ramanagara, “city of silk” for the visit of the “Ramanagara Silk Cocoon Market”.

Lunch in Mysore.

Visit Sri Rangapattana, Dariya Daulata Bag (Tipu Sultan’s summer palace) and Gumbaz (Tipu Sultan’s Mausoleum).

Visit the extravagant Maharaja’s Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in India. It will give you an idea of the magnificence of the architectural beauty of India in the past: fluted pillars, minarets, domes, curved canopies and onion domes. Inside the palace, grandiose halls and corridors, massive silver portals inlaid with jewels, mahogany domes and colored glass ceilings as well as the fabulous golden throne surrounded by mystery and legend.

At the end of the afternoon, walk in the Deveraja market, very picturesque market of fruits, vegetables and local handicrafts, rich in colors (pyramids of multicolored powders) and very animated. Free time at the Krishna Raja Circle. (Illumination of the palace every Sunday evening 7:00-8:00 pm)

 

DAY 3 : Mysore – Kabini

After a 25km/30min overland drive, check into your lodge.
Kabini is named after the Kabini River and is located on the southern edge of Nagarahole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park), the former favorite hunting ground of the Maharaja.
The forests of Nagarahole National Park are teeming with herds of elephants, sambar and spotted deer, wild boar, sloth bear, gaur and the occasional tiger and panther.

 

DAY 4 : Kabini

A jeep safari in the morning and evening, or even a boat trip on the Kabini River, in a traditional coracle made of bamboo and buffalo skin or in a motorboat allows you to see herds of elephants, crocodiles sunning themselves and birds of all colors flying through the green forest canopy.
During the sweltering months of March, April and May, the forest pools and springs dry up, bringing the animals to the banks of the Kabini River. This is when the largest gathering of elephants in the wild in Asia can be seen. During the monsoon season (July, August and September), the trees are lush and bushy, but the animals are less numerous. The other months are good for animal watching, especially birds.

 

DAY 5 : Kabini – Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary – Wayanad

Morning departure for Wayanad: 115 km / 2h30

Visit of the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the north of Wayanad district, this sanctuary is home to a rich diversity of flora.
Jeep safaris allow you to see various species of animals and birds in their natural habitat. A lake where the animals come to drink is a major attraction.
The biotope is varied: tropical dry and wet deciduous forests, patches of semi-permanent forest and plants such as bamboo and ginger bushes. Plantations of teak, eucalyptus, silver oak, and rosewood cover about one-third of the sanctuary.
Herds of elephants, deer, big cats, panthers, tigers, langurs, bonnet macaques, bison, sambar deer, Malabar squirrels, bears and the rare hawk loris can be seen in these forests.

 

DAY 6 : Wayanad

The Wayanad district is the ideal destination to enjoy the cool, untouched forests, misty mountains and extensive plantations. Often called the spice garden of India, Wayanad is dotted with many tourist spots and vast orchards of various spices like cardamom, black pepper, star anise, fenugreek, black cumin and many more. These green spice orchards give this place a different flavor that is further enriched by the aroma of the coffee plantations.
In the morning, excursion: visit of a plantation.
In the afternoon, drive to Edakkal Caves, two natural caves where we find pictorial writings and sculptures made by Neolithic men, which would date back to at least 6,000 years before our era. Visit also Ambalavayal and its heritage museum, archaeological museum which presents huge collections of relics and antiquities from the 2nd century AD: ancient hunting instruments, tribal pottery (visit from 9am to 6pm).

 

DAY 7 : Wayanad – Cochin

Departure in the morning to follow the Malabar coast of the Arabian Sea towards Cochin, in the south: 260km / 7h.
Cochin (Kochi), rich in history and superbly built on a group of islands and a narrow lagoon, the fascinating city of Kochi (or Cochin) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala to perfection. You will discover the oldest European church in India, narrow and winding streets lined with typical 500 year old Portuguese houses, Kathakali performances.
Cochin is without a doubt one of the most pleasant small towns to stroll around. Its old houses, its large spice warehouses that the Arab and Phoenician merchants coveted and that still perfume its streets, the spray of the Indian Ocean, the cheerfulness of its inhabitants and all its stores of trinkets at all prices, make this stage very attractive.

 

DAY 8 : Cochin

Walk in the old town of Fort Cochin. Discover the church of Saint Francis, the oldest church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama, who died in Cochin in 1524, was buried here before his body was brought back to Lisbon 14 years later. His tomb is still visible in the church. Visit of the synagogue founded in 1568, famous for its hand-painted blue earthenware, brought from China in the middle of the 17th century. In the vicinity there is the scent of the spices sold nearby.
Visit of the Mattancherry Palace, commonly known as the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays), whose murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends, are among the most beautiful in the country.
In the evening, representation of a Kathakali show, a costumed drama, sung and danced, whose themes are drawn from the great Hindu epics.
Night at the hotel.

 

DAY 9 : Departure from Cochin

Drive to Cochin airport for your flight.

 

Hotels: Selection of charming hotels with the best quality/comfort ratio for the region. Please send us a program request for more information.

The Trip Included: Full board, superior hotels, tour guide, transportation by air-conditioned bus, and entrance fees.

Not included: international airfare, visa to enter India, insurance, drinks, and tips for driver and guide