South Kerala Tour with Karnataka

Day 2 – Bangalore

After breakfast , take a guided half day city tour of Bangalore, visit Tipu Sultan Palace; the layout of the palace gives the impression of the ethnic Mughal lifestyle. The fort & its ramparts  present the history of the era in which it was built. The construction started by Haider Ali & completed by Tipu Sultan. This is now a museum. We will also visit ISKCON Temple, a pleasant blend of the Dravidian & modern architecture. The building houses modern facilities along with a Vedic preaching library. Later we visit the Lal Bagh Garden- The name Lal Bagh given to it for red roses that remain blooming  through the year. this garden was built in 1760 by Haider Ali .

A stop at Vidhan Saudha, the seat of state legislature. It is an imposing magnificent palatial building built in ‘Neo-Dravidian’ Style and incorporating Indo Sara picturesque elements.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Bangalore (B)

Day 3 – Bangalore – Hassan (195 Km / 5 Hrs)

After breakfast and check out , leave for Hassan. It was founded by Channa Krishnappa Naik, a Palegar in the 11th century. Hassan is named after the Goddess Hasanamba (Smiling Goddess) and  presiding deity of the town.

Later we take a tour of Chennakeshawa Temple at Belur, built to celebrate Hoysala military victories, in the year 1117 AD & it took over a hundred years to build. Stories from The Purans, The Upanishads & other mythological sources have been sculpted in the most superb & authentic detail. Tales from Ramayana & Mahabharata can be found. later visit the Hoyasaleshwara Temple at Helebid. It was built by Kettuvallam, in 1121 AD and is dedicated to Lord Siva. This temple has two shrines connected by pillared walls. In each shrine there is a Lingam Hoyasaleshwara & Shanthaleshwara.

Overnight at Hotel in Hassan (B)

Day 4 – Hassan – Mysore (115 Km / 4 Hrs)

After Breakfast, drive down to Mysore. Arrive and check in at hotel in Mysore.

Later visit  Mysore. Srirangapatnam, the historic capital of Tipu Sultan .  there are several monuments relating to his rule  that are sprinkled across the island. Also will be visiting Darya Daulat, better known as Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. it is situated amongst scenic surroundings on an island formed by two divisions of the River Cauvery. A must vist is The Maharaja Palace, designed by the British architect Henry Irwin, christened  the Amba Villas Palace , was completed in 1912. Chamundi Hill, which has a 12th century temple of Durga with the magnificent 5meter tall Nandi, carved out of a single piece of granite in 1659. It is  one of largest statue of Nandi in India. Overnight Hotel at Mysore (B)

Day 5 – Mysore – Ooty (160 Km / 4 Hrs)

Mysore, capital city of The Wodeyars , has always charmed its admirers with its old-fashioned charm, rich heritage, beautiful palaces, magnificent gardens, impressive buildings and sacred temples. There’s an attraction  about the city as it reaches out to everyone. we drive to Ooty (Udagamandalam), Queen of hill stations in south India, also the capital of Nilgiri district. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Nilgiri is defined as the Blue Mountains. It is a land of scenic picnic spots. Once a popular summer & weekend getaway for the Britishers during colonial times. Another  attraction  is the mountain train journey on a cog & pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam & winds its way through many hair-raising curves & tunnels. it chugs along deep ravines full of lush vegetation, burbling streams & passing through tea gardens. 

Overnight stay at Hotel in Ooty (B)

Day 6 – Ooty – Cochin (295 Km / 7 Hrs)

After an early breakfast drive to Cochin, this city has a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East and Mediterranean Europe- Dutch & British. Cochin boasts of one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. The cosmopolitan character of the city is reflected in buildings & structures showcasing different regions of the world. Rest of day at leisure.

Overnight Hotel in Cochin (B)

Day 7 – Cochin / Half Day Tour

After Breakfast our first stop is St. Francis’ Church. It was built in the year 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars , the oldest European church in India. Restored in the year 1779 by the protestant Dutch, it was later converted to an Anglican Church by the British in 1795. Vasco da Gama’s remains were buried here in 1524 but later shipped to Lisbon, Portugal. Visit the Dutch Palace, which was originally built by the Portuguese, In 17th century, modified it was presented it to the King of Kochi (Cochin). The Palace boasts of collection of mural paintings, scenes from Hindu epics, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Also  see the Jewish Synagogue, built in the year 1568. It is beautifully decorated with Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can also be found here. later visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the strong smell of spices & the history that brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are  unique to Cochin,traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these. In the evening witness Kerala’s most popular classical dance, Kathakali. Overnight stay at Hotel in Cochin ( B )

Day 8 – Cochin – Munnar(140 Km / 4 Hrs)

After Breakfast travel to Munnar, one of the most popular hill stations in South India. It is located at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. This once the summer resort of the erstwhile British , Vast tea plantations, picture postcard town, snaking lanes, trekking & holiday facilities make Munnar a truly unique experience.

Overnight stay at Hotel in Munnar (B)

Day 9 – Munnar Sightseeing

After breakfast, take a tour of Munnar, the world’s highest tea estates spread like a jade carpet , Eravikulam National Park (Closed – January & February), known for sighting the rare Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). A reserved sanctuary set up for the preserving of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Evening at leisure to enjoy the natural beauty of the place.

Overnight stay in Hotel at Munnar (B)

Day 10 – Munnar – Periyar(130 Km / 3 Hrs)

After breakfast drive to Periyar (Thekkady), India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries. The flora, the flora & fauna & the birds are unique , vast & varied. This sanctuary does not bear resemblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. One will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern. Easy to spot freely traveling elephants, unending chains of hill & spiced aromatic plantations. The sanctuary is  photographers delight capturing wild life images. Notable among the wildlife species are the tigers, the  majestic Asiatic wild elephants & distinguishing Nilgiri Langur. A boat cruise through the Periyar lake , offers a soul rousing pleasant experience. In the evening experience the Spice Plantation Tour.

Overnight at Hotel in Periyar (B)

Day 11 – Periyar – Kumarakom(145 Km / 4 Hrs)

At sun rise we take a boat ride on Lake Periyar to observe wildlife in the sanctuary. After two hours of viewing get back to the hotel for a sumptuous breakfast. Later drive to Kumarakom, a cluster of small islands, on the Vembanad Lake. According to folklore, Kuttanad, the ‘Wonder Land’  is believed to have been underlying in  the sea. One day it sprang out into the marshes as the sea receded . The backwaters consisting of lakes, canals & paddy fields, transports you to sheer trance. Further, Vembanad Lake is  also home to varied types of marine life specially the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) & Konju (Tiger Prawns).

Overnight Hotel in Kumarakom (B)

Day 12 – Kumarakom – Thothapalli (Overnight Houseboat)

Day 13 – Thothapalli – Kovalam (170 Km / 2 Hrs)

Day 14 – Kovalam – Kanyakumari (77kms / 2 hrs)

Day 15 – Depart Trivandrum