Highlights of Karnataka & Kerala

Tour: Highlights of Karnataka & Kerala
Places Visited
Bengaluru, Nagarhole, Wayanad, Pollachi, Thattekad, Periyar, Kumarakom, Cochin
Species in Focus – Asiatic Elephants, Tigers, Leopards , Black Leopards,Indian Bison (Gaur), Wild Dogs, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Mongoose, Civet Cat, Hyena. In Reptiles: King Cobra, Krait, Python, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Toads etc. Bird life includes Different varieties of cuckoos including Drongo, Indian hawk and large Hawk. Malabar Grey Hornbill, Oriental Darter, almost all varieties of Drongos, Whiskered Terns, Collard Scops Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Cormorants, Plum headed Parakeets etc. Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied-Hornbill, Crested Hawk-Eagle and Crested Serpent-Eagle, Great Pied-Hornbill and many more.
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation (16 nights) in amazing Lodges/ Hotels.
✔ Meal Plan – Bengaluru, Cochin & Pollachi on Bed & Breakfast- Rest of places on full board.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ 3 sharing Game drives in Nagarhole NP.
✔ 1 Coracle ride in Kabini river.
✔ All Birding walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary including Naturalists.
✔ Specialist naturalists and park fee during game drives in national parks.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. ( Subject to change)

Day 1 – Arrive Bengaluru
Arrive Bengaluru, you will be greeted by Mysteries of India representative and transferred to hotel.
Depending on flight time – Rest of the day leisure. If time permits you can do a half day city tour.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Taj Westend

The Oberoi

Day 2 – Bengaluru to Nagarhole (Kabini)
Drive to Nagarhole NP.
Nagarhole once the private hunting reserve of the Maharajas of Mysore, Nagarhole encompasses a expanse of jungle-clad hills and the reservoir fed by the Kabini River. When water levels are low between February and March, elephants are enticed out of the trees to drink, along with herds of deer and antelope, and the predators that prey on them: leopard, striped hyena, dhole (wild dog) and even the occasional tiger.
Arrive in time for evening game drive in the park.
Explore Nagarhole National Park, home to nearly 250 species of birds, approx. 40 species of mammals, countless insects and so on.
Kabini and Nagarhole regions are Project Tiger’s core area. Usually seen are huge herds of elephants and Gaur, herds of deer, birds and even predators like the tiger and leopard quenching their thirsts. This unique Kabini is also home to the elusive Black Leopard.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Red Earth Kabini

The Serai Kabini

 


Kaav Safari Lodge

Evolve Back

Day 3 – Nagarhole
Get ready for another experience of game drive.
Afternoon you can enjoy the coracle ride in the Kabini river. Probably the best way to be closer to birds for photography.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Red Earth Kabini

The Serai Kabini

 


Kaav Safari Lodge

Evolve Back

Day 4 – Nagarhole
Early Morning join the resident naturalist for bird watching sessions. Boasting nearly 300 species of avifauna, several of which are endemic to the region, Kabini is heaven for any birding enthu.
Discover the Ospreys at the edges of the river, watching with a sharp eye for fish that may occasionally surface. In the interiors of the reserve, Crested Serpent Eagles and Changeable Hawk Eagles will regale you with their resounding screeches. Watch keenly for a Brown Fish Owl as it silently swoops between canopies. In the early morning, be serenaded by the orchestra of the wild, with the Malabar Whistling Thrush being the loudest and most joyful of them all.
Afternoon enjoy another Game drive in the park.
Red Earth Kabini.

Accommodation Options


Red Earth Kabini

The Serai Kabini

 


Kaav Safari Lodge

Evolve Back

Day 5 – Nagarhole – Wayanad
Morning drive to Wayanad. This popular region is famous for wildlife and its spice plantations. Wayanad is part of a forest reserve, located on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It’s wild green coverage offers great scenic beauty along with the experience of seeing wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in their most natural abode.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Wayanad Wilde

Tranquil Resort

Day 6 – Wayanad
Get ready for your first bird watching trip in t the wood.
In the evening you can join the Cookery session with chef. Called – MALABAR KITCHEN
Wayanad Wild’s Master chefs share some of their skills with you at the evening cookery classes.
Here you will learn the secrets of traditional Kerala cooking. You will the magical world of Indian spices such as What they are, how to use them, combine them and savour the special magic they bring to the even the most common place foods.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Wayanad Wilde

Tranquil Resort

Day 7 – Wayanad to Pollachi
Drive to Pollachi. Popularly called the coconut city as tender and ripe
coconuts are supplied to many cities and towns across India, Its geographical closeness to Western Ghats ensures that it
has amazing climate throughout the year.
Pollachi also boasts one of the largest jaggery markets in Asia and
the largest cattle market in South India. Also the gateway to Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Arrive at the Coco Lagoon.
Afternoon enjoy a trip handloom factory weaving a traditional Indian Saree is a fine collaboration between skilful artisans and the elegant colours. Witness this magical weaving of beautiful Sarees with traditional techniques that have been handed over from generation to generation. These handloom-weaved Sarees are a great example of impeccable art and fashion. We will guide you through the Saree making process, from cotton scratch to finish.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Coco Lagoon

Day 8 – Pollachi to Thattekad
Drive to Thattekad. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary – Dr Salim Ali the famous ornithologist surveyed the area in 1930s and this sanctuary is the result of his recommendations and efforts. Thattekad literally means the flat forest and the region is lush green low land forest lies between tributaries of river Periyar. Thattekkad region boasts of 728 species of plants, 284 species of birds, 222 species of butterflies, 52 species of fishes, 39 species of mammals, 36 species of reptiles, 17 species of amphibians are recorded from the Sanctuary.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Windermere River House

Day 9 & 10 – Thattekad
These two days will be dedicated to the explore the sanctuary for its beautiful birds and other fauna around.
Between the birding time you can also enjoy the hospitality of the River house.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Windermere River House

Day 11 – Thattekad to Periyar
Periyar is located in the central Kerala amidst the cool hills of the western Ghatswhere the heartland luxuriate in matted coffee, tea, pepper and cardamom plantations.
The pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature’s splendour and human innovation, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar Lake – an artificial lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands.
Apart from Elephants, the other animals to be seen are Gaur, Wild Pigs, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dole or Indian Wild Dog and very rarely a Tiger. Four species of primates are found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Gee’s Golden Langur, Common Langur And Bonnet Macaque.
The birdlife comprises of Darters, Cormorants, Kingfishers, the great Malabar Hornbill and racket-tailed Drongoes.
Afternoon enjoy the game viewing by boat.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Spice Village

Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club

 


Shalimar Spice Garden

Day 12 – Periyar
Early morning the short or long trek through the reserve are highly recommended.
Afternoon enjoy the spice plantation trip to understand the spices of the are
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Spice Village

Niraamaya Retreat Cardamom Club

 


Shalimar Spice Garden

Day 13 – Periyar to Kumarakom
Drive to Kumarakom. An easy-going slow-paced village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala. It’s laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. The nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species of birds including resident and migratory.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Coconut Lagoon

Taj Kumarakom Resorts & Spa

Day 14 – Kumarakom
Today set yourself for a visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is among the most popular bird watching spots in the country. Spread out over 14 hectares, one comes across numerous rare avian species in these parts. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake in Kottayam, one gets to see a variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, ranging from places like the Himalayas to Siberia. The list includes the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, water duck, Siberian Cranes, parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers and wood beetles. Boating trips around the sanctuary is extremely relaxing and this is among the most visited places in Kottayam district.
Afternoon at leisure. Enoy the hospitality of the resort or enjoy the Ayurveda & Spa treatments.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Coconut Lagoon

Taj Kumarakom Resorts & Spa

Day 15 – Kumarakom – Cochin
Drive to Cochin. Arrive Cochin and check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening enjoy the Kathakali dance drama, enacting epics from the Hindu Ramayana and Mahabharta.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Brunton Boatyard

Taj Malabar Resort & Spa

 


The Malabar House

Eighth Bastion

Day 16 – Cochin
Today enjoy the city tour includes the 16th century Jewish synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Afternoon at leisure to explore the fort area and local market on own.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Brunton Boatyard

Taj Malabar Resort & Spa

 


The Malabar House

Eighth Bastion

Day 17 – Cochin – Home
Transfer to airport in time to board your flight to back home.

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