Southern Sojourn

Tour: Southern Sojourn
Places Visited
Bangalore, Chikkamagaluru, Mysore, Wayanad, Ooty, Pollachi, Munnar, Kumarakom, Houseboat, Cochin
Highlights –
1. Ancient Temples & Architecture.
2. Nilgiri Hills Toy Train.
3. First Coffee Cultivation Hills.
4. Tea Estates.
5. Houseboat Stay.
6. Ayurveda & Spa.
7. Chinese Fishing nets and techniques.
8. Wayanad Wildlife.
9. Kerala Cuisine and Culture.
Price Includes
✔ Accommodation (17 nights) in amazing Hotels and Resorts.
✔ Meal Plan –Bed & Breakfast-Except on Houseboat where it is on full board.
✔ All transportation by air-conditioned chauffeur driven vehicle.
✔ All entrances fee and guide during sightseeing.
✔ Toy Train Ride.
✔ Walks & trails as mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ All currently applicable taxes. (Subject to govt. norms)

Day 1 – Arrive Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state, originally founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda, a Magadi chieftain, who built a mud fort with four watch-towers marking the city limits, which he called Bengaluru. When Bangalore became a British garrison town in 1809, they built wide avenues, classic bungalows, Gothic churches and museums.
Half day city tour includes Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore Palace drive past the city.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Taj Westend

The Oberoi

Day 2 – Bengaluru – Halebeedu- Chikkamagaluru (Chikmagalore)
Morning drive to Chikkamagaluru enroute visiting Halebeedu (once the Hoysala Kingdom during 15th Century) to visit striking beautiful Hoysala Temples and Jain Shrines.
Arrive Chikkamagaluru and check in at hotel.
Chikkamagaluru-The original coffee hills of India is situated in south-western Karnataka and set in beautiful mountainous terrain filled with natures wonders; lofty peaks, delightful dales, turbulent rivers, sparkling streams, captivating cascades and bracing mountain air.
Over all a doing nothing destination to lose yourself in the lap of nature.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Java Rain Resorts

Day 3 – Chikkamagaluru
Today either you can opt to visit the highest peak Mullayanagiri of Karnataka State or Explore the spice and Coffee plantations.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Java Rain Resorts

Day 4 – Chikkamagaluru to Belur- Mysuru (Mysore)
Morning drive to Mysuru enroute visiting the famous Belur to visit the 15th century Channakeshava Temple, known for its exquisite soapstone sculptures and pillars, which took 103 years to complete.
Arrive Mysuru and check in at hotel.
Mysore, “Sandalwood City”, was the political capital of the Wadiyar dynasty of Maharajas from the 14th Century until the British took control in 1799. Mysore was and is a major producer of sandalwood and manufacture of aromatic produces.The city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temple has retained the charm and character of a long and notable history with, at its centre, the majestic City Palace.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening drive past the City Palace to see it illuminated.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Radisson Blu Plaza

Day 5 – Mysuru (Mysore)
A full-day sightseeing tour of Mysore includes Chamundi Hill, Mysore City Palace and the Art Gallery.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Radisson Blu Plaza

Day 6 – Mysuru to Wayanad
Morning drive to Wayanad.
Wayanad -Nestled among the mountains of Western Ghats is one of the most loveliest hill stations of Kerala. This green paradise hosts hills, rocks and valleys, which give shape to a very unique terrain.
Wayanad provide exceptional wildlife and adventure experiences. Mountains and forests intersperse to create numerous outback trails for Birding and easy treks.
Wayanad is truly an adventure escape waiting to be discovered.
Rest of the day at leisure and enjoy the resort.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Wayanad Wild

Tranquil Resort

Day 7 – Wayanad
Get ready for your first bird watching trip in the wood or a leisurely walk around the lodge.
In the evening you can join the Cookery sessionCalled – MALABAR KITCHEN with chef.
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 Wild

Tranquil Resort

Day 8 – Wayanad to Ooty
Morning drive to Ooty. Ootacamund, more commonly referred to as Ooty, is the chief hill station in the Nilgiris or “Blue Mountains”. The scenic beauty is matched by a salubrious climate. The British founded it in the early 19th Century as the summer headquarters of the Madras Government. At an altitude of 2,300 M, it is a quiet retreat from the heat and humidity of the monsoon, with lovely walking opportunities through forests and along scenic mountain trails.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Savoy IHCL Selections

Day 9 – Ooty
Morning Visit the Botanical Gardens; established in 1847 they have a wide variety of exotic and colourful plants. Also visit the Ooty Lake where boating (Direct payment) is a favourite pastime, and Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,623 metres.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Savoy IHCL Selections

Day 10 – Ooty to Coonoor (Toy Train) to Pollachi
Morning catch the Nilgiri Toy Train to Coonoor. One of India’s famous Toy Trains connects Ooty to Coonoor and Mettupalayam . It is a worthy experience, and en–route are breath-taking views of the Nilgiri Hills in all their natural glory.
Later drive on 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.
Rest of the at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Great Mount Coco Lagoon

Day 11 – Pollachi to Munnar
Morning 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.
Later drive to Munnar.
Munnar is the lovely hill station of Kerala rests in the high-ranges at an altitude of 4,500ft with towering mountains, beautiful lakes, rich wildlife, hills draped in folds of green carpet of tea gardens. It is here that you will find the Anamudi peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats, in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.
Evening enjoy the plantation trek with specialist naturalist.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Windermere Estate

Fragrant Nature

Day 12 – Munnar
Today excursion to Eravikulam National Park which stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq. km in the Rajamalai hills. Known all over for the largest population of Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus Hylocrious). The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Windermere Estate

Fragrant Nature

Day 13 – Munnar to Kumarakom
Morning drive to Kumarakom.
The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerela. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies.
Check in at hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the atmosphere.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Coconut Lagoon

Taj Kumarakom Resorts & Spa

Day 14 – Kumarakom
A day to spend as per your wish. You can opt for Birding around the lodge or visit the Ayurveda Centre. Here, you can try massages and treatments for everything from beauty and toning to rejuvenation and stress, all based on India’s ancient healing art of Ayurveda.
Check in at hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the atmosphere.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Coconut Lagoon

Taj Kumarakom Resorts & Spa

Day 15 – Kumarakom to Houseboat
Today embark on houseboat. Cruise through the lake and witness the life of local people.
Houseboat on the Backwaters: The backwaters of Kerala are a series of interconnected waterways, lakes, inlets and riverine estuaries that form an intermeshed network along the coast of Kerala. Today’s houseboats on Kerala’s backwaters were originally barges, traditionally known as “Kettuvallam” constructed using only natural materials – wood, rattan and bamboo, in harmonious tones of brown and honey.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


Houseboat

Day 16 – Houseboat to Cochin
Drive to Cochin.
Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian sea’ and also one of the gateways to Kerala. The city is built up on a cluster of islands and peninsulas consisting mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and Mattancherry on the southern peninsula.
Check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Evening Kathakali dance drama, enacting epics from the Hindu Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Brunton Boatyard

Taj Malabar Resort & Spa

 


The Malabar House

Eighth Bastion

Day 17 – 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.
Evening enjoy the Sunset while cruising in the harbour.
Overnight at hotel.

Accommodation Options


CGH Brunton Boatyard

Taj Malabar Resort & Spa

 


The Malabar House

Eighth Bastion

Day 18 – Depart Cochin
Transfer to airport in in time to board your flight back home.

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