South India Wildlife and Backwaters
14 Days
Suitable for families with young children
0
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Moderate
5-7 hours activity per day with steep uphill and downhill sections or high passes. Some days at high altitudes, good level of physical fitness recommended.
Our tour through the culturally enchanting and verdant landscapes of South India showcases the varied charms of this tropical region. We’ll explore ancient Hindu temples and lavish palaces, enjoy picturesque hill walks, see exotic wildlife in its natural habitat and relax on a houseboat cruise through the famous Kerala backwaters.
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Tour Highlights
- Searching for wild elephants and tigers in national parks including Bandipur, Mudumalai, Nagarahole
- The toy train journey through the hills from Ooty
- Munnar hill station with its picturesque tea gardens
- The handsome old seaport of Cochin
- The spice garden at Periyar and boat safari on Periyar lake
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Nov
- Dec
Tour Details
We begin in the modern metropolis of Bangalore, at the cutting edge of India’s technology boom, before heading west to Mysore, one of the most attractive old cities in the country. We’ll marvel at the opulence of the Maharaja’s Palace, a highlight of an enjoyable day’s sightseeing.
From here it’s up into the verdant heights of the Western Ghats, taking in the national parks of Nagarhole and adjoining Bandipur and Mudumalai – which together form the largest protected wildlife area in southern India. On a series of game drives we’ll seek out wild elephants, tigers, sloth bears and a variety of deer and primate species.
From Bandipur, we will spend a day walking and sightseeing in the picturesque hill station of Ooty – with a ride on the so-called ‘toy train’ through the hills – before crossing the state-line on our way to Munnar in Kerala. Next we will visit breathtakingly beautiful wildlife sanctuaries at Eravikulam and Periyar, taking a boat-ride on the spectacular Periyar lake with its colourful birdlife.
The final stage of this cultural and natural exploration of South India sees us descend to the lush Kerala coast, spending a night on a houseboat on a tour of the famous Kerala backwaters to Alleppey. We finish our tour in the romantic old spice town of Cochin, a trading post on the Arabian sea since Roman times.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Bangalore
Arrive Bangalore and transfer to hotel; afternoon and evening free
Arrive at the International Airport of Bangalore. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and Later board the vehicle and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Bangalore is the capital city of Indian state Karnataka and officially known as Bengaluru; located on the Deccan Plateau. Rest of the day is free for us to relax at the hotel or can explore the surrounding area on own.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Mysore
Drive to Mysore
This day we leave Bangalore and drive towards Mysore (Distance: 150km); Mysore used to be the capital city of Kingdom of Mysore and now it is the 3rd largest city of Indian state Karnataka. It is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills; we reach there and check-in to the hotel and relax. Later we drive to Srirangapatna (Distance: 25km approx.); it is a river island formed by River Kaveri and an important place of religious, historic and culture. Here we visit Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Tippu Sultan, Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Daria Daulat. Srirangapattna was the capital of Tipu Sultan and it is said that both Tippu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali made generous endowments to the Ranganathaswamy temple. This enormous temple has fort like walls and it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Ranganatha. Later we drive back to Mysore and visit Mysore Palace; it is considered as the largest palace and is also known as Amba Vilas Palace. Mysore is often described as ‘City of Palaces’ and then we visit Chamundi Hills where lies the famous Chamundeshwari Temple. Afterwards we return back to hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 03 - Nagarhole
Morning drive towards Nagarhole National Park en-route visit Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Tibetan settlement
This morning we drive towards Nagarhole National Park (Distance: 100km approx.); it is located in the two districts of Mysore and Kodagu in the Indian state Karnataka. The park was set up in the year 1955 as a wildlife sanctuary and it derives its name from two Kannada words that is ‘Nagar’ means snake and ‘Hole’ means stream. The park has varieties of wildlife including tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole (Indian wild dog) and gaur (Indian bison) and also many species of birds can be found in the park. En-route we visit The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Tibetan settlement; after spending some time we continue our drive to Nagarhole National Park. We reach there and check-in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 04 - Nagarhole
Morning game drive in the park and evening is free
Morning we proceed for the game drive (Jeep safari) into the park to explore the flora and fauna. After the game drive we return back to hotel and rest of the day is free for us to relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 05 - Bandipur
Drive towards Bandipur National Park and evening jeep safari in the park
Today after breakfast we leave behind Nagarhole National Park and drive towards Bandipur National Park (Distance: 130km). Bandipur National Park is a tiger reserve under project tiger and it was set up in 1974. The park is situated between where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats. We reach there and check-in to the hotel and in the afternoon we proceed for the Jungle safari into the park. Here we get a chance to witness different varieties of flora and fauna; after the safari we return back to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 06 - Ooty
Bandipur National Park to Ooty drive
This day we drive from Bandipur National Park to the Nilgiri Hills of Ooty (Distance: 55km). A fabulous hill station used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2240m above sea level. Afternoon we reach there and check-in to hotel; rest of the day is free for us to relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 07 - Ooty
Morning toy train journey and later sightseeing of Ooty
Early morning after breakfast we take a short toy train journey to Coimbatore and later we drive back to Ooty and then we proceed for the sightseeing tour of this beautiful hill station, we visit Botanical gardens, which shows the explicit collections of flowering trees and shrubs. We visit Rose garden and Doddabetta peak, which is a view point from where the whole of Ooty can be seen and afterwards we head to Wax museum is also known as ‘melody world’. A boat ride at Ooty Lake can also be arranged as an optional activity.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 08 - Munnar
Drive to Munnar
Today we drive through the hills to Munnar (Distance: 250km); it is a beautiful hill station situated in the Western Ghats range of mountains at an altitude of 1600m above sea level. Munnar was once the summer resort of British Government in South India and it is popular for its vast tea plantations. Reach there in the afternoon and check-in to the hotel; rest of the day is free for us to relax at the hotel and enjoy the beauty of the Munnar.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 09 - Munnar
Visit Eravikulam National Park and back to hotel
Morning after breakfast we head to Eravikulam National Park situated in the high ranges of Southern Western Ghats and the 1st national park in the Indian state of Kerala. The park is home to the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr and it is popular for its beautiful rolling grasslands and Sholas. Anamudi (2695m) is the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India and located in the southern region of Eravikulam National Park. After the visit into the park we return back to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 10 - Periyar
Drive to Periyar, reach and check-in to the hotel. Afternoon visit spice garden
This day we start driving to Thekkady (Distance: 100km approx.) and enter into the hills of Thekkady, we reach Periyar National Park in the afternoon; Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and also notable as an Elephant reserve and a Tiger reserve. It was declared as the Periyar National Park in 1982 and it is set in the high ranges of Southern Western Ghats in Cardamom Hills. We reach there and check-in to the hotel; in the afternoon we visit to the spice garden and get a chance to witness different varieties of spices.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 11 - Alleppey
Morning enjoy jungle walk in the park and later drive to Alleppey; reach and check-in to the houseboat
Today early morning we proceed for the jungle walk into the national park and later after breakfast we drive towards Alleppey (Distance: 150km approx.) a backwater heaven interlocked with lakes and canals. The network of canals is used for inland navigation. A vast stretch of paddy fields make this place as the rice bowl of Kerala. Apart from rice production the coir making and boat building is a thriving industry in this area. Houseboat or a Backwater Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Alleppey is the most exciting holiday experience. Reach there and board the traditional houseboat and enjoy the backwaters.
Overnight Houseboat
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DAY 12 - Kochi
Drive towards Kochi
Morning we drive to Kochi (Distance: 70km); Kochi is also known as Cochin - the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, it is one of the finest natural and major harbor city of Kerala and it has a cosmopolitan culture highly influenced by historical trading partners. Afternoon and evening free for us to explore the town or relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 13 - Kochi
Full day sightseeing of Kochi
In the morning after breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kochi, we start with Mattancherry Palace also known as the Dutch Palace; it was built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma (1537–65), Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD. Visit Jewish Synagogue, it is the oldest synagogue in all the Commonwealth of Nations and was built by Malabar Yehudan People, or Cochin Jewish community. Then we visit St. Francis Church, it is the oldest European church in India and was built in the beginning of 16th century. Later visit The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, it is a very popular tourist attraction. These nets are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. After that we return back to hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 14 - Kochi
Departure to the International airport of Kochi
Now today you will be assisted by our KVT’s representative while checking out at the hotel then you will be transferred to the International Airport of Kochi to board the flight for back home.
Tour Map
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Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.
