Travelpack

Highlights: Chennai - Chikmangalur - Mysore - Kabini - Ooty - Cochin

Hotels:
Bangalore - Royal Orchid Central Bangalore 4*
Chikmagalur - The Serai Resorts 4.5*
Mysore - Hotel Sandesh The Prince 4*
Kabini - The Serai Resorts Kabini 5*
Ooty - Taj Savoy Hotel 5*
Cochin – Radisson Blu 5*

Itinerary:

Day 1:
London Heathrow to Dubai by flight
Dubai to Bangalore by flight

08:55 hrs: Arrive Bangalore airport. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your overnight hotel for an Overnight stay. A short tour of Bangalore.

The Bull Temple:
Constructed in the 16th Century- It has been named after the gray granite sacred bull Nandi, carved out of a single block. Vidhan Soudha – It is a four storied building. It houses the state Legislative Assembly and part of the Secretariat. The main feature of this building is its architectural style- acombination of traditional and modern styles. The building is illuminated on Sunday evenings.

Lalbagh:
A Botanical Garden spread over 240 acres. It was originally called Lalbagh because the garden had a profusion of red roses. It also has a greenhouse with a collection of unusual flora.

Gavipuram Cave Temple:
Devoted to Lord Shiva. A special feature is that on a particular day in the month of January, a ray of sunlight penetrates and strikes the ‘Linga’ in the sanatorium.

Day 2: Bangalore to Chikmagalur, 250 Km/ 5hrs
Leave Bangalore’s glass citadels behind on ever narrowing roads to hit the hills of Chikmagalur, Coffee Country. Chickmagalur is a forested hilly region set against a mountainous backdrop of the Western Ghats, and now famous for its coffee plantations, being the place where coffee was first grown in India. It also carries a long history. This charming hill station was the cradle of the powerful Hoysala Dynasty.

Upon arrival at Chikmagalur check in at your hotel. Drive over to Belur and Halebid after lunch. Belur and Halebid are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Halebid was the 12th century capital of the Hoysalas. The Hoysaleswara temple was built during this time by Ketamala and attributed to Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala ruler.

Day 3: Chikmangalur
This is a day for some more history, to go back into time. Another UNESCO heritage site awaits. The awe-inspiring Jain monuments gives you a view of the world’s largest monolith at Shravanabelagola.

Day 4: Chikmangalur 
Get back to explore the music of the hills, in an amazing coffee tour. Get educated, get inspired, get some great coffee.

Day 5: Chikmangalur to Mysore, 117 Km/ 3 Hrs
Drive to Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka, is one of history’s oldest cities, boasting the beautiful Brindavan gardens as well as royal palaces, and throbbing with life, commerce and activity. Here you find spots of old-world charm untouched by modern living. Upon arrival at Mysore, check in at hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 6: Mysore
Get ready for your tryst with royalty. The Mysore palace is one of the most visited palaces in the world. It was the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore, and also housed the durbar (royal offices). Also take a stroll around the beautiful Brindavan Gardens, a much-talked-about botanical park, full of exciting fountains, as well as boat rides beneath the dam, built by the Diwans of Mysore. See if you can catch the musical fountain.

Day 7: Mysore to Kabini, 90 Km/2 Hrs
Today after breakfast drive to Kabini next – a breath-taking drive away, and right into the heart of wildlife land, both which boast resorts of The Serai. Kabini, an extended part of the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is home to thousands of large mammals like tiger, leopard and Asia’s largest herd of elephants, crocodiles, reptiles and almost 300 species of birds. Our resort unfurls on the banks of the Kabini reservoir, and offers great views of the mountains as well as interesting rides out by boat. Get ready for life-changing moments during the wildlife safari at Nagarhole National Park, followed by hours of pampering at The Serai – its spa and its restaurants and its bar overlooking the river/ mountains. Upon arrival at Kabini, check in at hotel.

Day 8: Kabini
Get up close and personal with Nature through a guided Nature Walk with our trained professional naturalists, and get acquainted with various plants, and spoor of animals. Go on the enchanting wildlife safari once again.

Day 9: Kabini to Ooty, 145 Km/3 Hr
Ooty, the erstwhile summer headquarters of the British government. Lush green valley, terraced plantations and a pleasant climate makes Ooty one of South India’s most popular hill stations.

Day 10: Ooty (Coonoor, by train)
In the morning board the Nilgiri Mountain Railway – toy train to Coonoor, travelling across plantations and forest clad hills with breathtaking views. Return back to Ooty viaroad to enjoy the sights of this lovely hill station.

Day 11:
Ooty to Cochin by surface (Approx. 100 Kms, 3 Hrs)
Coimbatore to Ernakulam by train

Drive to Coimbatore in time to board your train to Cochin. 16:55 Hrs: Arrive Ernakulam railway station. Meet and welcome at Ernakulam railway station and transfer to hotel for a 2 nights stay. Evening cooking demonstration and dinner with local family.

Day 12: Cochin
Morning proceed for a city tour visiting the Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday) – The place has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata & Ramayana, Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday) – the oldest synagogue in the world is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, was built in 1568. St. Francis Church is the oldest church built by Europeans in India & huge, elegant Chinese fishing nets that line the tip of Fort Cochin.

In afternoon make your way to drive to Marine Drive where a cruise ship will be docked and ready for boarding. Your 1.5 hours cruise will take you on the waterway of Cochin Harbour offering picturesque seaside views of the Kochi.

Day 13:
Cochin to Dubai by flight
Dubai to London Heathrow by flight

In time transfer to Cochin airport to board flight for London Heathrow via Dubai.

Offer Includes