The Western Ghats stretch out like a mountainous spine for around 1400km from the north of Mumbai, across Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, before petering out at the southernmost tip of Tamil Nadu. The hills (with an average elevation of 915m) are covered with evergreen & deciduous forest, & are the source of all the major rivers in South India.
The misty hills, lush green valleys, evergreen forests, meandering brooks beckon nature lovers for a tranquil sojourn. The region is scattered with hamlets, villages & townships surrounded by coffee plantations, orange groves interspersed with cardamom and pepper plants & dense forests. It is a land of dramatic contrasts – from coffee & spice plantations in Wayanad and Coorg, herds of elephants in Nagarhole National Park, intricacy & profusion of sculptural work in the temples & palaces of historic town of Mysore.
Day 1: Arrive Bangalore/Mysore- On arrival you will be met & we will continue drive to Mysore, the political capital of the Wodeyar dynasty which ruled Karnataka for some 150 years till the independence of the country from the British. The kings, great patrons of art & culture, developed Mysore as an important centre of religion, education and culture. A city of palatial buildings & tree-lined boulevards, laid-back Mysore is possessed of a quaint charm, a dignified hangover from the days when it was the capital of a rich princely state. Today, Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shaded avenues & sacred temples & retains some of the charm of the old world while stepping into modernity with enthusiasm. Famous for its traditional painting & its silk, sandalwood & incense production, Mysore is now promoting itself as an international centre for Ashtanga Yoga. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 2: Mysore- Breakfast. Morning tour of the Mysore Palace, built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace is an imposing structure standing in the heart of the city. An earlier palace burnt down in 1897 and the present one, designed by English architect Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 at a cost of Rs 4.5 million. 15 years of nonstop construction produced a fabulous domed, arched, colonnaded, and turreted structure with lavish interiors — teak ceilings, carved marble handrails, gilded pillared halls, ivory deities, rococo lamp stands, Italian crystal chandeliers, stained-glass windows, miles of white marble floors, and ceilings made from stained glass brought all the way from Glasgow. It will be hard to find an undecorated section of wall or ceiling; frescoes, paintings, statues, and delicate relief carvings recall religious as well as secular scenes, including glorious state processions. Within the inner courtyards, growling stone felines guard stairways, while elsewhere, elaborately carved rosewood doors mark the entrances of yet more splendid halls and chambers. Paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, golden chariots, gilt-framed mirrors, stately family portraits (including a wax sculpture of the maharajah), and all manner of ornate fantasy objects add to the spectacle of abundant wealth. Visit Saint Philomena’s Church, built in the Gothic style, it has some beautiful stain glass windows. Also, visit Chamundi Hill, famous for the Mahishasura statue and Chamundeswari Temple. This afternoon excursion to Srirangapatnam and the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Tipu’s summer palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh is set in ornamental gardens and is notable for its beautiful interior decoration. Not one inch has been left unadorned, with fascinating floor-to-ceiling murals depicting courtly life and Tipu’s campaigns against the British. The man himself can be glimpsed in a portrait by John Zoffony, which was painted in 1780 when Tipu was 30. Evening visit the Brindavan Gardens, beautifully terraced garden, laid out on the side of the Krishnasagar dam. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3: Mysore/Kabini- Breakfast. Morning drive to Nagarhole National Park, located in the area where the Western Ghats integrate with the Deccan Plateau on the Brahmagiri hill range provides a backdrop to the park and the park has gently undulating terrain crisscrossed by many rivers and streams. Afternoon enjoy a safari in the park. Lunch, Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 4: Kabini/Wayanad- Breakfast. Morning drive to Wayanad. Replete with waterfalls, historical caves, comfortable resorts and homestays, Wayanad in Kerala is famous for its spice plantations and wildlife. Walking through the sprawling spice plantations, trekking to the pre-historic caves are one of the many things you can do to get a taste of Wayanad. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Wayanad- Breakfast. Full day at leisure to enjoy your resort & the bountiful nature. You may wish to visit tea, pepper, cardamom, coffee, banana, & coconut plantations, or take one of the many splendid walks on the scenic estate; alternatively, take a trip into the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary or visit Thirunelly Temple. Also visit Kuruva Island – a 950 acre protected river delta system (collection of small islands) on the Kabini River, an uninhabited island. Rare species of birds, orchids and herbs are the sovereigns of this beautiful patch of land. Also noteworthy is a visit to Banasura Sagar Dam, which is Asia’s second biggest earth dam & the Edakkal Caves in the Ambukuthy Mountains, there are some interesting carvings from the pre-historic era. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Wayanad- Breakfast. Early start and proceed for a village tour. The Kurichia Tribal was instrumental in the Guerilla war fare between Pazhassi Raja and the British. At the village Govindan of this tribal community will take you through his collection of old tools and weapons used in the Warfare. Learn how to build a tribal’s bow or watch in awe as his skilled hands makes one. Though many of them look a bit modern these days, they still maintain their earlier life style and these visits helps to understand their way of living which is indeed different. There will also be a Visit to either pottery or a black smith Before you check on Uravu – a non government organisation- supporting the community by promoting natural resources especially Bamboo. See the cultivation and processing of Bamboo and the final handicrafts products. Back to your Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Wayanad/Calicut & Depart- Breakfast. Morning transfer to Calicut airport for your onward flight
HOTELS
The recommended hotels in each category have been personally inspected by us or, occasionally, by our trusted representative, and their selection do not depend on photoshopped images available online. They are international standard hotels, well maintained properties, with high quality professional and personalised services. The program can be customised with your particular choice of hotels or a “Mix and Match” of hotels mentioned in different categories, as per your interest & budgets.
TOUR PRICES PER PERSON
Approx. prices based minimum 2 persons travelling together sharing a double/twin-bedded room
(Speak to us for firm prices & to customise the program as per your travel dates & budgets)
CATEGORY OF HOTELS | JANUARY- MARCH |
Standard, 5* | ₹62600/USD899 |
Tour Prices Include
• Accommodation 06 Nights in the mentioned or similar hotels
• Daily breakfast
• Full Board meals in EVOLVE BACK KURUBA SAFARI LODGE, KABINI
• Transfers from airport to hotel and vice-versa with assistance, tours & excursions as per itinerary by private air-conditioned car with driver with Free Wi-Fi & mineral water/soft beverages
• Tours & Excursions transfers as per itinerary by private air-conditioned car with driver
• Local English-speaking guides in each city
• Entrances to monuments & included features as per itinerary
• 24/7 Concierge Service (+91 9818448420) for any emergencies
• All service fees & current taxes
Does not include
• International & Internal airfares
• Any Tours & Excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
• Any meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
• Passport & Visa Fee
• Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, telephone calls, Wi-Fi, Spa services, minibar at hotels, etc.
• Any Tips/Gratuities for airport representatives, guides, drivers, baggage porters, restaurant staff, etc.
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
Important Notes
• This program can further customised as per your travel dates, interests & budgets
• Prices are based on the present tax structure, guide fees, fuel charges and entrances to monuments. If there is any change, the prices also will change accordingly
• In case of fluctuations in the exchange rate, the USD prices are subject to change
• Prices are not valid for the peak season- Christmas/New Year, December 20- January 06.
Call us or WhatsApp +91 9650148702 or email info@aatmantours.com for a personalised quotation for this trip customised as per your travel dates & budgets. Your personalised quotation will be accompanied by our exclusive menu of optional experiential activities in each city to enhance your overall experience of the trip.