South India Explorer

You will be meet at the airport and taken Hassan, located in the heart of the Malanad region.

The district of Hassan provides the start of your tour with a culture injection.. It has a rich heritage, and was at the height of its glory during the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 10^th to the 14^thcenturies. Here you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hoysala Temples, as well as ancient Jain monuments.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 210 km

Accommodation: Hoysala Village, Hassan

Today is packed with the fascinating history of the Hoysala Empire as you visit the heritage towns of Belur and Halabidu.

First, you will visit Belur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will be amazed by the intricate carvings and statues of the Chennakeshava and Veeranrayana Temples, which should be top of any South Indian temples to visit.

This is followed by a visit to Halebidu, the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th Century. You will have the chance to admire the ornate Hoysaleswara Temple, before returning to the Holsaya Village for a second night.

Accommodation: Hoysala Village, Hassan

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning its a total change of scenery as you leave Hassan for the beautiful hill station of Kodagu, a tranquil area with green, tea-carpeted hills, misty forests and numerous coffee and spice plantations. Kodagu is well known as the place where most Indian coffee is produced, but it is also home to a large variety of animals.

On route there is a visit to the oldest Tibetan settlement in India, Bylakuppe, where colourful prayer flags flutter in the wind. Here you can experience the Golden Temple, ornately decorated both on the inside and out with vibrant friezes of Tibetan art, regularly used by the monks as a place of worship and prayer.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 115 km

Accommodation: The School Estate, Kodagu

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today is free to relax and explore the tranquil 200 acre estate, where you will find cardamom, coffee, pepper and areca nut plantations. These plantations, are dotted with numerous native and rare trees, and attract a wide variety of birds.

Accommodation: The School Estate, Kodagu

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast you will travel to Mysuru, a city with a rich cultural heritage, which is located at the foot of the Chamundi hills. In the afternoon your tour continues with a short drive into the Chamundi Hills, where you will be able to get a panoramic view of the city and see the Nandi Bull – a huge statue carved from stone.

Any trip to India should include some souvenir shopping and Mysuru  is famous for its colourful silks. These can be purchased from shops around the city, including the Government Silk Factory. Centuries old Devaraja Market provides another unique shopping experience. This bustling market is a feast for the senses, with vibrant cones of coloured dyes, exotic fruits and fragrant flowers.

Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a trip to the famous Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy a rowing boat cruise along the River Cauvery, where you will see hundreds of birds roosting on the rocks, gliding across the water, or fishing for food. Expect to see sleek black cormorants, river terns and black crowned night herons.

This is followed by an exciting afternoon for all for culture lovers with a  tour of Mysuru. As the former capital of the Kingdom of Mysuru, it is known as the ‘City of Palaces’. The most spectacular of these is Mysuru Palace, with its high domed ceilings, ornate marble pillars and towering stone arches. After visiting the palace, we drive to the Sri Rangapattanam district to see the Tipu Sultan’s lavish Summer Palace and the ruins of the Tipu Sultan’s Fort, both of which boast large, manicured gardens.

Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysuru

Meals Included: Breakfast

The next couple of days is a real treat for nature lovers. After breakfast, you travel to Nagarhole National Park, which is amongst the most popular national parks in India. It’s an area of lush forest threaded by the Kabini River and backwaters, which provides water for hundreds of different animals. Here you can spot wild elephants and sometimes even a tiger.

In the afternoon, explore a forest track in a jeep, looking out for animals hidden in the undergrowth, You will spend the night in a luxury safari lodge, giving you the opportunity to pamper yourself whilst surrounded by nature.

Accommodation: Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Enjoy a full day of jungle activities with early morning and afternoon game drives.

An early morning game drive is recommended, as the animals are most active at this time of day. You will be travelling in an open-top vehicle, so make sure you bring something warm to wear. Look out for elephants, tigers, spotted deer, mongoose, peacocks and jungle fowl.

Later you can go on an expedition with a local naturalist, so make sure you pack sunscreen and a hat.

Accommodation: Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After an early morning game drive your journey continues to Bandipur National Park.

After lunch you can relax and enjoy the local facilities.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hours, 80 kms

Accommodation: Dhole’s Den, an eco-conscious jungle lodge, Bandipur

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Enjoy a full day of jungle activities with early morning and afternoon game drives

Early morning game drives in an open vehicle can feel quite cold and proper protection is recommended including layers of clothing, that can come off as the sun comes out, and something to cover your head, ears and hands.

Accommodation: Dhole’s Den, an eco-conscious jungle lodge, Bandipur

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, there is time to enjoy another game drive before setting off to Ooty, known as the ‘Queen of Nilgiris’. It’s a short 2 hour drive through the Mudumalai National Park and scenic Masinagudi before arriving at this former Raj hill station.

The evening is at leisure to explore the town. There is plenty to do and see in this beautiful historic town.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hour 30 mins, 70 kms

Accommodation: Taj Savoy, Ooty

Meals included: Breakfast

The morning is at leisure, giving you time to visit St Stephen’s Church and the botanical gardens. After lunch you will be taken to Ooty Train Station to board your first class carriage on the Nilgiri Hill Train.

The mountain railway, or ‘toy train’ as it is most commonly known, was built by the British in 1908 and still relies on its fleet of trusty steam locomotives. This long journey on the original narrow gauge tracks is for many a trip highlight with its spellbinding scenery.

This heritage ‘toy train’ will take you across quaint bridges and through small hillside tunnels, passing by undulating green hills and shady forests. At Mettupalayam Railway Station you will be met by your driver (and your luggage) and taken to your hotel in Coimbatore.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hour 30 minutes train travel and 1 hour road travel, 90 kms

Accommodation: The Residency Towers, Coimbatore

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast it’s a late morning start for the scenic drive through the plains of Tamil Nadu and forest lands of Chinnar wildlife sanctuary before reaching majestic Munnar, home to lush tea plantation in the mountainous Western Ghats.

In the evening, you can stroll through the cardamom and spice plantation at the estate.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours 30 mins, 150 kms

Accommodation: Windermere Estate, set in the middle of vast plantations, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast an hour’s journey will take you to Yellapetty Village, From the village it’s a chance to stretch your legs with a 3 kms walk to the camp site. The walk begins through the tea pickers village, the tea estates and a Shola forest. The last bit of the walk is up the mountain slope that does have a couple of short steep bits but should be fine for a healthy person who is used to walking.

Located high on the slopes of Meesapulimalai with the verdant forests on one side and the stunning views of the valley below, Camp Footprint is beautifully located. Camp Footprint is perfect  for the young at heart who are looking for an adventure but appreciate some comfort.

At Camp Footprint you will get a cosy bed, private en-suite facilities, great local food, personalized service and an unbeatable view right from your room. Learn more about Camp Footprint.

Approximate travel time and distance: 1 hour, 28 kms

Accommodation: Camp Footprint, Yellapetty

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning you can enjoy a walk in the hills with a local naturalist. The walk starts at the camp with a short briefing and typically lasts for about 3-4 hours. This area is home to a few endemic and a wide variety of birdlife. Most people find the walk a very will rewarding experience and we are happy to arrange shorter or longer walks

Later, it’s time to enjoy a tea tasting experience where you will be shown the various types and grades of tea. You will be taught how to tell if the tea is of good quality and how to brew your own perfect cuppa.

Accommodation: Camp Footprint, Yellapetty

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

The day begins with a walk back to Yellpetty village where you will be met and taken to Paniyeli Poru in the Malayattoor forest range. A short ride from the forest check post on a 4X4 vehicle followed by a canoe ride brings you to Quiet By The River, a boutique riverside accommodation, where you stay for two nights.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4 hours, 120 km

Accommodation: Quiet By The River, Malayattoor

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

The are various activities you can enjoy today including a forest walk, bird watching, a night trek, a country boat ride on the Periyar River or why not take a dip in the pools formed by the natural streams.

Accommodation: Quiet By The River, Malayattoor

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you are feeling active you can enjoy a canoe ride this morning before being taken by 4WD back to the forest check post to meetup with your car and driver. You’ll then be taken to the cosmopolitan port city of Cochin for your final adventure.

Accommodation: Eighth Bastion, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you get to explore Cochin, a melting pot of cultures, religions and nationalities. You’ll see St Francis Church, which is the oldest European church in India, as well as the lavish 16^th century Jewish Synagogue. Then you can explore the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace due to its colonial influences. It also houses colourfully painted murals depicting the ancient Indian poem Ramayana.

The afternoon is at leisure, so you may wish to wander around the quaint cobbled streets which house a number of interesting antique and souvenier shops.

In the evening, enjoy a boat trip past Cochin’s island shores. As the sun sets, you’ll see the famous cantilevered fishing nets. It’s fascinating to watch the fishermen skilfully dip the hammock-like nets into the water, silhouetted against the orange and pink sky.

Accommodation: Eighth Bastion*, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

You will be transferred to Cochin airport for your flight back to the UK

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing & Inclusions

Price guide for this 20 day South India Explorer tour is:

• £3490 in low season
• £3790 in high season

The prices do not include flights.

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid December to mid January.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

Included with this tour are the following:

• All internal road travel by a private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle.
• All scheduled sightseeing expenses and entrance fee at monuments.
• All game drives at national parks as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Accommodation for 19 nights on double occupancy/twin share.
• First class train ticket for Ooty – Mettupalayam train travel.
• Meal Plan: The School Estate, Kaav Safari Lodge, Dhole’s Den, Camp Footprint and Quiet by the River on Full Board; Bed & Breakfast elsehwhere.

Price does not include:

• International flight tickets
• Travel insurance & Visas
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages etc
• Meals other than mentioned in the above meal plan
• Camera & video fees at national parks, museums & monuments

Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call Authentic India Tours on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Bengaluru (Bangalore) to Cochin (Kochi) South India Holiday is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.