South India Adventure: 9-Nights

Arrive Bangalore in the early morning - meet & transfer to Mysore (04 hrs drive). On arrival check-in at the RADISSON MYSORE (rooms reserved for early check-in). Afternoon tour of Mysore, visiting Mysore Palace - historical palace and royal residence, Devaraja Market -  an apt place to get a flavor of local people's daily life & Chamundi Hill Mysore Palace: The City Palace was designed in a passionately florid Indo-Saracenic style by the British architect Henry Irwin to house Wodeyar royal family.  Domestic, courtly and ceremonial activities took place within the complex, especially in the spectacular audience hall. Today there is a museum within the palace and its numerous carved wood and silver doors, stained glass mirrors and historical paintings announce the wealth and prestige that garnered to the Wodeyar family during their long rule.   The Palace is also a Museum -  The entry to the palace is through the 'Gombe Thotti' or the Doll's Pavilion, a gallery of Indian and European sculpture and ceremonial objects. Overnight at the RADISSON MYSORE

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Accommodations: Raidisson Mysore

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Meals: Lunch, Dinner

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Morning visit Somnathpur Temple  - consecrated in 1258CE by Somnatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King. The ornate temple is a model illustration of the Hoysala architecture. Afternoon visit Srirangapattana  - the monuments of the island town of Srirangapatana has been nominted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Major attractions are summer Palace of Tipu Sultan, Tipu Sultant Gumbaz, Srirangapatana Fort, etc. Overnight at the RADISSON MYSORE

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Accommodations: Radisson

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, drive to Nagerhole National park, is a wildlife reserve in the Southern India, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Kabini river winds through jungle landscapes, home to tigers, Asian elephants and variety of birds. Afternoon game viewing jeep safari / boat ride (depends on availability) Nagarhole National Park : Nagarhole is reputed to offer the finest wildlife viewing in Southern India, it is one part of a complex of conservation areas that form the largest protected natural area in all of India.  In its northern and western sectors, Nagarahole has higher rainfall; the forests here are tall, desnse, and evergreen, and are composed of trees such as Indian rosewood, teak, and sandalwood.   This is the habitat of the unusual lion-tailed macaque. Most of the park, however, and especially around the Kabini reservoir, is characterized by deciduous forest and bamboo, the shores of the Kabini  reservoir are  covered with open grassland.   Although much of the park is forested, the lakeshore grasslands make animal viewing much easie, and there is much to see. Nagarhole is famous for its large herds of elephant and gaur, and it has plenty of chital (spotted deer), and sambar deer, Tiger, wild dog, and leopard can also found here as well as bonnet macaque, common or "Hanuman" langur, and a whole slew of small carnivores, including the lovely  leopard cat.  Oddities include Mouse Deer (Indian Chevrotain), barking deer, and the ever-elusive Indian pangolin (which is admittedly hard to find). The lovely giant Malabar squirrel is common. There is more than 250 species of birds. Overnight at the EVOLVE BACK KABINI

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Accommodations: Evolve Back Kabini

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Morning game viewing jeep safari/  boatride (depends on availability). After breakfast, drive to Ooty. Evening visit Botanical Garden - laid out in 1848. The gardens, divided into several sections, cover an area of around 55 hectares. Also take a Toy Train ride from Ooty to Coonor (departs Ooty at 1730 hrs & arrive Coonoor at 1840hrs). Deboard at Conoor & drive back to Ooty. Overnight at the TAJ SAVOY.

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Accommodations: Taj Savoy

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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A day long drive to Munnar through Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary. This interesting area of riparian forest and associated dry deciduous forest hosts a number of interesting species like Legge’s Hawk-Eagle. It is also home to the localized Grizzled Giant Squirrel. On arrival Munnar, check-in at the WINDERMERE ESTATE Overnight at the WINDERMERE ESTATE

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Accommodations: Windermere Estate

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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A hill station and former resort for the British Raj Elite, it's surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat "Nilgiri Tahar. Morning visit to Eravikulam National Park & Tea Factory. Eravikulam National Park. Here in the sholas (immediately recognized at these high altitudes by their beautiful flowering rhododendrons) we will search for a number of South India endemics including Kerala Laughingthrush, and White-bellied Blue Robin. Afternoon a short trek through the cardmom plantations Overnight at the WINDERMERE ESTATE

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Accommodations: Windermere Estate

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Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After early breakfast, drive to Alleppey. Alleppey - known as "Venice of the East" It's best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic Kerala backwaters, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons. Upon arrival Alleppey, board HOUSEBOAT for an enchanting backwater cruise and overnight stay. Lunch, Dinner on board HOUSEBOAT

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Accommodations: Houseboat

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Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, disembark Houseboat & drive to Kochi. Kochi - known as "Queen of Arabian Sea", It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries. Evening witness Kathakali Dance (traditional Dance Drama performance) in a Local Theatre Overnight at the VIVANTA BY TAJ MALABAR

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Accommodations: Vivanta by Taj Malabar

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Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Sightseeing tour of Kochi covering, St. Francis Church - first European Church in India, Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace & Jewish Synagogue. Afternoon at leisure. Evening enjoy a Sunset boatcruise organized by the hotel. Overnight at the VIVANTA BY TAJ MALABAR

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Accommodations: Vivanta by Taj Malabar

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Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Transfer to Airport to connect your onward flight (holding room upto 1200 hrs)

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Accommodations: None (Depart Home)

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Meals Provided: Breakfast

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