Day 01: Arrive Bangalore

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our Tour Executive at the airport lounge with an India Tailor Made signboard. Transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at Bangalore. (No Meals)

Day 02: Bangalore – Mysore (Driving Time: Approx. 3 hours)

This morning after breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of the “city of gardens” as it is commonly known because of its beautiful parks, avenues and gardens. Bangalore was founded in the 16th century by Chieftain Kempe Gowda but never came upon the scene till Tipu Sultan converted it into the summer capital of Mysore. The Wodeyar’s also contributed to developing the city through gardens and parks they built. But to the British goes the credit of making it into an administrative centre. Bangalore has now become one of Asia’s fastest-growing cities and because of its high concentration of IT industry is now pegged as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Visit The Bull Temple; carved out of single granite rock, it houses the magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull Nandi, Bangalore Palace; Built in the Tudor style and inspired by Windsor Palace, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. After lunch travel to Mysore. On arrival transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight at Mysore. (B)

Day 03: Mysore

The one-time capital of the Mysore Maharaja, it is the second biggest city in Karnataka state, which still preserves its age-old glory in its majestic palaces, forts and gardens. While peeping into history, one finds that Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyar’s and was their capital. Under the Wodeyar’s patronization, the city developed as the centre of art and craft. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood oils, rosewood carved products and Mysore silk saris. After breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour and visit Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore, the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor) built in 1911–1912 is the harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. The evening takes a walk in the Brindavan gardens and enjoys the spectacular “Musical Dancing Fountains”. Dinner and overnight at Mysore. (B)

Day 04: Mysore – Ooty via Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Driving Time Approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Ooty visiting Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary en route. The sylvan hilly topography of the Western Ghats renders Madhumalai (ancient hills) a highly attractive wildlife reserve because it is clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests.

On arrival go on wildlife Jeep safari; the terrain of the wildlife sanctuary is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrubs forests compared with the nearby reserves. The sanctuary is home to the wild elephant, gaur, deer and primates like the bonnet macaque and langur. The predators that inhabit the park are the tiger, leopard and dhole – the Asiatic wild dog that hunts in packs. The predators of the skies are the crested hawk eagle and the crested serpent eagle, with the rest of the avian population boasting of flamboyant, hornbills, the great black woodpecker with its red crest, mynas, barbets, parakeets, tiny eared owl and owl, to name a few. After the park visit drive continue to Ooty; arrive and check in at the hotel. Stay for two nights in Ooty. (B)

Day 05: Ooty sightseeing

After breakfast enjoys the sightseeing tour of Ooty, known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', snugly ensconced in the heart of the Nilgiris. This scenic hill station is dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls, gurgling brooks, and terraces of lush green tea gardens, orchards of peaches and plums and eucalyptus. Founded by the British in the early part of the 19th century, Ooty is home to many Britishers who have fallen in love with this hill station where they discovered a little bit of England. “.....such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud” is how Lord Lytton-Viceroy of India from 1876-1880 described Ooty to his wife. Before that time, the area was inhabited by the tribal people; visit the Botanical Gardens, Lake, and tribal Village. A hill station with a landscape perpetually enveloped in mist, Ooty’s beauty has a timeless appeal.

Evening experience the most enchanting “toy train” ride from Coonoor to Ooty (01 hours / 15 minutes journey); A century after it first attracted travellers, the Nilgiri Mountain Toy train continues to inspire weaving through forests, moving through time, along the valleys and into the little dark winding tunnels, round the bends, up the gradients, through the glens, trees and birds. A whiff of mist, a myna's trill, sunlight dances on yonder hill, whistling, chugging, fire, steam-clacking, moving into a dream Gorge, gorgeous, misty, foggy shrouded peaks, drizzles clothe the slopes. Stay Overnight at Ooty. (B)

Day 06: Ooty  – Cochin (Driving Time: Approx. 8 hours)

After breakfast check out from hotel and travel to Cochin, en route visit Coimbatore. Also known as Kovai, Coimbatore is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and one of the fastest-growing cities in India. Situated at the foothills of Nilgiris, it is popularly known for its pleasant climate, peaceful atmosphere, cosmopolitan outlook and private enterprises. Cotton textiles, electric motors, pumps, automobile spares and iron, steel and aluminium castings form major exports from Coimbatore. In spite of its prominence as a bustling industrial city, Coimbatore still remains one of the pollution-free cities in India. It is also a major healthcare hub and is popular for its vast medical tourism. Thereafter continue your journey to Cochin and stay for two nights in Cochin. (B)

Day 07: Cochin

Early morning, if you wish, you can wake up early to witness the mesmerizing sights of sunrise over the Chinese fishing nets. The beautiful expanse of nets with the backdrop of sun rising is a perfect start to enjoy the scenic beauty of India. After breakfast, we will set out to explore this port city with a rich and interesting past. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans sailed into this city to trade and their influence is still found in the buildings and lifestyle of the city. We will walk through the Fort area, exploring Jewish Synagogue – which is one of the oldest synagogues amongst all the commonwealth nations, St Francis church, Dutch Palace or Mattancherry Palace - a 16th-century palace. Just opposite the Mattancherry Palace, visit the spice market, one of the biggest centres of spices in Cochin. Here you can buy some of the authentic spices, smell and see what makes Indian curries so hot and tasty. In the evening we will take you to a Kathakali Performance. Kathakali is a ritualized dance form that is native to Kerala, with elaborate costumes and makeup. Stay overnight at Cochin. (B)

Day 08: Cochin – Alleppey / Private Backwater Cruise (Driving Time: Approx. 1.5 hours)

After breakfast travel to Alleppey, on arrival embark on the houseboat. Start the journey of backwaters in the boat through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Witness the local with children swimming and playing in the water, women attending to their daily chores and men fishing from their canoes. Enjoy fishing and the sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats while heading towards Kumarakom. All meals with overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Day 09 & 10: Kumarakom – Kovalam (Driving Time: Approx. 4 hours)

After breakfast disembarks from the houseboat and travel to Kovalam through the green coastal belt and cashew plantations. On arrival check into the resort with the rest of the day free for your own activities. Take an enticing walk along the beach to enjoy the scenery of the Arabian waves embracing virgin sands, with steep palm covered headland. A glittering silvery sand contour into an arc, edging on one side with cerulean waters and on the other side by a magnificent row of the green palm groves, provides a spectacular view of the seeming eternal sea and sunsets. The waterfront is lined with a number of shops with spreads of jewellery, handicrafts and clothes. Kovalam means a grove of coconuts trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches give it a ravishing look. Afternoon enjoys an Ayurveda basic massage. The warm and clean atmosphere, luring surroundings, azure sea and solacing sun, make Kovalam a perfect relaxing holiday destination. Stay 02 night at Kovalam. (B)

Day 11: Kovalam - Trivandrum Departure (By Flight: TBA)

After leisurely breakfast transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the flight for your onward journey. (B)

***Tour Ends***