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Essence of South India
Destinations
Coorg - Mysore - Nagarhole NP - Ooty - Coonoor - Cochin - Backwater cruise
Duration
10 Nights / 11 Days
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This itinerary is customizable according to your need.
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Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive in Bangalore
Day 02 : Hassan – Madikeri (Coorg)
Check out and proceed on an excursion to Belur and Halebid. The Chinnakeshav Temple in Belur and Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebid are one of the exuberating examples of the most artistic periods of Hindu Culture development in South India. The sculptural decoration on these temples rivals the Khajuraho & Konarak Temples. These temples with their sculptural details are easily the most outstanding examples. Every inch of the temple’s outside and interior covers with a variety of Hindu Deities, sages and friezes depicting the life and times of Hoysala rulers.
Continue to Madikeri in the Coorg region. Coorg sits at an elevation of 1140mt; a coffee plantation district known for beautiful, red-tiled bungalows and colonial mansions. It is home to the unique Kodav race, believed to have descended from migrating Persians and Kurds or Greeks left behind from Alexander the Great’s armies. Coorg food is unique from other South Indian cuisine; largely a non-vegetarian, made of forest products, rice, meat etc. used as ingredients. Balance of the day you are at leisure.
Day 03 : Coorg
buddhism, Coorg
Start your day with a spice and coffee plantation walk. Coorg is situated in the eastern slopes of Western Ghats with incomparable scenic beauty, lush green valley, spice, and coffee plantations.
Evening, visit a Kodav tribe home for cooking lesson and meal with the family. (Advance booking required).
Day 04 : Coorg - Mysore
Proceed to Mysore; en-route visit Bylakuppe, largest Tibetan settlement in India. Explore the area that has monastery, stupas, prayer flags, Momos, and dragons. Continue to Mysore and check into the hotel.
Afternoon, proceed to visit to The Mysore Palace, an incredibly opulent structure that is one of the most impressive palaces in the world. You’ll be amazed by its sheer size, the unbelievable richness of its interior, and the beautiful facade of this Indo- Saracenic architectural gem. It was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, and the current version was commissioned in 1897 and finished by British architect Henry Irwin in 1912.
Day 05 : Mysore – Nagarhole National Park (NP)
Proceed to drive to Nagarhole National Park and check into the lodge.
Nagarhole, an exclusive hunting preserves of the Maharajas of Mysore, now home to Elephants, Tigers, and Leopards. Enjoy a safari through the NP in the afternoon.
Day 06 : Nagarhole NP – Ooty
Day 07 : Ooty
Ooty
Day 08 : Ooty – Cochin (280Kms 06-08Hrs.)
Day 09 : Cochin – Alleppey
Day 10 : Alleppey – Cochin
Disembark from the houseboat; proceed to Cochin and check into hotel.
Afternoon, start your exploration of India from Cochin. Your tour begins from Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays). It contains beautiful Belgian glass chandeliers and paved with painted tiles from China. Later visit the Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays) with its wonderful murals depicting the entire story of the Ramayana. Then visit St. Francis Church, established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. Vasco Da Gama was buried in the courtyard of this European church, one of the first built in India. End the tour after you visited the Chinese fishing nets, more than a century old and still in use.
Evening, witness the Kathakali dance performance, performed by various artists. Kathakali is a traditional dance for4m, depicting Indian epics – Ramayana & Mahabharata. The dancers are dressed in very colourful and elaborate costumes. Their faces painted to depict various characters of the epics. The dance has a lot of facial expressions and brisk, yet articulate body movements.
Day 11 : Cochin – Onward journey
Dropped off at Cochin airport on time to connect your flight onward destination.
We end our services in Cochin airport.
Package Includes
- Double/twin sharing accommodation including dinner and breakfast
- The backwater cruise by exclusive houseboat includes all three meals.
- Wildlife safaris in Nagarhole National Park.
- Cooking lesson on Coorg cuisine and dinner with the family.
- World Heritage Mountain train travel in Ooty.
- Transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned personal vehicle.
- Services of government licensed local guides as per itinerary.
- Kathakali dance program in Cochin.
- Applicable entrance fee to monuments and parks.
- Presently aapplicable government taxes.
Package excludes
- Any international flight tickets.
- Charges for visa & travel insurance.
- Expenses of personal nature.
- Any meal other than what is mentioned in the inclusion.
- Camera and video camera fee.
- Tipping to guide, driver, and hotel staff.
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