Garden Tour of Southern India

Detail Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Bangalore

Tonight, arrive in Bangalore, the capital of India's southern state of Karnataka. The center of India's high-tech industry, the city is also known for its parks and nightlife. Upon arrival, you will be met by our airport representative at the Bangalore International airport. After a warm welcome, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for 1 night’s stay.

Overnight Stay in Bangalore

Day 2 Discover Bangalore; Drive from Bangalore to Mysore [160 Kms / 04Hrs]

This morning, post breakfast at the hotel ,proceed for Bangalore sightseeing tour and visit Cubbon Park, Govt. Buildings, and Lal Bagh Botanical gardens.

After sightseeing, take a tea stop on the way to Mysore & visit the Channapatna toy factory. Light lunch would be on own arrangements at Bangalore or Chanapatna or on the way to Mysore. Mysore, which is also known as Mysuru, has been home to one of the longest established empires in the Indian history and the current Maharaja of Mysore still resides in the opulently-decorated city palace. Rebuilt in 1897 after a fire, it is an imposing centerpiece at the heart of the city, especially on Sundays and public holidays when it is lit by nearly 100,000 light bulbs.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for 03 nights’ stay.

Overnight Stay in Mysore.

Day 3 Discover Mysore

After breakfast, proceed for an excursion of Chamundi Hill and Chamundeshwari Temple. The Chamundeshwari Temple is a Hindu temple located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysore. The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or Goddess Durga, the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity held in reverence for centuries by Mysore Maharajas.
Later visit the Mysore Maharaja Palace.

Later, you will be transferred to hotel Royal Orchid Metropole for lunch (we will book the table at their restaurant Tiger Trail which serves buffet lunch – No option of ordering food individually).

Later in the evening, visit Devaraja Flower Market followed by a tour of the Illuminated Mysore Palace.

Dinner on own arrangements.

Overnight Stay in Mysore.

Day 4 Discover Mysore

Breakfast at hotel.

Later this morning, leave for an excursion to Srirangapatnam [Daria Daulat Bagh – Tipu Sultan Summer Palace] followed by a visit to the KSIC Silk factory at Mysore.

Return to hotel at 13:00 hrs.
Later in the afternoon, leave for a visit to Brindavan Gardens. Enjoy Dinner at Elephant Bar at Royal Orchid Brindavan.

Overnight Stay in Mysore.

Day 5 Drive from Mysore to Ooty; Discover Ooty [130 Kms / 04 Hrs]

After Breakfast, you will drive from Mysore to Ooty (Udhagamandalam). It was originally a tribal land occupied by the Toda along with other hill tribes like the Badaga, Irulas, Panias, & Kurumba. Captured by Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, the Nilgiris came into possession of the East India Company as part of the ceded lands, held by Tipu Sultan, by the treaty of Srirangapatnam in 1799. The British were enthralled by the beauty of the place." it resembles Switzerland, more than any country of Europe... the hills beautifully wooded and fine strong spring with running water in every valley“ they wrote. Ooty served as the summer capital of the Madras Presidency; it was visited by British officials during the colonial days as a popular summer resort. Soldiers were sent to nearby Wellington to recuperate. At 2,268 meters, it has a cool, wet climate. The game of snooker was invented at the Ooty Club.

Upon arrival in Ooty, you’ll be transferred to Hotel Jem Park for your lunch. You can have lunch at their restaurant Jade Garden (Chinese – serve ala carte) or Toda Café (multi cuisine – serve ala carte as well as buffet).

Later in the afternoon, visit Karnataka Horticulture Gardens at Fern Hills. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to your Hotel Taj Savoy Ooty for 01 night’s stay.

Overnight Stay in Ooty.

Day 6 Discover Ooty, Drive from Ooty to Coonoor [23 Kms / 01 Hrs] Train from Coonoor to Mettupalayam Drive from Mettupalayam to Coimbatore [35 Kms / 01 Hrs]

After Breakfast today morning, depart to visit Ooty Botanical Gardens. Later, drive to Coonoor, upon arrival stop at Hotel Taj Coonoor for lunch at their restaurant dining hall (Alacarte on direct payment). Post lunch, get transferred to Coonoor railway to board your Train for Mettupalayam. Upon arrival at Mettupalayam, proceed on your drive towards Coimbatore and check in to the hotel for 01 night’s stay.

Overnight Stay Coimbatore.

Day 7 Train from Coimbatore to Kottayam Drive from Kottayam to Thekkady [110Kms / 04Hrs]

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Coimbatore Railway station to board the train for Kottayam(Packed lunch will be provided from Taj Surya Coimbatore).

Upon arrival, proceed on a scenic drive to Thekkady [Periyar], the spice plantation hub of Kerala.

Upon arrival in Periyar, check in to your hotel for 2 nights’ stay.

Overnight Stay in Thekkady

Day 8 Discover Thekkady [Periyar]

Today morning, take a spice plantation tour followed by a visit to Abraham’s Spice garden and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. The spice plantations in Periyar are captivating farms growing different spices in different sections of the plantations. You will be intrigued to see the vast variety of spices ranging from cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper, chilli, turmeric etc.

Return to hotel for lunch at Spice Village.

In the Evening, enjoy a visit to Martial Art Studio for Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest form of martial arts and known as the mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu consists of punches, leg moves, stretches, twists, and jumps performed in a particular sequence. Dinner at own arrangements.

Overnight Stay in Thekkady

Day 9 Drive from Thekkady [Periyar] to Kumarakom [140 Kms / 04Hrs]

After breakfast, proceed on your drive for Kumarakom which is a popular tourism destination famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Enjoy lunch on the way to Kumarakom.

Upon arrival in Kumarakom, check in to your hotel for 2 nights’ stay.

Dinner & Overnight Stay at Kumarakom Lake Resort
[Meal Included: Breakfast & Dinner]

Day 10 In Kumarakom

Early morning at 06:00, visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Return to hotel at 08:30 hrs. for breakfast in Hotel. The day is free for individual activities until afternoon.

Later at 12:30, depart to enjoy Farm lunch at Philipkutty’s farm along with farm activities. Dinner (on direct payment) at Vembanand at 18:30 hrs.

Overnight Stay at Kumarakom Lake Resort
[Meal Included: Breakfast & Lunch]

Day 11 Kumarakom to Alleppey [Houseboat]

Enjoy leisurely breakfast at hotel. Relax for some time at hotel. You will be picked up from your resort for luxury houseboat. The houseboat will take its route from Kumarakom to Alleppey through the backwaters. Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. You can even try fishing and cooking here if you wish so, enjoy fresh coconut water, filter coffee and sitting in the balcony of the boat as it grows slowly on Vembanad River.

Lunch, Dinner & Overnight Stay at Houseboat.
[Meal Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner]

Day 12 Drive from Alleppey to Kochi [70 Kms / 02 Hrs]

This morning, enjoy breakfast on board. Alight your houseboat and embark on your return drive to Kochi-the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala which is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Starting from the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlements in India.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights’ stay. Enjoy lunch at Ginger House Café followed by guided walk through the historic Fort Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jew Town, & Jewish Synagogue.

This evening at 16:00, leave to watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in India. One of the most complex and highly stylized Indian art forms, this performance is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Reach early for the unique opportunity to see the performers dressing up in their very elaborate and colorful costumes and painting their faces with make up to create the special persona for the performance.

Overnight Stay in Kochi

Day 13 Discover Kochi

Breakfast at hotel.

Today morning, proceed to visit churches of Cochin including St. Francis Church, Vallarpadam Church, Santa Cruz Basillica Church and see the authentic Chinese fishing nets still in active use by the fishermen in Kerala.

Today evening, enjoy Farewell Dinner (along with live grill stations) at hotel Brunton Boatyard

Overnight Stay in Kochi

Day 14 Departure from Kochi

Morning Breakfast at leisure.
Hotel rooms are booked until departure, Coach & Guide would be available for local visits.

Day free for individual activities until late evening at 19:00 Hrs, you’ll be transferred to Cochin International airport to board the flight to Singapore.