South India Wildlife Tour

Duration: 15 Nights & 16 Days
Places to see: Delhi – Bangalore – Nagarhole National Park – BR Hills – Bandipur National Park – Ooty – Munnar – Eravikulam National Park – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Kumarakom – – Kochi – Onward-Destination

Day 01: Home – Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by our executive and transferred to your hotel (Rooms will be booked from 1200 hrs to facilitate immediate check in). New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Narrating the city’s Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi

Have a healthy breakfast at the hotel and embark on sightseeing tours of Old & New Delhi. In Old Delhi drive past Red fort, built in Red Sand stone this imposing fort is 3 Kms in perimeter with the height of the wall varying from 18 to 30 meters at places. Visit Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but also in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. Also visit Raj Ghat -Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial. In New Delhi, drive past Janpath, Rashtrapati Bhawan (Hindi for presidential palace) and India Gate is perhaps one of the most impressive structures built in the capital of India. This historic monument was built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers killed in the First World War. Visit Humayun’s Tomb: built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture. Also visit Qutab Minar. It is a one of the finest monuments in India and is 238 feet in height. Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir). Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 03: Delhi – Bangalore

After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for Bangalore. After arrival at Bangalore an excursion to Mysore – has been always associated with the royal families and their patronage, be it the Wodeyars or the Sultans. Mysore is a city known for its resplendent palaces and majestic buildings. A visit to the city conjures up visions of the glory, still evident of the illustrious Wodeyar Kings. This former state capital still retains its tradition in music and dance, art and literature and its time-honored crafts. Mysore enchants you with its quaint charm, verdant gardens, tree-lined boulevards and its sacred temples. Mysore, once the state capital, today is a vibrant city teeming with tourists and visitors. It is known the world over for its exotic sandalwood and rich silks. Many culinary delights await those inclined to sample the regional cuisine. Visit Somnathpur Temple. It was built in the 13th century in the exquisite Hoysala Temple architecture. Hoysala art is intricate and highly detailed. The temple is set on a chiseled plinth guarded by elephants. Visit Srirangapatna famous for the island fortress of the legendary warrior king Tipu Sultan is just 14 km from Mysore city. Inside the fortress is Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets, the Wellesley Bridge and the dungeons where British officers were once imprisoned. Visit Brindavan Gardens, located at the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. Brindavan Gardens is one of the best gardens in South India. Spread over 150 acres, Brindavan Gardens has since the 1960s provided the backdrop for many Indian films. Also visit Chamundi Hill where you are welcomed by a large colorful statue of Mahishasura, the demon after whom Mysore is named. The gigantic bull, vehicle of Shiva, is still worshipped Overnight stay at hotel in Bangalore.

Day 04: Bangalore – Nagarhole National Park

After breakfast drive to the Nagarhole National Park – has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, especially the Asiatic elephant. Take a jeep safari into the jungle. The backdrop of the distant misty blue Brahmagiri Mountains, the natural sounds of the jungle, the gurgling of streams and rivers, and the twittering of the birds make Nagarhole a memorable experience. Overnight at resort.

Day 05: Nagarhole National Park

Early morning wildlife tours and bird screening in the park or a Coracle ride on the Kabini River are the engagements which kick start an eventful day 5 of the tour. Enjoy an evening jeep ride or an Elephant ride Into the Nagarhole jungle with the day culminating with an Overnight at resort.

Day 06: Nagarhole National Park – BR Hills

After breakfast an eventful and exciting trekking in B R Hills for witnessing the spectacular wildlife of the region. An overnight stay follows in the specially provided tents.

Day 07: BR Hills

Morning and evening wildlife viewing and strenuous bird watching. An overnight stay follows in the specially provided tents.

Day 08: BR Hills – Bandipur National Park

After an early morning departure to Bandipur which is a 4 hours drive. Afternoon is spent inside the wildlife sanctuary in jeeps. Overnight stay at the resort.

Day 09: Bandipur National Park

Morning and evening wildlife viewing and bird watching. The day ends with an overnight stay in the resort.

Day 10: Bandipur National Park – Ooty

Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is the “Queen of hill stations” and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”. It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 11: Ooty – Munnar – Eravikulam National Park

After breakfast drive to the legendary hill station, which is also the spice capital of Kerala, Munnar. A trip to Eravikulam national park will consume the rest of the day for a weary tourist with a subsequent overnight stay in the local resort.

Day 12: Eravikulam National Park – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

A morning visit to the national park for wildlife sights will include a drive to Periyar in the afternoon which happens to be a run of 3 hours. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 13: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

In the afternoon enjoy game viewing by boats, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways. This biosphere reserve has a varied range of flora and fauna and you can set out for a tour of this exotic territory with camera in your hand and hope to capture the shy residents of the forest. The elephants are the most majestic among all the things to watch in Periyar. They can be spotted on the lake shores bathing and basking in the sun. However, you can come across many other mammalian species such as leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (an endangered primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear. In the evening have a walk in spice plantations. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 14: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary – Kumarakom

After breakfast drive to Kumarakom – The tourist village of Kumarakom lies in the scenic backwater area, on the shore of the pleasant Vembanad Lake, 16 km away from Kottayam. Here an old rubber plantation around the lake has been developed into a bird sanctuary. A path goes through the swamp to the main nesting area, while the island in the middle of the lake can be reached by boat. You can take Ayurveda treatments from the hotel on direct payment basis. Over night stay at the hotel.

Day 15: Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary

After breakfast a gratifying backwater cruise coupled with an evening visit to the picturesque Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary form the staple for Day 15 of the wildlife tour. You can take Ayurveda treatments from the hotel on direct payment basis. Over night stay at the hotel.

Day 16: Kumarakoram Bird Sanctuary – Kochi – Onward-Destination

After breakfast drive down to Kochi airport to connect flight for next destination.