Day 01: Flight to India (Chennai)
Around Midnight arrive in Chennai (formerly known as Madras). Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02: Chennai
Today after having the breakfast you will drive through the coastal route to Mahabalipuram. In Mahabalipuram you will visit some of the 14 cave temples and 9 monolithic rathas (temple chariots). In the afternoon you will visit the St. George Fort. This fort is near the harbour area of Chennai. The British built this fort in the 17th century.
Day 03: Chennai - Bangalore
In the morning you will drive to Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital city of the Indian state Karnataka. This former "Garden city" Bangalore is known today as "computer city" of India. In the afternoon you will drive through the garden city with its numerous avenues of Jacaranda, Gulmohar and Cassia. You will visit the Bull temple, which is built in the Dravidian style of architecture. This temple has a huge Nandi Bull carved out of single Grey Granite. You will also visit the famous Gowda Fort, which was built by Tipu Sultan. You will also visit the Vidhan Sauda and downtown commercial centre. This Vidhana Sauda, which is built after independence, stands out by its imposing architecture in the neo Dravidian style.
Day 04: Bangalore - Bannerghatta National Park - Bangalore
Today you will drive further to visit Bannerghatta National Park. Here you can find everything from avifauna to panthers in the Bannerghatta National Park. This park is home to panthers, lions, tigers and a large variety of birds. This park covers an area of 104.27 square km and is about 22 km from the city of Bangalore. Other animals include the Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Jackal, Fox, Wild Pig, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Porcupine and the Hare.
Day 05: Bangalore - Mysore
Today in the morning after having breakfast you will pass through the betel nut and pepper plantation and proceed to Mysore. Today you will make a stopover in Sravanabelgola where you will visit the colossal monolithic statue, standing 18 meters high. This Jain sculpture represents the saintly prince Bahubali after he had gained enlightenment. After the visit of Sravanabelgola you will proceed to Mysore. Mysore is world famous for silk and sandalwood. Mysore is also a centre of producing saris that is a common dress of woman in India. In Mysore you will drive to Chamundi Hill to see a giant Nandi (buffalo god) and enjoy the view of the surroundings from the hilltop. You will also visit the beautiful Brindavan Gardens in the evening.
Day 06: Mysore - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - Mysore
Today you will drive to visit Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. This sanctuary is around 20 km from Mysore. This bird sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, includes a group of six islets as well. This bird sanctuary attained the status of a bird sanctuary in the year 1940. The large number of birds at the sanctuary has attracted large number of tourists. Some species of birds that are found here are Spoonbills, Open bill Storks, Darters, White Ibis, Little Cormorants, Egret, Heron, Partridge, River Tern, Stone Plougher, Snake Birds, etc. We can also have ride along the river and the islets, to witness the trees full of beautiful birds of myriad varieties. After visiting this sanctuary you will drive back to the hotel in Mysore.
Day 07: Mysore - Belur (about 170 km)
Today in the morning you will visit the most impressive and one of the largest city palaces in India. The City Palace of Mysore "Ambar Vilas" is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. After the sightseeing in Mysore you will proceed through picturesque hilly landscape and arrive in Halebid. Halebid is the ancient capital of Hoysala Empire. In Halebid you will visit the Hoysalesvara Temple of 12th century where you will see half-life size statues of Hindu deities, with minute details of each, all around the temple. After the visit in Halebid you will proceed to Belur. In Belur you will visit the group of Chennakesava Temples that are famous for their architecture and sculptures.
Day 08: Belur - Bandipur National Park
In the morning after having breakfast you will drive further to Bandipur National Park. In the afternoon you will visit the Bandipur National Park. Bandipur National Park is one the many reserves located within the forest belt between the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Mountains. Bandipur lies in the southern state of Karnataka and covers a forest area of 865 square kilometers. It was declared a National Park in 1974 and is one of the original 9 tiger reserves under the watchful eye of "Project Tiger". Bandipur has a sizeable population of wildlife - the Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Spotted Deer and Sambar, Gaur and Flying Squirrel, four horned Antelope, Nilgiri Langur and Sloth Bear. Amongst the reserve's most prominent animals are its 1900 -odd elephants.
Day 09: Bandipur National Park - Ooty
In the morning again you will have a stroll through Bandipur National Park and then, you will pass through the Tea plantation and eucalyptus forests of mountains of Nilgiri and arrive in the city Ooty (Udhagamandalam). Ooty was developed as hill station by British, lies at an altitude of 2300 m. and still has British flair.
Day 10: Ooty
Ooty (also known as the queen of the blue mountains) is famous for its rolling hills covered in pine and eucalyptus forests and also for its coffee and tea plantations. You will visit the famous and most beautiful botanical Garden of Ooty which covers an area over 20 hectares and is planted with more than a thousand varieties of plants, shrubs and trees including orchids, fern and alpine. Evening free for leisure.
Day 11: Ooty - Kumarakom
Today after having breakfast you will drive through the mountains, which are full of Cardamom and pass through the tea and coffee plantations and proceed to Kumarakom. In Kumarakom you will enjoy the Boat ride trip through the tropical vegetation on the backwaters.
Day 12: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
In the morning you will visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Earlier an old rubber plantation, Kumarakom was developed into a bird sanctuary on the banks of Vemband Lake spreading over 14 acres of land. It is now a leisure retreat very popular with foreigners. This sanctuary is on the southern bank of Kavanar River opposite the Coconut Lagoon. Kumarakom is home to numerous species of birds, such as Darters, Bitterns, Teal, Waterfowl, Cuckoo, Wild Ducks, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and Herons and Siberian storks. You will visit the Sanctuary by having a boat ride.
Day 13: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - Kochi (Cochin)
In the morning you will drive to Kochi (Cochin). This drive gives us again an impression of the beautiful landscaping of this region. Cochin is the most interesting town in South India at Malabar Coast and is also known as Venice of South. In Cochin you will visit St. Francis church, the oldest European church in India in which the grave of famous sailor Vasco da Gama can be visited. After the visit of St. Francis Church you will have a walk through the Jewish area of Mattancherry.
Day 14: Cochin
Today you will have your whole day at leisure so that you can explore Cochin on your own. In the late afternoon you will visit a Kathakali dance school. Kathakali dances come from Kerala and in its traditional form relate stories from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 15: Cochin
Around midnight flight to home destination.
No comments:
Post a Comment