PLACES: CALICUT | WAYANAD | KABANI | MYSORE | COORG | HASSAN | BANGALORE Embark on the enchanting ‘Jewels of North Kerala & Karnataka,’ a 12-day South India tour weaving through the cultural gems of Calicut, the natural beauty of Wayanad and Kabani, the royal grandeur of Mysore, the scenic landscapes of Coorg, the historical wonders of Hassan, and the vibrant city of Bangalore. Immerse yourself in a captivating journey filled with diverse experiences and unforgettable moments. Upon your arrival at Calicut, you will be transferred to the hotel. Calicut, the once capital of the powerful zamorins, boasts lush green countryside, serene beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, hills, a unique culture, and a warm, friendly ambience. Your visit will include Kappad Beach, where Vasco da Gama set foot in 1498, marking the discovery of the sea route to Kerala. If time permits, explore Beypore, a prominent port and fishing harbor with a rich maritime history. Beypore is renowned for its shipbuilding yard, where traditional construction of the Uru (Arabian trading vessel) has thrived for nearly 1,500 years. Overnight stay at the hotel in Calicut. After enjoying breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Wayanad, covering a distance of 90 km in approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival, check in to your resort. Wayanad, situated in the northeast of Kerala, offers a picturesque landscape with the Western Ghats providing imposing heights and silent valleys adorned in lush greenery. This region is renowned for its diverse wildlife, Ayurveda practices, plantation resorts, and distinctive culture. The geographical features of Wayanad make it an ideal destination for hikers, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts. Explore the Edakkal Caves, recognized as one of the earliest human habitation sites. Inside the caves, discover ancient stone scripts, pictorial wall inscriptions depicting human and animal figures, and cave drawings showcasing various symbols and tools. The night will be spent at your resort in Wayanad. Embark on an exciting day in Wayanad by visiting the Wayanad Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sloth bears, sambhar (wild deer), elephants, monkeys, tigers, reptiles, deer, panthers, and numerous species of rare birds. After exploring the sanctuary, head to Kuruva Island, an uninhabited cluster of islands situated in the middle of the expansive Kabini river. The island is managed through a collaborative effort between the local population and the forest department, making it an exemplary destination for eco-tourism. Enjoy the pristine natural surroundings and the unique experience of being in the heart of the Kabini river. Your overnight stay awaits at the resort in Wayanad. After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive from Wayanad to Kabini, covering a distance of approximately 220 kilometers in about 4 hours. Nestled in the southern fringes of the Nagarahole National Park, Kabini is a haven for nature lovers. The tranquil backwaters of the River Kabini create a picturesque setting for a relaxing vacation. Once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Maharaja Gaur, Kabini is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Langur, Crocodiles, and over a hundred species of birds. Keep an eye out for the elusive Cats, including the Leopard and Tiger. Arrive in time for lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Kabini. Your overnight stay awaits in Kabini. Experience the thrill of wildlife with morning and evening game drives in Nagarhole. Specially designed vehicles will take you into the heart of Nagarhole National Park, offering an opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife in its natural habitat. The Nagarhole ecosystem boasts the highest density of herbivores in Asia. Studies conducted in Nagarhole reveal a rich diversity of large herbivores, including Muntjak, Chital, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope, Gaur, Wild Pig, Asian Elephant, Common Langur, and Bonnet Macaque. The park is also home to a significant number of predators, with Tigers, Wild Dogs, and Leopards being the major predators. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and wildlife during your stay in Kabini. After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Kabini and proceed to Mysore. Known as the “City of Palaces,” Mysore boasts grand architectural wonders like the Mysore Palace. The city is famous for its silk, sandalwood, and jasmine. Explore the vibrant Mysore City Market in the evening, showcasing its original grandeur and offering a variety of markets, including vegetable, flower, fruit, and perfume markets. The market is a lively and colorful experience, especially during festivals. Check in at the Mysore hotel for an overnight stay. Explore Mysore’s attractions today, starting with a visit to the famous ‘Palace of Mysore. Constructed in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, this palace radiates unmatched grandeur. Continue your exploration at the ‘Jayachanarajendra Art Gallery’ housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, featuring an exquisite collection of paintings dating back to 1875. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel in Mysore. Drive to Coorg. Enroute visit Srirangapattinam – renowned as the island fortress of the warrior king, Tipu Sultan, who fought valiantly against the British. A heritage town with a palace, fort, dungeons and mosques, the town is also justly famous for its ancient Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Gumbaz where Tipu and his father Hyder Ali are buried. Just 16 km from Mysore, Srirangapatna is also the former capital of the Maharajas of Mysore. Srirangapatna is also very close to the beautiful Ranganathittu bird sanctuary. Continue your drive towards Coorg, Kodagu or Coorg as it is better known, has maintained its serene picturesque beauty over the centuries. The British called this land Scotland of India. These breathtakingly beautiful rolling hills in Karnataka nestling in cash rich coffee plantations. Enjoy a sightseeing of Madikeri visit Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri fort, Palace, Gaddige (Raja’s tombs) and Raja’s seat. You could also drive to Bylakuppe to see the Buddhist temple (subject to Govt. permit). Or you could just drive through the valley enjoying the beauty of this region, and also explore the small town of Madikeri. Overnight at Coorg resort. After breakfast, check out from Coorg and drive towards Hassan. Enroute, visit Shravanabelagola, an important Jain pilgrim centre. Home to Asia’s largest monolithic statue, Lord Gomateswara, it towers 58 ft. Looming atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill, with five hundred steps cut out of rock leading to the summit and the colossal statue of Lord Gomateswara, which is nearly eighteen hundred years old. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here to participate in a splendid head-anointing ceremony. Continue your journey towards Hassan and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Belur & Halebid temples. Belur, 38 km from Hassan, is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple here is the major attraction, built by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures with no portion left blank. It is the only Hoysala Temple still in active worship. Halebid in Hassan district, 27 km away from Hassan, was the capital of the Hoysalas. It has one of the finest Hoysala temples, the Hoysaleswara Temple, perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, presenting a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds, and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala Kings. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel in Hassan. After breakfast at the hotel in Hassan, drive to Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Bangalore is known for its salubrious climate, tree-lined avenues, trendy downtown, and its position as a hub for the software industry. The city has a history that evolved from a small village with a mud fort in 1100 A.D. to a modest military and trading center during the Muslim and British occupation. It is now one of the leading cities in the country in terms of industry, trade, and commerce. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Bangalore, covering prominent attractions like Vidhana Soudha, which is among the most impressive buildings in the city, housing the Legislative Chambers of the state government. Attara Kacheri, located opposite Vidhana Soudha and dating back to 1867, is a building housing the High Court, known for its Gothic style of architecture. Lal Bagh, with its gardens boasting a rich collection of almost 1000 different species of flora, including a Glass House modeled on London Crystal Palace. Visit the 16th-century Dravidian-styled Bull Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city, drawing devotees from all over the country. Overnight stay at a hotel in Bangalore. Departure transfer to Bangalore airport.
Itinerary
