Duration: 17 nights/ 18 days
Destinations:
Cochin- Alleppey- Cheruthuruthy- Wynad- Nagerhole- Mysore,-Hassan-
Bellur- Halibed- Sravanabelagola- Bangalore.
Day
01: Arrival at CochinArrival at Cochin Airport / Railway
station. Cochin -The queen of the Arabian sea-is one of the most
interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbors in the
world. Ages ago the Phoenicians, Arabs, Jews and later the Europeans came in
search of spices, sandalwood and ivory and all left their impressions on the
town. The ancient Temples, Churches, and Synagogues are of special interests
to historians and archeologists. The Chinese Fishing nets, the Jewish
synagogue, the Dutch palace enrich the heritage of Kerala. After lunch
around 2 pm half day sightseeing city tour which includes a visit to
synagogue (Saturday closed), Dutch palace (Friday Closed), St. Francis
Church, Chinese fishing nets. In the evening a Kathakali show. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 02:Cochin - AlleppeyCochin-
Alleppey (75 kms/2.5hrs) (Alleppey in and around Cruise) after breakfast
by 0800 hrs proceed to Alleppey to board houseboat by1030hrs. Kettuvalams
(houseboat): The traditional rice boats of Kerala-a romantic way to explore
the unique web of lakes, lagoons, canals and rivers. These traditional
houseboats of Kerala are one of the most enduring images of the backwaters-
its natural, cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside.
These Kettuvallams /houseboats converted into an accommodation of one/two
bedrooms, a kitchen and a sitting/dinning area. Each cabin has a double bed
and Ensuites WC and washbasin. The crews have their own separate facilities.
As the boat slowly cruises through the backwaters, absorb this unusual
representation of Kerala life. You will be awed at the vast expanse of the
paddy fields that surround these beautiful backwaters. The boat will stop in
villages for you to experience a glimpse of the village life in rural
Kerala. Overnight at houseboat.
Day 03: Alleppey
- Cheruthuruthy Alleppey - Cheruthuruthy (200 km/5hrs).
After breakfast by 1030 hrs proceed to Cheruthuruthy is the seat of Kerala
Kalamandalam world renown for its Kathakali training centre. A music and
dance academy was founded here by the famous poet late Shri Vallathol
Narayana Menon. Training in Kathakali, Mohaniyattam, Thullal and other arts
are imparted here. Over night at hotel.
Day 04:
Cheruthurrthy - WynadCheruthuruthy-Wynad (200 km/5 hrs).
After early breakfast by 0800 hrs proceed to Wynad is one of the districts
in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. It is well known
for its lovely mist clad hill stations, sprawling spice plantations,
luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. After lunch leave for Pookot
Lake. Pookot Lake is a natural fresh water lake brimmed with evergreen
mountains. Over night at Hotel .
Day 05: Kuruwa
Island Have an early breakfast and leave for Kuruwa Dweep with
packed lunch. Kuruwa Island is 955 acres of green forest on the tributaries
of the east flowing river Kabini. The island is uninhabited and a paradise
with myriad birds. Have packed lunch and proceed to Tholpetty wildlife
sanctuary. You can find here spotted dears, elephants, bison, leopard tiger…etc.
It is 2 kms drive inside the sanctuary exploring wildlife and return to the
hotel.
Day 06: Waynad Waynad:
Have an early breakfast and leave for Soochipara waterfalls situated in the
dense equatorial forest of Wynad. The cliff face here is ideal for rock
climbing. After lunch by 1600 hrs we will have an Ayurvedic Message program
called Abhayanga-Avagaham and Sudhikriya, which is palliative to nerves,
improves vigour, and induces sound sleep. Over night at Hotel.
Day
07: Waynad - NagerholeWaynad to Nagerhole. (100 kms/4hrs) AM:
After an early break fast proceeds to Nagerhole. Situated in the picturesque
district of Kodagu of Karnataka. This sanctuary extends over an area of
643.39 sq. km. Catch sight of elephants, gaur, barking deer, wild dogs,
bonnet macaques and the common langur. A lucky visitor may see a tiger or a
panther face to face. Facilities in the park are Spartan, but the lush
forest compensates for it. By 1200 hrs check in to Kabini River Lodge after
lunch by 1600 hrs jeep safari to Nagerhole National Park and return by 1830
hrs. The following day after Tea or coffee drives into the park and coracle
ride on the Kabini River accompanied by naturalist. A coracle is a round
native boat, something like a big basket. We can view aquatic bird life and
spot crocodile and other animals on the waters edge. Return for the
breakfast and checkout. Overnight at hotel.
Day
08: Nagerhole to MysoreNagerhole to Mysore (90km/3hrs):
After breakfast by 1100 hrs our onward drive brings us back into
civilization to the beautiful city of Mysore. We reach the Palace City in
the afternoon and by 1400hrs visit the Brindavan Gardens illuminated and
imaginative like a story form 1001 nights. Over night at hotel.
Day
09: MysoreMysore: The city of palaces can account for 21
palaces, huge and small gorgeous and needing repair. After lunch we will
proceed to Srirangapatanam, the short-lived capital of Muslim rulers Hyder
Ali and Tippu sultan. The summer palace and the Gumbaz are an excellent
example of Indo saracenic architecture in south India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Mysore - Hassan Mysore -
Hassan - Bellur - Halibed - Hassan: After a morning drive through a
fertile land amidst sugarcane fields, beautiful while flowering, the special
green of rice fields, silver streams, rich villages, and markets we reach
Hassan, the starting point for our visit to the temples of Bellur and
Halebid. On the banks of river Yagachi in Belur, a star-shaped temple with
hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures will take your breath
away. It is the only Hoysala temple in active worship. Friezers of charging
elephants, each different from the other, mythological figures, military
scenes, dancers and musicians, and elaborate decorative motifs charge the
imagination. Equally impressive are the temples of the Chennigaraya,
Viranarayana, Sreedevi and Bhoodevi, all in the same complex.
Just 17-km
away form Belur is Haliebed, the ancient capital of Hoysalas. The temple,
perched on a star-shaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza.
The temple complex has a museum which houses the idols, statues and busts
and sculptures excavated by the archeological department. Overnight at hotel
Day 11. Hassan - Srvanabelgoal - BangaloreHassan
- Srvanabelgoal - Bangalore: A 17 m high statue of Lord Bahubali or Sree
Gomnateshwara is visible from quite a distance on top of the Vindhayagiri
hill at Sravana belagola. A prominent Jain pilgrim center and this is the
Asia's largest monolithic statue. Every 12-year Jain pilgrims gather here to
participate in the colorful Mahamastakabisheka of the lord. After visiting
Sravanabelogola we reach Banglalore by late noon. Overnight at hotel
Day
12. Banglore Bangalore: The modern capital of Karnataka is
a pleasant residential city with good climate, many parks, and an
astonishing nightlife for Indian standards. With its world-class IT industry
and scientific research facilities, Bangalore is considered by many to be
India's science and technology capital. In addition to being a major
industrial and commercial center the city is blessed with historic
monuments, contemporary shopping malls, a racecourse, several golf courses,
bowling alleys, traditional art and craft stores and friendly people. Vidhan
Soudha, the seat of State Legislature, has been built after independence and
is the pride of the people of Bangalore since most of the other state
government buildings have been taken over either from the British or
Maharajas -and it really is an impressive palatial building.
Day
13: Transfer to Banglore Apt / Rlw Station Transfer from Hotel to
the Airport / Railway Station
