08 days Heritage, Cultural & Wildlife tour

DAY 1: Arrive – Bangalore
Upon arrival at Bangalore airport, meet and assistance by our office representative, followed by transfer to hotel for check-in. Experience this Cosmopolitan city with its lovely parks, long avenues of blossomed trees and impressive Victorian-era architecture. This new hub of India’s booming IT industry is also blessed with a pleasant climate and a burgeoning dining and shopping scene. Later in the afternoon explore this city starting with the elegant Tipu Sultan’s Palace – a fine specimen of military architecture from 18th century, notable for its teak pillars and ornamental frescoes. Continue your visit with the Dravidian-style Bull Temple built in the 16th-century, pass by the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, the Cubbon Park, a sprawling 120-hectare garden surrounded by wonderful colonial architecture, including the red-painted Gothic-style State Central Library, the colossal neo-Dravidian-style Vidhana Soudha (the state legislature of Karnataka) and finally the Attara Kacheri (High court) built in 1864. If time permits, indulge yourself with a visit at the National Gallery of Modern Art, world class art museum, housed in the former vacation home of the Raja of Mysore, featuring paintings from the most famous influencable artists in India such as Raja Ravi Varma and Abanindranath Tagore, etc... Tonight you may opt for a dinner at Olive Beach restaurant or at Koshy’s to experience the buzzy and intelligentsia city’s interaction (Both Payable locally) … Overnight at the hotel. (Bed & Breakfast).

DAY 2 : Bangalore - Mysore
After an early breakfast at the hotel and check-out, drive south to Mysore. En-route stop at Somnathpur, well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakeshava Temple, one of the three famous & finest representations of Hoysala architecture nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. On arrival check-in at your hotel. This afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour: Visit the Maharajah's Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in India. Inside, you will find a kaleidoscope of stained glass, beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors. Continue towards the colourful Devarajan Market and later visit the Chamundi Temple, overlooking Mysore from the 1062 metre summit of Chamundi Hill. At the top of the 1,001 steps up, lies the 12th century temple that houses a golden statue of Chamundi - the Hindu goddess worshipped by the Maharajas. This evening after some rest, you will experience a heritage Tonga ride (horse-drawn chariots). These vehicles ruled the streets in their heyday and now are used to ferry around the historical buildings and provides insights into the local culture. Back to hotel for your overnight stay (Bed & Breakfast). Overnight Stay Munnar.

DAY 3 : MMysore
Early morning explore Mysore during a Heritage walking tour and get a feel of this charming city. Pass by some lovely colonial structures, old local monuments and temples and learn the stories behind them with your storyteller. End up your tour with a good local cuppa filter coffee before heading back to your hotel for breakfast. By Midday, proceed to a Cooking demonstration from one of the culinary experts of Mysore, who draws from the generations of knowledge and bring you recipes that are Ayurvedically balanced and delightful in flavor. After lunch, drive for the visit of Srirangapatna (16km from Mysore) - the island fortress of Tipu Sultan and the early capital of the Mysore Woodiyars - Here you will find monuments such as Tipu’s mosque with its twin minarets built in 1787, Tipu’s Summer Palace (known as the Daria Daulat Bagh) completely on wood and converted into a museum that houses some fantastic artefacts and paintings related to Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, and finally the Gumbaz where lie buried Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali and others of the royal family. This evening you will witness, the Kushti - Traditional India style wrestling. It isn't just a sport but an ancient subculture where wrestlers live, train together and follow strict rules. These wrestling take place in a clay or dirt pit. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY 4 : Nagarahole National Park
Breakfast at the hotel. Go with your local guide to visit the tribal villages located in the surrounding backwaters followed with an exploration of the virgin landscapes and its vivid wildlife (Optional – depending on the hotel stay). Later this afternoon, embark on a Jeep Safari into the Nagarahole park, accompanied by experienced drivers and Naturalists and encompass a spectacular wildlife. This area is considered one of the best places in India to view Asiatic elephants and gaur. Rest of the day at leisure to relax in the serene area. Overnight stay and dinner at your hotel. (Half-Board)

DAY 5 : Nagarahole National Park - Ooty
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and drive into the heart of Ooty. Called the Queen of Hill Stations - Picturesque, green Ooty is located in the Western Ghats at a height of 2240 m. Get introduce to this lovely town who mixes lovely parks, gardens and charming Raj-era bungalows... The town has been established by the British in the 19th century as their summer headquarters of the Madras government. Upon arrival check-in your hotel. Later in the afternoon visit the Botanical garden and enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel. (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 6 : Ooty – Coonoor (by Train)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning take the Toy Train journey from Ooty to Coonoor. This Nilgiri Mountain Railway, built by the British in 1908, is an extension of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. On arrival in Coonoor proceed for the sightseeing - Lamb's Rock, view point of the surroundings Tea and Coffee plantations then heads up to another viewpoint, the Dolphin's Nose lying over 1,000 feet above sea level. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year. Drive back to Ooty. Rest of the day free to enjoy this enchanting town. Overnight stay at hotel. (Bed & Breakfast)
DAY 7 : Ooty – Pollachi - Coimbatore
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Follow with your journey direction Pollachi and step into the rich heritage of Tamil nadu. You will be invited to the guesthouse Shenbaga Vilaasam, formerly a farm getaway of a Vanavarayar royal family, built in the early 1900’s. Experience the warmth hospitality of your host. Built in a unique blend of south Indian architecture, this heritage house is decorated with family heirlooms and antique that the family has acquired over the years. Later you may opt to explore the old charmed surroundings villages with a bullock-cart ride to Samathur on the outskirts of Pollachi. This city is very popular for its markets, especially for jaggery, coconut, fresh vegetables and cattle. Stop by to admire an artisan at work or a village temple or just to catch some village small talk... Overnight stay and dinner at the hotel. (Half-Board)
DAY 8 : Coimbatore
Breakfast at the hotel. In time, transfer Coimbatore airport for your flight back home.