Passage through Kerala
Resort: | Passage through Kerala |
Operator: | Cox and Kings |
Destination: | India |
Price From: | £2495.00 |
OverviewThis tour takes in the beautiful sights and tranquil landscapes of south India including the immense Maharajahs Palace in Mysore, the wildlife of Nagarhole National Park, the lush beauty of Wayanad, a rail ride through the Nilgiri mountains and a cruise along the peaceful backwaters of Kochi. ItineraryDay 1: Fly to Bengalaru via DubaiFly from London (regional connections available) to Bengalaru (Bangalore) with Emirates via Dubai. (N) Day 2: Srirangapatna MysoreEarly lunch at the LaLit Bengalaru, before travelling to Mysore for 2 nights at the Radisson (or similar). En route, stop at the island fortress of Srirangapatna, the former capital of south India’s most powerful 18th-century rulers. (L) Day 3: MysoreWalking tour visiting some of Mysore’s architectural wonders. Tour the Maharajah’s Palace, which combines Hindu and Saracenic architecture. Afternoon at leisure. Evening food tour of Mysores celebrated gastronomical delights including Mysore Masala Dosa. Return to the Maharajahs Palace this evening to see it illuminated by over 100,000 light bulbs. (B) Day 4: Nagarhole National ParkTravel to Kabini for an overnight stay at the Serai Kabini. The prey density of Nagarhole National Park is one of the highest in Asia including tigers, leopards and wild dogs. Afternoon boat safari in search of the parks endemic wildlife. (B, L, D) Day 5: Nagarhole National Park WayanadOptional early morning 4×4 safari*. Travel to Wayanad for 2 nights at Wayanad Wild. Wayanad is an area of outstanding natural beauty with tropical forests, valleys, waterfalls and sprawling plantations. (B, L, D) Day 6: WayanadMorning at leisure. Enjoy an interactive Keralan cooking class and lunch. Take part in a guided nature walk following elephant trails. (B, L, D) Day 7: CoonoorLeisurely drive to the hill station of Coonoor. Enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Taj Savoy. Afternoon tour of the botanical gardens in Ooty, filled with more than 1,000 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees. Continue to Coonoor for 2 nights at the Gateway Hotel Coonoor. (B, L) Day 8: Coonoor OotyDrive to Ooty and ride the Blue Mountain Railway to Coonoor. The scenic narrow gauge railway runs across plains, plantations and the verdant hills of the Nilgiri mountains. Visit a planters house for afternoon tea and a walk through the tea plantation. (B) Day 9: KochiTravel to Coimbatore and enjoy lunch before boarding the train to Ernakulam. Transfer to the Eighth Bastion, located in the heart of Fort Kochi for 2 nights. Remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the local area. (B, L) Day 10: KochiVisit some of the highlights of this enchanting port, taking in the architectural styles that reveal Arab, Jewish and European influences. View the remarkable, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, explore the 16th-century Portuguese-built Mattancherry Palace, the Church of St Francis and the worlds oldest active Jewish synagogue in historic Jew Town. Wander through markets and visit the vibrant Dhobi Ghats. Later, visit the Kathakali dance studio to see a traditional performance. (B) Day 11: The backwatersDrive to the backwater region of Kerala this morning. En route, enjoy a backwater cruise by shikara boat through narrow canals. This cruise explores these picturesque waterways, revealing boats carrying loads of coir, copra and cashews and, along the water’s edge, numerous churches and markets. Stay for 2 nights at the Coconut Lagoon. (B) Day 12: The backwatersDay at leisure. (B) Day 13: Fly to London via DubaiMorning transfer to the airport and fly to London, via Dubai, with Emirates. (B) |