India Tours: South India Wildlife Tour Itinerary
India Tour Length: 15 days
Day 1: Arrive in Mumbai
On arrival, receive assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Gateway of India built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Stop by the Dhobi Ghat, the Flora Fountain and the Hanging Gardens. Drive by the Marine Drive, the Chowpaty Beach and the Parsi 'Towers of Silence'. Also visit the Indo-Saracenic Prince of Wales Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Mumbai – Bangalore
Transfer to the airport in the morning and board the flight for Bangalore, dubbed the silicon-valley of India. On arrival, receive assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the Vidhan Sabha, the Cubban Park and the Lalbagh Gardens that has tropical and subtropical plants. Also visit Tipu Sultan's Palace, a two-storied structure with rich carvings on its walls and ceilings and the Bull Temple with the monolithic Nandi (Bull) made of gray granite. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Bangalore – Mysore
In the morning, drive to Mysore, famous for its silk and a thriving sandalwood and incense center. En route, visit Srirangapatnam, the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, dreaded by the British in the 18th century. Admire the summer palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh. On arrival in Mysore, check into the hotel. In the afternoon visit the Maharaja's Palace built in 1897 by Henry Irwin in Indo-Sarcenic style, the Zoological Gardens, the Mysore Art and Crafts Center. Also visit the Chamundi Temple atop a hill overlooking the city. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Mysore – Nagarhole
In the morning, drive to the Nagerhole National Park, well watered by four rivers. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the evening, enjoy game viewing. This is an excellent place to see elephants. One also can see wild pig, a variety of water birds, colonies of the world's largest bats, flying fox and if lucky, one could even spot a leopard. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5: Nagarhole
Enjoy jungle visits in the morning and in the evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Nagarhole – Mudumalai
In the morning, drive along the forest stretch to the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, situated at an altitude of almost 1000 mts. Upon arrival, check into the Safari cottage. In the evening, enjoy game viewing. Spot herds of spotted deer, Indian bison, bonnet monkeys and a large variety of squirrels here. The sanctuary is also a bird watchers delight as there are over a hundred species in this sanctuary. Stay overnight at the cottage.
Day 7: Mudumalai
Enjoy jungle visits in the morning and evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Mudumalai – Ooty
In the morning drive to Ooty, also known as Udhagamangalam. Situated at an impressive height of 2268 mts, Ooty was founded by the British in the early 19th century as the summer headquarters for Madras (now Chennai). The leftovers of the British Raj can be seen in the sprawling stone mansions hidden in huge gardens. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Ooty - Cochin
In the morning, drive down the hills to Cochin, now called Kochi, which reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly with its wealth of historical associations and its setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and stay overnight there.
Day 10: Cochin
In the morning, enjoy a city tour of Cochin. Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church's cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th century. Spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a cultural show. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Cochin – Periyar
In the morning drive to Periyar, South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy game viewing in the sanctuary. One can observe elephants, flying squirrels, striped-necked mongoose and a variety of birds including the Niligari wood pigeon and white bellied tree pie. Even though the forests have a healthy population of leopards and tigers, one has to be lucky to spot them. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Periyar
Enjoy a boat ride on the Lake Periyar inside the wildlife sanctuary in the morning as well as afternoon and enjoy game viewing. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Periyar – Kovalam
In the morning, drive to Kovalam renowned for its fabulous beaches. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Kovalam
Spend the entire day at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 15: Kovalam – Mumbai / Depart from Mumai
In the morning, transfer to the Trivandrum Airport to board flight to Mumbai. On arrival, receive assistance at the airport and transfer to the International Airport to board connecting flight to onward destinations.
