The Southern Panorama

Day 01 : Arrival Bangalore

Assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the hotel. Afternoon half day sightseeing tour of Bangalore city. The Garden City of India visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old Trees, Fountains, Lotus Pools, Terraces and an assortment of tropical herbs and sub tropical herbs. Also see the Govt. buildings and the Maharajas Palace. Afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 02 : Bangalore – Hassan

Morning depart by surface to Hassan en route visiting Sravanabelgola. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon excursion to the Channa Kesava Temple of Belur built 900 years ago and the 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples at Halebid.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Hassan – Mysore

Morning leave by surface to Mysore (approx. 115 kms/4 hrs) and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon half-day sightseeing tour visiting the Palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. Visit the Art Gallery, drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the Nandi Bull.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : Mysore – Coorg

Morning drive to Coorg. Assistance upon arrival and check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Coorg

Morning sightseeing tour of Coorg.

Coorg is a region of scattered villages and hamlets, with a few townships standing out. Postcard pretty with their red tiled cottages and purple flowering shrubs. Coorg has a few temples that are worth visiting. The Bagamandala Temple at the confluence of the Cauvery–Sujyothi Rivers is built in the multi-roofed Kerala style. The Omkareshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is almost 200 years old and is a surprising blend of Islamic and Gothic styles.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 : Coorg – Calicut

Morning drive to Calicut (approx. 170 kms). Upon arrival check-in at Kadavu Resorts.

Overnight at the Resort.

Day 07 : Calicut

Morning sightseeing tour of Calicut. Visit Kappad - the place where Vasco da Gama set foot for the first time when he came to India on May 27, 1498. There is a small stone monument at the beach to commemorate that event. Museum is located on the East Hill.

Overnight at the Resort.

Day 08 : Calicut – Cochin

Morning drive by surface to Cochin (225 kms/5 hours) en route visiting the Elephant Training Camp at Guruvayur (near Trichur) Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Evening witness a Kathakali Dance Drama performance

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 : Cochin - Periyar

Morning half day sightseeing tour of Kochi (Cochin) – an important port city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, the Chinese Nets, the Church of St Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama.

Afternoon depart by surface to Thekkady/Periyar and upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Lying to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the one most fascinating natural wildlife reserves – The Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. Amongst the animals spotted here are wild elephants, which can be seen and photographed at close quarters, wild boar, Sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog and languor monkeys.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 : Periyar – House Boat

Early morning take a game viewing boat ride on the artificial Periyar Lake to see the wildlife inhabitants of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Later drive by surface to Alleppey (approx. 130 kms/3 hours drive) and upon arrival check-in at a House Boat, which will cruise through the backwaters of Kerala, namely the Vembanad Lake and one can enjoy the natural beauty with coconut tree plantations, paddy fields, toddy tapping, local village life and fishermen at work. Not to say the sunset from the Backwaters is a spectacular sight to be missed.

Overnight on board House Boat.

Day 11 : House Boat - Kumarakom

Disembark from your House Boat right at your Resort in Kumarakom and check-in. Rest of the day at leisure enjoying at the backwater island of Kumarakom. The Optional activities during your stay at Kumarkom.

Sunset Cruise – there can be few better ways to adjust to the pace of backwaters life than to spend the waning hours of the afternoon just watching the sun go down.

Bird Sanctuary – one the southern bank of the Kavanar River, immediately opposite Coconut Lagoon, is a small bird sanctuary, where numerous species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost

.

Ayurveda – The Healing Touch: Coconut Lagoon has An Ayurvedic Centre offering various Ayurvedic Therapies under the guidance of an expert physician.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Kumarkom

Day free for independent activities.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 : Kumarakom - Kovalam

Morning after breakfast, depart by surface to Kovalam and upon arrival check-in at the resort situated on the Kovalam Beach near Trivandrum. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : In Kovalam

Morning sightseeing tour of Trivandrum city. Visit the famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Rebuilt in 1733, it is an excellent example of South Indian architecture. Visit the Zoological Park, Napier Museum with its bronze collection, Sri Chitra Art Gallery with paintings from various schools; from countries like China, Japan, Java and Bali. Afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight at the Resort.

Day 15 : Depart Trivandrum

In time departure transfer to the airport to board flight back home.