Wildlife and Waterways of Kerala
Itinerary
Days 1-3 – Mysore: city of palaces
You’ll be met on arrival at Bangalore airport and whisked straight out of the city to Mysore (a journey of approx 3 hours). Mysore boasts a royal heritage that stretches back for centuries. The Maharajas invested heavily in the city, commissioning magnificent palaces and ornate temples. You’ll visit the huge, UNESCO World Heritage listed Mysore Palace to gaze at its giant silver doors and lavish rooms of marble and gold. You’ll also visit the Chamundi Hill Temple, perched on a hilltop with spectacular views over the city. Mysore is not only known for its palaces, but also for the incense, sandalwood and high-quality silk that is produced here.
If you have more time and would like to spend a night or two in Bangalore then ask your Travel Specialist to add it into your travel plan. Packed with leafy parks, coffee shops and progressive technology, it’s an urban taste of the future.
Days 3-5 – The green hills of Wayanad
From Mysore, it’s time to head through emerald valleys to Kerala. You’ll drive for around 3 hours through green tea plantations and palm-flanked valleys to Wayanad, nestled in the hills of the Western Ghats. Here you’ll stay for 2 nights in a spacious stilted bungalow at the bottom of a peaceful green valley, close to a lively village.
Surrounded by misty clad mountains, emerald green slopes and a winding river, the landscape around Wayanad is picturesque and best explored by bike and on foot. During your stay we’ll arrange a guided forest hike and bike tour. There are many bike trails in the area and the route will be based on your preference and fitness levels.
Days 5-6 – Toy trains and tea plantations
Continue your journey south through the lush, green tea hills to Ooty, a charming hill station that was a popular retreat for the English during the colonial period. Here you’ll board a narrow-gauge train, better known as the Toy Train, for a scenic one hour journey through the green landscape of the Nilgiri Hills to Coonoor, which is where you will spend the night. Take a stroll around the tea plantations and you’ll probably spot the women plucking tea in colourful saris.
Days 7-9 – Charming Cochin
Time to swap the green hills for the coast. Your driver will take you to Coimbatore, where you hop on the train bound for Cochin. Cochin (or Kochi) is a colourful coastal town with Portuguese and Dutch influences. It’s a melting pot of cultures and religions, and still an important seaport for trade in gold, textiles, fish and spices. The spice market here is one of the best in Kerala. Down by the water, you can see the legendary Chinese fishing nets in action. We’ll arrange a guided tuk-tuk tour as a fun introduction to the town. As you buzz through the lanes, your knowledgeable guide will share tales of the city’s rich history, cultural heritage, and architectural wonders.
Days 9-11 – Wildlife spotting in Periyar National Park
After two nights you’ll leave the coast behind and travel inland once again. Your destination is Thekkady, which is the base for exploring Periyar National Park. This vast park is home to an abundance of wildlife including deer, monkeys, birds and reptiles, but it’s best known for its wild elephants. You’ll spend a morning in the park, trekking through the forest with one of the park’s patrolmen who is an expert on the flora and fauna. If you’re lucky you may spot wild elephants grazing in the tall grass. During your stay in Thekkady, we’ll also arrange a cooking class at a local restaurant, to introduce you to the spicy cuisine of Kerala. The restaurant’s experienced chef will show you how to prepare a traditional Keralan meal which you’ll tuck into at the end of the class.
Days 11-12 – Overnight on a Keralan houseboat
This morning, leave for Alleppey where you’ll board a traditional Keralan houseboat and set sail into the backwaters. The labyrinth of tiny canals is fringed by palms on all sides and as you float along you’ll pass small villages, hidden temples, lush paddy fields and rice barges. Tonight you’ll sleep aboard your houseboat, moored on the banks of the scenic Lake Vattakayal. Just like hotels, houseboats come in different styles and comfort levels. We’ve selected an affordable but charming boat with all the necessary comforts. But if you’d like a bit more space and luxury, then just let us know and our India travel specialists will arrange an upgrade.
Days 12-14 – R&R on Marari Beach
After bidding farewell to your houseboat crew, you’ll be transferred along the coast to the peaceful, palm-fringed, Marari Beach. It’s the perfect place to end your India trip, so kick back and take it easy. You can head to the beach and take a dip, as the sea here is warm and ideal for swimming. Otherwise, relax in your hammock reading a book, or sunbathe by the pool, the choice is yours. If you’d like to add some more time at the beach, just let us know. At the end of your beach stay we’ll transfer you to Cochin airport, in time for your homebound flight.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
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For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary, select our In Style option below.
