South India Highlights

Sightseeing Activities: Today we will start our guided Kerala tour package from Bangalore, officially called Bengaluru. The guide will first take you to the Cubbon Park with a rich history of more than 140 years. Considered a landmark of Bangalore, it is a large park abundant with vibrant trees and flowers, perfect for a morning walk. Next, we will proceed to the 18th-century Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens featuring various kinds of plants and beautiful structures like the Glasshouse. After that, we will go to the Nandi (Bull) Temple to see one of the biggest sculptures of Nandi, a guardian deity often portrayed as a bull. Then we will have a photo stop at the opulent Vidhana Soudha, a legislative building in the neo-Dravidian style. In the end, we will drop by the Brigade Road, one of the most popular shopping areas in Bangalore.

Drive to Hassan by Private Car (188 km; 3.5 hours): In the afternoon, we'll drive you to Hassan, an ancient town that was ruled by the Hoysala Empire in the 11th century. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and have a good rest.

The Significance of Bull to Indians
The mount of the god Shiva is a huge yellow bull. As one of the incarnations or representatives of the god Shiva, the bull is considered a sacred, pure, and noble animal. In daily life, bull brings convenience to people's lives, as they can cultivate and produce milk, and manure can also be used as fuel. In addition, with the special definition in Hinduism, locals worship bull as god, someone even drink bull's urine since they believe it benefits their body.

When you travel to India, you will find statues of bull enshrined in temples. The Nandi Temple, which we are about to visit today, is the only temple in India dedicated to worshipping divine bull. The temple is not large, and there is a bull statue carved from rock in 4.5 meters high and 6 meters wide. Being the oldest buildings in Bangalore, the temple is very popular, and people come to pray on weekends and newlyweds hold their weddings here. Hundreds of years of devout worship are not only for the divine bull, but also for gratitude and hope for a better life.

PS: Perhaps someone is trying to mark a red dot on your forehead in the hope of getting tips from you. Please do refuse if you are unhappy with it.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hoysala Village Resort, Hassan (4 stars)

Sightseeing Activities: In the morning, our guide will first take you visit two temple towns called Belur and Halebidu, which are 16 kilometers (10 miles) apart and were once the capitals of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. These two UNESCO World Heritage sites are filled with architectural marvels such as the Chennakeshava Temple complex, also known as the Belur Temple, which is a perfect example of the Hoysala architecture and a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. You will be amazed by the intricate carvings that vividly depict Hindu deities.

Drive to Mysore by Private Car (116 km; 2.5 to 3 hours): In the afternoon, we will set off to Mysore by our private car. When we arrive at the hotel in Mysore, the guide will help you check in. Have a good rest!

One of the Liveable City in India - Mysore
The Ganges nurtured the civilization of Uttar Pradesh but the south is richly endowed by nature, is a land of mountains, rivers and oceans. Mysore is located at the southernmost point of the Deccan Plateau, with an altitude of 770 meters and a perennial temperature between 18 and 38 degrees Celsius, belonging to a dry seasonal windy climate. Compared to other regions in the south, summer is much cooler here. There is no rain in winter, and the highest temperature during the day is around 27 degrees. Mysore is not densely populated with clean and tidy streets, colorful houses, tree lined avenues and sacred temples. Moreover, every time you stand on the roof and look afar, the amazing city views will catch your eyes.

As an ancient city with a history of 500 years, Mysore has a large number of cultural relics and ruins, and was once the capital of Karnataka. This is also a holy land of yoga and home to Ashtanga Yoga. Indian Prime Minister Modi applied for the establishment of International Yoga Day at the United Nations General Assembly and was approved. June 21st is now International Yoga Day, and yoga enthusiasts around the world will hold various activities to celebrate. If you are also a yoga enthusiast, don't miss the trip to Mysore. Or, if you’d like to stay here for a few more days to learn about yoga or visit a yoga practice center, please let us know and will make proper arrangements for you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore (4 stars)

Sightseeing Activities: After breakfast, our guide will take you to visit the Mysore Palace in the Indo-Saracenic style. It is one of the biggest Indian palace with beautiful decorations and carvings. Next, we will drive atop the Chamundi Hill, where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the Mysore city. Here we will also visit the Chamundeshwari Temple in Dravidian style, a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of Mysore - Chamundeshwari. On our way going down the hill, we will drop by the Sri Nandi Temple to see the enormous black granite sculpture of the sacred bull.

In the afternoon, we will continue to Srirangapatna, an island city used to be a fortress capital. Here the guide will take you to visit the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, a 1,100-year-old Hindu temple of Lord Vishinu, featuring delicate carvings and fine murals. Our last stop today will be the Daria Daulat Bagh, an 18th-century summer palace in Indo-Saracenic style. Here you can learn about the history of Tipu Sultan and admire the artistic frescos.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore (4 stars)

Today, we will continue our Kerala trip to Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, which is rich in tranquil lakes and beautiful mountains and considered the 'Queen of Hill Stations'. After breakfast, please take our private car to start a long road trip. We should arrive around noon. After settling in at the hotel, you can relax and enjoy the rest of the day. Ooty is especially suitable for nature lovers. You can take a leisurely walk around the area, soak in the beautiful mountain scenery and breathe in the fresh air.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Accord Highland Hotel Ooty (4 stars)

Sightseeing Activities: Today our guide will accompany you on a tour of Ooty featuring charming natural landscapes. First, we'll take a relaxing stroll through the large Botanical Gardens nurturing thousands of species of plants, large lawns and many old trees. Then we'll head to the Doddabetta Peak, the highest peak among the Nilgir Hills. The breathtakingly wide view of the endless green Nilgir Hills will feast your eyes. We will end today’s sightseeing at the Raj Bhavan, the governor's summer palace, which is over 120 years old and features tranquil gardens and pale green buildings.

The Top 10 Botanical Gardens in the World
A botanical garden is a scientific research institution that collects, propagates, and studies plants, while also providing cultural and educational services to society. Currently, there are over 2400 botanical gardens distributed in over 150 countries around the world. Today we will introduce the top 10 and very fortunately, we can visit one of them today.

1. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Landon are home to over 45000 species of tropical, subtropical, temperate, frigid, alpine, lake, plain, and hilly plants transplanted from the UK and around the world.
2. Orto Botanico of Padua in Italy, and the most famous is a chaste tree planted in 1550.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens, covering an area of 54 hectares, is renowned for researching and collecting tropical plants and horticultural flowers.
4. New York Botanical Garden, established in 1891, it is one of the largest botanical gardens in the United States and also one of the largest urban botanical gardens in the world.
5. Peradeniya Royal Botanic Gardens in Sri Lanka, it is the best tropical botanical garden in the world.
6. Jardim Botanico in Rio de Janeiro, it was designated as a biological protected area by UNESCO In 1992.
7. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in South Africa, to promote and protect rich and unique plant resources of South Africa.
8. Botanischer Garten in Berlin, one of the most diverse botanical gardens in the world, with over 22000 different types of plants and flowers inside.
9. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne gathers over 12,000 species and over 30,000 types of plants and flowers around the world. In addition to all native ones, more than 20,000 species of exotic plants have also been cultivated.
10. Ooty Botanical Gardens we are going to visit today, let our guide open its mysterious veil for you.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Accord Highland Hotel Ooty (4 stars)

After breakfast, we will check out the hotel and take the private car trip to Munnar, a hill station permeated with the fragrance of tea. It’s a long ride and we’ll arrive late in the afternoon. After checking into the hotel, if there is still time, feel free to explore the town. A leisurely walk in the mountains would be a wonderful warm-up for tomorrow’s Munnar tour.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Devonshire Green, Munnar (4 stars)

Sightseeing Activities: The first stop of today will be the Eravikulam National Park, where lives a variety of mammals, amphibians and more than 100 species of birds and butterflies. It is also home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Afterwards, we will head to the Tea Museum, where you can see many tea machineries and photographs recording the development of the tea production in Munnar. Next, we will move to the Top Station, Munnar’s highest point, for the fascinating vista of town. En route, we will stop at the Echo Point to explore the interesting natural echo phenomenon. At last, we will drive to Mattupetty, a hill station with rich water resource. We'll make a stop at the most popular attraction, the Mattupetty Dam, giving you time to take pictures.

Free Time in Munnar
Munar is located on a high mountain with an altitude of 1600-1800 meters, and land transportation is the only way to reach it. The train was not repaired after being damaged by floods in 1924, which is also one of the reasons why this land has always maintained its original ecology. The whole land is a big oases covered by tea plantations, and this emerald like land was a summer resort for the British a hundred years ago. When you arrive after a long way transfer, we recommend you take a leisurely walk in the town because the pure and honest people and folk customs here is more attractive. When you want to buy something, just do like a local to simply bargain and you can easily get it.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Devonshire Green, Munnar (4 stars)

Drive from Munnar to Periyar (86 km; 3 hours): In the morning, we will travel to Periyar by private car. When arriving at noon, have a rest at the hotel and our guide will then take you out.

★ Special Arrangement:
1. Afternoon Cruise: We will go to the Periyar Tiger Reserve for a cruise on the serene Periyar Lake, during which you will not only admire the picturesque scenery, but also see wildlife such as boars, deer and elephants.
2. Night Show: There is a venue in Periyar where traditional Indian martial arts called Kalaripayattu are performed at night. If you are interested, you can watch it at your own expense. Just tell the guide to arrange a seat for you in advance.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Elephant Court, Periyar (4 stars)

Drive from Periyar to Alleppey (135 km; 4 hours): After breakfast, we will proceed to Alleppey, in a smooth drive by private car. Alleppey, also called Alappuzha, and ‘Venice of the East’ is known for its unique backwater views.

★ Unique Experience of Backwaters Cruise: Upon arrival, our driver will escort you to a full board houseboat to cruise along the rustic Kerala backwaters. As you float through the tranquil canals, you’ll pass through the vibrant coconut groves, admire the emerald lagoons, and see villages on the shore and the modest lives of the locals. There is a chef on the boathouse to prepare delicious Kerala food for you and you will have a pleasant night on the boat.

The Best Way to Explore Alleppey
Allepeey is the entrance to countless wide and narrow canals dug between coconut trees, with a total length of over 900 kilometers. Like alleys on land, it also carries the transportation needs of local villagers. There are several ways to visit the water alley: Take a large boat, which can accommodate hundreds of people when fully loaded. However, its large size limites it to narrow waterways. While a small also has its own drawback, it cannot travel too far. So we have arranged the best way for you: one night’s stay in a houseboat.

The houseboat is generally divided into three compartments. The bow is the reception area, equipped with bamboo chairs and a table, where the helmsman sits to control the direction and the passengers can be seated there to enjoy the scenery. Passengers' room is in the middle with simple toilet and shower, while the aft is the kitchen.

Time on the boat house is leisurely, there you may hear the sound of ripe coconuts falling into the water. But it may not always be leisurely, especially when the two boats are intertwined, the helmsmen on both sides shout slogans in a coaxing manner, but they can always be far apart in the almost collision moment without any danger, only excited shouts from the guests. This should their goodwill to entertain their guests. At night, familiar crew members may invite you to visit their village and even treat you to a homemade coconut wine.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Lakes & Lagoon, Alleppey (Houseboat)

Sightseeing Activities: After breakfast, we will get off the houseboat and travel 1.5 hours by car to Kochi (Cochin), a southern coastal city facing the Indian Ocean. After a short break at the hotel, our guide will lead you to explore the city. We will begin with the Jew Town (closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays), and stroll through the European-style alleys full of antique shops. Next, we will visit the Mattancherry Palace dating back to 1555. Here you could learn about the architectural style of the traditional Kerala buildings and enjoy the exquisite murals portraying the religious stories of Hindu deities.

In the afternoon, the guide will show you around the St Francis Church, a 16th-century European church that witnessed the anti-colonial struggle. After that, we'll go to the Jewish Synagogue, which dates back to the 4th century and is believed to be the oldest synagogue still in operation. Finally, we will round off the day at the Kochi Harbor, where you will see ancient Chinese Fishing Nets introduced here in the 15th century.

► Tip: In the evening, there is a traditional South Indian dance performance called Kathakali. If you are interested, please tell our guide and then he can reserve the seats for you.

The Basic Facts of Kathakili
1. The actors are all male, and the meticulous makeup process cannot be missed, which has set a Guinness record for its thickness of the makeup.
2. At the beginning of the performance, a major commentator and singer will introduce Kathakali to the audience.
3. The actors will demonstrate to everyone the main expressions, gestures, foot movements, and body postures represented during her performance.
4. The stories performed are mostly derived from the epic Mahabharata and Ramayana, with different stories performed every night.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu, Kochi (4 stars)

Departure Note: Today your wonderful trip is coming to an end. After enjoying the breakfast served at the hotel, please pack up your luggage and check out. Our driver will escort you to the airport and see you off. Have a nice trip home! If you want to travel to other parts of India, please feel free to contact us to extend your travel plan.

Meals: Breakfast