Kerala & Karnataka Highlights

Welcome to Bengaluru, India's IT hub and your gateway to exploring the southern states of India. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. 

Rest and refresh in your hotel before discovering Bengaluru, India's answer to Silicon Valley, a city where the old and the new exist in perfect harmony. Visit the 16th-century Dodda Basavana Gudi or the Bull Temple, an iconic landmark of the city dedicated to the sacred bull Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. Tour the majestic Vidhana Soudha built in Neo-Dravidian style and the seat of the state legislature. Move along to the Bangalore Palace, the residence of the erstwhile royal family of Mysore, the Wadiyars. Stop by Tipu Sultan's Fort and Palace and the Government Museum, one of the oldest museums in the country and a treasure trove of artefacts from the Neolithic period.

Head to Mysore in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The duration of the journey is around three and a half hours. En route, you will stop over at the town of Srirangapatnam.

Go back in the annals of time as you discover Tipu Sultan's capital city, Srirangapatna. This island fortress town is a must-visit for history lovers with its beautiful temples, mosques, ageing palaces, and cenotaphs.

Get a glimpse into the larger-than-life lifestyle of the royals of Mysore as you walk through the grand corridors, courtyards and hallways of the Maharajah's Palace. If you visit the palace on a Sunday, you can witness the palace lit up with thousands of lights, a magical sight. Drive up to Chamundi Hills and seek the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari at the temple that sits at a vantage point overlooking the city.

Leave Mysore city for Nagarhole in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The travel duration for this leg of the journey will be around 2.5 hours.

Gear up for action and adventure as you delve deep into the forests of Nagarhole National Park, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Granted national park status in 1988, it is known for its diversity of flora and fauna and is a recognised tiger reserve. Go in search of the majestic tiger as you set off on an exciting safari in a shared canter vehicle.

Leave the dense forests of Karnataka for the lush greenery of Kerala. Pack up and leave Nagarhole for Wayanad in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The duration of travel will be around two hours.

Part of the Western Ghats, Wayanad is a mountainous town that is known for its coffee and spice plantations and biodiversity. Head out on a half-day cycling tour of Wayanad and drink in the sights and sounds of the town as you pedal your way through 10-15 km of coffee plantations, villages, lush greenery, and soul-stirring views. Cycle to the beautiful Karapuzha Lake, a few well-known temples, a women-centric NGO, a biodiversity station and a tribal hamlet.

Head out for Cochin from Wayanad in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The total travel duration will be around eight and a half hours.

Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is one of Kerala's most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities. Discover Fort Kochi on foot, pausing to admire old buildings, many influenced by Dutch and Portuguese architectural styles. Stop by the Cheenavala, Chinese fishing nets that have been used for over five centuries overlooking the waters near Vasco da Gama square and an iconic city symbol. Later, head to St Francis Church, one of the oldest European-style churches in India where Vasco da Gama, the famous explorer, is buried. End the day with a visit to the Santa Cruz Basilica, with its two towering spires and white-washed exteriors. If you are a foodie, you could learn the secrets of Kerala cuisine in an interactive cooking session at the residence of a local chef!

Leave Cochin for Kerala's backwaters at Alleppey or Kumarakom in a private, chauffeur-driven vehicle. The duration of this journey will be one and a half hours.
At the heart of the backwaters lies the expansive Vembanad Lake and the Ashtamudi Lake. Cruise down the serene backwaters through canals lined with lush coconut trees and pass by charming villages and relax to a slower pace of life - a night spent on a houseboat is a quintessential Kerala experience. Savour freshly prepared traditional meals featuring rice, seafood, meat, and local palm wine.

Leave for Mararikulam, Alleppey, in your private, chauffeur-driven car. The duration from the backwaters to Mararikulam is 30 minutes.

With its pristine white sands, swaying coconut trees and pleasant waters, Mararikulam presents the perfect finish to an enchanting holiday. Mararikulam was rated as one of the world's best hammock beaches; the natural thing to do is to kick back and relax. Take a stroll in the morning and be part of the buzz and activity by the shore as the fishing boats return with the day's haul.

Head back to Cochin, and take your flight back home