Jungle Trails of South India itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangalore
Arrive Bangalore by flight and from where our representative will transfer you to hotel.
Welcome to India! After immigration and custom formalities at the airport, we are warmly greeted by our local host in traditional Indian way and are transferred to our Hotel.
Overnight in Bangalore.
Day 2: Bangalore - Nagarhole
The morning transfer from Bangalore to Nagarhole National Park ( Approx. 220 Kms/ 5 hrs drive).
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
In the afternoon you go on your first vehicle safari returning at around sunset.
Overnight in Nagarhole.
Day 3: Nagarhole
Morning and afternoon explore the park with vehicle safaris. The Nagarahole National Park is the best place for you to exactly know where the wild truly reside. A visit to the park can be an amazing experience, one that you won’t forget for a long time in your life.
Due to high levels of rainfall in this region, the park consists of numerous open grassy swamps lined with teak and eucalyptus. Wildlife varieties are numerous in number. Some of the common predators that can be seen include tigers, leopards, sloth bears and wild dogs. Spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, four-horned antelopes, wild boars and elephants constitute the herbivores.
Elephants in particular are seen the most, and they can be spotted enjoying their natural habitat at its best.
Other mammals present include the common langur, Bonnet macaques, jungle cats, slender Loris, leopards, civet cats, mongoose, common otters, giant flying squirrels, giant squirrels, porcupines, jackals, mouse-deer, hares and pangolins. The park also has a wide variety of birds and amphibians.
Overnight in Nagarhole.
Day 4: Nagarhole - Bandipur
After a morning vehicle safari in Nagarhole drive to Bandipur National Park (Approx. 125 Kms/ 3 hrs drive). Bandipur is a well known as one of the Project Tiger Reserves established in the mid-1970s. It is a great conservation area and hosts a good population of Asian elephants.
Afternoon explore Bandipur National Park.
Overnight in Bandipur.
Day 5: Bandipur
Morning proceed to Madumalai National Park ( Appprox. 25 Kms/ 45 minutes drive) to explore the wildlife in the park. Madumalai wildlife sanctuary has the distinction of being the first wildlife sanctuary to be created in South India in 1940. This gently undulating hilly terrain of the Western Ghats lies on Tamil Nadu’s interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. Strategically located near Bandipur National Park, Waynad Sanctuary and the Sigur and Singara reserve forests, it also comes under the proposed Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Moyar river, the most important source of water in the sanctuary, separates Madumalai from adjoining Bandipur, with similar flora and fauna.
Afternoon Jeep safari in Bandipur National Park.
Overnight in Bandipur.
Day 6: Bandipur - Pollachi
After your last vehicle safari in Bandipur you head off to Pollachi (Approx. 180 Kms/ 4 hrs drive).
Upon arrival check in at Shenbaga Vilaasam.
Shenbaga Vilaasam is a very special place to stay & in a perfect rural location. The building is a historical gem presented to a very high standard, & wonderfully comfortable. The place awes you as you walk in. The setting is also very nice - surrounded by coconut farms. The property is the summer residence of a once "royal" family - it is an elegant, one-storey complex.
Overnight in Pollachi.
Day 7: Pollachi - Munnar
Late morning drive to Munnar (Approx. 120 Kms/ 3 ½ hrs drive)
Munnar - A haven of peace and tranquility! This picturesque scope of the lofty Western Ghats first came into prominence as a favorite summer resort of the British government. The town of stands at the confluence of three mountain streams. Enjoy trekking, boating, riding, angling or just laze about and fill your soul with peace
At an altitude of 1,524 metres and close to Anamudi, the highest peak in southern India, the cool climate of Munnar provides a welcome relief from the heat of the plains.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 8: Munnar
Enjoy the day by visiting the stunning Eravikulam National Park on foot. The reserve is well-known for protecting its endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat.
Eravikulam National Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district of Kerala state, India. The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius). Apart from tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose,small clawed otter,dusky striped sqirrel etc.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 9: Munnar - Periyar
Breakfast at the hotel and proceed to visit tea plantation and tea museum.
Munnar is perhaps the choicest of places to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges. With special emphasis to Munnar, and to the delight of tea lovers and tourists, Tata Tea opened a Tea Museum which houses curious, photographs and machineries, each depicting a turning point that contributed to a flourishing tea industry, as seen today in the region.
Timings: 0900 to 1600 hrs. The museum is closed on Monday. Good Friday is also a holiday for museum.
There after drive to Periyar ( Approx. 120 Kms/ 4 hrs drive). Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Cardamom Hills and provides convenient access to the park. Magical land of spices and wildlife! Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, is one of finest and largest wildlife reserves in India. The Indian elephant comes in herds to frolic in the lake’s waters.The road winds through a picturesque countryside with plantations of tea, cardamom, pepper, cloves and cinnamon.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 10: Periyar
Early morning proceed for nature walks in the forest as it comes to life with the calls of birds and monkeys.
Then visit through one of the spice plantations, a highly educational and enjoyable experience seeing how crops such as pepper and nutmeg are grown and harvested. As you take a walk along the streets of Kumily or the winding pathways among the plantations, the thing that strikes you first is the lingering aroma in the air. The scent may be of cloves, nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon or cardamom and sometimes a fragrance that combines the scents of two or more spices. The geographical and climatic peculiarities of Kumily such as the cool climate and its elevation from the sea level make it ideal for spice cultivation.
Afternoon half day with elephant with the below activities:
Two hour elephant ride
Elephant Bath and shower
Elephant feeding and Photo session
Timber Dragging and Tea or Coffee
Plantation study, cardamom processing factory visit
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 11: Periyar
Morning proceed for full day Jeep Safari which start at 0530 hrs and ends at 1740 hrs.
Jungle Jeep Safaris are exciting way to drive into vegetation, ravines, gorges and valleys, amidst the mottled sunlight. Beginning with the reserve area, it will take you along Kumaon foothills by the way of pug marks, hoofs and scratches, a bed of dry leaves and water holes.
While there are chances of getting lost in the wild jungle aura, do not forget to carry a pair of binoculats and camera hanging around your neck as you might spot pack of wilds, quiver of serpents, and herd of elephants.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 12: Periyar – Kumarakom
Morning proceed for boat ride on Lake Periyar.
Thekkady is famous for the wildlife sanctuary located here. There is boating facility at Thekkady where the boat will take you around the Wildlife Sanctuary through the Periyar Lake. One can see wild animals during this boat ride but need to be very quiet.
Then proceed to Kumarakom (Approx. 122 Kms/ 4 hrs drive).
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon explore the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary by boat and on foot.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake which covers an area of 14 acres on the southern banks of Kavanar River in Kerala. Previously Kumarakom is famously called as Baker’s Estate heron and teal. It inherits many colourful birds variety in this park. It is one of the best bird sanctuaries in India held by the Englishman. It is a heavenly place for the travelling birds like Siberian stork, egret, darter.
Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 13: Kumarkaom - Alleppey
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Alleppey (Approx. 35 Kms/ 45 hrs drive) and embark Canoe for the real back water trip.
The tour starts at 0600 hr and ends at 1100 hrs.
To enjoy the wide varieties of sceneries and freshness of narrow canals take a canoe trip. This trip will explain every eye of the narrow canals in the backwater. While cruising through these canals in a canoe boat you would come across many interesting aspects of day to day life in the land as well as on water. You can see the flourishing paddy field, coconut lagoons & isolated islands. You can also enjoy the lifestyles of the villagers while walking through the paddy fields.
There after embark on Houseboat for an overnight.
Cruising Kerala’s backwaters in a traditional ‘Kettuvallom’ (boats made by tying together wooden planks with coconut ropes) is a distinctly unique experience!
These traditional wooden craft, originally used to transport rice along Kerala’s lush green backwaters, have found a new lease of life quietly exploring timeless scenes of palms and paddies, temples and villages. Boats have either one or two fan-cooled bedrooms with attached shower rooms. The sides are open allowing the breeze to flow freely. Your private crew steer the boat, cook lavish local meals and keep you in tea and cold drinks.
As you drift along the backwaters, you can see the local villagers fishing and washing clothes in the canals, as small boys swim alongside the boats shouting ‘Hello’ and ‘Which country?’. Birdlife is plentiful: stork and egret are often spotted. Even a day on a rice boat is a unique and unforgettable experience, but staying overnight, on a boat gives the chance to experience dusk and dawn on the still, reflective waters.
Overnight on Houseboat.
Day 14: Alleppey - Cochin
Disembark from Houseboat and drive to Cochin airport (Approx. 75 Kms/ 1 ½ hrs drive) to board flight back home.
Tour Highlight
Nagarhole: Jungle Safari
Bandipur: Game drive in Bandipur National Park
Munnar: Eravikulam National Park to see endangered Nilgiri Tahr mountain goat, tea plantation and museum
Periyar: Activities with elephant, Jeep safari in Periyar National Park, Boat ride
Kumararkom: Kumararkom Bird Sancturary
Alleppey: Houseboat
Price on request.
