KARNATAKA TO KERALA BACKWATERS & BEYOND
Overview
Karnataka to Kerala Backwaters & Beyond Tour Package Itinerary : – Bangalore – Chikmagalur – Hassan – Mysore – Wayanad – Kozhikode (Calicut) – Thrissur – Kothamangalam – Kochi – Alleppey – Kumarakom – Kovalam – Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum)
Here is a tour for travelers who would like to take in the lush green counters of Karnataka and Kerala with a few lively cities, colorful temples and ancient monuments thrown in ! Starting in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, we travel to Mysore, famous for its sandalwood soap, silk and the well-preserved Mysore Palace. Enjoy visit of Belur and Halebid to view some of the best Hoysala architecture built in the 12th Century. Visiting the Edakkal Caves -Wayanad showcase archaeological evidence of the prehistoric civilization that once roamed this region. Then it’s on to Kochi (Cochin ) via the coast with its inviting beaches and famous Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. A highlight of the tour is an overnight cruise on the Kerala backwaters through a network of lakes, lagoons and canals, past paddy fields and coconut palms to glimpse rural life on backwaters.. Finally, we journey to the very tip of southern India to savor the beaches in Kovalam, before ending our trip in Trivandrum.
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01
ARRIVE BANGALORE
Arrive Bangalore Airport, on arrival transfer to hotel, check in hotel. Evening at Leisure.
02
BANGALORE – CHIKMAGALUR
After breakfast we explore Bangalore, the garden city on India. We visit Tipu Sultan’s Palace, Bull Temple and the spectacular Vidhana Soudha. After lunch we continue to the hill station of Chikmagalur, enroute visiting the 800-year-old Sri Amrutheshwra Temple. On arrival check in hotel. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
03
CHIKMAGALUR – HASSAN
Nestled in the Baba Badan hills, Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town surrounded by hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms. This morning we visit a coffee plantation and some religious monuments and shrines. After lunch, we drive to Belur and Halebid to view some of the best Hoysala architecture built in the 12th Century. From Halebid w continue to Hassan. On arrival check in to hotel. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
04
HASSAN – MYSORE
After breakfast we drive to Mysore city of silk, sandalwood, and palaces. En route we take in a guided tour of Srirangapatnam. We then continue to Mysore where we have lunch before checking into hotel. Afternoon visit to the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and St. Philomena’s Cathedral. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
05
MYSORE VISIT
Morning after breakfast we drive visit the well-preserved Mysore Palace, one of the largest palaces in India. After lunch we drive to Chamundi Hill to visit the 2000-year-old Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the Royal Family. On our return to the hotel, we visit a Mysore silk factory and a sandalwood oil factory.
06
MYSORE – WAYANAD
After breakfast we leave for Wayanad, a highland area that is home to several tribal communities. Here we visit the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which is rich in flora and fauna. Overnight at hotel.
07
WAYAND VISIT
Today after breakfast we prepare for our 1 km trek to reach the Edakkal Caves. These caves showcase archaeological evidence of the prehistoric civilization that once roamed this region. After lunch we visit Raja Pazhassy’s Tomb. Overnight at hotel.
08
WAYANAD – KOZHIKODE (Calicut)
This morning we drive to Vaythiri to visit the salt water Pookot Lake. We then continue to the coastal town of Calicut. After we check in at hotel, we visit Kappad Beach where we can enjoy a beachside panoramic view of the sunset.
09
KOZHIKODE – THRISSUR
Today we drive along the coastline to Guruvayoor. Here we visit the famous Vadakkumnathan Kshetram Temple, which is built in the classic Kerala style of architecture. After lunch with a local restaurant, we watch a Kairali show. We then continue to Thrissur. Dinner / Overnight at hotel.
010
THRISSUR VISIT
Morning after breakfast we visit the school of Kerala Kalamandaloam renowned for its Kathakali Dance Academy. Afternoon at Leisure before visiting a traditional pot-making centre. Overnight at hotel.
011
THRISSUR – KOTHAMANGALAM
Today we drive to Kothamangalam, en route we stop to visit Kodungallur where India’s largest mosque is located. We then continue to Kothamangalam and the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary. Thattekkad is situated on the northern bank of the Periyar River and boasts more than 250 bird species. Afternoon visit to the sanctuary with sunset views over the river. Overnight at hotel.
012
KOTHAMANGALAM – KOCHI (Cochin)
Early morning visit to the bird sanctuary. We then proceed to Kochi where we visit St. Francis Church which built by the Portuguese, after that visit The Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), also built by the Portuguese. Evening Dinner at local restaurant on Fort Street area, where you can have fresh cooked lake fish. Overnight at hotel.
013
KOCHI – ALLEPPEY
After breakfast we proceed to Alleppey to where we board a houseboat on pleasant Vembanad Lake. Houseboats are converted kettuvallams or rice barges. We cruise silently through a network of lakes, lagoons and canals, past paddy fields and coconut palms to glimpse rural life on the backwaters. Overnight on the houseboat.
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ALLEPPEY
The following day we continue to cruise and explore the backwaters.
015
ALLEPPEY – KUMARAKOM
We disembark houseboat aat Kumarakom. On arrival check in to hotel. After lunch we visit the town of Kottayam where we walk through the bazaar and visit the Syrian Christian Church. We then go back to hotel to enjoy the evening overlooking the backwaters. Overnight at hotel.
016
KUMARAKOM – KOVALAM
This morning after breakfast we drive to the southern tip of Kerala at Kovalam. After having lunch with a local Heralite family, we visit the Mannarsala Nagaraja Temple and the Krishnapuram Palace, we then check in at the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
017
KOVALAM
Today is at your leisure to relax and unwind by the beach or stroll through the streets of this small town. End the day by watching the sunset by the beach.
018
KOVALAM – THIRUVANTHAPURAM
Today we drive to the capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum. Along the way we visit a fine example of Kerala and Dravidian architecture, the Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy Temple. After lunch in Trivandrum, we visit the Kuthiramalika Palace Museum which provides a rare insight into the lives of the royal family.
019
TRIVANDRUM DEPARTURE
Today Morning free at leisure / shopping. Afternoon transfer to Airport to catch your flight back to home with happy memories of colorful temples and backwater lagoons.