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South India Travel Itinerary Vivid Culture & Diverse Wildlife Days 1 & 2 U.S. / Bangalore Depart the U.S. on a connecting flight to Bangalore, India and spend the night at the Taj Residency Hotel. (Meals Aloft)
Day 3 Bangalore / Mysore Drive through the fertile fields and wooded hills to Mysore, where we have an afternoon at leisure at our hotel, the Lalitha Mahal Palace, formerly a royal guest house. Spend this evening touring the exquisite Amba Vilas Palace. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Mysore / Nagarhole National Park Visit the lush islands of the Ranganthittoo Bird Sanctuary by boat. Home to migratory birds from as far away as Siberia, we hope to see spoon bills, white ibis, little egret, darter, peafowl and more. Nagarhole National Park is the perfect getaway for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The landscape is rich in forests, little streams, undulating valleys and fascinating waterfalls. Nagarhole is one of the last safe asylums for the Asian elephant, and is also home to antelope, panther, warblers, hornbills, spotted deer, mouse deer, pangolin, Indian guar and giant flying squirrel. We enjoy two nights at the Cicada Resort. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Nagarhole National Park View more of the park’s wild game during a morning coracle (local fishing boat) ride on the Kabini River. Spend the afternoon cruising through the serene backwaters looking for crocodiles, bird life and elephants, or enjoy a jeep safari to spot the animals and ride on an elephant. (B,L,D)
Days 6 & 7 Bandipur National Park After a morning safari in the jungles of Nagarhole, drive to the Cicada Bandipur Resort on the outskirts of Bandipur National Park. Located in the Nilgiris Mountains, Bandipur is home to a range of wildlife including leopard, sloth bear, elephant and a rich variety of bird life, which we’ll search for during daily game drives. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 8 Bandipur / Wayanad Drive to Wayanad, home to two major wildlife reserves: Muthanga and Tholpetty. These sanctuaries are home to an incredible range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. Our home tonight is at the Tranquil Resort. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Wayanad / Cochin After a morning drive to Cochin, a vibrant city on the Indian Peninsula, you have the day at leisure at the Taj Malabar, our home for two nights. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Cochin After a morning tour of Cochin including the Bolghatty Palace, St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European-built church, and the Paradesi Synagogue, we enjoy a performance of traditional Kathakali dance. (B,L,D)
Days 11 & 12 Cochin / Periyar National Park Periyar National Park in the Western Ghats is a rich habitat for large mammals, providing succulent grasses for grazing animals, such as herds of Indian elephant and Nilgiri langur. Spend a relaxing afternoon and morning sailing on Lake Periyar looking for aquatic birds and the great Indian hornbill. Savor the region’s local flavor while strolling through plantations specializing in cinnamon, coffee and tea. Spend two nights at the Spice Village, in tribal-style, thatch-roof cottages. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 13 Cochin / Backwater Cruise Embark our houseboat, locally called a kettuvallam. These comfortable boats each carry no more than six guests, We cruise the coast of Kerala and wind far inland through a network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. These backwaters represent a unique geographical formation and are the basis of a distinct life style. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Backwater Cruise / Kumarakom Our boat passes lush green spice plantations and villages en route to Kumarakom, an enchanting village on the banks of the Vembanad Lake. Before an afternoon at leisure, drift through the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, searching for egrets, darters, teals and even migratory Siberian storks. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight before staying at Kumarakom Lake Resort. (B,L,D)
Days 15 & 16 Kumarakom / Cochin / Mumbai / U.S. Drive to Cochin to board flights to Mumbai. Dayrooms are available at the InterContinental Lalit before dinner and connecting flight to the U.S. (Day 15:B,L,D; Day 16: Meals Aloft)
Please Note: Travel to India necessarily involves some inconveniences. The subcontinent is large, and there are some long travel days on very bumpy roads. The itinerary is fast-paced and there are at times long distances to walk to reach a site. Traversing hills, uneven terrain and steep stairs will also be necessary. Good mobility and stamina are necessary to get the most from this adventure.
A key reason to visit India is to see places and cultures that are very different from our own, and you will certainly have a wealth of extraordinary experiences. Your accommodations will be outstanding. But please bring a sense of humor and be prepared if things don't always go 100% according to plan — you'll enjoy your visit all the more.
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