South Western Coast India Tour

Upon arrival meet and assist by our representative and then transfer to your hotel.

In the morning proceed for a city tour and a boat cruise especially reserved by Distant India Journeys to give its customers that out of the world feeling. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

Morning, proceed to Periyar.

Check in at hotel on arrival.  In Periyar wildlife sanctuary you will witness nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. In the evening Distant India Journeys representative has reserved a boat cruise across the lake for you to view the wild animals and birds of different species.

Overnight stay will be at Periyar.

Morning, after breakfast boating through Periyar Lake - Wildlife sanctuary. You can visit the rare species of plants and animals. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.

Overnight will be in Periyar.

Proceed to Munnar in the morning and en route enjoy the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.

Upon arrival in Munnar the Distant India Journeys guide will take you for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important places are Muttupetty dam and Indo Swiss project and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers.

Munnar is located at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. This hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which climbs up to over 2695 m.      

In the morning leave by road for Ooty in the Nilgiris and check into your resort hotel.

Overnight will be in Ooty.

Full day is free to discover the Dodabetta peak or walk through the jungles.

In time morning transfer to Bangalore the Silicon Valley of India. Upon arrival in Bangalore free check in at the hotel. Afternoon you see the Administrative buildings of this beautiful south Indian city. Also see the botanical gardens with 1000 different varieties of flowers. This garden was done up by Hyder Ali in the 18^th century.

Overnight will be in Bangalore.

Leave for Hassan in the morning. Today we take you to an interesting excursion to Shravanabelagola – the great centre for Jain pilgrimage in the south. The 20 mts high statue of Gomateshwara carved out of a single rock is very impressive. This great figure is visible for about 15 kms and was built in 980AD by the local ruler. The view from atop the Indragiri is excellent. Reach Hassan by early evening and relax at your hotel.

Overnight will be in Hassan.

Hassan provides as the convenient base to visit the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid. Halebid was the capital of the Hoysalas from the 11^th century. Here we see the Hoysaleswara temple built in 1125 AD.

Belur was also the Hoysala capital for some time. Here worth mentioning is the Chenna Kesava Vishnu temple from 1117AD built by the Hoysala kings.

Overnight will be in Hassan.

In northern Karnataka is the 6^th century capital of Badami fortified by nature and the Chalukyan king Pulaskein I. Here you see the cave temple dating back to 6^th and 7^th century. The first to caves are dedicated to Shiva the third to Vishnu and the fourth cave is a Jain faith cave. Later visit the museum with artifacts dating back to the 1^st century BC.

Today in store is a full day excursion of Pattadakal and Aihole. In Pattadakal the Sanghameswara temple was constructed in 750 AD and bears a very strong resemblance to the Kailashnath temple of Kanchipuram as the architects were from the same area. At Aihole there are a numerous Hindu and Jain temples that range in style from Cave to the simple well-evolved freestanding structures. The Ravala temple has the finest expression of art of that period.

Return back to Badami after a fun filled day. Sculptures at the Ladkhan temple are considered to be the earliest of the surviving structures. The nearby Durga temple is also very impressive.

Overnight will be in Badami.

Hampi is one of the magnificent ruined cities of the world and offers a totally different experience for the travelers. This city was the immense and a very rich capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Just outside the city limits lies Hospet on the site of the Tungabhadra Dam and dates back to the ancient ages of the Ramayana. It is believed that it is here that Rama met Hanuman the monkey god.

The Vitthal temple is an excellent example of the Vijayanagara School of architecture.

Overnight will be in Hampi.

After breakfast, drive to Mysore. In the evening visit to the famous Brindavan gardens.

Overnight will be in Mysore.

In the morning visit the Maharaja’s palace with ornate interiors suggests the rich and extravagant lifestyle of the rulers of this region. Later visit Tipu Sultan’s Palace and capital at Srirangapatanam which holds a few mural paintings depicting life tales of Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali both a living terror to the British. Finally return back to Bangalore.

In time transfer to the airport for your onward travel to Goa.

Upon arrival in Goa check in at your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Goa.

Full day is free

Full day is free

Full day is free

Transfer to airport to board your flight for next destination….