Wildlife Tour of South India
Duration : 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations : Chennai - Madurai - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Allepey - Cochin - Wayand - Mudumalai - Mysore - Bangalore
Day 01 : ChennaiOn your arrival in Chennai you will be meet by our Tour Executive and transferred to your hotel.
Day 02 : Chennai
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your Madurai flight. On arrival in Madurai you will be meet and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon take a city tour including visits to Meenakshi temple and Nayak Palace. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 03 : Madurai/Munnar
Drive 4-5hrs to Munnar where the rolling hills of tea plantations are spread before your eyes. Visit to tea plantation and wildlife sanctuary. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 04 : Munnar
The full day at leisure with the option for trekking or visiting further a field bird and wildlife sanctuaries. Overnight at Munnar.
Day 05 : Periyar
Morning drive 3 hrs to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Check in to your hotel. Afternoon take a 2 hour boat ride on Lake Periyar where the animals come down to the water's edge. Overnight at Periyar.
Day 06 : Periyar
After breakfast embark on a spice plantation tour with optional elephant ride or a half day trek. Evening boat ride on Lake Periyar. Overnight In Periyar .In Periyar it is also possible to arrange an overnight stay in a watch tower. You need to trek for some distance to reach the Watch tower but naturally the chances of sightings are much better. It is also possible to arrange a full day outing which includes rafting ( slowly) down the river , especially good for bird watching and some trekking. Please ask for further details about either of these activities. Overnight at Periyar.
Day 07 : Periyar
Morning spice tour and afternoon walk into the forest and stay overnight in a small cottage. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. After breakfast, walk out with the guide.
Day 08 : Periyar/KumarakomAfter breakfast drive to Kumarakomand board your houseboat to travel through the coconut palm lined backwaters towards Alleppey. Kumarakom is the home of a migratory bird sanctuary ( best time to visit Nov Feb) As you travel through the palm fringed canals and lakes your crew will prepare you delicious Kerala meals and show you various places of interest along the way. Overnight on board the Houseboat.
Day 09 : Alleppey/Cochin
After breakfast you will arrive in Alleppey . You will disembark the boat and drive 1.5hrs to Cochin.Afternoon free and in the evening watch a performance of Kathakali Dancing. Overnight at Cochin.
Day 10 : Cochin
Morning sightseeing at Fort Cochin. St Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Spice market and Antique markets. Evening sunset cruise on Cochin Harbour where you have a chance of seeing dolphins. Overnight at Cochin.
Day 11 : Cochin/Wyanad
Full day drive via Calicut to Vythiri Resort in the Wyanad Hills. This eco friendly resort is set in a peaceful rainforest location with many options for trekking, bird watching and visiting the nearby Thollpetty Wildlife sanctuary. Overnight at Vythiri.
Day 12 : Wyanad
Today you can enjoy the various activities available in the region. Overnight at Vythiri Resort.
Day 13 : Wyanad/Mudumalai
Morning drive 2.5hrs to Mudumalai and check into the Tree House at Wild Canopy Reserve. Here overlooking a small water hole you will see animals and birds. You can also trek and take a jeep safari through this peaceful and pristine reserve. Overnight in the Tree House ( or deluxe cottages).
Day 14 : Mudumalai/BR Hills
Morning trek or jeep safari and late morning check out and drive 3hrs BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Afternoon jungle activities. The program includes all meals jeep safaris, elephant rides and trekking.
Day 15 : BR Hills
Morning and afternoon jungle activities at BR Hills Camp. Some information on BR Hills Camp: it is set in a very hilly area and the accommodation is in Deluxe tents, The staff are well trained and you take 2 jeep safaris per day for approximately 3 hours each time. Short elephant safaris are also available. Sightings are good. If you are looking for a more deluxe camp, the internationally renowned Kabini River Lodge is in the same region so could be substituted into the itinerary at this point. Accommodation here is in cottages. Here you also take jeep safaris and coracle safaris on the Kabini River so there is also a wide range of bird life. Sightings here are also good. Let us know which option you prefer.
Day 16 : BR Hills/MysoreEarly morning Jungle Activities and after breakfast drive 2 hrs to Mysore. Afternoon visit to Mysore Palace. Overnight at Mysore.
Day 17 : Mysore
Morning sightseeing around Mysore and afternoon free. Overnight at Mysore.
Day 18 : Banglore
After breakfast drive 4 hours to Bangalore enroute visiting Srirangapatanam, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Evening transfer to the airport for your flight home .
