PLACES: CALICUT | WAYANAD | KABANI | MYSORE | COORG | HASSAN | BANGALORE This 12-day journey through North Kerala and Karnataka presents an immersive blend of nature, heritage, wildlife, and culture. From historic Calicut and the wildlife-rich forests of Kabini and Nagarhole to the cool hills of Wayanad and Coorg, explore scenic landscapes, ancient caves, and lush plantations. Continue to regal Mysore and the magnificent Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid, and Shravanabelagola, before ending in cosmopolitan Bangalore. This unforgettable tour combines heritage, wildlife, spirituality, and natural beauty in one seamless experience. Upon arrival in Calicut, transfer to your hotel. Once the capital of the Zamorins and a major centre of trade, Calicut today offers lush landscapes, serene beaches, and rich heritage. Visit Kappad Beach, where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498, and, if time permits, explore Beypore, a historic port famed for its traditional shipyard and the 1,500-year-old craft of building Uru (Arabian trading vessels). Overnight in Calicut. After breakfast, drive to Wayanad. Upon arrival, check in to your resort. Wayanad, located in the northeast of Kerala, rises from the lofty slopes of the Western Ghats and opens into silent valleys covered in lush greenery. Known for its wildlife, Ayurveda, plantation resorts, and distinct culture, Wayanad is the perfect getaway for a memorable holiday. Its unique ecological and geographical features offer an enchanting experience for hikers, trekkers, and nature lovers. The scenic beauty and refreshing climate create lasting impressions. Later, visit the Edakkal Caves, considered one of the earliest centres of human habitation. Inside, you will find ancient stone carvings and pictorial inscriptions depicting human and animal figures, symbols, swastika designs, tools, and trees — remarkable evidence of prehistoric life and culture. Overnight in Wayanad. Today you can visit the Wayanad sanctuary where one can find animals like sloth bears, sambhar (wild deer), elephants, monkeys, tigers, reptiles, deer, panthers, and many species of rare birds. Later drive to Kuruva Island, an uninhabited island, a cluster of them infract, in the middle of the expansive Kabini river. The island’s preservation and the eco tourism around are managed by the participation of the local population living around it and the forest department. One of the best visits in India for a nature lover. Overnight in Wayanad. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kabini. Nestled on the southern fringes of Nagarahole National Park, Kabini is a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The tranquil backwaters of the River Kabini and the lush forest surroundings create an ideal setting for a long-awaited vacation. Once the hunting reserve of the former Maharajas, Kabini is now home to rich wildlife, including gaur, chital, sambar and barking deer, sloth bears, langurs, crocodiles, and over a hundred species of birds. The region is also known for its elusive big cats — the leopard and tiger. Arrive in time for lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kabini. Enjoy morning and evening jungle safari drives in Nagarhole National Park. You will explore the forest in a vehicle specially designed to maximise wildlife sightings. Nagarhole supports the highest density of herbivores anywhere in Asia. Studies indicate an average of 108 large herbivores per square kilometre, including ungulates and primates weighing more than 5 kg. Common sightings include muntjac, chital, sambar, four-horned antelope, gaur, wild pig, Asian elephant, common langur, and bonnet macaque. The park is also home to a significant population of predators, with tiger, wild dog, and leopard being the three major carnivores found here. Overnight in Kabini. After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Mysore, the former capital of a princely state. Mysore is a city of palaces and gardens, renowned for its silk, sandalwood, and jasmine. With many grand structures including the iconic Mysore Palace, the city is often referred to as the “City of Palaces.” The name Mysore is rooted in Indian mythology, where it is believed that Goddess Chamundi defeated the demon Mahishasura here, giving the city its name. Mysore was also the seat of the Wodeyar Dynasty until India’s Independence. In the evening, visit the colourful Mysore City Market. Several decades old yet retaining its original charm, the market is laid out in an organised manner with separate sections for vegetables, fruits, flowers, and perfumes. During festivals, the market becomes even more lively and vibrant, filled with fresh produce and fragrant blossoms for sale. Overnight in Mysore. In the morning, enjoy sightseeing in Mysore, beginning with the famous Mysore Palace. Built in 1912 in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace is an architectural masterpiece of unmatched grandeur. Continue to the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, which features an exceptional collection of paintings dating back to 1875. Overnight in Mysore. Drive to Coorg. En route, visit Srirangapatnam, renowned as the island fortress of the warrior king Tipu Sultan, who fought valiantly against the British. This historic town features a palace, fort, dungeons, and mosques, and is also known for the ancient Ranganathaswamy Temple and the Gumbaz, where Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali are buried. Located just 16 km from Mysore, Srirangapatna was once the capital of the Maharajas of Mysore. It is also close to the beautiful Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Continue your drive to Coorg. Kodagu, or Coorg as it is commonly known, has preserved its serene, picturesque beauty over the centuries. The British famously referred to this region as the “Scotland of India.” Rolling hills, lush coffee plantations, clear skies, and warm, hospitable local communities create a unique charm found nowhere else. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Coorg. Enjoy sightseeing in Madikeri with visits to Omkareshwara Temple, Madikeri Fort, the Palace, Gaddige (Raja’s Tombs), and Raja’s Seat. You may also choose to drive to Bylakuppe to see the impressive Buddhist temple (subject to government permit). Alternatively, simply drive through the valleys, enjoy the natural beauty of the region, and explore the charming town of Madikeri at your own pace. Overnight in Coorg. After breakfast, check out and drive towards Hassan. En route, visit Shravanabelagola, located 52 km from Hassan, an important Jain pilgrimage centre. It is home to Asia’s largest monolithic statue of Lord Gomateswara, which rises 58 feet high atop the picturesque Vindhyagiri Hill. Nearly eighteen hundred years old, the colossal statue is reached by five hundred rock-cut steps. Every 12 years, Jain pilgrims gather here for a grand head-anointing ceremony. Continue your journey to Hassan and check in at your hotel. In the afternoon, proceed to visit the Belur and Halebid temples. Belur, 38 km from Hassan, is renowned for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakesava Temple is the main attraction, built by King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas. Its façade is covered with intricate sculptures, leaving no surface untouched. It is also the only Hoysala temple still in active worship. Halebid, 27 km from Hassan, was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire and is known for one of its finest temples, the Hoysaleswara Temple. Perched on a star-shaped base amid manicured lawns, the temple is a sculptural masterpiece. Its walls are exquisitely carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals, birds, and friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Hoysala kings. Overnight in Hassan. Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. With its pleasant climate, tree-lined avenues, modern downtown, and booming software industry, Bangalore presents a striking contrast of past and present. What began as a small village with a mud fort in 1100 A.D. later developed into a modest military and trading centre under Muslim and British rule. Today, Bangalore is one of India’s leading cities in terms of industry, trade, and commerce. Enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Bangalore, visiting interesting landmarks and attractions. Vidhana Soudha, one of the most impressive and magnificent landmarks in the city, is known for housing the Legislative Chambers of the state government. Attara Kacheri, the building housing the High Court, is located opposite Vidhana Soudha. Dating back to 1867, it is noted for its stunning Gothic architecture. Lal Bagh, a historic botanical garden that features nearly 1,000 species of flora. The Glass House inside the gardens, modelled on London’s Crystal Palace, is a major attraction. Bull Temple, a 16th-century Dravidian-style temple and one of the oldest and most revered places of worship in Bangalore, draws devotees from across the country. Overnight in Bangalore. Departure transfer to Bangalore airport.
Itinerary
