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Holiday in South India - Colourful saris

Backwaters and Bollywood in South India

Route: Bangalore - Mysore - Mudumalai National Park - Wayanad - Cochin - Kerala - Periyar National Park - Kovalam - Mumbai

During this holiday in South India you'll pass all of the highlights of exotic South India. From the busy city of Bangalore you'll travel to the colourful silk-city of Mysore, you'll spot wild elephants in the Mudumalai National Park and go on a city tour through the town of Cochin, known for its authentic Chinese fish nets and its colonial history. In beautiful, tropical Kerala you'll go sailing on a houseboat, while watching life pass you by at a slow tropical pace. After a restful stay at a delightful beach near Kovalam you'll conclude your trip in the lively cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, known for its boisterous Bollywood films.

To find out more, simply request this holiday in South India on our quote request form, and we'll get back to you with a detailed India Travel Plan. If you've got more time to explore India, take a look at our other suggested holidays to India.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to build your own India trip, you can choose from our selection of unique bite-sized India tours.

Duration	14 days, 13 nights Departs daily from Bangalore.	Accommodation	Friendly hotels with character. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	£1212 per person - based on 2 people sharing a private trip	Includes	Hotels with breakfast, transportation and excursions with guides.
Transport	Private car and domestic flight.	Excludes	International flight and local entrance fees.

Day 1: Arrival in Bangalore

When you arrive in Bangalore for the beginning of your holiday in South India, you'll be picked up at the airport by your driver and taken to your hotel. You'll sleep in a very charming restored 120 year old villa just outside of the heart of the city. Its rooms have dark floors, heavy wooden furniture and there is a wonderful garden at the front of the house. This is an excellent place to recuperate from your jetlag.

Holiday in South India - Charming villa in Bangalore

Day 2: Bangalore

It's day two of your India trip and today you'll have an entire day at your disposal to go sightseeing through Bangalore. The city is modern and spacious and especially well known for its computer industry. At the heart of the city, you'll find wonderful parks where you can stroll around and start off your holiday in a relaxing atmosphere. Be sure to have a look at the red brick High Courts and the English-style Bangalore Palace, both remnants of the colonial times.

In the evening you can go out for dinner at one of the many restaurants in the city centre. Southern Indian cuisine is dominated by rice and coconut and food is usually served in small portions on a large banana leaf.

You'll spend another night in the authentic villa just outside of the heart of Bangalore, before your holiday in South India continues tomorrow.

Day 3: Bangalore - Mysore

Hopefully, you'll have seen enough of Bangalore by now, and you'll be ready to head further south to Mysore on the third day of your holiday in South India. The drive to Mysore should take about 3.5 hours. Along the way, you'll be able to enjoy wonderful scenery and streetside Indian hustle and bustle. Mysore is known for its excellent silk. Incense and sandalwood are also produced here, and so are the base ingredients for perfume. However, above all this city is known as the City of Palaces. The wealthy Maharajas invested heavily in this city. In the evening you'll visit these palaces on a sightseeing tour, which will end with a visit to Chamundi Hill Temple. This temple is located at an altitude of 1062 metres and offers a breathtaking view over the city, which is stunning at sunset. You'll spend the night in an elegant palace with green gardens, which was originally built for the princess of Mysore.

Holiday in South India - Maharaja's Palace in Mysore

Holiday in South India - Mudumalai elephants

Day 4: Mysore - Mudumalai National Park

After breakfast, you'll leave Mysore and head to Mudumalai National Park, the next stop on your holiday in South India. The drive should take you about 3 hours. Mudumalai is home to the largest population of elephants in India, but you'll also find deer, monkeys, bears and tigers here. The Moyar River, which runs through the park, is filled with otters and crocodiles. Mudumalai is located at the base of the Nilgiri Mountains and borders on the Bandipur, Nagarahole and Wayanad parks. These natural reserves are spread out over three states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Together they form a 'Biosphere Reserve'. You won't be able to simply take a walk through this entire reserve - its size is approximately 3000 km².

On arrival in Mudumalai you'll drive to your hotel, where you'll stay in a comfortable cabin in lush, green surroundings. Almost every cabin looks out over the immense Nilgiri Mountains. At one time, the owner worked in a coffee and tea plantation, so he can tell you all about his experiences there. After a few hours of relaxation, a jeep will arrive at your hotel and you'll set off on a night-time safari, during which you'll have the opportunity to encounter elephants in the wild. Hopefully, you'll also be able to spot a tiger, although you shouldn't count on it because sightings tend to be pretty rare. You'll be driven in an open jeep, so that you can see as many animals as possible. Don't forget to bring along a pair of binoculars and a camera for this part of your India tour.

Day 5: Mudumalai National Park - Wayanad

You can wake up slowly this morning and enjoy a tasty breakfast and get ready for the next leg of your holiday in South India. Now you'll head to Wayanad, which is nestled in the hills of the western Ghats, with peaks over 2000m. This relatively undiscovered area offers some breathtaking views across the emerald rolling hills. You’ll be staying in a spacious stilted bungalow in a peaceful green valley, close to a lively village. The evenings here are pleasantly cool, a nice place to stop off on your way to the tropical south.

Holiday in South India - Kathakali dancer

Day 6: Wayanad - Cochin

Today, you'll travel south (approx 6 hours drive) to the coast of kerala to the next town on your holiday in South India. You'll be visiting Cochin (its new name is Kochi), an island town where you'll find many Portuguese and Dutch influences. From 1503 to 1663 the town was ruled by the Portuguese, and afterwards by the Dutch. Then, in 1814, the town was taken over by the British. Cochin is the largest city in the state of Kerala and it is an important harbour city for the trade in gold, textiles and fish. At one time, many spices were also traded here. You'll spend the night in a colonial hotel located in the part of town referred to as Fort Cochin. This is a really quaint and atmosperic area, with Portuguese character and quirky cafes.

In the evening, you could visit a Kathakali dance show. This is a typical type of dance originating from Kerala. Kathakali literally means 'acted out story' and it features dancers in heavy make-up, colourful clothing and traditonal music. There are no words used during these shows, only facial expressions and dance and exaggerated eye-movements are used to tell stories.

Day 7: Cochin - City Tour

After breakfast, your private car and driver will be waiting to show you around Cochin if you wish. In Cochin (or Kochi) you'll encounter both the Portuguese and Dutch maritime history. Cochin has also always had a large Jewish community, known for their quaint old antique stores. During your sightseeing tour, you could visit the 'Dutch Palace', the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of the Jewish quarter and the Saint Francis church (the oldest European church in India). You can also take a look at the amazing Chinese fishing nets, brought to Cochin by Chinese traders, and still in use today.

Holiday in South India - Chinese fishing nets

Day 8: Cochin - Alleppey - Keralan Houseboat

On day eight of your holiday in South India you'll travel from Cochin to Alleppey, at the heart of the backwaters territory. This is one of the highlights of this India trip. Around noon you'll travel by traditonal houseboat through the backwaters. This is the ideal way in which to enjoy this waterway paradise in this region of Kerala. The canals are fringed with palm trees and everywhere you look you'll see people hard at work on the land. You'll often be greeted by happy smiling faces of local people waving to you from the banks. You'll move along these waterways at a slow pace, which is a perfect way to relax and observe your surroundings and you may not want to leave!

You'll pass by various villages, small temples, a 400-year old church and a snake boat. If you're lucky a snake boat race will be held while you're here, featuring dozens of brightly coloured rowers.

This evening you'll spend the night on your boat moored on the banks of the romantic Vattakayal Lake.

Day 9: Keralan Houseboat - Periyar National Park

It's day nine of your holiday in South India and you'll be picked up by your driver from your houseboat after breakfast for the drive to Periyar Wildlife Park. Along the way, you'll be able to gaze on rural Kerala from the car. Just ask your driver if you want to stop and take photos or stretch your legs. You'll spend the night in a cosy guesthouse accommodation run by an Indian family in the town of Thekkady. This town is located about 4km from the park.

Holiday in South India - Kerala backwaters

Day 10: Periyar National Park - Alleppey

You'll get up early on day ten of your holiday in South India for a guided walking tour. If you're lucky, you'll spot many different kinds of animals here, including deer, otters, bison, monkeys and wild bears. However, Periyar is most famous for its wild elephants, which can be seen in large numbers throughout the park. The elephants wander around the riverbank and spend their time splashing around in the water, so you'll see them close up when your boat passes by.

In the afternoon you'll can use your time to visit some fascinating spice plantations, walk through coffee bushes, tea fields and pepper plantations. Or you can book an afternoon boat safari locally (subject to availability). On the way back to your hotel in Thekkady, you can stop off at a local market where you'll be able to try out the local spices. Just be careful of those chillies!

Day 11: Periyar - Kovalam

This morning, you'll head to the coast from Periyar. A lovely beach resort near Kovalam is the next destination on your holiday in South India. The drives in Kerala are quite long, but you won't be bored with all of the breathtaking tropical scenery around you. Once you reach the beach you'll forget all about your long tiring trip in India. This is the most famous beach in Kerala and probably the most beautiful as well. This area hasn't been become a mass tourism magnet unlike some beaches in Goa. There are great restaurants on the beach, where you can fresh seafood.

Your resort is a few beaches away from Kovalam itself and located in a quiet area. This is the Nellikunnu beach, only 10 mins by auto-rickshaw or taxi from Kovalam main beach. There is a traditional Ayurvedic Spa that offers all kinds of massages and alternative treatments. Your lovely cabin will be decorated stylishly with large amounts of teak wood and the beach here is peaceful.

Holiday in South India - Periyar elephants

Holiday in South India - Hammock time in Kovalam

Day 12: Kovalam

Day twelve of your holiday in South India is completely free and you can spend it as you wish. This is a great place for a swim, the water is pleasantly warm and deepens gradually. Alternatively, you can lie back in a hammock with a good book, or go shopping at one of the many stands on Kovalam beach where you'll also find delicious food. However, you could also choose to go for a day trip to Kanyakumari, the southern-most point of India, or you could relax on the beach while watching the colourful fishing boats float around.

Day 13: Kovalam - Mumbai

Today your holiday in South India will continue as your driver takes you from Kovalam by car to Trivandrum airport (approx 20 minutes). From here you'll fly from Trivandrum to the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai (formally Bombay), known for its colourful Bollywood movies featuring with beautiful Indian movie stars. You'll be able to arrange your own taxi cab at Mumbai airport to take you to your hotel. If you'd rather we arranged this for you, just let our India travel specialists know. For a small fee we can add an arrival transfer to your India travel plan. In Mumbai you'll stay in a charming, comfortable hotel in the centrally located district of Colaba. This area lies near the famous Gateway of India and the lively, colourful Colaba market, which you'll be able to explore the same day. In the evening you'll be able to become acquainted with Mumbai's nightlife; the city has a very lively restaurant and club culture. You could also choose to go to Chowpatty Beach, where you'll find entire families on the beach having a chat and having a bite to eat at one of the brightly coloured food stands.

Holiday in South India - Gateway of India

Holiday in South India - Bollywood poster

Day 14: Mumbai - End of itinerary

Today, your holiday in South India comes to an end, but don't worry, you'll have time to explore Mumbai a little more before your flight home. For instance, you could head to the harbour and board a boat to the Elephanta Caves, located on an island 9 kilometres from the harbour. Here you'll find beautiful rock temples with images of Lord Shiva. We found that the green environment offered a sense of tranquillity after the hustle and bustle of the city. On the Oval Maidan, a grass field situated between tall colonial buildings, boys usually play an insanely popular game: cricket. You could also choose just to stroll through the streets and view the colourful street life around you.

Depending on the time of departure of your flight, you'll arrange your own transportation to Mumbai International Airport. Keep in mind that check-in must take place three hours prior to departure of your flight. Again, if you would like us to arrange your transfer for you to the airport, please just let our India travel specialists know.

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