Southern Escapades (Bangalore-Mysore-Hassan-Coorg-Vythiri-Kochi)

Duration: 11 days and 10 nights

Description: From the Silicon City of India to the history clad environs of Mysore, this tour has something that will appease every kind of tourist. You will be taken to the cool mountainous regions of Coorg and then move on to the beauty of God’s Own Country.

Day 01
Bangalore
On arrival at Bangalore a very personal traditional welcome awaits you with vermilion and garland.

Bangalore: The City is known as the garden city of India. Also, it is now popularly known as Silicon Valley of India. It is one of the bigger metropolitan planned cities in the country with a large number of computer software companies. The name Bangalore has its etymological roots in the word meaning beans. Bangalore literally means the city of boiled beans. Bangalore was one of the earlier military bases of British east India Company
Transfer to hotel for check in. Rest of the day is free. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02
Bangalore

Breakfast.
A morning city tour of Bangalore that will take you to visit Lal Bagh – a 240 acre botanical garden laid out in the year 1760; Vidhan Soudha, the state of legislature, built in the Neo-Dravidian style of architecture; Tippu’s palace and Bull temple.

Lal Bagh: Hyder Ali laid out these famous botanical gardens and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The gardens today have over 1000 species of flora. The Glass House, modeled on London’s Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400-acre park.

Vidhan Soudha: This splendid Neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the Cubbon Park is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing building, which becomes beautiful on a holiday evening when it is lit with myriad lights.

The Bull Temple: It has awe-inspiring monolithic deity. The Nandi draws devotees from all over country. One of the oldest temples in Bangalore, situated in Basavanagudi, is dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva. This 4.5 meters tall and 6 meters long monolithic bull, is supposed to be older than the temple housing it. It is believed that the source of the river Vishva Bharti, originates at the feet of the statue. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03
Bangalore- Mysore (03 Hours)

Breakfast.
Late morning drive to Mysore. Enroute visit Srirangapatnam on an island in the Cauvery River. Visit the summer palace and museum of Tipu Sultan and the exquisite Hoysala temples at Somnathpur. On arrival at Mysore, check in at hotel.

Mysore known as “The Fragrant Sandalwood City’, is located 770m above sea level and 140 kms from Bangalore. Mysore, the imperial city, was the erstwhile capital of the Wodeyars. Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerise tourists with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 04
Mysore

Breakfast.
In the morning you will visit the imposing Mysore palace of Maharaja of Mysore built in 1911 – 12, Chamundi hills which stands 1062 mts above sea level and Chamarajendra Art Gallery.

The Mysore Palace, once the residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo Saracenic style, this place excludes a grandeur that is unmatched. The Golden Royal Elephant Throne, the Durbar Hall, the Kalyana Mantap and the Gallery are the main attractions here.

The Jaganmohan Palace: This is a converted art gallery which houses paintings that date back to the late 19th century. Paintings of Raja Ravi Verma of Travancore and the Russian Painter Svetoslav Roerich are on display. Paintings in the traditional Mysore Golden leaf style can also been seen here

Chamundi Hills: Perched atop a hill is a 12th century temple of Chamundershwari. About 13 kms from Mysore by road there is also a 1000 step walking track for all those young at heart to try. The gigantic 4.8 meter tall monolith of Nandi, the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva is a marvel to see. Also close to the temple stands a gigantic statue of the demon Mahishasura.

Brindavan Gardens:  Built in 1924, this is India’s first irrigation dam. Sir. M. Vishweswariah, the engineer who designed and built this dam, has displayed acumen in converting a dam site into a beautiful garden with colorful fountains and ponds downstream. The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who financed this novel project. KRS represents a marvel of civil engineering achievement in pre-independence India and was among the first in the world to use automatic sluice gates. Locally available surkhi was used instead of importing cement from England (a scarce commodity in those days). In the evening, visit Devaraja market. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05
Mysore – Hassan

Breakfast.
Drive to Hassan via Sravanabelgola, with its huge statue of Gomateshwara carved from a single piece of rock. The Shravanabelagola Gomatheeswara statue is the largest monolithic idol in the world. It spans centuries with different ruling dynasties and kings adding their own contributions and so is a living historical evidence of the last millennia. Historians describe the 57 feet tall idol as both magnificent and munificent – both beautiful and graceful, breath taking yet serene.

On arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon, visit the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakesava, meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana.

Halebidu (which was previously called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. 
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06
Hassan – Coorg

After breakfast leave for Coorg, the land known for its tropical forest, exotic spice and coffee plantations. Coorg is referred to as the Scotland of India and is said that its scenic beauty dragged the British to this tourist spot nearly 100 years ago. The hill resort also has a lot of ancient history attached to it with the Great Madikeri Fort. Coorg is on the Western Ghats. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit.

On arrival check in at plantation resort. Rest of the day is free for walking tour, bird watch and Elephant safari. Overnight at the resort.

Day 07
Coorg – Vythiri

Breakfast.

Late morning drive to Vythiri.

Located at about 2600ft above sea level, Vythiri offers a true picture of Wayanad. The lush green undulating mountains capped by mist, the gorges and ravines, the beautiful valleys and the streams of this area are just an extension of the nature’s bounty that the interiors of the district offers. The rural ambience of Vythiri is enhanced by the presence of not only the evergreen forests but also by the acres of sprawling tea, coffee and spice plantations. The place was once the retreat for English planters. 
You can choose a Tree House or Plantation resort.

Day 08
Vythiri

Breakfast.
Full day to explore the enchanting natural beauty of Wayanad hills. There are various luring destinations near Vythiri and they include the Pookot Lake, Kanthampara waterfalls etc. Another interesting sight near Vythiri is the Chain tree at Lakkidi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09
Vythiri – Shornur – Cochin

After breakfast and early departure to Cochin via Shornur and Guruvayoor. At Shornur visit Kalamandalam – the school where traditional art forms are taught in the Gurukula system. One of the most revered places for the traditional art forms of Kerala, the Kalamandalam is the cradle of Kathakali training in India. Kalamandalam also imparts training in other performing art forms like Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam, Thullal and Nangiarkoothu. Training in vocal and percussion instruments are also conducted here. Many of the internationally renowned artistes of Kerala and India have been trained here. The Kalamandalam and its surroundings reflect the simple, pure and ethnic atmosphere in which these arts have survived for centuries.

At Guruvayoor, have a typical Kerala vegetarian lunch on banana leaf. Also visit Punathoor Fort – where more than forty elephants are kept. On arrival at Cochin, check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10
Cochin

Breakfast.

Morning sightseeing of Cochin. You will be seeing the Jewish Synagogue in what is locally called Jew Town; St. Francis Church, which is the oldest European Church in India; the Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1557 by the Portuguese; the Dutch Palace; the Spice market; and the 15th century Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders.
Evening, watch a Kathakali performance, which is a traditional dance drama of Kerala. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11
Cochin

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board your flight back home.