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Highlights of Southern India

Day 1 & 2. Bangalore
Depart for Bangalore, via Dubai.

Days 2 & 3. Mysore
On arrival you will be met and transferred by road to the old royal capital of Mysore, arriving in time for an afternoon city tour and a relaxing evening at the 5-star Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel.

Days 4 to 6. Nagarhole [B, L, D]
Today you transfer by road (approximately two and a half hours) to Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Western Ghats, to Kabini River Lodge for a 3-night stay. Formerly a Maharaja's hunting lodge, Kabini River Lodge is situated just outside the sanctuary, providing comfortable accommodation in fourteen individual cabins, each with private facilities.

From here you may explore Nagarhole's grasslands and forests, home to 1,000 or so Elephants, as well as Gaur, the largest and most impressive of all the world's wild cattle, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Dhole, Chital, Common Langur and Wild Boar. Southern India's bird specialities are also present, such as Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Brown Fish Owl and Malabar Pied Hornbill.

Days 7 & 8. Ooty [B, D]
This morning you continue by road to the atmospheric hill-station of Udhagamandalam (or Ooty as it is more commonly known) nestling amongst the Nilgiri Hills. You spend two nights at the Savoy Hotel.

Days 9 to 11. Anaimalai [B, L, D]
Drive this morning to Anaimalai and the 958 square kilometre Indira Gandhi National Park. This wonderful wildlife sanctuary lies in the Tamil Nadu region at the southern part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Anaimalai Hills. The park is home to Elephant, Gaur, Water Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Civets and an array of colourful birds.

You spend three nights here at the Banyan Tree Resort the original home of the landlord of a 2,500 hectare estate. The house with its marble floors and open dining area is a wonderful place for relaxing and is the perfect point from which to enjoy the wildlife of the reserve.

Days 12 & 13. Munnar [B, L, D]
A four hour drive takes you to the serene hill station of Munnar where you spend two nights at the Windermere Hotel and enjoy visits to a nearby tea estate and also Eravikulam National Park. Eravikulam National Park, is situated in the higher altitudes of the Western Ghats. It was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species of wild goat and the only one to be found south of the Himalayas.

Day 14. Backwaters [B, L, D]
Today you board a private house boat (built in a traditional style) for a cruise along Keralas picturesque backwaters looking out for the many birds that reside here. The House Boat traditionally known as 'Kettuvallam' is made entirely of natural materials; wood, rattan and bamboo. It has neither engine nor machinery of any other sort on board. 23 metres long and three metres wide, it sits low in the water. In front, roofed but otherwise open to the elements, is the living and dining area. You spend the night onboard the boat to get the most out of the tranquil backwaters.

Day 15. Cochin
Disembark from the houseboat and drive (approximately an hour and a half) to Cochin for a night at the Taj Malabar Hotel on Willingdon Island. A walking tour of Fort Cochin will take you through the streets still graced with traces of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial architecture. There will be plenty of time at leisure here to explore and in the evening of Day 15 you will be able to enjoy an evening of Kathakali dance - the traditional dance-form of the region.

Day 16. Homeward [B]
Fly from Cochin via Dubai to London.

Single supplement
Available on request
What is included
Flights, meals