Passage to Southern India
- Durée: 17 Jours (environ)
- Code produit: IND27
DAY 1 MON 8 FEB
HOME TO BANGALORE (D)
Meet your Ross Tour leader at your hotel in Bangalore, India’s Garden City. Then check-in to your hotel for two nights at our 5-star luxury garden retreat.
For guests travelling on the Qantas group flight, meet your Ross Tour leader at Sydney Airport for your flight to Bangalore.
Join your fellow travellers tonight and celebrate a Welcome Dinner.
Accommodation: Taj West End, Bangalore
DAY 2 TUE 9 FEB
BANGALORE (B)
Enjoy a guided walk through Lalbagh Botanical Gardens housing India’s largest collection of tropical and sub-tropical plants. Then step into Koshy’s Heritage Bungalow Garden, where the owners are connected to plants they have nurtured for generations.
Accommodation: Taj West End, Bangalore
DAY 3 WED 10 FEB
BANGALORE TO MYSORE (B/D)
Today, travel to Mysore via Channapatna, known for its 200-year-old lacquer toymaking craft, before checking in to your hotel overlooking the Chamundi Hills. Savour dinner at the Elephant Bar and visit vibrant terraced Brindavan Gardens, beside the Krishnarajasagara Dam.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Plaza, Mysore
DAY 4 THU 11 FEB
SRIRANGAPATNA (B)
Walk Kukkarahalli Lake to visit the gardens of Mysore Palace, maintained by the royal family for generations. Then travel to Srirangapatna, once capital of the rajas, to visit the Daria Daulat Bagh, summer palace of Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysore’.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Plaza, Mysore
DAY 5 FRI 12 FEB
MYSORE TO KABINI (B/D)
Enjoy a leisurely morning before travelling to your wilderness lodge on the Kabini River. This afternoon, you head into Nagarhole National Park on safari, keeping watch for elephants, tigers, leopards, deer and colourful birdlife.
Accommodation: Evolve Back Resorts, Kabini
DAY 6 SAT 13 FEB
NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK (B/D)
An early-morning boat safari offers wonderful wildlife viewing along the Kabini backwaters. Later, time to relax at your lodge before an exciting afternoon jeep safari into the park.
Accommodation: Evolve Back Resorts, Kabini
DAY 7 SUN 14 FEB
KABINI TO OOTY (B/D)
Travel to Ooty, the ‘Queen of the Hill Stations’. This afternoon visit a working tea estate and stroll through the historic Botanical Garden.
Accommodation: Taj Savoy, Ooty
DAY 8 MON 15 FEB
OOTY (B/D)
Visit the old part of Ooty and learn how this former settlement turned into a hill station. Old trees and gardens line the streets. This afternoon learn how the locals garden at the Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden.
Accommodation: Taj Savoy, Ooty
DAY 9 TUE 16 FEB
OOTY TOY TRAIN (B/D)
Ride the famous, UNESCO-listed Ooty Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor with spectacular scenery. Then check-in to your hotel, after your leisurely afternoon visit to the Kasthuri Sreenivasan Art Gallery.Accommodation: Vivanta, Coimbatore
DAY 10 WED 17 FEB
COIMBATORE TO KOCHI (B)
Journey to Kochi, Kerala’s cultural capital, visiting Guruvayur Temple and the ancient Muziris Heritage Area along the way today. Your restored heritage mansion awaits for two nights. Tonight you’ll enjoy a spectacular Kathakali dance performanceAccommodation: Forte Kochi
DAY 11 THU 18 FEB
KOCHI (B/L/D)
Explore Kochi, shaped by centuries of trade and cultural exchange, to visit the spice markets and old warehouses. Then travel to Fort Kochi to explore its colonial charm, backwaters and famous Chinese fishing nets. Tonight visit a local family for a cooking demonstration and enjoy a delicious homecooked meal together.Accommodation: Forte Kochi
DAY 12 FRI 19 FEB
KOCHI TO MUNNAR (B/L)
Travel through forests and plantations to Munnar, South India’s largest tea-growing region. After lunch with a local family, you explore the tea estates before settling into your hillside retreat with your afternoon free.
Accommodation: Scenic, Munnar
DAY 13 SAT 20 FEB
MUNNAR (B/D)
Visit Srishti Trust, where you’ll see how local artisans are supported through textile and craft skills. You’ll create your own Batik block-printed stole to take home.
Accommodation: Scenic, Munnar
DAY 14 SUN 21 FEB
MUNNAR TO KUMARAKOM (B/L/D)
Drive to Kumarakom in the backwaters of Kerala. Enroute , enjoy a boat ride to Philipkutty's sustainable working farm. Check-in to your lakeside resort overlooking Lake Vembanad.
Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort
DAY 15 MON 22 FEB
KUMARAKOM (B/L/D)
A highlight of today – cruise the palm-fringed backwaters on a private houseboat, drifting past coconut palms, rice fields, birdlife and village activities. Enjoy a freshly prepared Kerala lunch on board. Afternoon free. Farewell Dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Kumarakom Lake Resort
DAY 16 TUE 23 FEB
KOCHI TO HOME (B)
Transfer to Kochi Airport for your flight to Bangalore and onward journey.
DAY 17 TUE 24 FEB
ARRIVE HOME
Arrive home with extraordinary memories of South India.
