South India Nature Tour

Today your journey with “Best Travel Agents in Inda” begins on your arrival at Bangalore International airport. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be traditional welcomed and transferred to your hotel near the airport, where you can recover from your flight.

After breakfast, you will travel by car with a private driver in approximately 5 hours to Nagarhole National Park, where you will spend the night. In the afternoon, you will enjoy your first safari in the park. It is one of the last remaining and best-protected habitats for endangered species such as elephants, tigers, and leopards.

Note: Safaris are generally conducted in open all-terrain vehicles (shared with other travelers). There are only a limited number of jeeps available in the park. No preference can be given. It is first come, first served.

In the (early) morning and afternoon, you'll go on safari in the park. Accompanied by an experienced naturalist, you'll explore the park's diverse flora and fauna. Among other animals, you'll find bison, elephants, various species of deer, wild dogs, approximately 250 different bird species, and several tigers and leopards.

In the morning and afternoon, safaris in Nagarhole National Park are again on the program. Nagarhole National Park is located in the state of Karnataka, between the districts of Mysore and Kodagu. Since 1955, the park (locally known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park) has grown from 258 to 643 square kilometers and has been a national park since 1983. Along with Banipur National Park, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Wayanad, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. In the park, you'll encounter many waterfalls, hills, valleys, streams, and forests.

After breakfast, you'll drive for about 6 hours to the beautiful area of ​​Pollachi, in the state of Tamil Nadu. After arrival, the afternoon/evening is at your leisure.

Day at leisure. You can relax at your accommodation or explore the surrounding area. Situated in the nature-rich Annamalai Hills, there's plenty to do here. You can visit tea plantations, take a walk along the river, go birdwatching, or visit a village and/or temple.

After breakfast, the journey continues to Thekkady, located near Periyar National Park. The journey takes about 4 hours today. After arrival, the day is at your leisure. The Periyar area is known for the many spices that grow there, such as pepper and cardamom. Along the way, you can stop at a plantation.

Today, you'll explore Periyar National Park by bamboo raft and on foot with a ranger (from roughly 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). The park is home to many elephants, deer, birds, and even a few tigers. Tea, snacks, and lunch will be brought by the guide(s) and served during the trip.

Note: Today's excursion is with a small, international group (maximum 10 travelers with 4 guides, spread over 3 rafts). Private tours are not possible. However, if desired, we can schedule an alternative excursion for you, where you'll trek through the park with a private guide. A bamboo raft trip is not included in this option.

Tip: Carry good quality shoes for jungle trek.

After breakfast, you'll drive for about 4 hours to the Alleppey area, situated on the banks of the beautiful, water-rich Backwaters. You'll spend the next few nights in a homestay on a plantation, where you'll experience local life. After arrival, the rest of the afternoon and evening are at your leisure.

Day at your leisure. Optionally, you can participate in one of the many activities organized by the accommodation. For example, go cycling, visit a local market, take a cooking class, and/or take a boat trip through the narrow canals of the Backwaters. Along the water, you'll see locals washing, swimming, brushing their teeth, and children walking to school—it's all happening!

You will be taken to the jetty where you will board a houseboat. Today and tomorrow, you will explore the Backwaters Nature Reserve, a must-see in Kerala. A truly unique experience! You will cruise on lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals, passing villages and watching fishermen bring in their daily catch. The Backwaters form a unique ecosystem, as the freshwater rivers flow into the Arabian Sea at various points. This is home to numerous species such as cormorants, kingfishers, otters, herons, and turtles. The banks are lined with palm trees and shrubs, offering a refreshing landscape. At the end of the day, the houseboat will anchor in a quiet spot, and the cook will prepare dinner on board. The sunset, accompanied by the gentle lapping of water against the hull, is often breathtakingly beautiful. You will spend the night on board, where you will have a cabin and a private bathroom.

In the morning, you will disembark and be transferred to Cochin Airport for your return flight (65 km).

Note 1: Depending on your flight schedule, we can add a guided city tour and/or an overnight stay in a Cochin hotel to your itinerary. The additional cost is available upon request.

Note 2: Would you like to extend this trip with a beach holiday? This is possible in Mararikulam, a relatively undiscovered town not far from Cochin. Please feel free to contact us for more information.