Karnataka, North Kerala & Theyyam

Arriving at Bangalorre

Today will mark the start of your tour in Karnataka as you arrive at the Bangalore airport.

Bangalore or Bengaluru is an India cosmopolitan city with pleasant weather. Rivaling Mumbai and Delhi for its nightlife, the city is a colorful sight in the evening. Known as the 'Silicon Valley of India,' Bangalore is home to several IT firms, including the headquarters of Wipro and Infosys. With no world-class attraction, here, the independent cafes, draught-beer joints, lovely parks, Victorian-era architecture, and a wonderful shopping and dining scene make up the charms of this metro city. Being one of the most progressive Indian cities, Bangalore has a well-connected transportation system that includes a modern metro line that provides great connectivity.

Overnight stay will be in Bangalore.

Driving to Mysore

On day 2, we will drive to Mysore.

En route, your first stop is Somanathapura , a little town located 35 km away from Mysore city. Here, you will visit the famous Chennakeshava temple made of soapstone. Built by Somnath, the Hoysala commander, the temple signifies the culture and heritage of the Hoysala Empire. Chennakeshava temple attracts people from all over the globe with its stunning architecture.

Your next stop is Srirangapatna, a town of great cultural, religious, and historic importance in Mandya district of Karnataka. It is located on an island in the Cauvery river and was once the fortress capital of the region under Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan's control.

After the brief stops, you will continue heading to Mysore. With glittering royal heritage, magnificent monuments and buildings, and the world heritage listed palace, Mysore is one of the most enchanting cities in South India. The city is rich in tradition with a bazaar district teeming with incense stalls and spice stores. You will spend the night in Mysore.

Exploring Mysore

Day 3 of your tour in Karnataka will start with a royal walk in Mysore with a local expert. You will get to connect major global events to what happened in Mysore. You will get to taste the city's delicacy, Mysore Pak from the shop of the family that invented it. During the walk, you will get to visit the vibrant and colorful 125 years old market.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Maharaja's Palace in the heart of the city with its vast collections of exquisite carvings and artworks from all over the world. Next, you will head to the Rajendra Art Gallery, where you will see the marvelous collections of paintings of Raja RaviVarma, Nicholas Roerich, and traditional Mysore style paintings.

Overnight stay in Mysore.

Heading to Coorg

You will start the day 4 of your tour in Karnataka by driving down to Coorg.

Coorg is the most affluent hill station in Karnataka known for the lush greenery and spice and coffee plantations. The coffee-producing hill station is known for its culture, people, and beautiful green hills.

Today afternoon, you will meet a Kodava family and experience their lives as you taste the local cuisine that includes pork curry, steamed rice dumplings, great coffee, chicken fry, tender bamboo shoot, indulgent wines, and homemade wines.

You will spend the night in Coorg.

Guided Plantation Tour in Coorg

Today morning you will head for an essential experience in your tour in Karnataka-- the guided coffee plantation tour. As you explore the 300-acre coffee and spice plantation, on foot, you will learn the difference between an Arabica and Robusta and how the Malabar blend is 'monsooned.' You will also explore the spice scented pathways of Orange County.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure.

Overnight stay at Coorg.

Theyyam festival in Kannur

Today will mark the end of your tour in Karnataka as you enter Kerala, driving down to Kannur.

After reaching Kannur, you will head to Parassinikadavu temple to experience the famous dance festival Theyyam. Theyyam is a form of dance-drama reciting the stories of Kerala. A Theyyam festival encompasses dance, music, and mime with over 400 varieties based on the music style and choreography.

You will stay overnight in Kannur.

Reaching Wayanad

Today, you will drive down to Wayanad in the morning.

Wayanad is a small district with a meager population that engages in agriculture. The whole district is a part of the hill ranges of Western Ghats.

After check-in, you will visit the coffee plantation and the waterfalls.

You can relax at the resort for the rest of the day at your leisure, where you will spend the night.

Jeep Safari in Wayanad

Day 8 of your tour in Karnataka and Kerala will be spent on jeep safaris at the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Visiting Muthanga and Tholpetty, the two ecotourism centers in Wayanad, will give a memorable wilderness experience. Here, you will see deers, elephants, guars, monkeys, tigers, leopards, bears, many species of reptiles, fishes, butterflies, birds including vultures, etc.

You will visit a local village to experience their life while enjoying tea or coffee with one of the families there.

Tonight you will stay at a hotel in Wayanad.

Heading to Kozhikode

On day 9, have breakfast at the hotel and drive down to Kozhikode.

When the King of Ernad conquered the area around Ponnainkar and built a fort at a place called Velapuram (now known as Calicut) in the 13th century, the city of Calicut came into existence. Calicut, today, is an important center of trade and business.

In the afternoon, you will visit the historic Kappad beach, where Vasco da Gama first entered Kerala. The rocks and the small hills add to the charms of this historical beach. At the nearby shacks, you can try out the local delicacies and teas as you spot the occasional migratory bird.

The evening will be at your leisure. Overnight in Calicut.

Thrissur and Athirapally Waterfalls

After a quick breakfast, head to Athirappilly Waterfalls with a stop at Thrissur en-route.

The charming Athirapally and Vazhachal waterfalls, perched high above the Sholayar forest ranges on the fringes of the famous rainforest of Kerala, is an experience that cannot be put in words.

You are free in the evening to enjoy the view.

Overnight will be spent in Athirappilly.

Reaching Cochin

After a quick breakfast at the hotel, head to the queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin.

Cochin is a diverse and vibrant port city, spreading over 4-5 islands and peninsulas. The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland and all the islands are connected by a ferryboat network. As you explore its back streets, the aroma of ginger, cardamom, and other spices invades your senses as they are piled in every nook and corner.

In the evening, enjoy Kerala's classical dance form Kathakali at the Cochin Cultural Center. Lasting about an hour, the popular dance show is a quintessential experience on your trip to Kerala.

Overnight will be spent in Cochin.

Exploring Cochin

Proceed for sightseeing after breakfast.

Your first stop today is the Old Cochin area, which is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world with its center in Jewtown. At Jewtown, you will visit the Paradesi Synagogue, known for the hand-painted blue and white Chinese tiles with willow patterns and the crystal and brass lamps hanging from the ceiling. Later, you will also visit the international pepper exchange located in the jew town.

Vasco Da Gama Square is a narrow promenade paralleling the beach and the best place to view the Chinese fishing nets lowered and pulled out the sea, a must-watch sight in the city.

Other significant places you will visit today are Santa Cruz Basilica, VOC Gate, St. Francis Church, Bastion Bungalow, Mattancherry Palace.

Today in the evening, you will proceed to a 2-hour cruise, where you will get to witness a stunning sunset while on the boat at the mouth of the backwaters. It is here where the Kochi lagoon meets the Arabian Sea. As you cruise through the water, you will see the Chinese fishing nets, Marine Drive, and Bolgatty Island.

Overnight will be spent in Cochin.

Cruising on a houseboat

Today you will head to Alleppey after breakfast. Once there, you will check in to a houseboat for the backwater experience.

Go on a relaxing backwater cruise on Kerala style traditional thatched houseboat. With all the modern comforts, the houseboat lets you explore the countryside at your pace.

As you cruise through the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey, you will be served lunch. The menu will be simple and traditional and made with fresh ingredients. You can even get a sneak peek of the dish as it is made.

You will have tea and snacks in the evening and dinner at night.

You will, then, disembark the boat and drive back to Cochin, where you will spend the night.

Back home

Today marks the end of your tour in Karnataka and Kerala. Our representatives will transfer you to the airport for you to catch your flight back home.