making meaningful connections
Discovering Southern India
Spice and temples with Mysore, Mothakkara (12 nights-9 nights stay and 2 trains)
Holiday Highlights
- Exotic spice gardens and beach.
- Ideal introduction to South India.
- Relaxing discovery, gentle walks, delicious food.
- Opulent Mysore, Magnificent Hampi.
Itinerary | Day by Day
DAY 1 | Outward Journey
Welcome at Mumbai/Bangalore airport, transfer to city centre. Overnight Mumbai/Banagalore hotel.
DAY 2
A full day to explore the bustling city , before a transfer to the station to catch the overnight Express to Hubli/Hospet.
Day 3
Day 3 Arrive Hubli; lunch in Hubli before transfer to Hospet (3 hours).Overnight in Mallagi Hotel in Hospet (10km from Hampi).
Day 4
Spend the day exploring the nearby ancient site of Hampi, once flourishing city and imposing capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an awe-inspiring and important cultural and religious site with ancient remains of palaces, forts and temples spreading over a vast area. Magnificent architecture juxtaposed with unusual, delicately-balanced boulder formations creates a surreal landscape. Stroll through Hampi Bazaar, explore the scattered remains of palaces and statues and visit Vittala Temple. Guided tour and option to explore by bicycle. Return to Mallagi Hotel for a second night.
Day 5 | In Spice Garden
Transfer from Hospet to Hulgol (5 ¼ hours). Lunch and relax at Spice House guesthouse; introduction to the area. Your guide will meet you to plan and help you make the most of you stay. The ‘Spice house’ village guest-house is set in seclusion at the forest edge. Built around an enclosed courtyard, the house offers three attractive twin bedrooms. It combines a traditional design with simple, modern facilities.
Day 6
With 2 nights in the Spice House you will discover the magic of spice as you explore the plantations and the auction market in Sirsi, enjoy guided walk or cycle through the forests, discover the astonishing rock carvings in the river and get to know the charming community. A fort ascribed to Tipu Sultan is an easy walk from Hulgol, or travel further to the famous Banavasi temple complex.
Day 7
Transfer to Karwar station for overnight train to Kozhikode. Next morning arrival at Kozhikode. A road transfer takes you into the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats. From Kozhikode a road transfer (3 hours) to the charming hillside village of Mothakkara in Wayanad.
Day 8 | In The Wayanad Hills
:Enjoy 3 nights with the community of Mothakkara-Food ,culture and heritage.
Explore the coffee and pepper plantations, enjoy forest walks and spectacular views across the Western Ghats.
On the southern tip of the Deccan plateau, the region is strikingly scenic. The upper hills of Wayanad have open grassland vegetation, where elephants roam. The lower slopes include some dense, deciduous and evergreen forest, tangled jungles and deep valleys. Once heavily forested, agriculture has made its mark on the area with forest clearances for farmland, but there is still plenty of woodland, some of which is now a reserve. Wayanad also shelters several endangered species and has an amazing range of flora and fauna. Medicinal plants are especially widespread.
The delightful hillside village of Mothakkara sits amid pepper and coffee plantations, with views across the splendid tea gardens towards the spectacular hills. Banasura peak (2,073 m) is one of the important mountains of the district and towers over Mothakkara. Banasura is named after the son of Mahabale, who was a highly respected king of Kerala. The busy centre of the village lies along the main road, with its post office, shops and cyber café. Beyond this there are three different hamlets of the village.
You will be accompanied throughout your stay in the villages by at least one of our trained guides, who will be able to explain the local traditions, history, farming and the flora and fauna.
Day 11
After breakfast a road transfer of 3- 4 hrs approximately through the Nagorehole sanctuary to the beautiful city of Mysore.
Day 12
A car and driver will take you to Mysore sightseeing. Another night in Myosre.
Day 13 | Homeward Journey
1Transfer from the hotel to Bangalore Airport for your homeward flight from Mumbai or
Bangalore.
Bangalore/or flight to Mumbai.Stay one more night in Bangalore /Mumbai before leaving homewards.
Bangalore/ Mumbai /Mysore and Hospet.
1. Five nights stay at Hotel with bed and breakfast
Mysore.
2.Full day car and driver for sightseeing on one day
Hampi.
3.Full day car and driver for sightseeing on one day.
4.Train tickets,Car transfers as mentioned in the itinerary.
In Hulgol and Mothakkara: Stay with all meals
Mothakkara.
5.Car and driver for sightseeing on one day to visit tea plantation and also the Ladies drumming.
Exclusions:
Any other car transfers,Enroute meals
Any other car transfers, Enroute meals.
Discovering Southern India
12 nights-
All meals and stay at villages
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B&B in hotels
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Guide and Porter services
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Inclusive of all taxes as applicable