Highlights of Southern India

Day 1 & 2. Bangalore

Depart for Bangalore, via Dubai.

Bangalore is a rapidly expanding modern city and capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Previously a centre for British colonial rule the city has some beautiful civic buildings and gardens dating from this time. The Royal Orchid Hotel is a smart hotel close to the city centre. Accommodation is in 195 modern rooms and suites offering views of both the city centre and the lush green golf course next door.

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.

Mysore is considered one of the most beautiful cities in India, and the highlight of any visit here is a trip to the fabulous Maharaja's Palace. In this city of palaces this stands out as a vast confection of a building with an eclectic range of tastes and styles inside and out. Inside, the palace is filled with magnificent antiques, golden elephant howdahs and thrones, Victorian tiling, stained glass, chandeliers and frescoes.

The Lalitha Mahal Palace is an historic hotel in a spectacular location on a hill overlooking Mysore. This 54 roomed hotel retains the quirky charm of a heritage property and is filled with antiques and historical oddities.

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.

Nagarhole lies 94 kilometres from the city of Mysore in southern India. It is a mixture of rich green tropical and deciduous forests with rolling hills criss-crossed by streams, swamps, rivers and waterfalls. Nagarhole, a former Maharajas hunting area, is dedicated to saving the wildlife and is considered one of the best places in India to observe Elephants in the wild. About a thousand Elephants are thought to populate the park, and in the hot summer months they congregate in large herds along the banks of the River Kabini. Other animals include Four-Horned Antelope, Spotted Deer, Mouse Deer, Gaur, Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, and the elusive Leopard and Tiger. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded here, and as well as large numbers of game and water birds the park is noted for its Ospreys. Due to the large number of Elephants in the park, gameviewing and birdwatching are by jeep or early morning coracle rides (small light-weight boats).

Kabini River Lodge is a typical Indian safari lodge. The lodge was formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore, and this is reflected in the colonial style architecture which offers 16 rooms spread throughout beautiful grounds which run alongside the Kabini River.

Days 7 & 8. Ooty (Udagamandalam)[B, D]

This morning you continue by road to the atmospheric hill-station of Udhagamandalam (or Ooty as it is more commonly known) where you spend two nights at the Savoy Hotel.

The 'Queen of Hill Stations' Udagamandalam, better known as Ooty, is the most popular hill station in South India. It is located in the Western Ghats at a height of 2240 metres, and although the Toda tribe has been living here since time immemorial, the British are credited with 'discovering' Ooty, making it accessible and developing it. With its cool mountain climate Ooty became the summer capital of the Madras Presidency, in the days of the British Raj.

The town itself is very picturesque with churches, Victorian mansions and bungalows spread around steep sided hills. Some of the old ways still remain and many establishments still serve afternoon tea! One of the highlights of a visit to Ooty is a trip on the100 year old 'toy train', a narrow gauge rack and pinion railway between Ooty and Mettupalayam which is linked to Coimbatore and Chennai. The nearest airport is 100 kilometres away in Coimbatore, which is connected to Chennai, Bombay and Bangalore. Ooty is well connected by good (and scenic) roads to Coimbatore, Chennai and Mysore. Due to its altitude, summer temperatures (March to June) in Ooty are similar to those in Britain, and the rest of the year sees warm days, but cold nights.

The Savoy Hotel is an historic hotel located high on a hill overlooking Ooty. Accommodation is in 40 en-suite rooms in bungalows which are spread throughout the manicured lawns and colourful flowerbeds. The emphasis is old English charm and elegance with high tea often served on the lawns.

Days 9 to 11. Anaimalai [B, L, D]

Drive this morning to Anaimalai and the 958 square kilometre Indira Gandhi National Park where you spend 3 nights at the Banyan Tree Resort.

Indira Gandhi National Park is situated in the Annamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful nature preserves in Tamil Nadu. The park rises steeply through deciduous jungle and bamboo thickets and sightings of Gaur, Elephant and Leopard are not uncommon during the early or late hours of the day. Within the park is a hamlet known as Top Slip, named for the teak logs which were 'slipped' to the plains below down a narrow canal. The park is home to Elephant, Gaur, Water Buffalo, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Civets and an array of colourful birds.

Banyan Tree Resort is a family run farm offering friendly, comfortable home-stay accommodation on a 2500 hectare property adjacent to the Indira Gandhi National Park. There are three comfortable rooms for guests in the well appointed plantation bungalow, and a large verandah gives views across the plantations of coconuts, ground nuts, sugar cane, fruit trees, cocoa, coffee and vanilla.

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.

The Windermere Hotel is a cosy guest house on the Windermere Cardamom and Tea Estate near Munnar. Accommodation is in 15 rooms spread throughout the main farmhouse and nearby cottages. Some rooms have private balconies and the valley view rooms offer spectacular views across the Chithirapuram Valley below. The farmhouse dining room offers tasty cuisine with a large balcony offering fabulous mountain views.

Day 14. Backwaters [B, L, D]

Today you board a private house boat (built in a traditional style) for a cruise along Kerala's picturesque backwaters looking out for the many birds that reside here.

Kerala's Backwaters are a vast network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of 44 rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters are a self-supporting ecosystem teeming with aquatic life, and the canals are still the main highways for the villages in the area with over 900 kilometres navigable. A typical cruise will pass through Keralan villages, surrounded by lush bright green paddy fields and soaring coconut trees. One of its charms is the possibility of observing rural life and customs without feeling intrusive. The birdlife is amazing with a huge variety of species including kingfishers, cormorants, woodpeckers, ducks, bee-eaters and raptors.

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 (Kochi)

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.

The Taj Malabar Hotel sits in a fabulous location on the northernmost tip of Willingdon Island. It commands magnificent views of the harbour from three sides and catches the cooling sea breezes. Accommodation consists of 96 rooms and suites divided between the main modern tower and a heritage wing with graceful Victorian interiors reflecting the hotel's colonial past.

Day 16. Homeward [B]

Fly from Cochin via Dubai to London.