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Sandalwood, Backwater & Spice Route

0/5
Duration

14 Nights / 15 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

10 people

Languages

English

Overview

Sandalwood, Backwater & Spice Route is a soul-enriching 15-day journey through South India, blending royal heritage, exotic wildlife, scenic hill stations, and serene beaches. Begin in Bangalore, explore Mysore’s majestic palaces, and enjoy thrilling safaris in Nagarhole National Park. Experience the lush coffee estates of Wayanad, ride the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty, and discover Cochin’s colonial charm. Glide through Alleppey’s tranquil backwaters on a houseboat before unwinding at the pristine Marari Beach, offering the perfect mix of culture, nature, and relaxation.

Highlights

  • Colonial heritage and modern vibes of Bangalore
  • Grandeur of Mysore Palace and Hoysala temples
  • Thrilling safaris in Nagarhole National Park
  • Tea & coffee estates of Ooty & Wayanad
  • Backwater cruise and cultural experiences in Kerala
  • White sands and Ayurvedic relaxation at Marari Beach

Bulk discount (by Percent)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 Discount on 2-person group 2 2 43.7%
2 Discount on 3-person group 3 3 38.5%
3 Discount on 4-person group 4 4 47.7%
4 Discount on 5-person group 5 5 43.8%
5 Discount on 6-person group 6 6 51.0%
6 Discount on 7-person group 7 7 47.7%
7 Discount on 8-person group 8 8 53.2%

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bangalore (The Garden City)

• On arrival: Assistance at Bangalore International Airport and private transfer to hotel.
• Afternoon sightseeing:
• Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens: Spread over 240 acres, featuring rare tropical flora, a serene lake, and the famous glass house modeled on London’s Crystal Palace.
• Cubbon Park: Lush public park with colonial-era architecture and walking trails.
• Bangalore Fort: Originally built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I; Tipu Sultan expanded it into a stronghold.
• Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace: Exquisite Indo-Islamic architecture with intricate teakwood carvings.
• Bangalore Palace: Tudor-style royal residence inspired by Windsor Castle, showcasing opulent interiors, stained glass, and sprawling gardens.
• Bull Temple (Nandi Temple): Dedicated to Nandi, Lord Shiva’s mount; featuring a 4.5-meter monolithic Nandi sculpture.
• Drive past: Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka’s legislature.
• Overnight: Hotel in Bangalore.

Day 2: Bangalore – Mysore (150 km / 3 hrs)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Mysore, en route enjoy countryside landscapes and silk farms.
• Hotel check-in.
• Heritage Walk:
• Guided 2-hour walking tour covering Devaraja Market (famous for flowers, spices & silk), Town Hall, and Jagan Mohan Palace (art gallery with royal collection).
• Evening suggestion: Optional visit to Brindavan Gardens for musical fountains.
• Overnight: Hotel in Mysore.

Day 3: Mysore – Royal Heritage & Sacred Temples

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Excursion to Somanathapura:
• Chennakesava Temple: Finest example of Hoysala temple architecture with intricate soapstone carvings and exquisite sculptures.
• Mysore Sightseeing:
• Mysore Palace: Opulent Indo-Saracenic architecture; illuminated on Sundays with 100,000 bulbs.
• Chamundeshwari Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Durga; panoramic view over Mysore city.
• Nandi Bull: Monolithic granite bull atop Chamundi Hill.
• St. Philomena’s Church: Neo-Gothic masterpiece modeled on Cologne Cathedral.
• Overnight: Hotel in Mysore.

Day 4: Mysore – Kabini (Nagarhole National Park) (90 km / 2 hrs)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Kabini, check-in at jungle resort.
• Afternoon safari: Enjoy jeep or boat safari spotting elephants, gaurs, deer, and birds.
• Dinner & Overnight: Resort inside or near Nagarhole National Park.

Day 5: Kabini – Full Day Wildlife Safaris

• Early morning jeep safari to search for Bengal tigers, leopards, wild dogs, bison, and elephants.
• Return for breakfast.
• Afternoon boat safari along the Kabini River; excellent for crocodile, otter, water birds, and herds of elephants.
• The park is home to over 250 bird species including hornbills, kingfishers, and crested serpent eagles.
• Dinner & Overnight: Jungle resort.

Day 6: Kabini – Wayanad (80 km / 2 hrs)

• Breakfast at resort.
• Drive to Wayanad, nestled in the Western Ghats.
• Check-in at coffee/spice plantation resort.
• Afternoon at leisure amidst lush coffee, cardamom, pepper, and vanilla plantations.
• Optional nature walk or guided plantation tour.
• Overnight: Resort in Wayanad.

Day 7: Wayanad – Ooty (135 km / 4 hrs)

• Breakfast at resort.
• Scenic drive through winding mountain roads to Ooty (Queen of Hill Stations).
• Check-in at heritage hotel.
• Visit Ooty Lake, enjoy a peaceful boat ride.
• Leisure evening stroll along Ooty’s colonial streets and marketplaces.
• Overnight: Hotel in Ooty.

Day 8: Ooty – Tea Gardens & Toy Train

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Visit Botanical Gardens (est. 1848) housing rare trees, flowering plants, and a fossil tree trunk estimated to be 20 million years old.
• Enjoy Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – a picturesque train ride through tunnels, bridges, and lush landscapes.
• Visit Coonoor: Sim's Park, Dolphin's Nose viewpoint, and tea plantations.
• Return to Ooty.
• Overnight: Hotel in Ooty.

Day 9: Ooty – Cochin (300 km / 6-7 hrs)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Scenic drive to Cochin (via beautiful Western Ghats and Kerala’s spice belt).
• Check-in at hotel.
• Free evening for a relaxed stroll or optional Kerala massage.
• Overnight: Hotel in Cochin.

Day 10: Cochin – Colonial & Cultural Experience

• Breakfast at hotel.
• City sightseeing:
• Fort Cochin: Colonial buildings, Chinese fishing nets, and waterfront promenade.
• St. Francis Church: Oldest European church in India, linked to Vasco da Gama.
• Jewish Synagogue (Mattancherry): Exquisite interiors with hand-painted Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
• Dutch Palace: Murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Kerala’s royal history.
• Evening: Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance – traditional Keralan storytelling through dance and elaborate makeup.
• Overnight: Hotel in Cochin.

Day 11: Cochin – Alleppey Houseboat Cruise (60 km / 1.5 hrs)

• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drive to Alleppey, board your private Kettuvallam houseboat.
• Cruise through Kerala's backwaters: paddy fields, village life, coconut lagoons, and birdlife.
• Pass through regions where farming is done below sea level.
• Freshly cooked Kerala cuisine on board.
• Overnight: Houseboat (A/C bedroom with attached bathroom).

Day 12: Alleppey – Mararikulam Beach (20 km / 30 mins)

• Breakfast onboard.
• Disembark and transfer to Mararikulam Beach Resort.
• Free time to relax on the pristine Arabian Sea beach.
• Optional Ayurvedic spa treatments or yoga.
• Overnight: Beach resort in Mararikulam.

Day 13 & 14: Mararikulam Beach Retreat

• Breakfast at resort.
• Full days at leisure to relax, swim, and rejuvenate.
• Optional activities: visit nearby Alleppey town, local fishing villages, or enjoy sunset beach walks.
• Overnight: Beach resort.

Day 15: Mararikulam – Cochin Airport (75 km / 2 hrs)

• Breakfast at resort.
• Transfer to Cochin Airport for your international departure.

Included/Excluded

  • Assistance on arrival at airport.
  • 14 Nights' accommodation in 5-star hotels.
  • Daily breakfast and meal as per day plan.
  • 3-Time Gypsy safari in Kabini/ Nagarhole National Parks with forest department naturalist.
  • Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
  • English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
  • Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Bottled drinking water in car.
  • Government taxes.
  • Any flight tickets.
  • Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
  • Gratuities & optional activities.
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Tour's Location

FAQs

What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

Q: What kind of hotel accommodation is included in the package price?
We provide accommodation at carefully selected 5-star hotels or the best available quality options in regions where luxury properties are limited. Hotels are chosen for their comfort, location, and service standards. In case a specific hotel is unavailable, an equivalent standard property will be offered.

Hotels used or similar for 14 nights accommodation:
5-Star Hotels
Bengaluru – 1 Night: ITC Gardenia, a Luxury Collection/ Vivanta Bengaluru, Residency Road
Mysore – 2 Nights: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Kabini / Nagarhole – 2 Nights: Evolve Back, Kabini
Wayanad / Vythiri – 1 Night: Vythiri Village Resort/ The Windflower Resorts And Spa
Ooty – 2 Nights: Savoy, Ooty - IHCL SeleQtions
Kochi – 2 Nights: Kochi Marriott Hotel/ Xandari Harbour
Alleppey – 1 Night: Premium Houseboat (Full Time AC)
Mararikulam – 3 Nights: Xandari Pearl/ Marari Beach Resort

Q: Can I request a specific hotel or upgrade the hotel category?

Yes, we offer flexibility to upgrade hotels to luxury five-star or boutique properties at an additional cost, subject to availability. You can also request specific hotels during the booking process, and we will do our best to accommodate your preference.

Q: Are breakfast and other meals included at the hotels?

Breakfast is generally included with hotel stays unless stated otherwise. Lunch and dinner are optional and can be added to your package upon request. You can also explore local dining during the tour.

Q: Will I get confirmation for the exact hotels before my trip?

Yes, once your booking is confirmed, we will share the final list of hotel names and contact details along with your tour confirmation documents.

Q: I’m looking for a more budget-friendly tour. Can you provide prices with standard or 4-star hotels?

Absolutely! We understand that every traveler has different preferences and budgets. If you prefer standard accommodation or 4-star hotel options instead of the default 5-star hotels, we can customize the tour and provide a tailored quote based on your requirements.

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