This tour encompasses some of the finest sites in South India - Karnataka temples, Mysore palaces, Conoor tea gardens and tropical Kerala.

Meet and assistance on arrival by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS representative at the arrival lounge holding plaque card and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure and stay overnight at Bangalore.

This morning after breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of the “city of gardens” as it is commonly known because of its beautiful parks, avenues and gardens. Bangalore was founded in the 16th century by Chieftain Kempe Gowda but never came up on the scene till Tipu Sultan converted it into the summer capital of Mysore. The Wodeyars also contributed in developing the city through gardens and parks they built. But to the British goes the credit of making it into an administrative centre. Bangalore has now become one of Asia’s fastest growing cities and because of its high concentration of IT industry is now pegged as the “Silicon Valley of India”. Visit The Bull Temple; carved out of single granite rock, it houses the magnificent stone statue of the sacred bull Nandi, Bangalore Palace; Built in the Tudor style and inspired by Windsor Palace, the summer palace of Tipu Sultan, within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. After lunch travel to Mysore. On arrival transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight at Mysore. (B,D)

The one-time capital of the Mysore Maharajas, it is the second biggest city of Karnataka state, which still preserves its age old glory in its majestic palaces, forts and gardens. While peeping into history, one finds that Mysore was ruled by the Wodeyars and was their capital. Under the Wodeyars patronization, the city developed as the centre of art and craft. It is known world over for its exotic sandalwood oils, rose wood carved products and Mysore silk saris. After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour and visit Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore, the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor) built in 1911–1912 is the harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Evening take a walk in the Brindavan gardens and enjoy the spectacular “Musical Dancing Fountains”. Dinner and overnight at Mysore. (B,D)

After breakfast travel to Madhumalai and check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to enjoy the beautiful surroundings or go for a long walk in the sanctuary. Dinner and overnight at Madhumalai. (B,D)

The sylvan hilly topography of the Western Ghats renders Madhumalai (ancient hills) a highly attractive wildlife reserve because it is clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests. After breakfast go on a wildlife safari; the terrain of the wildlife sanctuary is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation is comprised of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests compared with the nearby reserves. The sanctuary is home to the wild elephant, gaur, deer and primates like the bonnet macaque and langurs. The predators that inhibit the park are the tiger, leopard and dhole – the Asiatic wild dog that hunts in packs. The predators of the skies are the crested hawk eagle and the crested serpent eagle, with the rest of the avian population boasting of flamboyant, hornbills, the great black woodpecker with its red crest, mynahs, barbets, parakeets, tiny eared owl and owl, to many a few. Dinner and overnight at Madhumalai. (B,D)

After breakfast travel to Ooty, known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', snugly ensconced in the heart of the Nilgiris. This scenic hill station is dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls, gurgling brooks, terraces of lush green tea gardens, orchards of peaches and plums and eucalyptus. Founded by the British in the early part of the 19th century, Ooty is home to many Britishers who have fallen in love with this hill station where they discovered a little bit of England “.....such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud” is how Lord Lytton-Viceroy of India from 1876-1880 described Ooty to his wife. Before that time, the area was inhabited by the tribal people, Todas who still inhabit the area. On arrival check in to the hotel, after some rest enjoy the sightseeing tour of the city and visit the Botanical Gardens, Lake, and tribal Village. A hill station with a landscape perpetually enveloped in mist, Ooty’s beauty has a timeless appeal. Evening experience the toy train ride before you return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at Ooty. (B,D)

After breakfast travel to Cochin; a city tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters, it is one of the important towns in South India, with a natural harbour and is the commercial hub of Kerala. Once upon a time what you see today was little more than a fishing hamlet. The inescapable aroma of spices and sandalwood together with the strategic location on the shores of Arabian Sea, drew many Europeans, Portuguese, Dutch and later the British here who over the course of several millennia, remodeled Cochin into a melting pot of different cultures; a prodigious blend of tradition and modernity. This is reflected in the buildings and structures all around the old quarters. and was once a major center of commerce and trade with the British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch. Cochin is an attractive city with the serene backwaters, golden sunsets, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut palms, picturesque island, all of which contribute to its beautiful landscape.Dinner and overnight at Cochin. (B,D)

After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of the oasis state of Kerala and one of the India's most colourful cities. The interconnected series of Islands and shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures and Religions. Afternoon experience a boat ride along the palm fringed Lakes and Backwaters of the area where we sail along the shady canals and enjoy the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Cochin was once an insignificant fishing village, when the backwaters of the Arabian Sea and the streams descending from the Ghats caused the separation of this village from the mainland and landlocked the harbour, it became one of the safest ports on India’s south-western coast. Evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes, Exotic makeup and Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers. Dinner and overnight at Cochin. (B,D)

After breakfast travel to Alleppey, on arrival embark on the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Witness the local with children swimming and playing in the water, women attending to their daily chores and men fishing from their canoes. Enjoy fishing and sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats while heading towards Kumarakom. All meals with overnight on board. (B,L,D)

After breakfast disembark from the houseboat and travel to Kovalam through green coastal belt and cashew plantations. On arrival check in to the resort with rest of the day free for your own activities. Take an enticing walk along the beach to enjoy the scene of the Arabian waves embracing virgin sands, with steep palm covered headland. A glittering silvery sand contour into an arc, edging on one side with cerulean waters and on the other side by a magnificent row of the green palm groves, provide for a spectacular view of the seeming eternal sea and sunsets. The waterfront is lined with a number of shops with spreads of jewellery, handicrafts and clothes. Kovalam means a grove of coconuts trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. Afternoon enjoy an Ayurveda basic massage. The warm and clean atmosphere, luring surroundings, azure sea and solacing sun, make Kovalam a perfect relaxing holiday destination. Dinner and overnight at Kovalam. (B,D)

After breakfast proceed on a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum city, the capital of the Kerala state that is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The city gets its name Thiruvananthapuram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines. Trivandrum still retains its regal ambience with a number of colonial and traditional buildings, blending ethnic and modern form of architecture. Trivandrum, according to the legends, boasts of being associated with King Solomon whose ships landed at a port called Ophir. Traders have been coming to these parts as far back as 190 AD for spices, sandalwood, and ivory. Enjoy the sightseeing and last moment shopping before travelling back to Kovalam for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

After leisurely breakfast transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the flight for your onward journey. (B)

Private Car Guided Tour

Starts in: Bangalore Ends in: Trivandrum Grade: Easy Paced Tour

• Accommodation with private facilities
• Private air-conditioned vehicle with Chauffeur
• Local English-speaking guide
• Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Private Backwater cruise with overnight on board
• Entry fees/monument charges
• Assistance and Transfers

• Departs daily
• Overland travel by private car
• Order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions
• Itinerary can be customised to suit your requirements
• Ask for pre and post accommodation

• Any meals other than specified, drinks, laundry, Mineral water, telephone calls or other expenses of a personal nature.
• Camera fees (Video or still) at the monuments
• Tips/gratuity