Trip Style - Portfolio
Classic Explorer: Karnataka[ Print this itinerary 
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This short yet packed wildlife experience takes you from the modern city of Bangalore into the wilderness of Karnataka! Admire the rich wildlife of Bandipur, the Elephants of Nagarhole and the amazing birdlife of Ranganthittu.
- Trip Highlights
- Detailed Itinerary
- Accommodation Gallery
- Inclusions / Exclusions
- Activity level
- Departure Dates
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- Bandipur National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
- Explore the heritage of Mysore city
Day 1 - Bangalore to Bandipur National Park
At about 8 AM we leave Bangalore for the Bandipur National Park. On arrival at Bandipur, we check in at our lodge and have a delicious lunch. Once done with lunch, we leave for a game drive and will be in the park till dusk. We return to the lodge once the dusk sets in and we end the day with an early dinner.
Bandipur National Park is one of the best-known wildlife protected areas in India and is also a Project Tiger reserve. The park is famous for its Bengal Tigers, Asian Elephants and for the abundance of sandalwood trees. It is also home to Leopards, Sloth bears, Panthers, Chevrotains, Dholes (Wild Dogs), Hyenas, Gaur, Sambar (deer), Chital, Wild Boar, Barking Deer and Mouse Deer.
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: The Windflower
- Route: Bangalore-Bandipur
- Travel Time : Approximately 5 Hrs
Our day at Bandipur begins with an early morning game drive. Mornings in Bandipur are quite mesmerizing and in the winters you can see the mist raising off the ground. The Nilgiri mountains form an amazing backdrop. You are sure to spot many Chitals and Asian Elephants and if you are lucky, you may even spot a Tiger! We return to the lodge for breakfast. You are free to spend the rest of the day relaxing until it is time for the afternoon game drive.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: The Windflower
After an early morning drive and breakfast at Bandipur, we head for the Nagarhole National Park (approx 3 hours drive). On arrival, we check in to our lodge and have lunch. This will be followed by a drive into the park’s wilderness.
A part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve, Nagarhole is among India’s most well maintained national parks. Its rich and varied wildlife includes the Tiger, Leopard, Indian Bison, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Chital, Common Muntjac and almost 250 species of birds. The park also has a large population of Elephants.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Cicada Kabini
- Route: Bandipur to Nagarhole
- Travel Time: Approx. 3 hours
After an early morning game safari and breakfast at Nagarhole, we head for Mysore (approx 2.5 hours drive). We stop for lunch before setting out to explore this lovely city.
Mysore is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is best known as the home of two great 18th century kings- Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan. The majestic Mysore Palace, the city church and a drive to Chamundi Hills are worth a visit. If you have a sweet tooth, do try the famous regional sweet- the Mysore Pak.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Route: Nagarhole to Mysore
- Accommodation: Hotel Royal Orchid
- Travel Time: Approx 2.5 hours
After breakfast, we set out for Bangalore. We provide packed lunch which we can have en route. We make a brief stop at Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, a birdwatcher’s paradise. (approx 1 hour drive).
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary covers an area of 67 sq km and consists of six islets on the banks of the river Kaveri. The birds found here include the Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly necked Stork, Black headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork Billed Kingfisher, Egret, Cormorant, Oriental Darter and Heron.
Many small mammals can also be spotted on the islets, these include Bonnet Macaques, colonies of Flying Foxes, Common Palms, Indian Gray Mongooses and Monitor Lizards.
After about an hour of birdwatching, we drive on to Bangalore (Bengaluru), where our tour will end.
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Route: Mysore – Ranganthittu – Bangalore
- Travel Time: Approx 5 hours
Please Note: Accommodation providers are subject to change without notice. The accommodations listed in this dossier are our preferred suppliers, but sometimes due to availability issues, we are unable to make use of the properties listed in this dossier. If we cannot use an accommodation provider as listed we will substitute another property of similar standards.
What's Included
- Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Ground transportation with an English speaking driver/guide
- Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
- Park or reserve entry fees
- Registered Guides
- Trekking permit
- Information Kit
- Taxes
What's Excluded
- Gratuities and Tips
- Visas and Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Optional activities (if any)
- Souvenirs
- All items of personal nature
Basic - Designed for travellers who enjoy the outdoors, are in good health, and want an interesting yet relaxing wildlife experience. These trips
may involve walking, trekking, hiking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking at a very slow pace. Certain trips involve safari drives for a maximum of
five hours a day. Most of these trips are usually a week long in duration.
The ‘Classic Yala Tour’, ‘Kenya Luxury’ and ‘Luxury in Botswana’ itineraries are the best examples of this activity level as you’ll have a relaxed
holiday. These trips are mostly about culture and sightseeing. There will be exploring on foot and safaris drives involved as well. Most travellers
will find themselves comfortable with the basic activity level trips.
Other Activity Levels
Moderate - Requires a spirit of adventure and some degree of fitness, as the trip might consist of many activities or long journeys. These adventures involve walking, trekking, hiking, cycling, rafting, sea kayaking, or driving for long hours, at times for up to six to eight hours a day at a steady pace. The maximum altitude is 3000m, so it requires you to be reasonably physically fit. The trips are usually 6 to 12 days in duration.
The ‘Only Tigers’, a 11 day itinerary, is a perfect example of this activity level as it involves long journeys for up to eight hours a day and a bit of walking. Also, ‘Around Spitsbergen - Kvitøya and Beyond ’, a 10 day itinerary is another example of this trip activity level.
You should be reasonably fit because you will be travelling in extreme weather conditions.
High - Fitness is vital at this level, as the environment traversed may be remote and challenging. These rugged experiences include long walks, trekking, cycling or rafting in isolated areas through variable weather conditions for up to eight to ten hours a day. These trips are usually 13 to 19 days in duration.
The ‘Ultimate Nepal Trekker’, is a good example of this trip activity level as it involves hiking and trekking for up to eight hours a day. Maximum altitude will be 4000m and you need to be very fit in order to withstand the weather conditions. Also, ‘Kilimanjaro Trek- Rongai route’ is another example that applies to this this activity level. Good physical condition is essential and previous hill-walking experience or preparation is advisable.
Advanced - At this level, PlanetWildlife recommends previous experience of the activity involved. These are our most challenging and advanced expeditions. They include long walks, cycling, trekking, hiking or rafting in variable weather conditions for more than ten hours a day. These trips may often be over 3 weeks in duration.
The ‘South Atlantic Odyssey’, a 31-day itinerary, is a perfect example of this trip activity level as it involves sailing for long hours in extreme weather conditions. Also, the ‘Snow Leopard Experience’ itinerary is another example which best suits this activity level. Ascents and descents are over 1000m at altitudes up to 6000m and the climate can be rigorous and challenging. Excellent physical condition and previous mountain trekking experience or appropriate preparation is essential.
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