Trip Style - Family
Stunning South India[ Print this itinerary 
]
Discover the unique beauty of South India! Explore Mudumalai and Bandipur, go boating in Periyar, look out for the rare Nilgiri Tahr in Eravikulam, see the Elephants of Nagarahole and marvel at the birds of Kumarakom. Round off your adventure with a Houseboat cruise down the scenic backwaters of Kerala!
- Trip Highlights
- Detailed Itinerary
- Accommodation Gallery
- Inclusions / Exclusions
- Activity level
- Departure Dates
- Request Your Quote
- Bandipur National Park
- Elephants of Nagarahole
- Mudumalai, the Wildlife Corridor
- Kerala's tea city - Munnar
- Niligiri Tahrs of Eravikulam
- Periyar National Park
- Boat ride in Periyar
- Periyar Elephant Safari
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
- Houseboat cruise to Alappuzha
Day 1 - Bangalore
On arrival in Bangalore, our representative will be there to receive you at the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel. We advise you to get some good rest today, as tomorrow we start on an exciting journey to the beautiful jungles of south India.
- Meals: No Meal
- Accommodation: Royal Orchid Hotel
We leave Bangalore after breakfast and drive to Nagarhole National Park, which is about 5 hours away. Nagarhole is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is among India’s best 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 is best known for its large population of Elephants.
We arrive at Nagarhole around noon, in time for lunch. After lunch, we set out for our first game drive into the park and will stay inside the park until dusk. We will be spending two nights at Nagarhole.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Cicada Kabini
- Route: Bangalore to Nagarahole
- Travel time: approx 5 hours
We begin the day with an early morning game drive into the Nagarahole forest. During the game drive, you will get a glimpse of the park’s unspoiled beauty. Mornings are the best time to sight animals and you are likely to see herds of Elephants on the banks of the rive.
After the game drive, we return to the lodge for breakfast. Once you finish breakfast, you can take a nature walk and explore the beautiful flora of the park. We return to the lodge for lunch and after lunch, we set out once again to explore Nagarahole.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Cicada Kabini
After an early morning game safari and breakfast at Nagarahole, we head out to Bandipur National Park, which is about 3 hours drive from Nagarhole. Bandipur National Park is one of the best-known 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. In addition, it is also home to Leopards, Sloth Bears, Panthers, Chevrotains, Dholes (Wild Dogs), Hyenas, Gaur, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Chital, Barking Deer and Mouse Deer.
On arrival in Bandipur, we check in to our lodge and have lunch. This is followed by a game drive into the park.
Bandipur National Park is one of the best-known 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. In addition, 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: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Cicada Bandipur
- Route: Nagarahole to Bandipur
- Travel time: approx 3 hours
Today, we go on a morning game drive into Bandipur and return to the lodge for breakfast. We will then head out to Mudumalai National Park, which is approximately 45 minutes away. Mudumalai is as an important wildlife habitat due to its strategic position between several other protected areas that are a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The animals found here include the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Nilgiri Tahr, Porcupine and Giant Flying Squirrel. In addition, 8 percent of the bird species in India occur in Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
On arriving at Mudumalai, we go for a nature walk inside the park. A stop will be made to have our packed lunches, after which we go on a game drive. We return to Bandipur for the night.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Cicada Bandipur
- Route: Bandipur – Mudumalai – Bandipur
- Travel time: approx 45 minutes(one way)
Today is our last day at Bandipur and we go for a game drive in the morning and return to the lodge for breakfast. We then drive for about 8 hours to reach Munnar, stopping on the way for lunch. Munnar is a beautiful town up in the hills, best known for the tea grown here. The tea, which has a delicate flavour of cardamom, can be used to brew the famous Indian 'Chai'! Munnar also offers a splendid view of pristine valleys and mountains, exotic species of flora and fauna, and the aroma of cool, spice-scented air! You can spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the lovely weather and the spectacular view.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tea County
- Route: Bandipur to Munnar
- Travel time: approx 8 hours
Today we visit the Eravikulam National Park. We carry a picnic lunch with us. As vehicles are not allowed inside the park, we explore the area on foot. After a whole day at Eravikulam, we return to our hotel in the evening for dinner.
Eravikulam was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered species of mountain goat. It is the only mountain goat species found south of the Himalayas. Sure-footed herds of Tahr are quite elusive, but you may be able to get a good view of them as they browse the hillside vegetation. Eravikulam is also home to a variety of mammals that include the Nilgiri Langur, Lion-tailed Macaque and several endemic bird species such as the streaky brown Nilgiri Pipit and Blackbird. The Blackbird in particular looks very different from the familiar songster of Europe and is regarded by some taxonomists as a possible separate species.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Tea County
- Route: Munnar - Eravikulam - Munnar
After breakfast we embark on a three hour drive to reach the Aranya Niwas Hotel in Periyar. The hotel is located inside the Tiger Reserve in the Cardamom Hills. After a delicious lunch, we visit the spice gardens for which the area is well known. Since the olden times, spices were traded like gold in India and you see why...the cardamom and the pepper grown here has a superb aroma! We return to the hotel at dusk and end the day with dinner.
Periyar is one of the Project Tiger Reserves of India. It is one of the most picturesque and beautiful wildlife reserves in the world. In addition to the Tiger, Periyar is also home to the Indian Elephant, Gaur, Sambar (Horse Deer), Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Dhole (Indian Wild Dog), Fox, Leopard and the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Aranya Niwas Hotel
- Route: Eravikulam to Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Travel time: approx 3 hours
We begin our day with a ride into the forest on Elephant backs. It is the best way to see the forest and the animals! We return to the lodge for breakfast. You get to relax for a while and in the afternoon we head out for a nature walk. As the sun sets and the dusk sets in, its time for us to return to the hotel, have dinner and call it a day.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Aranya Niwas Hotel
Start the day with a boat ride on the Periyar Lake. It is the best time to spot birds and do keep an eye out for the Flamingos! After the boat ride, we return to the lodge for breakfast. Walking is the best way to explore the Park and you get to see some of the smaller animals, insects and monkeys when you are on foot...we do precisely this and walk in the forest till lunch time. You have the rest of the day to yourself, you can either relax or spend the day exploring the serene surroundings.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Aranya Niwas Hotel
- Optional activities: Bamboo Rafting, Border Hiking
After an early morning boat ride and breakfast in Periyar, we drive to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is about 4 ½ hours by road. Situated in the backwaters of Kerala, Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise. The main attractions here are local birds like the Cuckoo, Owl, Cormorant, Moorhen, Darter, Brahminy Kite and Duck. There are many migratory birds like the Siberian Crane that can be spotted here. Parrot, Teal, Lark, Flycatcher, etc. are also often sighted here. Some of Kumarakom's migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from as far away as Siberia.
On reaching Kumarakom, we check-in to our resort and have lunch. After lunch, we take a five minute boat ride and walk a short distance to enter the bird sanctuary. Birdwatchers are in for a treat here!! In the afternoons, you are likely to see large numbers of Herons and Egrets fly in to roost here. We stay in the Sanctuary till dusk, and we then return to the lodge for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon
- Route: Periyar to Kumarakom
- Travel time: approx 4.5 hours
We cruise in the backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat, locally known as ‘Kettuvalloms’. Located in the southwestern part of India, Kerala is one of the most beautiful parts of India. It is popularly known as ‘God’s Own Country’ because of its exquisite beauty and greenery. The houseboat takes us to Alappuzha (also called Allepey). Savor the beauty of the landscape as we drift along the narrow canals and paddy fields of the scenic backwaters.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Premium Houseboat
- Route: Kumarakom to Alappuzha
At Alappuzha, we leave the houseboat in the morning after breakfast and we drive to Kochi (formerly known as Cochin). You have the day to yourself and can explore Kochi. Kochi is a pleasant market town surrounded by coconut plantations and built on the canals, which serve the area's coir industry. It is also one of India's principal seaports.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Bolgatty Palace
- Route: Alappuzha to Kochi
This is the last day of the tour. You can either explore the town or stay in at the hotel to relax till it is time to go to the airport to board your flight.
- Meals: Breakfast
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
- Game drives /activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- 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
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.
Other Activity Levels
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.
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.
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.
Please click the “Request your Quote” tab and give us the information and we will design this holiday specially for you.
Request a quote
Please fill this form and we will get back to you with confirmation on availability and a link to checkout your order within 2 business days.
How to Book
Follow the simple steps below to book the holiday of a lifetime. You can book a tour place online, send us an email or contact us over the phone to make a booking.
Telephone
1-800-425-2933
To ensure that your query is dealt with in the fastest possible time, please contact the office that is nearest to the country of your residence. Our staff will assist you in making your booking.
Email
travel@planetwildlife.com
If you require any assistance with booking your holiday, you can call us or send an e-mail.
Our friendly staff will do their best to help you with any booking and travel-related queries that you may have.
