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SPICES & SANDALWOOD
Day 1 London to Bangalore
Fly non-stop with British Airways to Bangalore.
Day 2 Bangalore to Mysore -150kms
Arrive into Bangalore in the morning and continue onto Mysore a charming and relaxed city which is surrounded almost entirely by fertile farmland and tree clad hills. Until independence Mysore was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, a princely state covering about a third of present day Karnataka and this afternoon visit the City Palace, one of the largest in India, built by Henry Irwin in 1897. Stay for two nights at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 3 Mysore
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Day 4 Mysore
Over the next two days tour Mysore and the surrounding area. Visit the City Palace, one of the largest in India, built by Henry Irwin in 1897 and Chamundi Hill to view the Chamundeswari Temple and the famous Nandi Bull. Later drive out of the city to see the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at Somnathpur and the ruins of Tipu Sultan’s capital at Srirangapatnam. (B)
Day 5 Mysore to Nagarhole National Park – 90kms
This morning it is a scenic but bumpy drive to Nagarhole National Park, home to tiger, bison, elephant, panther and over 250 species of birdlife. Stay two nights at the Kabini River Lodge. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Nagarhole
A day to explore Nagarhole National Park with plenty of opportunity for wildlife viewing. (B/L/D)
Day 7 Nagarhole National Park to Sultans Battery – 100kms
This morning drive to Sultan’s Battery in the heart of the Western Ghats of North Kerala. Stay for two nights at Tranquil a secluded plantation bungalow on the Kuppamudi Estate, A relaxing and wonderful place to stay. (B/D)
Day 8 Sultans Battery
Today you are at leisure to enjoy Tranquil and the surrounding local area. You could swim in the beautiful pool or lounge in a hammock with a book. If you are feeling more energetic Tranquil has over 400 acres of estate to explore with seven well-defined paths that cut through the grounds. (B/L/D)
Day 9 Sultans Battery to Kochi – 300kms
Today leave Tranquil and drive south to Kochi, stopping to visit the temple town of Guruvayur en-route. Founded by Vasco da Gama in 1502 it was once a centre of the spice trade and now the principal port on the Malabar Coast. A cosmopolitan European influence has been left by the various waves of Portuguese, British, Dutch and Jewish settlers who made this colourful city their home. Stay for two nights either at the Taj Malabar Hotel on Willingdon Island. (B)
Day 10 Kochi
This morning take a guided walking tour of historic Fort Kochi to include St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India and the Chinese fishing nets. Then go by car to visit the Mattancherry Palace the nearby merchant houses and a fine synagogue. Walk through the spice markets where traders sell varieties of rice, ginger, garlic and chilli. Around sunset take a motor launch cruise around the picturesque harbour. (B)
Day 11 Kochi to Munnar – 130kms
This morning leave with your driver for Munnar to stay for two nights at Windermere Estate. Being 1,524 metres above sea level the ascent up to the town is punctuated with spectacular scenery, sandalwood forests and tea plantations complete with teams of brightly clothed pickers. (B/D)
Day 12 Munnar
Once the summer resort of the British Government in South India, Munnar’s miles of tea estates, winding lanes, bustling markets, craggy peaks and fresh mountain air make the town an ideal place in which to retreat and relax. (B/D)
Day 13 Munnar to Alleppey – 160kms
Today drive down through the hills to the market town of Alleppey where you will join your private Houseboat for your two night cruise. This is a unique opportunity to leisurely explore and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Kerala backwaters. (B/L/D)
Day 14 Backwaters
On the backwaters life passes by as it has for centuries. Fishermen tend their nets, women weave rugs from coir, and farmers cultivate rice and a delicious variety of fruits. (B/L/D)
Day 15 Backwaters to Kochi Airport 100kms
Kochi to Mumbai by air
This morning, after breakfast, transfer by car to Kochi airport and in the afternoon fly to Mumbai where you will be met and transferred by car to the Leela Kempinski Hotel for one night. (B)
Day 16 Depart Mumbai
Depart Mumbai on the British Airways flight to London Heathrow Terminal Five.
STAYING ON
Retreat to either Cardamom House, 65kms from Madurai, or Visalam in Chettinad region, 90kms from Madurai and experience a rural side to South India that is still under-explored.
Relax on a palm fringed beach in one of the many excellent Keralan beach hotels. One of the best is the Marari Beach Resort located close to the backwaters at Alleppey and Kochi, making it an excellent place in which to spend a relaxing few days at the end of a tour.
Explore and extend your stay in South India by travelling overland from to Madurai. Tamil Nadu is a fascinating and diverse region of India highlighted by the French architecture of Pondicherry, Hindu temples of Tanjore and Chettinad merchant mansions which you will pass en-route.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – SPICES & SANDALWOOD
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £3,300. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
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