Spices and Sandalwood - A Journey from Mysore to Kochi

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Bangalore / Bangalore to Mysore – 150kms

Arrive into Dubai and connect onto Bangalore. On arrival you will be met by your driver and taken to Mysore where you will stay for the next three nights. After settling at your hotel, head out to the old city for a two hour guided heritage walk. During the walk visit Mysore’s Town Hall, the Devaraja Market and the Jagan Mohan Palace. Your guide will share stories describing the history of Mysore and you will also be able to sample the city’s famous sweet, ‘Mysore Pak’. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Days 3 & 4 Mysore

There is plenty to see and do in Mysore and the surrounding region and over the next two days visit the key places of interest with your guide. Visits will be made to Chamundi Hill, the Chamundeswari Temple and Nandi Bull as well as the vast City Palace which was re-built by Henry Irwin during 1897. The palace houses a wide-ranging collection of paintings, traditional crafts and glass work. Also visit the temple complex at Somnathpur, with its exquisite Keshava Vishnu temple, and Srirangapatnam where Tipu Sultan was killed in battle against the East India Company. (B)
Accommodation in Mysore: Gitanjali Homestay
Upgrade option: Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Day 5 Mysore to Nagarhole – 90kms

This morning leave Mysore and drive to Nagarhole National Park for a two night stay. The finest reserve in southern India, Nagarhole supports a diverse range of animals including tiger, bison and elephant, leopard and sloth bear. The reserve is also home to over 250 different species of bird. (B/D)
Accommodation in Nagarhole: KAAV Safari Lodge (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Bison (or similar)

Day 6 Nagarhole

With an expert naturalist, today visit Nagarhole National Park on early morning and evening game safaris. Established in 1955, Nagarhole is a beautiful reserve and predominately consisting of deciduous forest. The reserve covers a large area to the north of the Kabini River. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Nagarhole: KAAV Safari Lodge (or similar)
Upgrade option: The Bison (or similar)

Day 7 Nagarhole to Sultans Battery – 80kms

After breakfast leave Nagarhole and drive to Sultan's Battery, a small town in the Western Ghats, known for some of India's finest coffee, cardamom and vanilla producers. Stay two nights at Amaryllis – a charming homestay with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. You may alternatively wish to upgrade to Tranquil, a secluded 70 year old plantation bungalow on the Kuppamudi Coffee Estate. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis Homestay
Alternative accommodation: Tranquil Resort

Day 8 Sultans Battery

Today enjoy Amaryllis and the surrounding area. Swim in the hotel’s beautiful pool or relax with a good book. The bird watching at Amaryllis is excellent and, for the more energetic, there are a variety of walking trails. (B/L/D)
Accommodation in Sultan’s Battery: Amaryllis Homestay
Alternative accommodation: Tranquil Resort

Day 9 Sultans Battery to Ooty – 135kms

This morning leave Sultan's Battery and continue to the historic hill station of Ooty. The capital of the Nilgiri ‘Blue Mountain’ district, Ooty was one of the places where the British escaped the summer heat of plains. Here they whiled away their time with endless socialising, bridge parties and Tiffin, which gave the town the catchy nickname of ‘Snooty Ooty’. Stay for two nights at the Savoy Hotel which first opened as a hotel in 1841 and has hosted many famous and royal visitors. (B/D)
Accommodation in Ooty: Savoy Hotel

Day 10 Ooty

This morning visit the well-maintained botanical gardens which have over 1,000 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees. You may also wish take a ride on the famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway that winds its way down through spectacular scenery and breathtaking views to the nearby town of Coonoor. Alternatively travel outside of Ooty to visit a local Thoda village whose inhabitants are one of the ancient people of India and who are found exclusively in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. (B/D)
Accommodation in Ooty: Savoy Hotel

Day 11 Ooty to Kochi – 300kms

After breakfast drive to Kochi. Founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502, Kochi quickly developed into a major port and the centre of the spice trade on the Malabar Coast. A picturesque town of tumble-down buildings, vibrant bougainvillea and a languid palm-fringed harbour, Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers have all influenced this charming city. (B)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

Day 12 Kochi

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing today with your guide. Starting on foot, visit the church of St Francis, the oldest European church in India, then walk to the town's waterfront. Here you will encounter the iconic Chinese fishing nets and bustling fish stalls. In the afternoon visit Mattancherry Palace and the town's fine synagogue, which is over 450 years old. The area around the synagogue is known for its many antique and curio shops which you are free to explore. End the day with a scenic sunset cruise around the busy harbour. (B)
Accommodation in Kochi: Eighth Bastion
Upgrade option: Malabar House
Alternative upgrade option: Brunton Boatyard Hotel

Day 13 Kochi to Alleppey - 75kms

Drive south along the coast to Alleppey and the Keralan backwaters to join your own private houseboat for a two night cruise. Authentic and comfortable, all meals are cooked on board and the boat is staffed with a captain, a deck hand and a cook. Spend the remainder of day cruising the beautiful and peaceful backwaters. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 14 Keralan Backwaters

Today is at leisure. The backwaters are a network of glistening lakes, coconut shaded canals and twisting estuaries. Witness charming thatched cottages bright with hibiscus and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that hang over the water's edge. Witness daily local life as you cruise on your authentic houseboat. (B/L/D)
Accommodation: Spice Coast Houseboat

Day 15 Alleppey to Mararikulam – 15kms

Depart your houseboat after breakfast and travel to Mararikulam. Stay for three nights at the beach side resort of Marari Beach. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Days 16 & 17 Mararikulam

At leisure to relax and enjoy Marari. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort

Day 18 Backwaters to Kochi – 65kms / Kochi to the UK

Today you will be met and transferred back to Kochi Airport to catch the Emirates flight to Dubai. On arrival connect onto the Emirates flight to the UK. (B)

Spices and Sandalwood - A Journey from Mysore to Kochi

17 days from £4435 per person

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Itinerary: Spices and Sandalwood - A Journey from Mysore to Kochi

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