Heritage Tour of Karnataka with Backwaters

Duration: 10 Days / 09 Nights
Destination Covered:Bangalore, Nagarhole, Mysore, Coorg, Hassan, Bangalore, Cochin, Kumarokom, Alleppey, Cochin.
Tour Description: Highlights of Heritage Tour of Karnataka with Backwaters

Day 1 Bangalore
Compass Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Bangalore International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Bangalore.

Legend goes that King Veeraballa of Vijayanagara once lost his way in forest. Hungry and tired, he came upon a lone hut in the thick forest where he met an old woman. When he asked for food, she gave him baked beans ('Benda Kalu' in Karnataka).The King found this humble meal taste better than his royal kitchen menu. To commemorate this incident, he called the place "Benda Kalu Ooru" (place of baked beans).

Capital of the Southern state of Karnataka, Bangalore today is Asia's fastest growing cosmopolitan city. It is home to some of the most high tech industries in India. Bangalore is also home to some of India's premier scientific establishments. Blessed with a salubrious climate, gardens & parks, natural lakes, architectural landmarks, shopping malls, the best restaurants and pubs in this part of the globe, business opportunities, Bangalore is the ideal gateway to India and beyond. Bangalore offers something for everyone-music and dance concerts (Western and Indian), dramas, exhibitions, carnivals, conferences and more.

Overnight will be at Bangalore.

Day 2 Bangalore - Nagarhole
By Road 230 kms / 5 hrs
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to Nagarhole.

Established in 1955 as a wildlife sanctuary, Nagarhole was designated a national park twenty years later. The park today stretches in a series of gentle hills and valleys, over an expanse of 640 sq km, north of the river Kabini. The park came up around a perennial water reservoir formed in 1974, when the Kabini River was dammed.

Nagarhole's vegetation is refreshingly different from Bandipur's dry scrub - moist deciduous forests, including bamboo, teak, eucalyptus and cassia, cover much of the sanctuary, providing a refuge for a wide range of animals and birds. Nagarhole has all the resident wildlife of the Nilgiri hills: Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, bison, leopard, Asian elephant, wild boar, deer, dhole (wild dog) and porcupine, besides tigers. A high canopy of trees- up to thirty meters tall in some places- harbors rare birds such as the endangered Malabar trogon, the Malabar pied hornbill and the crested hawk-eagle.

Nagarhole saw some upheavals in 1992, when quarrelling between the wardens of the park and the local villagers resulted in arson which had an enormously adverse impact on the park and its wildlife. It will still take a few years for Nagarhole's forest and animal count to get back to normal but there has already been a resurrection of sorts and things get better every year.

In the afternoon go on a wildlife tour in the National park in jeeps / vans. Abounding in a rich variety of wildlife, one can find elephants, antelopes and even leopards here

Overnight stay will be in Nagarhole.

Day 3 Nagarhole - Mysore
By Road 93 kms / 2 hrs
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning go on a Coracle Ride on Kabini River. The Coracle is a round native boat.

In the afternoon leave for Mysore by road.

Mysore city was the capital of the old royal Mysore province. The word Mysore expands to "Mahishasurana Ooru" which means the town of Mahishasura. The story goes that the demon Mahishasura was killed by goddess Chamundeshwari atop the Chamundi hill near Mysore, and hence the name. Ever since, the Mysore royal family has worshipped Chamundeshwari as the palace deity. Hills dedicated to her stand at the eastern end of Mysore town today.

To the people of India the word Mysore is synonymous with Sandalwood, silk and fine inlay-work using ivory. It is the home of incense sticks dipped in sandalwood oil perfume base and has two well known incense factories - the Aravinda Parimala and the Vasu and Cycle brand (together these two account for 70% of the incense stick export from India). Mysore is also the home of many well regarded musicians and artists. It is even today the hub of the tourist map of Karnataka. Nearby are several places of interest to visitors, some of these are Brindavan Gardens, Srirangapattana, Rangana Tittu bird sanctuary, Chamundi Hills, Nanjanagudu, Bandipur forest reserve, Shivanasamudra falls, and Talakaadu.

Within the town are several places of interest. The grand palace with its four arched entrances stands at the centre of the town. Liberally covered with golden domes and home to the most expensive royal chair (Simhasana), made of gold and studded with diamond and precious stones, this palace rivals the best in the world. During weekends the whole palace is lit with thousands of lights, a great sight. Saint Philomina's church is a fine cathedral dating back to the 18th century. The Venkatappa art gallery has inspired many an artist and conducts courses in traditional painting, drawing and woodwork. It is also the birth-place for the Mysore wooden toys, which are exported worldwide.

Reach and check in to the hotel.

Overnight stay will be in Mysore.

Day 4 Mysore
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed for the sightseeing.

Mysore Palace: The Maharaja's Palace is one of the important sights in Mysore. Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, the Palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open on to luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The magnificent jewel studded golden throne of the Wodeyars is displayed here during the Dasera festival. Illuminated on Sundays and public holidays, the palace presents a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.

Chamundi Hills: A well known 335 meters high landmark, Chamundi Hill can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps laid out by the Mysore Maharaja in the 17th century. Half-way up along the stone steps is Nandi, Lord Shiva's Bull, a majestic 4.8 meter monolith. At the top is the 12th century temple of Chamundeshwari, the patron goddess of the Wodeyars. Close to the temple is the gigantic statue of the demon Mahishasura. The summit offers a panoramic view of Mysore's lakes, parks and palaces.

Brindavan Gardens: Located at the KR Sagar Dam [Kannambadi], Brindavan Gardens is one of the best gardens in South India. Spread over an acre, Brindavan Gardens has since the 1960s provided the backdrop for many Indian films. Special attractions include the 'Dancing Fountains'. Timings: Monday-Friday: 6:30 PM - 7:25 PM and Saturday-Sunday: 6:30 PM - 8:25 PM

St. Philomena's Church: A beautiful Cathedral, reminiscent of medieval architectural style, is one of the largest churches in the country. Built in the gothic style, the Church is an imposing structure with stained glass windows and lofty towers.

The Art Gallery: The Jaganmohan Palace was converted into an art gallery in 1875 and exhibits paintings which date back to that period. The artists of that time used natural vegetable and mineral dyes. The famous traditional Mysore 'gold leaf ' paintings are also exhibited in the gallery, as are oil paintings of contemporary artist like Raja Ravi Varmaand Svetoslav Roerich.

Overnight stay will be in Mysore.

Day 5 Mysore - Coorg
By Road 120 kms / 3 hr
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to Coorg by road.
You think a cup of coffee smells great; wait till you experience the coffee blossoms. Their heady fragrance fills the air in Coorg - known as the coffee pot of India and the Scotland of the east - which produces some of the world's best coffee, with a fair amount of cardamom and pepper thrown in. Birthplace of the Cauvery River and home to some of India's finest soldiers, Coorg - now known as Kodagu - is famous for its meandering mists, dense forests, and supremely tasteful coffee. We take up base at the beautiful and relaxing Orange County Resort, which is set amid never-ending manicured coffee and pepper plantations and is just the place for an enjoyable holiday. If you're the type who likes to mingle with nature, romance with the mountains, and whistle to the song of birds, Coorg is the place for you. We also take you 120km away, north of Coorg, to the splendid temples of Belur and Halebid, a timeless legacy of the Hoysala kings and built around the 12th century.

Reach and check in to the hotel.

Enjoy the day at leisure at Coorg.

Overnight stay will be in Coorg.

Day 6 Coorg - Hassan
By Road 146 kms / 4 hrs
After early breakfast drive to Hassan, enroute visit the famous Hoysala temples of "Belur & Halebid".

The 12th century temples of Belur and Halebid stands the most beautiful for its most beautiful sculptures when compared to any other temples in south India. Typically these temples are squat & star shaped. Its outstanding sculptures all over the walls and pillars state the stories from the old epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata & Bhagavath Geetha enabling to know of Hindu culture. It also describes the story of the rulers of Karnataka and their interest in dance and music.

Later drive to reach HASSAN. Check in and rest as this would be a long day.

Overnight will be at Hotel in Hassan.

Day 7 Hassan - Bangalore - Cochin
By Road 194 kms / 4 hrs
Bangalore - Cochin
By Air
Airline : Jet Airways
Flight Number : 9W3511
Departure : 1015 hrs
Arrival : 1135 hrs

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to Bangalore. Reach Bangalore and proceed to the airport as per the flight timings to Cochin.

The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in AD 1663 and later in the last phase of the colonial saga, the British took over, the town in 1795. During 1660's, Fort Kochi peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre and its fame spread far and wide - variously as a rich trade centre, a major military base, a vibrant cultural hub, a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity and so on. Today, centuries later, the city is home to nearly thirteen communities.

In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION.

Overnight stay will be in Cochin.

Overnight will be spent at Thekkady.

Day 8 Cochin - Kumarokom
By Road
92 kms in 2 hrs

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to Kumarokom.

Reach and check in to your private Houseboat.

Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.

Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. The boat will be anchored in the backwaters along a paddy field and you can go for a stroll into the village or relax at the deck of the boat.

Dinner will be on the boat.

Overnight will be at Houseboat.

Day 9 Alleppey
Breakfast on board.

Disembark the boat at the finishing point.

Proceed to the hotel and check in.

Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.

Overnight stay will be in Alleppey.

Day 10 Alleppey - Cochin
By Road
64 kms in 2 hrs

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel.

Proceed to Cochin. Reach Cochin and proceed to the airport as per the flight timings back home with sweet memories of India.

TOUR ENDS

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

· ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS,
· SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY,
· AIR-CONDITIONED SUV WITH DRIVER AT DISPOSAL,
· ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE,
· MEET AND ASSIST SERVICES ON ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE,
· DAILY BUFFET BREAKFAST,
· ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES,
· OVERNIGHT HOUSEBOAT CRUISE WITH ALL MEALS,
· KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION IN COCHIN,
· ALL MEET AND ASSIST SERVICES,
· AIR FARE IN ECONOMY CLASS FOR THE SECTORS MENTIONED AND
· ALL PARKING WITH ROAD TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES.

NOTE:
Please note that only lunches and dinners are not included (except where mentioned in the inclusion list) along with personal expenses and camera, etc. fees, tips, (if any) at places where applicable. All hotels are subject to availability and all flights are subject to confirmation. The airfare is also separate to the tour cost and not part of the tour price.

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