Malabar Holidays

Day 01 : Arrival Bangalore

Sightseeing of Bangalore with Guide .Overnight at Hotel.
You will be met on arrival by our airport representative where a special welcome awaits !!! transfer to the Hotel by air-conditioned vehicle. Later you will tour the city- though a modern, important commercial centre, Bangalore remains one of India's most attractive cities. Around the centre of the city you will find parks and gardens, wide tree lined avenues, imposing buildings and lively bazars.

You will be visiting Tipu Sultan's summer palace and the nearby bull Temple which is one of the oldest temples in Bangalore and the Lalbagh Botanical gardens by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan (Tippus Summer palace Opens from 0930 Hours to 1700Hours -Closed on Fridays- Botanical Gardens Opens from 0930 Hours to 1700 Hours)Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2:Transfer Bangalore

Hassan .Later visit Belur & Helebid with Guide.Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Today after breakfast drive to Hassan .Afternoon visit the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid with your guide. The Hoysala at Halebid ruled over the Mysore plateau in the 12th and 13th centuries and were originally Jain, but in the 11th century the Hoysala Kings returned to Hinduism and marked their temple at Belur is noted for its elaborate attention to detail. Evening return to your hotel which is situated just south of the temple towns and pleasant village style resort in a rural location with lovely gardens and a swimming pool. The rooms are rustic and spacious and the restaurant offers a wide choice.Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 03: Transfer Hassan

Mysore enroute visit Sravanabelagola . Upon arrival check into Hotel.Rest of the day Leisure and overnight at Hotel.
This morning drive south to Mysore visiting enroute Sravanabelagola visit Gomateswara Statue, Silk worm centers & farm, Mulberry Farm etc.Mysore is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples and retains some of the charm of the old world with its many institutions that propagate Carnatic Classical music and dance. Upon arrival check into your hotel . Mysore once the residence of the Wodeyars, this structure is one of the largest of its kind in India. Built in 1912 in the Indo Saracenic style, this place excludes a grandeur that is unmatched. (Maharajas Palce -Opens from 1030 hours to 1730 hours -Closed on Fridays- Lighting on Sunday and Public holidays between 1900 hours to 2000 hours -Depending on Sunset).

Day 04: Sightseeing of Mysore including Somnathpur and Srirangapatnam.

Today visit the colourful vegetable and flower market in Mysore. Drive out to the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at Somnathpur, built around 1260 AD by the Hoysala Kings (Somnathpur Temple-Opens all seven days from 0830 Hours to 1730 Hours)Later visit Srirangapatanam to see the ruins of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's capital from which they ruled much of Southern India during the 18th century(Srirangapatana-Opens all seven days from 0830 Hours to 1730 Hours).

Later in evening Visit Chamundi Hill - Perched atop a hill is a 12th century temple of Chamundershwari. About 13 Kms from Mysore by road these is also a 1000 step walking track for all those young at heart to try. The gigantic 4.8 meter tall monolith of Nandi the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva is a marvel to watch. Also close to the temple stands a gigantic statues of the demon Mahishasura (Chamundi Hills-Opens from 0830 Hours to 1800 Hours ) Return and overnight at Hotel (Optional visits- St. Philomena's Church Opens from 0800 Hours to 1300 Hours & 1700 Hours to 2000 Hours -Ranganathittu Bird sanctuary Opens from 0600 Hours to 1700 Hours).

Day 05:Transfer Mysore/ Mudumalai

Upon arrival checkinto hotel -Evening Jeep Safari ( Elephant Ride Subject to availability )Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
This morning drive to Mudumali wild life sanctuary -Consisting of tropical deciduous forest, swamps and streams, Mudumalai is noted for elephant, tiger crocodile, leopard, deer and a rich variety of bird life. On arrival checkinto your resort (which is basic accommodation) In the evening game viewing by jeep. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Transfer Mudumalai

Coorg (Kodagu) On arrival checkinto Hotel. Next visit Bylekuppe (Kushalanagar) is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in south India. Return and overnight at Hotel.

This morning drive to of Coorg formerly called Mercara, Madikeri is often known as the Scotland of India. Coorg has a fascinating history and one of the interesting aspects of its colorful past was the fact that Queen Victoria of England was the godmother of a Coorg princess.

Upon arrival checkinto hotel and later drive to Bylekuppe near Kushalanagar is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in south India ,set up in 1960, is dotted with several monasteries and the prominent among these are the Great Gompa of Sera Je and Sera Mey and the Namdroling monastery. (Optional Visit - Dubare forest - is another scenic spot located 15 km from Kushalanagar famous for its elephant training camp. It is also an ideal place for angling in the swirling waters of the Cauvery) Return to your hotel and overnight at Hotel.

Day 07: Today drive to Thalasserry

Upon arrival checkinto Ayesha Manzil (Homestay) Dinner and overnight at Homestay.
Today drive to Thalasserry which has a unique place in Kerala's history and has an equally interesting evolution of culture, religion and tradition.Once it was a British military center built by the British East India Company to control sovereignity over the spices trade.(Tellicherry pepper, ground from locally grown pungent black peppercorns is very famous)

Ayesha Manzil " is a beautiful, old colonial style mansion overlooking the blue Arabian sea .The 145-year-old colonial style heritage that has been luxuriously furnished with carved teak furniture, rare curios and family heirlooms. The house was originally built in 1862 by Murdock Brown, a British colonel-turned-cinnamon planter who was famous for introducing the teacake to India.

Day 08: full day Explore Thallassery.Overnight at Homestay.

Today morning visit and witness the traditional dance and performing arts in Kerala. Enjoy the 'Thayum' at Parassinikadavu temple to watch the closing evening rituals where the dramatic and colourful dance form "Theyyam " is performed in its natural surroundings.Visit Handloom weaving units - where cloth is still woven in the old way on Shuttle weaves and get your clothes custom made by the local tailor.Later Beedi rolling units - small, local, pungent smelling cigarettes which are hand rolled from dried Tendu leaves.

This evening you will spend time with your hostess -there is nowhere better to sample to the local Mopillah cuisine than Ayisha Manzil. Your hostess Faiza is internationally renowned for her traditional style cuisine that has been handed down through family generations. Faiza offers culinary courses that are well worth make time for during your visit.Dinner and Overnight stay.

Day 09:Today transfer Thallassery

Cochin. you will be met and assist to checkinto your Hotel -Evening Kathakali Dance .Dinne and a Local restaurant.Overnight at Hotel.

Today transfer to Cochin- the principal port and centre of the spice trade on the Malabar coast. Cochin was the first European settlement in India and the port was founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502. Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers have all left their culture on this colourful city. In the evening learn about Kerala's fascinating art form -the Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime -you will enjoy a dance performance ( Witness the artist's make-up demonstration at 17.15 hours and attend the dance performance at 19.00 hours .Dance drama ends at 200hrs ) Dinner at a local sea food restaurant and return to hotel for an overnight's stay.

Day 10:Sightseeing Cochin- Evening Harbour cruise.

This morning tour the city visiting the mattancherry palace the nearby merchant houses and a fine synagogue. Also visit Fort Cochin and St.Francis church, the oldest European church in india. In the evening take a motor launch cruise around the picturesque harbour to see Bolghatty palace and the Chinese fishing nets.Overnight at Hotel.

Day 11:Today transfer Cochin-Alleppey

Embark Malabar House Boat -afternoon Kerala tradtional meals and evening dinner -Overnight stay on Board. Morning after breakfast leave for Alleppey. Here we board our houseboat and cruise through a system of canals and lagoons known as the Malabar Backwaters. Along the banks there is a wonderful array of produce already for market. These waterways are the primary means of communication between homes and villages.Overnight Houseboat.

(The houseboat is a converted rice barge, constructed form Jack Fruit wood. The accommodation is simple but comfortable. Decorated with cane furniture typical of the south, the decks have coir matting, and each boat has a kitchenette, open lounge and crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights).

Day 12: Morning after breakfast disembark at Kumarakom

Breakfast on board. Later Cruise through narrow lakes and canals towards Kumarakom. Upon arrival disembark and check into the backwater resort -An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forest, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad lake. Rest day is free to relax in the Hotel.

Day 13:Full day leisure in Kumarakom

Early morning leave the Hotel for bird Watching tour .Return to the Hotel for breakfast. Rest day is free to relax in the Hotel or free to enjoy Ayurveda Treatment on own cost.

Day 14:Departure to Airport for onward flight

In time transfer to Cochin straight to the airport (approx Two hours drive) to board flight for onwards destination.