Essence Of South India - Standard

Upon your arrival at Bangalore Airport/Railway Station, meet our representative who shall assist you with transfers. Check in to your hotel and get comfortable. Overnight stay in Bangalore.

• After breakfast today, check out from your hotel and get ready for your transfer to Mysore by road (150 kms/3.5 hrs), popularly known as 'The City of Palaces'. En route visit Srirangapatna (18Kms from Mysore) - the capital of Tipu Sultan.
• Srirangapatna is a small island formed by the river Cauvery and its tributaries. It was once the capital of the Mysore state under the legendary king Tipu Sultan and since then famous for its religious, cultural and historic importance. Prime attractions are Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Daria Daulat (Palace of Tipu Sultan) and Gumbaz (Mausoleum of Tipu Sultan).
• Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple: A mesmerizing example of Hoysala and Vijayanagar architectural style, this temple was first built in 894 AD. It is one of the most important Vaishnavite shrines in South India.This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This idol is supposed to be the biggest statue of Vishnu in the reclining form (Adidesha) in Karnataka.
• Tipu's Summer Palace: Also known as Daria Daulat Bagh. The palace is built in the Indo-Sarcenic style and in mostly made of teakwood. Its surrounded by a lush gardens on the southern bank of the river. The Daria Daulat Bagh palace is now converted in a museum and houses sketches, drawings, paintings along with block prints and Tipu's clothes.
• Srirangapatna Fort: Known for its historical significance and architectural brilliance, this fort was originally built in 1454 AD. This Fort has four main entrances and has a double wall defence system, which is what makes it one of the toughest forts.
• Gumbuz: Gumbaz is the Mausoleum of Tipu Sultan, his father Hider Ali and mother Fakr-Un-Nisa. Built in Persian style of architecture, Surrounded by beautiful garden named as Lalbagh, the imposing structure of Gumbaz is seen in the middle on an elevated platform.
• Upon arrival check into the hotel. Post lunch proceed for local sightseeing at Mysore covering Mysore Zoo, Mysore Palace & Brindavan Gardens.
• Mysore Zoo (closed on Tuesdays) - This 157-acre zoo is the one of the most popular attractions in the city. It houses a wide range of animals and is one of the oldest zoos of the country. The beauty of Chamundi hills beside it is an added bonus. Mysore Zoo also had record number of housing various avian species - more than 40 other countries in the world. It is known for breeding of rare animals which is a feature present in very few other zoos in the world. Mysore Zoo is the only zoo in India to have a gorilla. The zoo also houses chimpanzees and orangutans. Other exotic animals found in Mysore zoo are giraffes, zebras, White Deer, African Elephants, Bears, Porcupines, Rhinoceros, Tapir, Otters etc.
• Mysore Palace (or Maharaja's Palace) - one of the most visited monuments in India. This historical, royal place of residence of the Wadiyars is a splendid architectural feat and houses some of the best artifacts from historic times. The Palace is set in carefully laid out gardens. It is a beautiful three storied stone building of fine grey granite and rich pink marble domes. Overlooking this structure is a five-storied 145 foot tower whose domes are gilded in gold.
• In the evening visit Krishna Raja Sagara Dam built over the River Cauvery near the conjunction of three rivers, namely, Cauvery, Hemavathi & Lakshmana Thirtha. Get mesmerised by colorful & stunning Brindavan Gardens known for its symmetric design and illuminated terrace gardens. The main attraction at Brindavan Gardens is the beautiful array of musical fountains. Coupled with laser lights, these fountains are synchronized to music and go live at the time the garden is lit up.
• Mysore is also an ideal shopping destination. Explore shopping at the local market. Take home Mysore silk saris, Mysore sandalwood artefacts & handicrafts, incense sticks, coffee, wooden toys and traditional Mysore paintings called Ganjifa paintings. Return to your hotel after sightseeing tour. Overnight stay in Mysore.

• Post breakfast check out from your hotel and proceed for half day local sightseeing at Mysore.
• Visit the famous Chamundi Hills, 3489ft above the sea levels and highest peak of Mysore housing the Chamundeshwari Temple, known for its amazing architecture and spiritual essence. Get a bird's view of entire Mysore city from the top of these hills. Visit Big Bull - about 16 feet in height and 24 feet long, this Nandi atop the Chamundi Hills is the third largest in India, carved in granite, black because of regular anointing with oil and other sacred waters.
• Visit the beautiful Gothic architecture of St. Philomena’s Church. The twin towers of the church stand majestically at 175 feet, the design resembles St. Patrick’s cathedral at New York and Cologne Cathedral.
• Later proceed to Ooty (150Kms/ 4Hrs), famous hill station of Tamil Nadu. Drive pass Bandipur National Park & the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. On arrival visit Ooty Lake. Enjoy boating & horse riding. Return to hotel in evening. Overnight stay at hotel.

• Post breakfast enjoy a full day tour to Ooty & Coonoor, the jewels of fascinating Nilgiri Hills. These two hill stations are located merely 20km from each other and can be visited in the same day.
• Morning visit Sim's Park - Located at a height of 1780 meters, Sim’s Park is a botanical garden which was established in 1874. It has more than 1000 species of flora including Queensland Karry Pine, Rudraksha (the bead tree) and Ornamental tree making it a place worth visiting. Enjoy long peaceful walks through the lush greenery and colourful, vibrant flowers, boating & photography.
• Lamb's Rock - Located on the way to Dolphin’s Nose in Ooty, Lamb’s Rock is laos called as Echo Rock. A popular picnic spot, it offers an admirable view of Coimbatore Plains and surrounding lush greenery. Route to this place offers trekking opportunities too.
• Dolphin’s Nose - Located 10 km at a distance from Coonoor, Dolphin’s Nose is a peak offering enchanting view of the Nilgiri Hills and the Catherine Falls. The peak of the hills resembles a nose of a dolphin hence the name.
• Botanical Garden - a vast expanse of lawn like a golf course, going steeply uphill with variety of trees and shrubs as well as some conservatories with exotic ferns and flowering plants. Highlight of this park is the fossilized tree belonging to the pre-historic era, kept as natural exhibit. According to carbon dating findings, it is about 20 million-year-old.
• Rose Garden- the largest rose garden in India which displays more than 20,000 varieties of roses collected from different parts of the world. Unusual colors of black and green roses are also found. Get a spectacular view of the entire Ooty from Rose Garden.
• In the evening proceed to Ooty Lake - an artificial Lake & one of the famous tourist spots in Ooty.
• Enjoy boating, cycling, photography, mini toy train ride etc (on direct payment basis). Indulge in shopping around Ooty lake for chocolates, shawls, eucalyptus oil etc.Later proceed to hotel and relax . Overnight stay at Ooty hotel.

• Post breakfast check out from hotel and proceed for half day sightseeing at Ooty covering Rose Garden & Botanical Garden.
• Botanical Garden - a vast expanse of lawn like a golf course, going steeply uphill with variety of trees and shrubs as well as some conservatories with exotic ferns and flowering plants. Highlight of this park is the fossilized tree belonging to the pre-historic era, kept as natural exhibit. According to carbon dating findings, it is about 20 million-year-old.
• Rose Garden- the largest rose garden in India which dispalys more than 20,000 varieties of roses collected from different parts of the world. Unusual colors of black and green roses are also found. Get a spectacular view of the entire Ooty from Rose Garden.
• Later transfer to Kodaikanal (250Kms/7Hrs). En route visit Silver Cascade waterfalls. Upon arrival check in to the hotel and relax. Overnight stay at Kodaikanal.

• After Breakfast proceed for full day sight seeing. Visit Coakers Walk, Bryant's Park, Green Valley View, Pillar’s Rocks, Silent Valley View & Kodai Lake.
• Pillar Rocks are three granite boulders that are seen standing vertically shoulder to shoulder measuring to a height of about 122 meters, offering an attractive view of surrounding hills.
• Silent Valley View is located in close proximity to the Pillar rock garden in Kodaikanal. The point is famous for proffering some astounding and stunning views of the valley.
• Formerly known as Suicide point, the Green Valley View offers a breathtaking view of Vaigai Dam. It used to be known as suicide point because of the dangerous valley which is dense and deep; below the point of more than 5000 feet drop. On the way to this point, there are several shops which offer homemade chocolates, ornaments and a wide range of flowers.
• Coaker's Walk which is a 1 kilometer paved pedestrian path running in parallel to the Club Road along the edge of steep slopes on the southern side of Kodai. On a clear day one can view fantastic places of interest such as Dolphin's Nose in South, Valley of the Pambar river in South East, Bird's eye view of Periyakulam.
• Bryant's Park - a sprawling botanical garden and a popular picnic spot. Silver Cascade is a 55 meters (180 ft) waterfall formed from the outflow of kodaikanal Lake.
• Evening visit Kodai Lake, the man-made star shaped lake, which spreads out over sixty acres. You can enjoy Rowing boats, Pedalling boats, Public ferry as well as Horse riding (on direct payment basis).
• Return to hotel in the evening. Overnight stay at Kodaikanal

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed towards Bangalore airport / railway station (480Kms/ 8-9hrs) for your onward journey.