Hill Stations Of South India - Standard

• "Welcome at Bangalore airport/railway station. Get assistance and transfer to Mysore (150km/3.5 hr), ""The City of Palaces"".
• Enroute visit Srirangapatna also called Seringapatam during the British Raj located near the city of Mysore and is famous for its religious, cultural and historic importance . Later proceed for Tipu Fort - one of the prime attractions in Mysore built in the year 1537 , this magnificent fort is considered to be the second toughest fort of India .
• Visit Daulat Bagh Palace - Dariya Daulat Palace (Summer Palace) that is set amidst beautiful gardens and is made out of Teakwood .
• Later visit Gumbaz - The Gumbaz at Seringapatam is a Muslim mausoleum at the centre of a landscaped garden, holding the graves of Tippu Sultan, his father and his mother .
• Then proceed to Mysore and visit Brindavan Garden and Krishna Raja Sagara Dam built over the River Cauvery near to 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 and for musical fountain show.
• On arrival at Mysore check in to the hotel and relax . Overnight stay at Mysore hotel.

• Mysore is the cultural capital of Karnataka with excellent architectures, historical sites, shrines and scenic beauty. Post breakfast proceed for full day local sightseeing covering Mysore Zoo, Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Church, Chamundi Hills, Bull Temple & Jagmohan Gallery.
• Visit the Mysore Zoo (closed on Tuesdays) - It was started by Chamaraja Wodeyar X initially as a private Zoo in 1892. It houses a wide range of animals and is one of the oldest zoos of the country. The Mysore zoo is the only zoo in India to have a Gorilla. The zoo is also a house to Chimpanzees and Orangutans. Other exotic animals found in Mysore zoo are Giraffes, Zebras, White Deer, African Elephants, Bears, Porcupines, Rhinoceros, Tapir, Otters etc.
• Visit the famous Mysore Palace (or Maharaja's Palace). This historical, royal place of residence of the Wadiyars is a splendid architectural feat and houses artefacts from the historic times. The Palace is set in carefully laid out gardens. It is a beautiful three storied stone building of fine gray granite and rich pink marble domes, overlooking this structure is a five-storied 145 foot tower whose domes are gilded in gold. Entry to the palace is through "Gombe Thotti" or Doll's Pavillion with traditional dolls of different times displayed and a wooden elephant decorated with gold. The kingdom's motto, "never be terrified" is written in Sanskrit on the entrance gate and the arch.
• 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.
• Visit Jaganmohan Palace, an art gallery built during rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1861 displays largest collections of artefacts in South India.
• 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 back to hotel. Overnight stay at Mysore hotel.
• Mysore Zoo is closed on Tuesdays

• After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Coorg (120Kms/3Hrs).
• Enroute visit Bylakuppe - largest Tibetan settlement in South India famous for the Golden Temple (or Namdroling Monastery). It holds some excellent examples of Tibetan architecture and artwork with elaborately decorated temple tower and ornate outer walls, intricately adorned with beautiful murals. The red doors have giant golden knockers. Inside, one has the privilege of witnessing the enormous 40 feet high golden statues of Guru Padmasambhava, Buddha Sakyamuni and Amityaus, surrounded by lovely paintings of various aspects of Tibetan Buddhist mythology.
• Post lunch visit the famous Raja's seat elevated at an altitude of 1500m famous for its picturesque sceneries of misty hills of Western Ghats. The spot offers a breathtaking view of towering hills, green valleys, studded with paddy fields and Sunset.
• Visit The Omkareshwara Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the town of Madikeri. The speciality of the temple is that its construction reflects a mix of Gothic and Islamic styles.
• Return to hotel in evening. Overnight stay at Coorg.

• Misty hills, lush forest, tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views make Coorg a popular holiday destination. Post breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing of Coorg.
• Talakaveri/Talacauvery is one of the popular tourist spots in Coorg and located in the picturesque location of Brahmagiri hills. This beautiful place which is said to be the source of River Cauvery also has a small temple in its premises.
• Triveni Sangam or Bhagamandala, symbolises merger of three rivers, as 'Tri' stands for three and 'Veni' stands for streams. This holy confluence brings Kaveri River, Kannike River and Sujyoti River together. Visit to the temple dedicated to Bhagandeshwara (Lord Shiva) and get the blessings of the lord.
• Post lunch visit Abbey Falls - Located 8kms from Madikeri town. Abbey Falls is situated in the middle of coffee plantations and spice estates. It is one of the best waterfalls in Coorg region. Abbey Falls cascades down the rocky slopes from a height of 70 feet into a pool. A hanging bridge has been built across the gorge here, from where the visitors can get a beautiful view of the falls. A Kali Mata temple on the other side of the bridge is also not to be missed. The path leading to the waterfalls is filled with thick vegetation and offers wonderful experience.
• Madikeri Fort (closed on Mondays) - Still preserving its old charm, Madikeri Fort is one of the most famous historical landmark located in Coorg. An excellent example of spectacular architectural designs and styles of construction, the fort also houses Madikeri Fort Museum & the Kote Maha Ganapathi Temple. The elevated structures of the fort also provide panoramic views of the town, which is undoubtedly breathtaking and beautiful.
• Sri Omkareshwar Temple - The Omkareshwara Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated in the town of Madikeri. The speciality of the temple is that its construction reflects a mix of Gothic and Islamic styles.
• Raja's seat - The Raja’s Seat, which means the “Seat of Kings”, is a brick and mortar structure with four pillars. It is a popular viewpoint inside a splendid garden of seasonal flowers and musical fountains. The best time to visit Raja's Seat is during the early morning and evening hours to witness breathtaking views of Sunrise & Sunset. There is also an attraction of the Toy Train for children to enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains.
• Later proceed to hotel and relax. Overnight stay at Coorg hotel .

After breakfast check out from the hotel and proceed to Ooty (224km/6hr). On arrival check in to the hotel and relax. Ooty has been rightly titled as "The Queen of Hills" in South India and is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level,the Nilgiri Mountain Railway that connects Ooty with Mettupalayam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight stay at Ooty 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.

Morning, after breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Bangalore Airport / Railway station for your onward journey. Tour ends with lifetime memories.