Day 1 Depart the UKToday depart the UK on the Emirates flight to Dubai. (N)
Day 2 Arrive Bangalore / Bangalore to Mysore – 150kmsArrive 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 MysoreThere 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 NagarholeWith 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 – 80kmsAfter 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 BatteryToday 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 – 135kmsThis 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 OotyThis 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 – 300kmsAfter 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 KochiEnjoy 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 - 75kmsDrive 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 BackwatersToday 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 – 15kmsDepart 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 MararikulamAt leisure to relax and enjoy Marari. (B)
Accommodation in Mararikulam: Marari Beach Resort
Day 18 Backwaters to Kochi – 65kms / Kochi to the UKToday 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)