Tranquil South India

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Welcome to Kochi, India

  Arrive at Kochi Airport. Welcome to India!
  
  Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our Ambassador who will escort you to your hotel.
  
  Kochi is also known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' due to its natural harbor being one of the finest. Kochi is a city made of islands connected to Ernakulam on the mainland by bridges and ferries. The interesting city of Kochi perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. This quaint town has seen historic visits from seafaring traders in the past from Portugal, China, etc. bringing to it different cultures that make up its fabric.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  A City Tour of Kochi

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a city tour of Kochi.
  
  Start with St. Francis Church (closed on Sunday morning), the oldest European-built church in India. Constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars who accompanied the expedition led by Pedro Alvarez Cabral. He famed Vasco de Gama, the first European to reach India by sailing around Africa, died in Kochi in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. His tombstone can be seen inside the church.
  
  Visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Kochi as a gesture of goodwill. The Palace’s alternative name “Dutch Palace” resulted from substantial renovations by the Dutch after 1663. The most important feature of the palace is the astonishing murals that adorn some of the palace rooms, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranic legends connected with Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Kumara, and Durga.
  
  Also, visit the amazing Chinese fishing nets operating on principles of physics advanced for their times. Cochin’s Chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of their kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here.
  
  Included Experience: Visit David Hall
  
  David Hall is a beautiful Dutch bungalow that has been restored and has taken on a new life as a cultural center with a gallery for contemporary art, with a focus on providing a platform for young artists. With its café and space for performing arts and other mesmerizing events, the historic building could be an inspiring, vibrant meeting place for fresh talent and lovers of art.
  
  In the evening pick up from the Hotel & proceed to a local theater where you will learn about Kerala's fascinating art form, Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime. Here you will enjoy a dance performance.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3

  Sultan Bathery - Visit Popular Tourist Destination Sultan Bathery City

  After early breakfast at the hotel transfer to Ernakulam Railway station to board the train for Calicut.
  
  Upon arrival at Calicut Railway station depart by surface to Sultan Bathery and check-in at the hotel.
  
  Sultan Bathery, previously known as Sultan's Battery or Ganapathyvattam, is a town and municipality in Wayanad district of Kerala, India, near the borders with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states. The largest city in the Wayanad district is the headquarters of Sultan Bathery taluq. It is a quiet and peaceful town. The place came to be known by its new name after Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan invaded the region and used the Jain Temple located here as a battery. The pleasant weather in this beautiful town, coupled with excellent opportunities for shopping and spectacular historical sites makes the town of Sultan Bathery a popular tourist destination.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Train
• DAY 4

  Sultan Bathery - Visit a working coffee plantation

  After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a nature walk.
  
  Nestled in a working coffee plantation, Tranquil provides a serene landscape and an opportunity to fall in love with nature! Choose one from 2 – 3 walking trails offered by the hotel, spanning the 400-acre plantation ranging from different difficulty levels which are appropriately named! Try the “Braveheart” or the “Teaser” walk or whichever you are in the mood for!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 5

  Nagarhole National Park - Safari Tours in Kabini

  After breakfast at the hotel depart to Kabini. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
  
  The legend and romance of Kabini play out in a theater called Nagarhole and revolves around a pristine river called Kabini (originally Kapila) that snakes its way through the Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka and forms an aqueous boundary with the Bandipur National Park. Together, this area constitutes the largest contiguous forest cover in this part of the world and is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, the largest in Asia, and home to the largest concentration of herbivores in Asia. And herbivores don't get larger than the Asiatic elephant, whose favorite playground this is. At Nagarhole, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic Elephants in the world, and these majestic mammals rule the roost here.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 6

  Nagarhole National Park - Game Drive

  After breakfast, proceed for a morning & afternoon Game Drive.
  
  Nagarhole National park derives its name from the combination of two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams. True to its name, quite a few serpentine streams fork through the rich tropical forests of the park. Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of the forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 7

  Nagarhole National Park - Safari

  After breakfast, proceed for a morning & afternoon Game drive.
  
  Nagarhole National park derives its name from the combination of two Kannada words. 'Nagar,' meaning snake, and 'hole,' meaning streams. True to its name, quite a few serpentine streams fork through the rich tropical forests of the park. Nagarhole Park was set up in 1955. In 1975, its area was increased to include a greater expanse of the forest reserve. The original forest was once an exclusive hunting ground for the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8

  Mysore - Explore South Indian Culture and Learning Center

  After breakfast at the hotel depart to Mysore. Before checking in at the hotel visit the Devaraja market.
  
  Mysore, which has been for centuries an important center for South Indian culture and learning. It is also the city of the lingering aroma of Jasmine, Musk, rose, sandalwood, etc. This is so because Mysore is one of the major manufacturers of incense sticks through scores of family-owned factories. The city is also a crafts center. It is an extremely friendly and easy-going city and at an altitude of 84 yards (77 m), it has a wonderful climate.
  
  Devaraja market is oriented along the Sayyaji Rao Road, north entrance faces the Dufferin Clock Tower (located close to KR circle) and the south entrance is on the Dhanvantri Road (just behind the Bata showroom). Of course, there are many smaller entrances along the length of the market. The ideal way is to enter the market from one of the two main entrances at ends so that you can walk through the full length of the market and come out through the other end.
  
  The northern side of the market is by and large filled with stalls selling fruits, mostly bananas. The southern part is for selling vegetables. And there is a section in the middle where you find rows of shops selling the local flowers.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 9

  Mysore - Visit The Silk Weaving Looms and The City Tour

  After breakfast at the hotel start with a visit to the silk weaving looms in Mysore and witness how the exquisite pure silk sarees are made. These garments are especially unique as they have gold woven into them.
  
  The two-hour Mysore off-beat silk tour can be undertaken from 8 am to 11 am. Once gathered at the meeting point, you will be taken to the distinct silk weaving looms. A guide will take you through the process and explain what goes into crafting the pure silk saree. Later, you visit the famous silk saree shops and see the royal finished products. You can also shop if something catches your fancy.
  
  The city is among the greatest contributors to sandalwood production in India and its artisans are known the world over to carve masterpieces that flaunt their skills. Witness this 600-year-old place’s glorious legacy of art, architecture, heritage, and royalty.
  
  Later continue with the city tour of Mysore. Visit Maharaja's Palace, a huge building in Indo - Saracenic style of architecture; it hosts an extravaganza of stained glass, mirrors, gilt and gaudy colors, beautifully carved wooden doors, mosaic floors, and a series of historically important paintings. Of special mention are the beautifully carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors, white marble floors, and superbly columned durbar hall (Hall of Public Audience). Next, we visit the temple of Shri Chamundeshwari, set on top of the Chamundi Hills (532 meters). Three quarters up the hill is the famous Nandy (Lord Shiva's Bull - His vehicle) carved out of a single solid piece of granite and 16.5 feet in height. The temple itself is a huge building with a 13-feet-high seven-storied Gopuram (tower).

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 10

  Nileshwar - Discover Beautiful and Impressive Temples in Bylakuppe

  After breakfast at the hotel depart by surface to Nileshwar en-route visiting Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement that is home to some beautiful and impressive temples. Visit the Namdroling Monastery, the second-largest in India, and spend time exploring this quaint village.
  
  Later, continue to drive to Nileshwar and check-in at the hotel.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 11

  Nileshwar - Explore the villages and temples, and witness the Keralan lifestyle

  After breakfast, proceed on a guided tour to explore Nileshwar, explore the villages and temples, and witness the Keralan lifestyle.
  
  In the afternoon get your hands-on cooking class, learn about the aromatic spices and dishes followed by lunch.
  
  Due to Malabar’s historical openness to the wider world, the cuisine in this part of India is very varied. The most special is the local Malabar dishes at the Hermitage which usually are not seen in international hotels, along with mouth-watering fresh fish bought daily from local fishermen. Regular Cookery Classes are offered under the tutelage of resident chefs. So will not only enjoy the food while you are there but take a nourishing skill back home with you.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 12

  Board for Overnight Lotus Houseboat

  After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to board your overnight Houseboat.
  
  The backwater in Kerala is a network of 930miles (1500 km) of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers, and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Before trucks became popular, the main cargo transportation was through backwaters by 'Kettuvalloms'. Kettuvallom means, ‘stitched boat’. Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges, and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now, these Kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters
  
  Today things are a bit more modern, although a lot of effort has been made to keep the traditional touch there. Today’s houseboats are converted ‘kettuvalloms’. They are designed for a comfortable cruise and overnight stay. The boat is constructed with Eco-friendly materials like a bamboo mat, Arecanut trees, and coir. A distinctive feature of the Kettuvallom is the design suggesting the possible Chinese influence. The canopy’s sides can be lifted.
  
  Dining onboard is an experience in its self. Though based on the tradition of fish and vegetables, in keeping with the demands of a cosmopolitan clientele, the cuisine served aboard our houseboats features a far more sophisticated menu than a Kettuvallom. The ethnic meals are prepared on board by a personal cook and fish delicacies like white prawns, pearl spotted fish, crabs, and mussels are the specialties.
  
  Once on the boat, you will cruise along the backwaters for a couple of hours. Pass small villages and see how the local people live. The lushness of coconut trees will astound you en-route visiting villages to see coir making, tea shops, paddy fields, temples, beaches, etc. till sunset.
  
  At night, the boat is anchored in a beautiful and quiet part of the lake.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Cruise/Boat
• DAY 13

  Nileshwar - Disembark Lotus Houseboat and explore on your own

  After breakfast on board, disembark from Houseboat and transfer to Nileshwar to the hotel.
  
  The rest of the day is at leisure.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 14

  Nileshwar – Mangalore – Mumbai (Flight)

  After breakfast, transfer to Mangalore airport to board a flight for Mumbai. Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 15

  Mumbai - Departure

  It’s time for your magical journey to come to an end. After breakfast on time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to your onward destination.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer