Exploring Karnataka and Kerala

Places Covered:

Bangalore, Mysore, Shravanabelagola, Hassan, Belur, Halebidu, Kabini, Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad, Kochi, Backwaters, Kumarakom

 

Day 01     Bangalore airport to Mysore.

Pickup at the airport and transportation to your Mysore hotel (3 hours).

The remainder of the day is free for leisure activities. Your driver will take you on a nighttime driving tour of Mysore’s landmarks and a stop at the renowned Devaraja fruit and vegetable market.

Evening in Mysore

Day 02     Full day visit of Mysore.

With the exception of the 38-year rule of the Muslim warrior Haider Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan, in the 18th century, Mysore was the seat of the Wadiyar Hindu dynasty, who controlled southern Karnataka from 1399 until 1947. Mysore is surrounded by lush farms and is bordered by forested hills.

Tipu Sultan laid the foundation for the current Mysore by levelling the ancient city in 1793. The main university in Karnataka is located in Mysore, which is become a significant cultural hub. Additionally, it is also known for its carvings, sandalwood incense, weaving of silk, and ivory handicrafts.

The broad, tree-lined streets are enhanced by a number of beautiful public buildings constructed during the Wodeyar era. The Amba Vilas Palace, located in the centre of the city, was constructed in 1902 to commemorate Krishnaraja Wadiyar III’s coronation and to compete with the Taj Mahal.

The Amba Vilas Palace, Chamundi Hill and the sizable crouching Nandi, Krishnaraja Circle, the Cathedral of Saint Philomena, Srirangapattana, the home of Sultan Tippu, and Lalitha Mahal Palace are among the places that will be seen. You could like going to the nearby Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, depending on the time of year and the weather.

Mysore at night.

Day 03     Drive to Shravanabelagola (3 hours) and on to Hassan (2 hours).

Shravanabelagola is a tiny village sandwiched between Chandragiri and Indragiri, two granite hills, and is known for its White Pond. The most significant Jain site in South India is there. It is dominated by a massive monolithic statue of Gommateshvara, commonly known as Bahubali, the first Jain Tirthankara, that stands 17.7 metres high. The statue of the naked saviour is perched atop the extremely tall Indragiri Hill and seems fixated on the horizon. His arms and legs are wrapped in creepers, a sign of how long he had stayed still in contemplation. According to an inscription at the base, Chamundaraya, a strong minister of Rajamalla IV, one of the Ganga rulers, dedicated it in AD981.

You’ll take a trip to Hussan after the visit.

Hussan at night.

Day 04     Full day visit of Belur and Halebidu (from Hassan).

Among the glories of South Indian art and architecture are the temples built by the Hoysala monarchs (12th–13th century) and their able ministers. They represent the union of the columned mandapas of the South with the curved towers (shikharas) of North India. They stand out for their distinctive star-shaped layout and their lavish surface ornamentation.

The Chennakeshva Temple in Belur is renowned for its altar, pillars, and sculptures. King Vishnuvardhan erected it in 1117 to honour the Hoysalas’ victory against the Cholas. The Vijayanagar ruler built a towered gopura in the 16th century that serves as the temple’s entryway.

Some of the finest and most magnificent specimens of Hoysala architecture may be seen at Halebidu. A tourist’s paradise, Hoysaleshvara Temple boasts exquisite pillars and sculptures. King Vishnuvardhana began construction on the structure in 1121, and it took ten years to complete. Its building consists of a pair of similar Shiva temples.

Depending on the amount of time available, the Kedareshwara Temple in Halebidu is a lesser-known destination but is nevertheless well a brief visit.

Spend night at Hassan.

Day 05     Hassan to Kabini (3-4 hours).

After a nice morning drive, you will reach your lodging in Kabini, where the wildlife specialists will take you in for your two-night stay.

Lunch is included in the afternoon programme, which also includes a 3-hour jeep safari with a guide to see wild animals. After that, unwind before your evening meal and watch a wild life movie.

You will continue your itinerary, which includes boat and jeep safaris into the Nagarhole National Park with the local guides, the next day and the morning of your departure. You will be served breakfast, lunch, and supper while you are there, in addition to additional surprises.

This is an open-air, untamed jungle park. It is hard to predict what you will see on a safari because it is not a zoo. Although the majority of visitors focus on animals including elephants, monkeys, deer, boars, antelopes, bison, reptiles, birds, butterflies, flowers, plants, and trees. A bear, leopard, or even a tiger may be spotted by fortunate tourists. Remember to bring your camera.

Evening in Kabini.

Day 06     Full day in Kabini.

With the assistance of the local guides, you will continue your schedule of safaris into the Nagarhole National Park.

Kabini at night.

Day 07     Kabini to Wayanad (1-2 hours).

After finishing your morning activities in Kabini, you will depart for Wayanad.

You’ll stop at the well-known Edakkal Caves along route. These are two uninhabited natural caverns in a far-off place. They are located next to an old trade route that formerly connected the ports on the Malabar Coast with the high highlands of Mysore at a height of 1,200 metres above sea level. There are graphic writings inside the caves that are thought to be from the Neolithic man and date to at least 6,000 BC, showing the presence of an ancient civilization or population in this area. The only known specimens in South India are the Stone Age engravings from Edakkal, which are extremely uncommon.

Wayanad at night.

Day 08     Drive to Kochi (4-5 hours).

Kochi may be reached by a scenic journey through rural areas and communities where you can see daily life. You will stop at the Guruvayur Temple’s elephant sanctuary on route.

When you arrive in Kochi, you will be driven to the hotel, which is located in the old Fort Kochi neighbourhood. You can wander or unwind at the hotel. You could like to take a sunset sail in the evening. You will be driven to Kochi Harbour for this, where you can also see the harbor’s vibrant activities and the Chinese fishing nets. You might decide to watch the evening Kathakali dance performance.

Kochi at night.

Day 09     Full day visit of Kochi.

Kerala’s most international city is Kochi. It serves as the nation’s primary marketplace for seafood and spices. Kochi, which is surrounded by an Arabian Sea saltwater lagoon, is really made up of a number of tiny islands and peninsulas. With its mixture of Dutch, Portuguese, and English bungalows and their charming tiny alleyways, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi offer an old-world appeal, in contrast to mainland Eranakulam’s concrete commercial malls and opulent apartment towers. For generations, tourists from all over the world have been charmed by Kochi’s picturesque position, which is flanked by palm trees, verdant meadows, inland lakes, and backwaters.

A stroll might be chosen to take in the scenery, go shopping, or visit places like Jew Town and its synagogue, the Dutch Palace, Saint Francis Church, and the Dutch cemetery.

Kochi at night.

Day 10     Kochi to Kumarakom (1-2 hours).

Once you get at Kumarakom, you will board a boat to go through the backwater canals where you may see wildlife, plantations, and birds. You will appreciate the wonders of the vivid and cheerful rural life that you encounter along the road.

You have two choices for where to spend the night. You have the option of spending the night on a houseboat or staying on land in a backwater lodge.

Evening in Kumarakom (houseboat or resort).

Day 11     Kumarakom to Cochin airport (2-3 hours).

If you chose a houseboat, it will return to the boat jetty after breakfast and your driver will be there to meet you. He will pick you up at the resort if that is what you chose.

The things you do today will depend on how much time you have before your trip. Most of our visitors opt to unwind or explore more of the backwaters.

Before your return flight, you will be transported to Cochin International Airport.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Exploring Karnataka and Kerala”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *