The diverse wildlife of India, the very British hill-station of Ooty and the golden beaches of the Southern coast are just three of the attractions to be found in the tropical paradise that is South India. Largely undiscovered by tourists and unconquered by any Northern invader until the nineteenth century, the South retains a truly Indian flavour. During the course of the tour you will visit the great spice trading port of Kochi, and perhaps sight of wild elephants in the dense forests of Nagarhole Park. As an introduction to the cultural and historical diversity of the South.


DAY 01 - MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour. Mumbai is one of the most significant centres of the Indian film recording industries. The former fishing district is today a modern, westernised city of skyscrapers, and India's most important financial and industrial centre.


DAY 02 - MUMBAI / KOCHI
Morning leave for Kochi also known as Cochin, transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour.

DAY 03 - BACKWATERS OF KOCHI
Drive downsouth to Alleppey for a boat ride along the fascinating and picturesque backwaters.

DAY 04 - KOCHI
Day at leisure. Evening, there is a display of Kerala's dramatic Kathakali dance.

DAY 05 - KOCHI / OOTY
Morning drive to Ooty also known as "Queen of Hill Station". Ooty sprawls over a large area of winding roads and steep climbs with its rolling lawns and salubrious climate. The obvious focal point is Charing Cross. On arrival check into your hotel.

DAY 06 - OOTY
Morning city tour. The remainder of the day is free to ride, play golf, walk in the hills or visit a tea plantation.

DAY 07 - OOTY / NAGARHOLE
Morning drive brings you to the Nagarhole National Park where you stay on the banks of the Kabini River. The rest of the day is spent exploring the wildlife habitat. Evening enjoy a talk by one of the park's naturalists.

DAY 08 - NAGARHOLE / MYSORE
At dawn view wildlife before departing for Mysore. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mysore the former capital of the Wadiyars.Also known as the city of Palaces. Famous for sandal wood, rosewood carvings, ivory inlay on wood and silk weaving.

DAY 09 - MYSORE / BANGALORE
Morning drive via Tipu Sultan's palace and tomb at Srirangapatnam, to Bangalore the capital of Karnataka. It has a large number of Parks, Avenues of Jacaranda, Gulmohur an Cassia and is rightly called the Garden City. On arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit the botanical gardens and view some of the Indo-British architecture of the city.

DAY 10 - BANGALORE / CHENNAI
Morning at leisure. An afternoon flight to the coastal city of Chennai and transfer to the Hotel.

DAY 11 - CHENNAI / MAHABALIPURAM
A short drive to the famous shore temples of Mahabalipuram. It is world famous for it's chore temples. Mahabalipuram art divides into four categories - open-air bas-reliefs, structured temples, mam-made caves and rathas (chariots, carved in situ from single boulders, to resemble temples or the chariots used in temple processions)

DAY 12 - MAHABALIPURAM / CHENNAI / MUMBAI
Morning at leisure. Drive to Chennai, explore the sights of this old colonial centre before your flight to Mumbai. Arrival at Mumbai and transfer to the Hotel.

DAY 13 - MUMBAI
Early morning take flight from Mumbai for onward destination.