South India offers an incredible variety of wildlife reserves and scenic beauty. From the dense jungles of the Western Ghats, the rolling hills of verdant tea fields to the coastal wetlands, our tour is designed to provide encounters with some of the region's most iconic and elusive wildlife. This trip, which is accompanied by local English-speaking guides, can be arranged flexibly upon request within the specified dates.
Itinerary
Bangalore – Mysore – Kabini – Bandipur – Ooty – Chinnar – Munnar – Athirappilly – Alleppey – Marari Beach– Kochi
Transport
Flight, drive with private driver
Big Cats
Tiger, leopard, black panther
Possible travel period
October 1 – May 30
Duration of the tour
18 days
Prices
in 3 star hotels & lodges
for 2 people CHF 4490.–* per person
for 4 people CHF 3890.–* per person
* The prices given correspond to the cheapest option. The effective prices depend on the travel date.
Accommodation
1 night in Bangalore
Taj MG Road
2 nights in Mysore
Grand Mercure Mysore
3 nights in Nagarahole/Kabini
Kabini River Lodge
2 nights in Bandipur
Bandipur Safari Lodge
1 night in Ooty
Accord Highland
2 nights in Chinnar
Spice Tree
2 nights in Munnar
Windermere Estate
1 night in Athirappilly
Niraamaya Retreat
1 night in Alleppey
Houseboat
2 nights in Marari Beach
CGH Earth Experience
Tour Program
Day 1
Arrival in Bangalore
Individual arrival to Bangalore. Pick up and greet at the airport by our English-speaking representative who will take you to the hotel, assist you with check-in and hand over the remaining travel documents. Overnight at hotel.
day 2
Bangalore – Shrirangapatna – Mysore
2 – 3 hours drive, 143 km
After breakfast drive to Mysore. On the way visit the sightseeing features on the river island of Shrirangapattana, including the Summer Palace and the tomb of Tipu Sultan. Later drive to Mysore. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3
In Mysore
Today is a full day tour of beautiful Mysore with the fairytale city palace, the views from Chamundi Hill and the incredible Chennakeshava Temple of Somnathapura. The culmination of this great day is a walk through the local flower market Devraja – one of the most beautiful markets in India. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4
Mysore– Kabini 1 hour drive, 60 km
After breakfast drive through green landscapes to Kabini, the most famous part of Nagarahole National Park. Upon arrival, check-in and lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, first jeep safari in Nagarahole. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Days 5-6
Kabini
Early in the morning and afternoon jeep safari in the national park. To change your perspective, you can also go on a boat safari on the Kabini reservoir. Nagarahaole gained world fame for its resident Black Panther Saya – the only black leopard in the world, which could regularly be observed in a tourist zone. Saya was last seen in June 2023. It's quite possible that he'll suddenly reappear once more.
Nagarahole's beauty is breathtaking and offers even without Saya excellent animal sightings including elephant, gaur, tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog, sloth bear, over 300 species of birds, including many birds of prey and owls. All meals and overnight at Kabini River Lodge.
Day 7
Kabini – Bandipur 2-3 hours drive, 60 km
After breakfast drive to neighboring Bandipur. The two national parks form a contiguous protected area, separated only by the Kabini River and reservoir.
After arrival in Bandipur check-in and lunch. In the afternoon, first jeep safari in Bandipur. Dinner and overnight stay in the lodge.
Day 8
In Bandipur
You will embark on one shared jeep safari in Bandipur in the morning and afternoon each. All meals and overnight in the simple Bandipur Safari Lodge.
Bandipur covers an area of over 870 square kilometers across the Western Ghats and offers a breathtaking scenic backdrop of rolling hills, dense forests and open Terrain: an ideal environment for animal watching. Tigers are regularly spotted here, however slightly less frequently than in neighboring Nagarahole. However, leopards sightings are slightly more common here.
Day 9
Bandipur – Ooty 3 hours drive, 110 km
In the morning last jeep safari in the national park. Later, delightful drive to Ooty through Bandipur and the neighboring Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the state of Tamil Nadu. The last part of the route will lead you past waterfalls and spectacular viewpoints up the steep and completely forested slopes of the Nilgiris to the hill station of Ooty. It's hard to believe: even tigers and elephants climb these slopes and are spotted again and again. After arriving in Ooty visit des Botanical Gardens or Rose Garden. Late check-in at the hotel.
In the late afternoon you can check out the views from the nearby Doddabetta Peak, the highest mountain in the Nilgiris at 2637 m above sea level. If you are lucky with the weather, you will enjoy a breathtaking view across the surrounding hills and plains. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10
Ooty –Co0noor – Chinnar
1 hour train ride & 4 hours drive, 180 km
In the morning at 9.15 am you get into one of the old carriages of the romantic Nilgiri Railways, which slowly work its way past tea plantations and villages lined with dense jungle to the neighboring hill station of Coonoor. Your driver will pick you up from Coonoor railway station and then drive you to Chinnar.
Upon arrival, check-in and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 11
In Chinnar
Today you will explore the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctury on two private jeep safaris in the morning and afternoon. As an alternative to one of the safaris, you may also undertake a three-hour tracking walk.
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled in the picturesque Western Ghats in the Indian state of Kerala, is a natural paradise of around 90 square kilometers. The landscape ranges from dry forests to wetlands to green plains. Elephants, gaur, sambar deer and the rare grizzled giant squirrel reside here. If you are lucky you may also spot a leopard.
Day 12
Chinnar – Munnar 2-3 hours drive, 72 km
After breakfast drive to Munnar – enjoy this scenic route through the green hills of the Western Ghats. The winding road offers spectacular views of lush tea plantations and misty valleys.
After arrival, check in and relax at the hotel. If desired, visit the tea museum or a tea plantation and stroll through the narrow streets of the local market.
Day 13
In Munnar
In the morning set off for a full day trekking with a guide on the Lashmi Hill Trek – one the most beautiful hikes in the area, which not only offers stunning views of the tea plantations and valleys below, but also of the highest mountain in South India – the Anamudi.
Later return to the hotel to spend a relaxing evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14
Munnar – Athirappilly4 hour drive, 135 km
After breakfast drive to Athirappilly. Another scenic drive lies ahead. From the fresh, cool mountain air you will drive down into the increasingly tropical lowlands. The last part of the route leads you along the Chalakkudy River to Athirappilly. Upon arrival, check-in and relax at the beautiful riverside resort Niraamaya .
Later visit the famous and impressive waterfalls, also considered the Niagara of India (albeit a more modest version of it). Dinner and overnight at the hotel. If you wish, you can enjoy a romantic high tea by the river at sunset.
Day 15
Athirappilly – Alleppey 3-4 hours drive, 117km
After breakfast drive to Alleppey to move into your private houseboat with your own crew. After check-in, your boat sets off. Enjoy the first impressions of the famous Kerala backwaters during the freshly prepared lunch by your private chef.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon while cruising along the canals and Vemnade Lake, as coconut trees, hundreds of ducks and fishermen leisurely pass by. Dinner and overnight on the houseboat.
Day 16
Alleppey – Marari 30 Minutes drive, 15 km
After breakfast on the houseboat drive to nearby Mararikulam – a small fishing town on the Arabian Sea that has become a popular beach destination.
After arrival check-in and relaxed afternoon in the beautiful resort with private beach access. Various activities such as cooking classes, yoga, sports as well as bird and butterfly watching are available. Meals and overnight at the resort.
Day 17
Marari– Kochi – Marari 1-2 hours drive, 43 km
After breakfast day trip to Fort Kochi. Visit the famous hand-operated fishing nets, marvel at the old manual laundry, as it still operated today. Walk by Dutch colonial buildings, stroll through the Jewish Quarter and shop as much as you want. Later return to the hotel to spend a relaxing evening.
Alternatively, relax on the beach at the Marari resort. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.
Day 18
Individual home or onward journey
Transfer for Kochi international airport for individual onward travel.
Services
The above prices per person include:
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Private driver and spacious air-conditioned Toyota Innova (or similar) to take you from Bangalore to Kochi
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Hotels in Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty, Chinnar, Munnar, Athirappilly and Marari Beach including breakfast
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Lodges in Nagarahole/Kabini and Bandipur with full board
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Private houseboat in Alleppey with own crew and chef and full board (fresh purchased seafood not included)
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Consistent provision of safe drinking water in hotels, lodges and vehicles
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Entrance fees to national parks/monuments and English-speaking guides in Nagarahole/Kabini, Bandipur, Mysore, Chinnar, Munnar and Kochi
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5 shared jeep safaris in Nagarahole/Kabini (private safaris are inKarnataka not possible)
- 4 shared jeep safaris in Bandipur
- 2 private jeep safaris in Chinnar
- 1 guided hike in Munnar
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All currently applicable taxes
The following is not included:
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Individual arrival to Bangalore and return journey from Kochi
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Visa: all foreign visitors need a valid visa for India: the easiest way is to apply for an e-Tourist visa directly online:indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa. The e-Visa can be applied for up to 120 days in advance and is valid from the day of entry. For a regular visa, you have to send your passport to an Indian mission in your home country. You can find more information about this on the website of the Indian representations in Switzerland.bybassybern.gov.in, in Germany indianembassyberlin.gov.in as well as in Austria blsindiavisa-austria.com. The passport should definitely be valid for 6 months beyond the validity period of your visa.
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Tips for drivers and guides: Tips are expected if you are satisfied - you can go beyond our recommendations for exceptional services. Expect 400-600 INR per guide and 300-500 for the driver per day respectively. half of this for half a day or a single safari.
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Tips in the hotels/lodges: we recommend not giving tips to individual employees such as the porter, as this would be unfair to the others. Instead, at the end of your stay, put something in the tip box that is usually available - the tip will then be distributed evenly among the staff. We recommend around US$5 or INR 350 per person per day.
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Possible fees for photo and video cameras in the national parks and at monuments
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Expenses of a personal nature such as smoking, soft drinks, alcohol, laundry and telephone calls.
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Travel insurance
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Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Remarks
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Check-in and check-out are always at 12.00 noon.
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If the intended hotel or normal room category is sold out, alternative accommodations will be suggested.
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Single room surcharges or larger groups on request.
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Our jeep safaris are on an exclusive basis, which means you do not share your jeep with any other travelers.
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Ideally you should travel in groups of two or four, as the jeeps can accommodate a maximum of 4 tourists (5 are possible, but not very comfortable).
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The allocation of the park zone in which the individual safaris take place depends on the forestry authority and can only be influenced to a limited extent, depending on the park.
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Entrance costs to national parks or state taxes may change at any time. Such changes will be communicated to you in good time.
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Safari permits must be applied in most parks 120 days prior to departure. It is therefore often not possible to book at short notice or to change your name less than 120 days before the start of your trip.
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The above travel times from one location to another are based on normal road conditions and may vary. Every break for food, tea, toilets etc. prolongs the travel times.
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Travel safety: please refer to the recommendations of the US Department of State Travel Advisory, the Smart Traveller of the Australian Government or the UK Government foreign travel advice respectively for safety and security information on the areas you want to visit.
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Vaccinations: please check the current recommendations of your country such as cdc.gov/travel for the US, myvaccination.com.au/travel-vaccinations for Australia or safetravel.ch for Switzerland. In general, standard vaccinations and hepatitis A are recommended. Malaria proyphylaxis or the carrying of standby emergency treatment as well as good mosquito protection and long-sleeved outdoor clothing are recommended at dusk.