Bengaluru – Mysuru – Ooty – Kochi | South India Highlights (6N/7D)

Arrive in Bengaluru (Bangalore), the vibrant and cosmopolitan gateway to South India. Meet and greet by our courteous chauffeur at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) or Bengaluru City Railway Station, followed by transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Freshen up and proceed for an afternoon city sightseeing tour covering some of Bengaluru's most celebrated landmarks:
• Vidhana Soudha: Marvel at the imposing neo-Dravidian granite facade of Karnataka's legislative seat.
• Cubbon Park: Stroll through the lush 300-acre green lung of the city dotted with flowering trees and colonial statues.
• Bangalore Palace: Admire the Tudor-style architectural grandeur, turreted parapets, and royal memorabilia (exterior/interior as per opening hours).
• ISKCON Temple: Visit the grand temple complex perched on Hare Krishna Hill.
• Lalbagh Botanical Garden: Explore the 240-acre botanical garden featuring rare tropical plants and the iconic 19th-century Glass House.
• Bull Temple (Nandi Temple): Seek blessings at the ancient Dravidian temple in Basavanagudi housing a massive monolithic bull statue.

In the evening, enjoy some leisure time exploring the city's contemporary cafe culture, craft breweries, and shopping districts along MG Road or Brigade Road.

Overnight stay at hotel in Bengaluru.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and embark on a comfortable drive towards Mysuru (Mysore), the historic royal capital of the Wodeyar dynasty.

On arrival in Mysuru, check in at your hotel and freshen up before setting out on an afternoon heritage tour:
• Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas): Explore one of India’s most grandiose royal residences, showcasing an extraordinary blend of Indo-Saracenic, Rajput, and Gothic styles with stained-glass ceilings, ornate durbar halls, and royal throne collections.
• St. Philomena's Church: Visit the magnificent Neo-Gothic cathedral, one of the tallest churches in Asia, inspired by Germany's Cologne Cathedral.
• Chamundi Hill: Drive up the picturesque hill to visit the 1,000-year-old Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and view the enormous monolithic Nandi statue along the way.
• Devaraja Market: Immerse yourself in the sensory delight of this 120-year-old vibrant heritage bazaar, bustling with mounds of colourful kumkum powder, fragrant Mysore sandalwood, fresh jasmine garlands, and traditional incense.

If operating on your day of visit, marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of Mysore Palace illuminated by nearly 100,000 golden bulbs in the evening.

Overnight stay at hotel in Mysuru.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and depart for Ooty (Udhagamandalam), the famed 'Queen of Hill Stations' nestled high in the blue Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2,240 meters.

Enjoy a remarkably scenic drive passing through the countryside and climbing through the protected forest reserves (Bandipur / Mudumalai) and steep mountain hairpin bends offering sweeping views of the Western Ghats.

On arrival in Ooty, check in at your hotel or hillside resort. Later in the afternoon, proceed for local sightseeing:
• Ooty Lake: Enjoy a relaxed stroll along the scenic artificial lake built in 1824, with optional pedal or motor boating amidst eucalyptus groves.
• Government Botanical Garden: Wander through 55 acres of terraced lawns, exotic plant species, a fossilized tree trunk, and vibrant flowerbeds.
• Ooty Market: Explore the bustling local market famous for homemade chocolates, eucalyptus oils, winter woollens, and aromatic Nilgiri teas.

Spend the evening relaxing amidst the crisp, cool mountain atmosphere.

Overnight stay at hotel in Ooty.

Savor a hearty breakfast amidst the mountain mist before embarking on a full day exploring the scenic beauty of the Nilgiris and neighbouring Coonoor:
• Doddabetta Peak: Drive to the highest mountain in the Nilgiris (2,637 meters) for panoramic 360-degree views over mist-shrouded valleys and forests.
• Nilgiri Tea Plantations & Tea Factory: Visit emerald-green hillside tea gardens and a working tea factory/museum to witness the processing of orthodox Nilgiri black tea, followed by a hot tea tasting session.
• Coonoor Excursion: Proceed to the quieter sister hill town of Coonoor (approx. 19 km). Visit Sim's Park, a beautiful 12-hectare botanical garden home to rare exotic trees and Japanese flower gardens.
• Dolphin's Nose: Marvel at the dramatic geological rock formation offering breathtaking vistas of Catherine Falls plunging through deep forested gorges (subject to road & weather conditions).

Enjoy the relaxed pace of hill life before returning to Ooty in the evening.

Overnight stay at hotel in Ooty.

Following an early breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin your scenic descent from the Nilgiri heights towards the tropical state of Kerala and the historic port city of Kochi (Cochin).

The journey offers a picturesque visual transition from pine-covered mountain roads down through the lush Western Ghats, rubber plantations, and palm-fringed Kerala countryside.

On arrival in Kochi—the historic 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'—check in at your hotel and relax after the long drive.

The evening is at leisure. You may choose to attend an optional live Kathakali cultural theatre performance in Fort Kochi, showcasing the vibrant classical makeup, expressive eye movements, and dramatic mythological stories of Kerala (subject to timing).

Overnight stay at hotel in Kochi.

After breakfast, spend a fascinating full day exploring the multicultural history, colonial architecture, and maritime legacy of Kochi:
• Fort Kochi Heritage Walk: Wander through atmospheric cobblestone lanes lined with Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial residences and boutique art cafes.
• Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala): Stand along the waterfront promenade to observe the giant 14th-century cantilevered fishing nets operated with teak poles and counterweights.
• St. Francis Church: Visit India’s oldest European church (built in 1503), where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was originally buried.
• Santa Cruz Basilica: Admire the magnificent Gothic basilica known for its soaring spires, pastel-painted arches, and fine canvas paintings of the Passion.
• Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace): Explore the traditional Kerala architectural palace featuring remarkable 16th-century Ramayana mythological murals.
• Jew Town & Synagogue: Stroll through ancient Jew Street lined with antique emporiums, brassware, and aromatic spice warehouses selling freshly harvested pepper, cardamom, and ginger.

Spend the evening relaxing by the harbour or enjoying authentic Malabar seafood delicacies.

Overnight stay at hotel in Kochi.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Savor the final morning views of coastal Kochi.

Check out from the hotel. Depending on your onward flight or train departure schedule, enjoy some free time for last-minute spice and handicraft shopping in the city.

Later, your private chauffeur will provide a comfortable transfer to Cochin International Airport (COK) or Ernakulam Railway Station for your onward journey.

Your memorable journey across Karnataka and Kerala concludes with beautiful memories of royal palaces, misty hills, and coastal culture.