Enchanting South: Hills, Heritage & Coastlines — Karnataka & Kerala

Arrival at Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2. Meeting and assisting at the designated arrivals gate. After a traditional welcome, transfer to hotel. After check-in, relax and enjoy lunch. Afterward, your Bangalore city tour begins: Vidhana Soudha — the magnificent post-independence structure housing the State Legislature and Secretariat, stands in the centre of the city with its attractive dome and galleries. Tipu Sultan Palace and fort museum — the layout gives the idea of the ethnic Mughal lifestyle; construction started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan, now a museum. ISKCON Temple — a harmonious blend of Dravidian and modern architecture with Vedic preaching library. Lal Bagh Garden — named for its wonderfully bloomed red roses; Haider Ali started building this garden in 1760.

Morning breakfast and check out. Drive to Hassan — founded in the 11th century by Palegar Channa Krishnappa Naik and named after its presiding deity, the smiling Goddess Hasanamba. Hassan is the gateway to some of the finest Hoysala Temples in South India. The region is particularly famous for the magnificent Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu — known for their intricate stone carvings, detailed sculptures and distinctive star-shaped temple plans. The temples beautifully portray scenes from Hindu mythology, everyday life, animals, dancers and musicians. Belur: the magnificent Chennakeshvara Temple — one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. Halebidu: the Hoysaleshwara Temple — its remarkable exterior carved with layers of finely carved sculptures.

Drive to Mysore, capital of the Wodeyar kingdom. The Wodeyar dynasty ruled almost uninterrupted from 1399 until Independence. Mysore is a premier cultural hub with Karnataka's largest university, famous for silk, sandalwood carvings, incense and elegant Wodeyar-era architecture along tree-lined streets; Tipu Sultan rebuilt the town in 1793, during the 18th-century interlude under Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. En route: Srirangapatna — the historic capital of Tipu Sultan known for his struggle against British rule. Several monuments relating to his rule are sprinkled across the island. Darya Daulat — the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan on an island formed by two branches of the River Cauvery.

Mysuru Palace: one of India's most spectacular royal residences. A fascinating blend of Indo-Saracenic architecture, European influences and traditional South Indian craftsmanship. Completed in 1912. Experience the royal interiors: majestic Durbar Hall, ornate Amba Vilas, colourful stained-glass Kalyana Mantapa and historic royal artefacts. Chamundi Hill — associated with Goddess Chamundeshwari. Monolithic Nandi statue. After lunch, the afternoon covers Chamundi Hill, Devaraja Market and St. Philomena's Cathedral; end the day with traditional silk, sandalwood and a taste of Mysore Pak.

Drive to Ooty — Queen of Hill Stations and capital of Nilgiri district. Ooty (officially Udagamandalam) stands at about 2,240 metres. Nilgiri means Blue Mountains. A popular summer and weekend getaway for the British during the colonial days. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (UNESCO World Heritage) is an added attraction. Experiences: Tea Experience (plantation walk, factory and museum), Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, Botanical Garden, St. Stephen Church, Toda culture (indigenous community, distinctive architecture and embroidery), Doddabetta Peak (the Nilgiris' highest point), scenic country drive through pine forests and countryside, slow tea afternoon with Nilgiri tea and Ooty Varkey.

Drive to Kochi. Kochi (Cochin) is Kerala's most metropolitan city and main trading centre for spices and seafood. Built around a saltwater lagoon of the Arabian Sea, it is a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas. While mainland Ernakulam features modern malls and commercial developments, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi retain an old-world charm with their blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows. The scenic location of the natural harbour, surrounded by palm groves, green fields and backwaters, has enchanted visitors for centuries. Rest of the day: leisure. Relax and experience the Ayurvedic massage.

Half Day Tour: Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) — built by the Portuguese in the 1550s, later renovated by the Dutch (hence "Dutch Palace"), now a museum with royal artefacts and a portrait gallery in its coronation Durbar Hall. Paradesi Synagogue (1568 AD) — Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers, ancient Old Testament scrolls. Spice market. Chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala). St. Francis Church — India's earliest European church (early 1500s), the original burial place of Vasco da Gama in 1524. Evening Kathakali dance.

Drive to Munnar — the most popular hill station in South India, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala. Once the summer resort of British officers in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book town, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.

Morning breakfast and leave to explore the Munnar Hill Station. Tour of the world-famous tea estates spread like a green carpet over a large area. Visit Eravikulam National Park (closed January and February) — established to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). This sanctuary was set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

Morning breakfast and check out. Drive to Periyar (Thekkady) — one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries. On approaching Thekkady, enter a landscape of cardamom, pepper, coffee and other spices. Periyar National Park boat cruise on Periyar Lake: evergreen forests and wildlife (elephants, gaur, sambar deer, birds). If time permits, evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu. Evening Spice Plantation Tour.

Sunrise boat ride on Periyar Lake for wildlife viewing. After two hours of wildlife viewing, return to hotel for breakfast, then check out. Drive to Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom backwaters: traditional kettuvallams (now comfortable houseboats) cruising through narrow canals and palm-fringed shores, passing coconut-fringed shores, narrow canals, paddy fields, fishing areas and traditional homes. Experience village life: local fishermen, traditional fishing techniques, paddy cultivation, small boats transporting people and goods, traditional Kerala houses. The marine life of Vembanad Lake includes Karimeen (Pearl spotted fish), prawns and tiger prawns. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Sunset on Vembanad Lake.

Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (two seasons: Oct–Feb cormorants and teals; Feb–Jul darters, night herons, egrets and Siberian storks; alongside golden-backed woodpeckers and white-breasted water hens). Board the houseboat (kettuvallam). Cruise the beautiful backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey and onward to Thottapalli, observing village life along the backwaters.

Thottapalli is a scenic coastal village in Alappuzha district, known for its peaceful waterways, coconut groves, traditional villages and coastal landscapes. Notable landmark: the Thottapalli Spillway across the Pamba River. Morning: disembark the houseboat and drive to Kovalam — an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. A favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. Leisure options: bathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special culture programmes, catamaran cruising. The tropical sun acts fast — life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.

Kovalam, near Thiruvananthapuram, is one of Kerala's most celebrated coastal destinations — famous for its crescent-shaped beaches, rocky shores, coconut palms and the iconic Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Day at leisure. Explore water sports and Ayurvedic spa.

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) — capital of Kerala, where royal heritage, art, culture and modern Kerala come together. Once the seat of the powerful Travancore kingdom, the city retains a distinctive royal character. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple — one of Kerala's most important religious and architectural landmarks (intricate Dravidian style architecture, deep connection with the Travancore royal family), if time permits. Kuthira Malika (Mansion of Horses) — traditional palace built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (beautiful wooden architecture, carved ceilings, horse-shaped motifs). Napier Museum — Kerala's rich collection of art, sculptures and historical objects, alongside the serene Thiruvananthapuram Zoo. In the evening, explore traditional streets and markets, sample authentic Kerala cuisine. Transfer to airport for onward flight.