Natural Beauty of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

Today morning after breakfast, check out, start little early to proceed to Mysore, While on the route, visit Lal Bagh, a 17th century Botanical Garden, that is a a protected geological monument, A brainchild of the ruler Tipu Sultan, this garden has amazing attractions and is dotted with beautiful flower beds and ponds. It houses a 3,000-million-year-old rock, perhaps one of the the oldest in the world. The garden has over 1,000 exotic plants belonging to Afghanistan and Persia. Spot birds like Brahminy kite, pond heron and mynas here. Attend the famous flower shows or boat on the lake. See folk dances and music concerts organized every second & fourth weekend here. Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm all days Entry Fee : INR 20 per person Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace: Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, also known as Dariya Daulat Bagh, meaning “wealth of the sea” has been captivating visitors since long. This palace, which used to be the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan, was often called as the ‘Abode of Happiness’ and ‘Envy of Heaven’ by the constructor himself. Built on a raised stone platform, with pillars of teak and artistic interiors, this palace is one of the most interesting places to see on a Mysore tour.It was Hyder Ali Khan who started constructing this palace in the year of 1778. However, the construction was completed by his son Tipu Sultan in the year of 1784 AD. Timings : 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on all the weekdays, on Sundays 08:30 am – 5:30 pm Entry fees : INR 15 per person for Indian Nationals, INR 200 for Foreign Nationals. Check into to the hotel. Freshen up and by 5.00 pm drive to Brindavan gardens to enjoy the sound and light show. Brindavan Garden : A popular garden situated in Mysore, Brindavan Garden allures visitors with its lush green lawns, terraces, flower-beds, topiary and multi-coloured fountains, which are illuminated with vivid and vibrant lights at night. It was the idea of Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Diwan of Mysore State to beautify the area around the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, which is located in Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya district. This dam, named after Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, has been built over Cauvery River, which is one of the prominent rivers of South India. Brindavan Garden has been designed by seeking inspiration from Shalimar Bagh of Kashmir, which has been created in the ancient Mughal style. Timings : Weekdays : 6:00 am – 8:00 pm & Weekend : 6:00 am – 9:00 pm Illumination Timings : From Jan to Sept : Weekdays – 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm & Weekends – 7:00 pm – 8:55 pm From Oct to Dec : Weekdays - 7:00 pm – 8:55 pm & Weekends - 7:00 pm – 08.25 pm Entry fees : INR 20 per person Return to the hotel! Dinner & Overnight Stay at Mysore (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel-area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity cost to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today morning after breakfast, start early and visit Mysore Palace and later drive to Ooty. Mysore Palace : The present building of Mysore Palace was completed in 1912. Mysore Palace enchants everyone with its fascinating architecture. Carved in Indo-Saracenic style that amalgamates Hindu, Islamic, Rajput and Gothic architectural styles, the palace dominates the skyline of Mysore. Surrounded with an aesthetically designed vast garden, the palace is three-storey building, built with stone and marble domes. It also has five-storey tower with a height of 145 feet. Timings : 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Sound & Light Show Timings : 07.00 pm - 07.40 pm on weekdays Monday to Saturday, except Sundays, National Holidays and State Festivals. Illumination Timings : 07.00 pm - 07.45 pm on Sundays, National Holidays and State Festivals. 07.40 pm - 07.45 pm on Weekdays (Monday to Saturday) after the Sound and Light Show. Entry Fees : INR 40 per person for Indian Nationals & INR 200 per person for Foreign Nationals Note: Entry from Varaha Gate of the Mysore Palace Facilities available at Mysore Palace : Free Wheel Chair Facility Free Camera Custody Counter Free Stand for Footwear Drinking Water Clean Toilets Govt Approved Guides Another attractive feature of the Mysore Palace is the list of the special events that are organized here. Globally popular Mysore Dussehra Festival is held at the Mysore Palace. During this extravagant festival of Mysore Dussehra, stages are set up in the palace ground where many famous artists perform. On the 10th day of Dussehra, a parade with highly ornamented elephants is conducted from the palace grounds. During this festival, the Palace is lit with more than 96,000 lights for two months, which add an incomparable charm to the grand palace of Mysore. Visit Bandipur National Park Bandipur National Park is located in Karnataka, South India. This park is famous for its wildlife riches. The park covers 874 square kms and houses many endangered species of animals and flora. Bandipur National Park along with Mudumalai National Park, Wayanad National Park and Nagarhole National Park forms the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. This reserve is the largest protected area in South India and the region with the highest number of wild elephants in South Asia. The park is located on the Mysore – Ooty highway. The park has considerable amount of tigers and elephants. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu control this park together. The Tamil Nadu side of the park is called as Mudumalai Reserve. Bandipur National Park is recommended for the recognition of a heritage site. Bus Safari : 6:30 am and 9:00 am & 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Approx INR 100 per person + Entry Fee INR 250 per person Elephant Safari : 10 am and 11 am. Jeep Safari : 6:00 am to 9:00 am & from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Approx. INR 3000 per Jeep (min. 6 pax ) + Entry Fee INR 250 per person (The safari timings and duration changes with season, weather conditions, crowd and availability of vehicles.) On arrival in Ooty, check into the hotel. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Mysore (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today morning after Breakfast, start early as it's going to be a very busy day. Proceed to visit sightseeing places like- Botanical Garden : The Government Botanical Garden in Ooty is a massive garden with flowers all around, spread across 55 hectares. The garden has over 650 species of flowers and trees. Government Museum : This museum was built around 1989 to maintain and promote the culture of Ooty. With some of the best collections of culture, history, tribes, tribal objects and sculptures, there are a lot of remains which reflect the nature and ecology of Udhagamandalam. This museum has preserved the historical art, craft and sculpture which are worth witnessing. Alongside that, this museum is known for preserving the important things which were associated with the Todas, one of the existing tribes of the region. World Wax Musuem : The Wax World Museum in Ooty is located in the 130-year old Colonial Mansion, close to the Ooty Lake. The wax museum houses a number of look-alike wax statues of personalities from Indian history. Children enjoy a lot here. (9.00 AM to 8.00 PM) Thread Garden : Artificial garden, featuring flowers, plants & lawns crafted from thread, canvas & wire. Dodabetta Peak : Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiris at an altitude of 8,606 ft. The Doddabetta peak offers a beautiful panoramic view of the region and has a Telescope House to let travellers catch fascinating views of the surrounding Nilgiri area. (8:30 AM to 6:30 PM), if time permits visit Honey and Bee Museum. In the evening visit Ooty Lake to enjoy boating, horse riding, cycling, mini train ride etc. (activities at additional costs). Evening return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Ooty (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today Morning after breakfast, either of the below activities can be done as it’s a full day trip. Option 1 : Enjoy the scenic Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Ooty to Coonoor (see details and time table of train below) and visit Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin Nose. Or Option 2 : Day trip to Pykara Lake (vehicle costs extra) : Pykara is a village and is known for the Pykara Waterfall and the Pykara Lake. One can enjoy the speedboat rides available at the lake, Take a walk amid the pine trees and have a picnic with family, the best thing to do in Ooty in June! It is situated about 21 kms from Ooty on the Ooty-Mysore Road. The tourist attractions comprise well-protected and fenced Cholas,Toda Settlements, undisturbed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. Pykara Dam and Pykara Falls attract many tourists.There is a forest Rest House at Pykara. Also, a boat House with a restaurant is available. Famous For: Speedboat Rides Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Average cost: INR 100 per person Mudumalai National Park (vehicle costs extra) : Mudumalai National Park, one of the first forest ranges to be declared as a National Park is located in the Nilgiri district at the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The park is located on the Ooty-Mysore route and can be entered from both Ooty and Mysore. The National park was recently declared a Tiger Reserve with a population of about 50 tigers. Jungle Safari : for 1-hour ride Bus Safari : 7 AM and 10 AM and evening 3 PM to 6 PM. Cost INR 350 p.p. Jeep Safari : INR 4,200 per trip for 4 people (The tickets can be purchased from the reception at Theppakadu Elephant Camp.) Elephant Safari : for 30 mins ride(7 AM to 8 AM and from 4 PM to 5 PM. ) Cost : INR 1200 per person (The booking is made at the reception) Evening, free for shopping, Dinner & Overnight Stay at Ooty. (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today Morning after breakfast, start early, check out and proceed to Kodaikanal. It's going to be a long hill drive. You are going to drive down one hill and climb up the other hill. Kodaikanal is a hill town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It’s set in an area of granite cliffs, forested valleys, lakes, waterfalls and grassy hills. At 2,000 meters above sea level, the town centers around man-made, star-shaped Kodaikanal Lake, bordered by evergreen forests. (ideal time to visit the place is from March to early June ) Enroute stop at the famous Pine Forest. Pine Forest : It’s the most beautiful and scenic spot in Kodaikanal. It also happens to be an essential heritage site in the town that came into existence owing to the tireless efforts of Mr. Bryant who had put the pine plantations in the first place in the year 1906. Hiking, Horse riding, nature walks are the activities done here. (at additional costs). After arriving at Kodaikanal, check into the hotel. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Kodaikanal (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today morning after Breakfast, start early for a full-day sightseeing tour of Kodaikanal. Guna caves (optional) : The Guna Caves in Kodaikanal have an engrossing history; it is believed that the Pandavas used to cook their meals in these caves and hence they were initially called The Devil’s Kitchen. The name was later changed in the ’90s when the film Guna was shot here. The caves are surrounded by three gigantic rock pillars and are sheltered by the Shola trees. It is a place that some find risky and some find regaling due to its altitude, steep drops, and cliffs. You cannot visit the caves anymore, but seeing them from a distance also is quite an experience, while you walk through the Pine Forest. (9:00 am to 4:30 pm. All days.) Later Visit Pillar Rocks View Point! Protruding from within the tall mountains, these pillars reach up to a height of 400 feet, thus offering the paramount contour of the hills. Timings : (09.00 AM to 04.00 PM ) Entry Fee: INR 10 per person and INR 20 for camera Green Valley View Point : Green Valley View is among the very few places to be visited in Kodaikanal surely, for that offers a bird’s eye view of the Vaigai Dam. Apart from that, it is a one-stop-shop to get a wholesome view of the enthralling greenery, the cloud-bound valley. It is also among the dangerous viewpoints, since the route up is tricky and is on a great height which makes standing there also unsafe. The mist takes over the crowd post late afternoon and that might disrupt the spectacle from there unless you are there for the haze. India’s first Wax Museum : It is a small museum which displays wax idols like The Crib, The Last Supper and some internationally known personalities. In addition to these, there are some highlights which include Indian saints and personalities such as Adi Shankara, Sai Baba, Gandhiji, Lord Krishna with Gopikas, Indian musicians and Veerappan, the sandalwood smuggler. Timings: 10:00 am to 05:30 pm Entry Fees: 30 INR Vattakanal Waterfalls : Right in the middle of a peaceful forest, Vattakanal Falls are among one of the most enthralling views in Kodaikanal. During monsoon season, the waterfalls are in full swing making the sight look grand and gorgeous. The place around Vattakanal Falls are deemed absolutely safe, but you’re still suggested to wear footwear that aren’t slippery. You can sit by Vattakanal Falls and relish some hot lip-smacking delicacies sold by locals. Hiking up the route of the falls is also an option. Evening return to the hotel. Dinner & Overnight Stay at Kodaikanal. (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today morning after Breakfast, leave around 9 am to visit Coakers Walk! Have a delightful walk on Coakers Walk through the edge of a cliff, which either gives you a stunning view of the valley below or an amazing fog. City people use this path for morning and evening walks. The Telescope House escalates the view of the valley, The weather is pleasant throughout the year, but it is frigid and foggy during the winter due to its height. Timings: 07.00 AM to 07.00 PM Entry Fees: INR 10 per person, INR 30 for camera and INR 20 to visit Telescope House Bryant Park : The park is hoarded with variant types of species of plants and shrubs that leave one astounded for long. Horticulture and gardening buffs visit this place in plenty. The Annual Horticulture Show conducted in May attracts people here from around the world. You must visit Byrant Park and see its 325 species & religious Bodhi Tree. Timings: 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM Entry Fees: INR 30 per person, INR 50 for camera and INR 100 for video camera Lutheran Church : Built in 1932, Lutheran Church of Kodaikanal is an impressive Gothic style structure. The church is adorned with stained glass window, modern paintings and murals, depicting the life of Jesus Christ. Anyone interested in a beautiful piece of architecture must pay a visit to this shrine. Timings: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Kodai Chocolate Factory : Started in 1999, Kodai Chocolate Factory is a leading manufacturer and supplier of chocolates, aromatic oils, coffees etc. They specialize in making delicious homemade chocolates and their products are 100% vegetarian. If you are a die-hard chocolate fan, it is among the must-visit places to see in Kodaikanal for you. Do pay a visit to Pot Luck, Cloud Street, Chocolate Factory and SG Cottage Industries to buy and try different varieties of chocolates. Anna Salai Market : Anna Salai Market mirrors a cosmopolitan culture of Kodaikanal, where local villagers, American and European students and backpackers and families from different parts of the country shop together. You can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables, a variety of homemade chocolates, handcrafted shawls, jewellery, bone and walnut items and other products, made of leather and brass. You can buy great-smelling, medicinal or any type of oils and balms at throwaway prices. They also sell a lot of organic groceries starting from jams, pickles, creams, incense-bread and other baked items. Chettiar Park : You will find a wide range of fascinating flowering in the garden giving this whole garden a colourful view which is worth capturing in your frame.. Kurinji flowers, which bloom once in 12 years also have a special place in the garden and the last they bloomed in 2004. Whenever they bloom, they create a unique purple haze everywhere which is worthy for the wait of 12 years. Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm Entry Fees: INR 10 per person 25 INR per Still Camera Upper Lake View Point : Upper Lake View is a famous tourist attraction in Kodaikanal. For tourists, the contrast between the lake and lush greens is just appealing to the eyes. Other activities you can expect in the lake are boating, cycling and horse riding on the top of the hill. (The itinerary changes as per your time, schedule and the hotel area which you stay in) (Entry fees & activity costs to be paid directly wherever applicable ) Breakfast & Dinner

Today Morning after Breakfast, depart to Coimbatore Airport/Railway Station to have your Connecting Flight/Train for your hometown with delectable moments of your life. Breakfast