Hidden Gems of the Western Ghats

You will be greeted on arrival at Bengaluru International Airport and after a three-hour drive, you will arrive in the city of Mysuru famous for its palaces, silks and sandalwood.

After settling in, take a stroll through the colourful Devaraja Market, known for its vibrant fruits and vegetables. Then, visit Chamundi Hills and the Nandi Bull, which stands over 16 feet tall and is more than 350-years-old.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 143 km

Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysuru

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mysuru in the morning, and visit the Mysuru Palace, Tippu’s Summer Palace and ruins of the fort.

After lunch, explore the famous Rangathittu Bird Sanctuary and enjoy a rowboat cruise on the Cauvery River to see Eurasian Spoon Bill, Black Crowned Night Heron, Cormorants, River Terns and many other species of birds.

Accommodation: Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysuru

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will embark on a short two-hour drive to Kabini, a destination renowned for its spectacular wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the jungle for a game drive. The wildlife authorities organise all activities inside the jungle, offering a mix of canter or jeep rides, motorboat trips, and canoe rides, all on a shared basis.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hours, 61 km

Accommodation: Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Prepare for a full day of wildlife spotting and jungle activities, including early morning and afternoon game drives.

Please note that early morning game drives in an open vehicle can be quite cold. Proper protection is recommended, including layers of clothing that can be removed as the sun comes out, as well as something to cover your head, ears, and hands.

Accommodation: Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

This morning, you will drive to Bandipur National Park, home to the largest population of wild elephants in South Asia.

In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive where you can spot tigers, Indian elephants, leopards, dholes, sambars, and sloth bears along the way.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 81 km

Accommodation: Dhole’s Den, Bandipur

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Enjoy a full day of jungle activities, including early morning and afternoon game drives.

Accommodation: Dhole’s Den, Bandipur

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a morning game drive, you’ll drive through Mudumalai National Park and Masinagudi before arriving in Ooty, known as the ‘Queen of Nilgiris’.

Enjoy an evening at your leisure to explore the town, and be sure to visit the Ooty Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, and St. Stephen’s Church.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hours, 48 km

Accommodation: Dhole’s Den, Bandipur

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

After a relaxing morning, you’ll board the Nilgiri hill train departing from Ooty railway station at 14:00 hrs in a First Class Coach.

The mountain railway, or ‘toy train’ as it is commonly known, was built by the British in 1908 and still relies on its fleet of trusty steam locomotives. This long journey on the original narrow-gauge tracks is a highlight for many, offering spellbinding scenery. (Your luggage will travel in the vehicle, and the driver will meet you at Mettupalayam Railway Station.)

Arrive at Mettupalayam Railway Station at 17:35 hrs. You will be met on arrival and proceed to your hotel in Coimbatore.

Accommodation: The Residency Towers, Coimbatore

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will drive to Valparai, nestled at an altitude of around 1,065m/3,500ft in the Anamalai Hills. This destination has a number of tea and coffee estates surrounded by the thick forest of the Annamalai Tiger Reserve.

In the evening, take your time to leisurely explore your surroundings.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 108 km

Accommodation: Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, Valpari

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today, you will explore the countryside of Valparai on foot. Your walk will take you through the tea estate, where you’ll see the plantation workers tending and picking the tea, to the unspoilt countryside of the hills above. This region is home to numerous waterfalls and picturesque reservoirs like Sholayar Dam, attracting a variety of bird species including the majestic Great Indian Hornbill. Elephants freely roam within the plantation area, while sightings of Barking deer, wild Gaurs (bison), and the endangered Lion-Tailed Macaque are also common.

Accommodation: Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, Valpari

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, you will drive through the reserve forests of Sholayar to Athirapally. In the evening, you will enjoy a visit to the enchanting Athirapally waterfalls.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 84 km

Accommodation: Rainforest Resort, Athirapally

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will drive to majestic Munnar, home to lush tea plantations in the mountainous Western Ghats.

In the evening, take a stroll through the Cardamom and spice plantation.

Approximate travel time and distance: 4.5 hours, 134 km

Accommodation: Cardamom and spice plantation, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Begin your day with a walk around Lockhart Estate. Revel in the fascinating views and diverse terrains and witness the sunrise from a scenic viewpoint. Take in the fresh air and savour a piping hot cup of tea while the view of the plantations put you in a relaxing mode. Our guide will regale you with stories of Lockhart Bungalow and its history.

After breakfast, go on a tea plantation walk that lasts a minimum two hours. Learn the art of picking tea leaves with locals. Then, witness the meticulous weighing process. Next, step into one of the oldest tea factories in the region and see how the leaves are withered, rolled, oxidised, dried and sorted. The Lockhart tea factory was the first tea factory constructed by the British in 1936. Located 2 km away from Lockhart Bungalow, it’s one of the oldest orthodox tea manufacturing facilities in India. A guide will take you through the entire tea leaf processing journey – from weighing to packaging and finally tasting. Finish your sojourn by tasting a cup of freshly made tea.

Accommodation: Cardamom and spice plantation, Munnar

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

Today you drive down the hills visiting tea and rubber plantations enroute to the town of Muvattupuzha.

Located near the meandering Muvattupuzha River, this remote hamlet is a perfect place to relax and invites you to slow down and recharge. Agriculture is the primary source of local income, with the region being renowned for its cultivation of pineapples alongside bananas, coconuts, and peppers.is

Walk around the local village and the nearby temples or go on an adventure to the largest pineapple market in India. Take a short walk through the rubber and tapioca fields to a local tea shop for a freshly prepared cup of tea and some Kerala snacks.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours, 87 km

Accommodation: Indian Summer House, Muvattupuzha

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, you will drive to the breathtaking backwater village of Kumarakom, which is home to many bird species, including cuckoos and Siberian storks.

In the evening, savour a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake, courtesy of the hotel.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hours, 64 km

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you will enjoy a village tour of Kumarakom in the morning. The Village Life Experience tour at Kumarakom gives you an authentic taste of village life, as well as showcasing community-based tourism products and services. You will be taken through the narrow canals on a country boat operated by the local villagers. The slow ride helps you to get a glimpse at the everyday village life on the banks, including people working in the paddy fields, children swimming in the lake, people fishing and women weaving coconut palm fronds. Try your hand at fishing using the traditional bow and arrow method or fishing by casting the net.

Later, take a stroll through the narrow village paths to visit an ‘Anganwadi’, a government-run school and see villagers engaged in traditional jobs like screw pine weaving, broomstick making and ‘toddy tapping’ (collecting coconut sap). You can also visit the handicraft unit run by the villagers who specialise in Snake Boat models.

Spend the remainder of the day at leisure relaxing by the backwaters.

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

Meals included: Breakfast

Around lunchtime you will board your private houseboat for a two-night cruise through the famous Kerala Backwaters. For many people this is the highlight of their holiday.

Meander through the tranquil Kerala backwaters, gliding across Lake Vembanad, through narrow canals heading South and passing low lying rice fields, churches, temples, schools and village life. The houseboat anchors at sunset to prevent getting tangled in the fishing nets. Experience a truly magical moment of being rocked gently while counting stars before finally going to bed in the middle of nowhere.

Approximate travel time and distance: 1 hour, 34 km

Accommodation: Private Houseboat, Alleppey

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, disembark from the houseboat at the Alleppey boat jetty. You will be met by the driver who will take you to the colonial port town of Cochin.

This afternoon, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, visiting the Chinese fishing nets, the local fish market, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace. (Please note that the Jewish Synagogue is closed on Fridays, Saturdays and other Jewish Holidays, and the Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays.)

In the evening, prepare to watch a Kathakali dance show, the traditional dance drama of Kerala performed in vibrant costumes. We suggest arriving early to watch the dancers apply their bold makeup.

Approximate travel time and distance: 1.5 hours, 53 km

Accommodation: Hotel Forte Kochi, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

Today, you will enjoy a day at leisure to explore the heritage quarters of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Take a short stroll down Jew Street to discover a treasure trove of spices, handcrafted textiles, traditional attire, and antiques.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy an interactive Keralan cooking demonstration and sit down for a home-cooked authentic Kerala lunch with a local family.

In the evening, enjoy a motorboat cruise along the harbour to see the Chinese fishing nets

Accommodation: Hotel Forte Kochi, Cochin

Meals included: Breakfast

You will be picked up by your driver and transferred to Cochin International Airport (90 mins) to board your flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing and Inclusions

The price guide for this 20 day Hidden Gems of the Western Ghats tour is

• £4390 in low season (May – September inclusive)
• £4790 in high season (October – April inclusive)

The prices do not include flights.

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.

This is a private tour and can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements. Prices will vary depending on the number of people, length of tour, accommodation & season. Reductions are normally available for groups of three or more. Some hotels operate an additional peak pricing rate during busy times which is normally from mid December to mid January.

Please get in touch with your dates and we will be pleased to provide you with your personal itinerary and accurate quote.

Included with this Hidden Gems of the Western Ghats tour package are the following:

• Authentic India Tours meet & greet assistance on arrival
• All transfers and sightseeing tours using air-conditioned Toyota Innova
• Accommodation for 19 nights on twin sharing basis
• Standard category rooms at all hotels unless otherwise mentioned
• Meal Plan: Kaav Safari Lodge, Dhole’s Den, Sinna Doorai’s Bungalow, Indian Summer House and Houseboat on full board; Marli Hill Bungalow, Lockhart Bungalow Munnar on half board; bed and breakfast elsewhere
• Sunset cruise by private motorboat along the Cochin harbour
• Tickets for Kathakali dance show in Cochin
• English speaking guide for sightseeing tour of Cochin
• Entrances at all national parks, museums and monuments as per the itinerary
• Mineral water on all days of travel

Price does not include:

• International flight tickets
• Travel insurance and visa
• Expenses of personal nature like laundry, tips, beverages etc
• Meals other than mentioned in the above meal plan
• Camera & video fees at national parks, museums & monuments

Prices mentioned above are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication may be subject to change, based on your date of travel and local market fluctuations. You will be informed of any price differences prior to booking.

For a quote based on your dates of travel, any alternative accommodation or changes to this itinerary, please call us on 01792 315499 or email us at info@aitholidays.com

Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and this Western Ghats tour is just an example to help inspire you.

For more information please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

ABTA and ATOL Protected Western Ghats Tour Package

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.