Southern India's extraordinary wildlife journey — the largest congregation of Asian elephants at Kabini, leopards at Bandipur, and tigers at Periyar.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
On arrival in Bangalore today, you will be met at the airport by our representative and driven to Mysore, travelling via the culturally and historically important town of Srirangapatnam.
A day in the cultural capital of Karnataka provides an opportunity to enjoy the city that once lay at the heart of the Mysore Princely Kingdom. Begin the day with a visit to the colourful and less-visited Devaraja Flower Market, a wonderful way to observe daily life in the city. Long renowned for its festivals and palaces, Mysore is home to a stunning array of highlights including the sumptuous majesty of the Mysore Palace. Later you will pay a visit to the towering Sri Chamundeswari Temple, sitting resplendently on the summit of Chamundi Hill, before driving on to Somnathpur, to visit the Hoysala temple of Chennakesava.
After being collected from your hotel this morning, you'll then be driven on towards the beautiful landscapes of Nagarhole, renowned for its scenic splendour and national parks. The area is home to one of India's famous Project Tiger reserves and the three-hour journey on to Kabini will get you to the hotel in time to join an afternoon boat safari along the river.
Lying amongst the lush foothills of the Western Ghats, Nagarhole National Park provides a haven for a host of wildlife species including Indian bison, elephants, sloth bears, leopards and tigers. There are a number of activities on offer during your stay here including morning canter safaris, afternoon boat trips on the Kabini River, birdwatching tours, night walks and coracle rides.
This morning transfer to Bandipur National Park, one of India's best-known reserves and another of the country's important Project Tiger reserves. Situated in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka, the park stretches across some 874 square kilometres and provides shelter for a number of India's most endangered species including gaurs, sloth bears, tigers and four-horned antelope. After a chance to check in and freshen up, this afternoon you will enjoy your first safari in the park.
As well as its game, Bandipur National Park is also home to over 200 species of birds including honey buzzards, Indian vultures, bee-eaters, crested serpent eagles and a whole array of kingfishers. Morning and afternoon game drives today present a chance to search out some of this abundant wildlife.
Today you will transfer from Karnataka into Kerala and across to Thekkady and the Periyar Wildlife Reserve, one of India's most popular wildlife parks. Covering 777 square kilometres of rolling hills and forests, the park is home to tigers, leopards, gaur, sambar deer, elephants and over 260 species of birds. Check in to your eco-lodge this afternoon.
Spend the day exploring Periyar's extraordinary wildlife landscape. Morning boat safari on the Periyar Lake and an afternoon bamboo rafting excursion through the forest — one of Periyar's most distinctive activities, conducted by trained tribal community members.
Drive through the Western Ghats to Munnar, the remarkable tea-growing hill station surrounded by rolling green tea estates and the Shola grasslands. Walk through a working tea plantation and visit a tea factory.
Drive from the tea hills down to the coast and the remarkable port city of Kochi — one of India's most cosmopolitan and historically layered cities. Afternoon exploring Fort Kochi.
A full day exploring Kochi's extraordinary colonial heritage — the iconic Chinese fishing nets, the remarkable Dutch Palace murals, the 16th-century Paradesi Synagogue, and the charming lanes of Jew Town.
Transfer to Kochi International Airport for your departure flight.
About This Journey
Explore the remarkable wildlife of South India’s Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot on this tailor-made private journey. Starting in Mysore with its magnificent palace, we travel through three extraordinary wildlife reserves — Nagarhole National Park and Kabini, Bandipur National Park, and Periyar in Kerala — before ending in Kochi. The Western Ghats represent one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots and this journey offers extraordinary access to its wildlife.
Highlights
Nagarhole National Park — home to tigers, leopards, Asian elephants, gaur and over 250 bird species. Kabini Reservoir boat safaris — the best elephant viewing in South India. Bandipur National Park — Project Tiger reserve with remarkable wildlife diversity. Periyar National Park in Kerala — tigers, elephants and the unique bamboo rafting experience. Mysore Palace — the most visited building in India after the Taj Mahal.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
Kabini River Lodge
The original safari lodge of South India, Kabini River Lodge occupies the former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore on the banks of the Kabini reservoir. Run by Jungle Lodges & Resorts, its colonial bungalows, boat safaris and expert naturalists have made it a legend among Indian wildlife destinations.
Spice Village CGH Earth
An eco-resort at Thekkady built within a working spice garden, Spice Village's thatched cottages are modelled on tribal dwellings of the Periyar forest. The resort grows its own spices and vegetables, its naturalists lead garden walks and the adjacent Periyar sanctuary brings wildlife to the property boundary.
Windermere Hotel
A planter's retreat in the hills of Munnar, Windermere Estate sits amid cardamom and coffee plantations at 1,600 metres. Its cottages overlook the valleys of the Western Ghats and its garden paths lead directly into the surrounding plantations.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
No reputable operator can guarantee tiger sightings — these are wild animals in natural habitat. However, the parks on this itinerary have among the best sighting records in India, and multiple game drives significantly increase your chances. Even without a tiger, the wildlife and birdlife encountered on every drive make the experience richly rewarding.
October to April is the main season, with March to May offering the highest sighting probability as animals concentrate around water sources — at the cost of higher temperatures. Most parks close entirely from July to September for the monsoon.
Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, brown), a warm layer for cold dawn drives in winter, sun protection, and binoculars. Camera equipment with zoom lenses is worthwhile; most lodges can arrange charging between drives.
Yes — extra safari days, different lodges, private vehicles and additional destinations can all be arranged. Contact us to tailor the journey to your interests.
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