Discover South India - Premium Adventure

Arriving at Bangalore International Airport, head towards the exit of the terminal building, where you are met and transferred (approximately 3hr 30min) to Mysore. Around 6pm, we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead over a welcome meeting. In the evening, we visit Mysore Palace, one of the largest in India, to see it illuminated by more than 100,000 bulbs – a dazzling opening to our adventure. That’s followed by dinner with a local family. Want more time in Bangalore? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Discover the highlights of Mysore today, beginning with an exploration of Mysore Palace. We also visit other city landmarks, including St Philomena’s Cathedral, which was designed to resemble Cologne Cathedral in Germany. After, we head into the Chamundi Hills to visit two Hindu temples: the golden Chamundeshwari Temple and Nandi Temple, home to a giant 350-year-old bull statue. Visit Rajendra Art Gallery in the afternoon, which exhibits works by Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma and traditional paintings in the Mysore style.

Drive (three hours) this morning to the remote hill station of Coorg, where tiny springs and coffee, tea and spice estates are spread across the misty slopes. Along the way, we stop in Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan settlement outside of Tibet, to see the intricate carvings at the Golden Temple. Having completed our journey to Coorg, we join a local guide on a walk through sprawling coffee fields to learn about the history and art of producing coffee. We also learn about the evolution of spice plantations and see how spices are produced, from planting to packaging.

If you’re an early riser, consider one of the complimentary activities offered by the hotel. The Twitchers Trek is an exploration of the surrounding woods led by the in-house naturalist with the chance to see some of the 350-odd bird species that call Coorg home. Or, for a bright start to the morning, join the 30-minute yoga session. After breakfast, head out to meet a Kodava family, descendants of an ancient warrior clan. Your hosts welcome you into their century-old British-style bungalow and teach you how to make pandi, a typical Coorgi curry made with pork and spices on a wood-fired oven. As you cook, learn about the history of the Kodava clan and their martial legacy. Later, dress up in traditional Coorgi attire: full warrior regalia for men and a uniquely draped saree for women. Sit down with your hosts to enjoy your pandi along with a variety of other dishes and home-brewed wines. Good food and great conversations make the experience one to cherish. After lunch, set off on an exploration of the sights in and around Coorg. Begin at Madikeri Fort, first built in the 17th century by Mudduraja, before being reconstructed in granite by Tipu Sultan, a ruler known as the Tiger of Mysore. Later, the British added elements, including a clock tower and porch. Other landmarks we visit include a palace inspired by an English lodge, temples, and Indo-Saracenic-style tombs dedicated to the Kodava royalty and elites.

We drive (6 hours) to Wayanad this morning, a hilly region of Kerala known for its natural beauty. The remainder of the day is at leisure. There is the option of cycling an 8mi (12km) trail across the rural landscapes of Kalpetta, the district capital. Along the way, you can visit the local temples, pepper and coffee estates, lemongrass plantations and a tribal village. Alternatively, enjoy the hotel facilities, strolling through the plantations or taking a dip in the pool. If you fancy a pre-dinner treat, join a chef-led complimentary cooking demonstration. You’ll be guided through the preparation of typical dishes, before sampling a few of the delicious creations. Just let your tour leader know you’d like to join on arrival, so they can book you in (minimum four people required). Upgrade to a Tree House room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Enjoy a scenic 3mi (5km) walk in the Sugandhagiri range today, which should take around 2hr 30min. Our trail immediately plunges into a tea estate, winding along with beautiful views of the Sugandhagiri mountains and excellent landscape photography opportunities. Continue along the forest edge before entering coffee plantations. This area is great for birding with a diverse range of species. The trail then emerges back into the tea estate and we return to the starting point. The remainder of the day is at leisure. If you’re keen to continue exploring the local flora and fauna, join the hotel naturalist for a guided nature walk through the rainforest and the coffee and pepper plantations. Just book through your tour leader or at reception. Upgrade to a Tree House room today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Today we transfer (four hours) to Ooty in the Nilgiri Mountains, a one-time summer retreat for the British which is dotted with tea gardens, waterfalls and colonial architecture. In the afternoon, we visit St Stephen’s Church, constructed by the British in the 19th century to coincide with the birthday of King George IV. Later, enjoy leisure time perusing the produce in the local vegetable market before heading back to the hotel.