Overview:

Welcome to the lush Western Ghats, rising like an impassable bulwark of evergreen and deciduous tangle, from north of Mumbai to the tip of Tamil Nadu, the World Heritage–listed Ghats contain 27% of India’s flowering plant species and an incredible array of endemic wildlife. This two weeks trip takes the road less travelled to explore few of the hidden gems that these lush, green hills of the Western Ghats have been hiding.

Day 01

Kannur / Calicut – Wayanad

Arrive Kannur / Calicut International Airport. You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to Wayanad. Encompassing part of the Western Ghats’ Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which spills into Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Wayanad’s landscape combines mountain scenery, rice paddies of ludicrous green, skinny betel nut trees, bamboo, red earth, spiky ginger fields, slender eucalyptuses, and rubber, cardamom and coffee plantations.
Stay 2 nights at the Wayanad Wild, a deluxe grade hill resort on the edge of a forest reserve. Later in the evening, take a guided tour of the property with the naturalist to learn about local flora and fauna.

Day 02

Wayanad

Spend your day hiking through the unexplored wilderness and across aromatic coffee plantations to explore the many secrets of the mountains. For the birding enthusiasts, we can arrange a full / half day of birding with our ornithologist. This area is a paradise for bird lovers, botanists and nature lovers due to its amazing collection of plants and birds found here.

Day 03

Wayanad – Kabini (Nagarhole National Park)

After breakfast, drive to Nagarhole National Park. Rich in jungle and boasting a scenic lake, Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) is one of Karnataka’s best wildlife getaways. It's home to good numbers of animals, including tigers and elephants. Flanking the Kabini River, it forms an important protected region that includes the neighbouring Bandipur National Park and several other reserves.
Stay at Kaav Safari Lodge, a boutique jungle lodge for 02 nights. Enjoy a visit to the jungle this afternoon for a game drive. All activities inside the jungle are arranged by the wildlife authorities - a mix of jeep rides / motor boat trips and canoe rides; all on a shared basis.

Day 04

Kabini (Nagarhole National Park)

Enjoy full day of jungle activities - early morning and afternoon game drives.

Day 05

Kabini - Bandipur

After an early morning game drive, proceed to Bandipur. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghats, Bandipur National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful and the better-managed national parks of India. Covering 880 sq km, it was once the Mysuru maharajas’ private wildlife reserve, and is now a protected zone for more than 100 species of mammal, including tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), chitals (spotted deer), sambars, sloth bears, dholes, mongooses and langurs. It’s also home to an impressive 350 bird species.
Stay at Dhole’s Den, an eco-conscious safari homestay for 02 nights. Enjoy a visit to the jungle this afternoon for a game drive. All activities inside the jungle are arranged by the wildlife authorities.

Day 06

Bandipur

Enjoy full day of jungle activities - early morning and afternoon game drives.

Day 07

Bandipur – Ooty – Mettupalayam – Coimbatore

After a relaxed breakfast, drive to the hill station of Ooty, also known as the ‘Queen of Nilgiris’. This afternoon you will take a scenic train ride from Ooty to Nilgiri on the famous Nilgiri Hill Train. The mountain railway, or ‘toy train’ as it is most 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 for many a trip highlight with its spellbinding scenery. You will arrive Mettupalayam railway station in the evening where you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Coimbatore. Stay for the night at The Residency Towers, Coimbatore.

Day 08

Coimbatore – Valparai

After breakfast, drive through the reserve forests of Sholayar to arrive in Valparai, set at an altitude around 1,065m/3,500ft in the Anamalai Hills. This place has number of tea and coffee estates surrounded by thick forest of the Annamalai Tiger Reserve. Stay at Sinna Dorai Plantation Bungalow for 02 nights.
This mid-elevation hill station is home to rich wildlife like elephants and leopards. Other fauna that tourists can sight include gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, green pigeon, etc.

Day 09

Valparai

Day to 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. There are numerous waterfalls in this area as well as attractive reservoirs such as Sholayar Dam – a magnet for birdlife such as Great Indian Hornbill. Herds of elephants’ roam within the area covered by the plantation and you’re also likely to see Barking deer, wild Gaurs (bison) and even the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque.

Day 10

Valparai - Munnar

Late morning enjoy a scenic drive through the plains of Tamil Nadu and forest lands of Chinnar wildlife sanctuary to majestic Munnar, home to lush tea plantation in the mountainous Western Ghats. Stay at Windermere Estate, a private plantation retreat for the night.In the evening, take a stroll through Cardamom and Tea plantations.

Day 11

Munnar – Yellapetty (Camp Footprint)

Late morning, leave the town of Munnar to Yellapetty Village. From the village an approximately 3 kms walk through the village, tea estates and sholay forests will take you to the camp site where you will stay for the next 2 nights. Located high on the slopes of Meesapulimalai with the verdant forests on one side and the stunning views of the valley below, Camp Footprint is indeed a unique property in the hills above Munnar. Camp Footprint is for the young and young at heart who are looking for an active holiday but would like to do in comfort. At Camp Footprint you get a cosy bed, private en-suite facilities, great local food, personalized service and an unbeatable view right from your room...all in the wilderness with your nearest neighbour a good half hour away! Located on the slopes of Meesapulimalai and with a panoramic view of the plains of
Tamilnadu and the peaks of the Munnar range, this upmarket camp with 3 fixed teepee style accommodation offers a comfortable stay with a great gourmet experience.

Day 12

Yellapetty (Camp Footprint)

Enjoy a walk in the hills this morning. The hills are home to a few endemic and a wide variety of birdlife. The nature walk with our naturalist will truly be a rewarding experience! The walk starts from the camp after a short briefing over hot tea or coffee. The duration of the walk is for about 3-4 hours but can be extended depending on your interest! For those interested we are happy to arrange longer walks and visits to neighbouring hills that houses some of the best terrains for birds. In the evening, enjoy a tea tasting experience where you will be shown the various types and grades of tea (both produced locally and elsewhere) You will be taught how to tell if the tea is of good quality and how to brew your own perfect cuppa.

Day 13

Yellapetty – Munnar - Cochin

After breakfast, walk back to Yellappetty village where you will be met by your driver. A 5 - 6 hours’ drive will take you to the port town of Cochin. Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese- and Dutch-era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal and Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Stay 2 nights at The Old Harbour, a restored heritage boutique hotel in Fort Cochin.

Day 14

Cochin

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry in the morning. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church, Spice Markets, Chinese Fishing Nets and the local fish market. In the evening, witness Kathakali dance performance, the traditional dance drama of Kerala based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Accompanied by a gong, drums and cymbals, Kathakali performers combine dance and theatre in a ritualistic portrayal of gods and demons.

Day 15

Cochin Airport Drop

In good time, you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport to connect your flight home.