Kaleidoscope Karnataka + Kerala (IE 25)

(From Bangalore/To Cochin)

Bangalore, earlier known as "Garden City" is today the "Silicon Valley of India". The double temple of the Hoysalas in Belur and Halebid are striking with their beautiful plastic sculptures from the Hindu mythology. In the Maharaja Palace of Mysore, "City of Fragrance" the huge halls and splendid palaces. The "Tiger of Mysore" awaits you Srirangapatana where you visit the garden palace and his tomb Gumbaz.The blue mountains of the Nilgiris are a cool retreat at 2,286 m altitude.The area is surrounded by forests of eucalyptus and cypress trees.

The old sailor city of Cochin is a traditional spices trading centre with worldwide shipments. A journey on a traditional Rice Boat in the Backwaters of Kerala is a unique experience. The highlands of Thekkady and Periyar are a famous spice growing area. The Periyar National Park is home to elephants and tigers. End of the journey is in Mararikulam. Here you can extend for a beach holiday.

Day 1: Bangalore: Flight to Bangalore, capital of the Union State of Karnataka in an altitude of 900 metres, also known as "Silicon Valley" of India, centre of India’s computer industry and modern technologies. Transfer to Hotel.

Day 2: Bangalore – Hassan/ Chickmaglur: Drive by car to Hassan/Chickmaglur. En route visit Sravanbelgola with the 17 m high monolith sculpture of the naked Jain Holy Gomteshwara (1,200 years old) on a hill with 600 steps to go.The principle of the Jain sect is strict non-violence, and tolerance without exception. The view from the summit overlooking the lush green landscape is unique. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 3: Hassan/Chickmaglur – Mysore: Visit Halebid, in 11./12. century one of the last big capitals of the Hoysala Dynasty. The Shiva Temple is a double temple made of soapstone with gorgeous plastic sculptures depicting the Hindu mythology. Nearby is Belur, once the "religious capital" of the Hoysalas. Mysore is famous for sandalwood products such as incense sticks and soap. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 4: Mysore: The magnificent Maharaja Palace (1911-12) is a fairy tale castle with inestimable antiquities in the middle of the city. Visit also Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill overlooking Mysore and the 4,9 m high Nandi, riding animal of Hindu god Shiva. See the enchanting temple complex of Somnathpur (35km), one of the best preserved of the Hoysala’s (13. cent.). Drive through a mellow landscape with rice and sugar cane fields. Visit Srirangapatana, earlier capital of the mighty Moslem ruler Tipu Sultan (18. cent.), the Summer Palace with beautiful frescos and inlay work and the Gumbaz, his and his father’s mausoleum. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 5: Mysore – Ooty: Drive up the so-called "Blue Mountains" to Ooty, the "Queen of the Hill Stations". Situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters the scenery is breathtaking with pines, blue gum (eucalyptus globules) and cypress trees. The change in vegetation is striking as the climate gets very humid. Ooty was discovery 1821 by the British, to escape from the hot climate in the plains. Still find typical British stone building, gulf and horse race courses. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 6: Ooty - Cochin: Drive town the mountains, passing rubber plantations and follow the west coast of Kerala to Cochin, second largest harbour city on the legendary Malabar Coast. In the evening experience a Kathakali dance performance, typical, 400 years old dance drama, based on old legends and tales from Hindu mythology. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 7: Cochin : Cochin is the so-called "Queen of the Arabian Sea" on the Pepper Coast. Sightseeing with St. Francis Church, where 1524 the Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama was entombed. See the Mattancherri Palace or Dutch Palace with excellent preserved mural paintings and the Jew Town with Synagogue (1567). A distinctive feature is the "Chinese Fishing Nets", a catch method, passed over 700 years ago by traders from the court of Kublai Khan. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8: Cochin – Riceboat : At lunch time you go on board of your Rice Boat and navigate through the picturesque Backwaters, a huge system of water channels behind the coast. The vegetation left and right is lush green with paddy fields an coconut groves. The so-called Kettuvalams are the same ones that were used to carry loads of rice through Kerala and therefore called Riceboats. These boats have now been modified and constructed for the tourists with sun deck, bedroom, dining area and a small kitchen. Overnight on the rice boat on full board basis.

Day 9: Rice Boat - Periyar: After breakfast leave the lush green coast of Kerala and follow the road up to the mountains of the Western Ghats (900-2000 m), passing rubber and tea plantations on the way to Thekkady and Periyar, centre of the spice growing area of India (cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, Vanilla). Overnight in Hotel.

Day 10: Periyar - Mararikulam: Early morning boat ride on Periyar Lake. The protected area covers 777 km, bounded by mountain ridges of over 1,700 m altitude. The sanctuary surrounds the picturesque Periyar Lake. Elephants and a variety of water birds are domiciled here. Drive down again to the coastline to Mararikulam (near Cochin). Overnight in Beach Resort.

Day 11: Mararikulam – Cochin airport: Transfer to airport. End of programme. Flight back home or continuation of programme (e.g. beach holiday or Ayurveda therapy).

Kaleidoscope Karnataka & Kerala   11 days from Bangalore to Cochin Tourcode: IE 22 Category Superior Deluxe   Price per person in INR sharing a double room                        01.10.08 - 14.12.08 72,789 96,338    15.12.08 - 05.01.09     prices on request as peak season 06.01.09 - 30.04.09 72,789 96,338   01.05.09 - 30.09.09 65,741 78,640

Category Place Superior Deluxe   Bangalore  The Gateway Hotel  Taj Residency   Hassan/Chickmaglur  The Gateway Hotel (Taj Garden Retreat) The Gateway Hotel (Taj Garden Retreat)   Mysore Regaalis  Lalitha Mahal Palace   Ooty Taj Savoy Taj Savoy   Cochin Taj Residency Taj Malabar/ Brunton Boatyard   Backwaters A/c Riceboat  A/c Riceboat   Periyar Cardamom County Spice Village   Mararikulam Marari Beach Resort Marari Beach Resort

Minimum participants: 02 Program modifications and group prices on request Our prices include: 10 overnights with breakfast in the mentioned hotels or similar, transfers, round trip in passenger car with air-condition, English speaking local tourist guides for the sightseeing, excursions, entrance fees as per program. Our prices do not include: Flight to India and back, domestic flights, airport taxes, landing and security duties as well as duties on departure, visa for India, travel insurance, health insurance etc., lunch and dinner, beverages, camera/Video film fees, tips, personal expenses, compulsory Christmas and New Year dinners. Travel documents: To visit India every traveller needs a visa and a valid passport, valid 6 months beyond the date of return journey We recommend a travel and a health insurance .