South India Wildlife Tour

Duration : 12 Days
Validity : 01 October 2007 - 30 April 2008
Destinations : Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Mysore - Nagarhole National Park - Bandipur -
B R Hills

DAY 01:

Pick up from the Chennai airport and drive to Mahabalipuram. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.

DAY 02:

Morning full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. In Kanchipuram visit the Kailashnath Temple, one of the oldest temples, built in 7th century AD. It is built of sand stone and houses some of the most elegant sculptures of Nataraja (Shiva in Cosmic dance).After this visit Ekambareshwara- Temple, the biggest temple in the city. There are large complexes with mandapas, tanks and sculptured halls with devotees who still flock here. It has an ancient mango tree, and its believed that its branches represent the four Vedas and its fruits are said to have a different taste.

In Mahabalipuram, visit the magnificent rock temples and carvings. Five Rathas (chariots) ceremonial chariots, rock-cut monoliths, named after the 5 Pandavas - heroes of the Mahabharata epic and Draupadi their wife. The Shore Temple by the sea surrounded by gardens designed according to descriptions of the original layout from ancient times. Built in sandstone in the 7th century. Bhagirathas Penance is a bas- relief (27 to 9m) sculptured on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, depicts, the penance of Arjuna, myriad characters from the Mahabharata, realistic life-size figures of animals, gods and saints watching the descent of the river goddess Ganga to earth. Back to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Mahabalipuram.

DAY 03:

Early Morning transfer to Chennai Railway station to board the Shatabadi Express at 0600 hrs to Mysore. (This train does not operate on Tuesdays) Arrive Mysore at 1300 hrs & transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Mysore

DAY 04:

Morning visit the Palace of the Maharaja. Visit the Art Gallery; drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull.

Afternoon visit Srirangapatanam, 16 kms from Mysore. This fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. Tipu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tipu's airy Summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Overnight stay at hotel in Mysore.

DAY 05:

Morning drive to Nagarhole National Park. Afternoon enjoy a wildlife viewing on the afternoon jeep safari trip. Overnight at the wildlife lodge.
The forest is home to animals like the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, spotted deer, elephant, wild dog, flying fox, tiger, panther, gaur (Indian bison), sambhar, wild boar, black-naped hare, bonnet macaque, and pangolin Cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons, vipers, and several species of lizards are also found here. Among the 250 bird species found here, the prominent ones are the common babbler, bee-eater, bulbul, dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine, peacock, woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk, golden-back parakeet, and the southern tree pie. Overnight stay at the lodge.

DAY 06:

Early morning wildlife viewing and bird watching in the park or a Coracle ride on the Kabini River. Enjoy an evening jeep ride into the Nagarhole jungle. Overnight at the wildlife lodge. Overnight at the wildlife lodge.

Day 07:

Early morning departure to Bandipur. Check-in at the lodge. Afternoon visit inside the wildlife sanctuary in jeeps. The 874.20 sq. km. Bandipur National Park, which is also a Tiger Reserve, with its open grassy woodland, lies to the south of the Kabini River while Nagarhole, 643.39 sq. Km. in area, to the north of the river, has taller and denser forests Overnight stay at the resort

Day 08:

Morning and evening wildlife viewing. The sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fauna. Gaurs, chitals, sambhars, bears, elephants, panthers and tigers inhabit the place in large numbers. Afternoon Jeep Safari. Overnight stay in Lodge.

Day 09:

After breakfast drive to B R Hills. Afternoon trekking in B R Hills for wildlife viewing. Overnight stay in Lodge

Day 10:

Morning and evening wildlife viewing and bird watching. The sanctuary is home to many species of wild animals. The sanctuary is teeming with varied flora and fauna. Gaurs, chitals, sambhars, bears, elephants, panthers and tigers inhabit the place in large numbers. Afternoon Jeep Safari. Overnight stay in Lodge

Day 11:

Drive to Mysore Railway station to board the Shatabadi Express at 1420 hrs for Chennai. (This train does not operate on Tuesdays) Arrive Chennai at 2130 hrs. Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel in Chennai.

Day 12:

Checkout from the hotel at 1200 hrs. Departure transfer to the airport. Flight to onward destination