South India Wildlife Tour

Take flight to Chennai. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel Radha Park Inn. Rooms will be blocked from 12noon.

Morning full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram via 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). The Kailashnath Temple also contains some remnants of mural paintings belonging to the Pallava period. 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 it's 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. Bhagiratha's 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.

Overnight in the hotel Radha Park Inn.

Morning transfer to 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 Sandesh.

Rest of the day is free.

Morning visit the palace of the Maharaja. Visit the Art Gallerydrive upto 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 Tippu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali. Tippu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tippu's airy summer palace and his tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here, is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Swamy.

Overnight in the hotel Sandesh.

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 at Kabini River Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Overnight at Kabini River Lodge.

(Breakfast. Lunch, Dinner & jungle safari).

Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to B R Hills. Afternoon trekking in B R Hills for wildlife viewing. Overnight stay in Lodge.

Activities : Trekking

Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.

Overnight stay in Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & jungle safari).

Activities : Trekking

Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early morning departure to Bandipur (4hr.) after having breakfast. Arrive for lunch at the resort. Afternoon visit inside the wildlife sanctuary in jeeps. Overnight stay at the resort.

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 so. km. in area, to the north of the river, has taller and denser forests.

Activities : Trekking

Meals & Drinks : Breakfast, Lunch