South India Wildlife Tour

Your flight arrives at Netaji Subhash International Airport. You will be met by our representative and will be transferred to your. Your room is booked from the previous night enabling occupancy immediately upon arrival.
Kolkata (formally Calcutta), situated on the eastern bank of Hoogly River, was once the capital of British India, and is now the capital of West Bengal. It is the gateway to eastern India. Conceived in 1686 it has had a turbulent history. Now the largest city in India it displays glaring contrasts: a curious blend of the old and the new, wealth and poverty, partly feudal, partly born out of growing urbanization, partly undefinable.
It is a medley of east and west, of a European city grafted on the Asian landscape that gives Kolkata its bewildering charm, confusion and excitement. Being just about 300 years old, Kolkata has few great historical monuments.
Later this evening, explore the “ City of Joy”.
Tour of Kolkata will include the Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square, the Flower Market and the Maidan, close to Fort William.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Guwahati. Upon arrival you will be met and drive to Kaziranga National Park, located at a distance of 140 kms, which will take apprx. 4hrs.

Kaziranga National Park covers about 430 sq kms, bordered on the north by the Brahmaputra River and on the south by the Karbi Anglong hills. The largest number of one-horned rhinoceros in the world roams its swamps, grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and areas of mixed deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forest. It is home to a wide variety of other animals and birds, and the open vistas make it relatively easy to see many species of wildlife in a day.

Upon arrival you will check into your cottage.

Diphlu River Lodge opened in January 2008, providing top-class accommodation at Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site. The position of the lodge is second to none: only the boundary river separates its extensive grounds from the National Park itself, and the jungle views are exceptional.

Assam Bengal Navigation runs the lodge to the same exacting standards of their well-established river cruises on the Brahmaputra and the Hoogly, while their Bansbari Lodge at Manas National Park on the Bhutan border offers simpler but comfortable accommodation for another wildlife experience.

After lunch at the resort, your naturalist will accompany you to visit the National Park by jeep.

Park visits by private jeeps (Individual row for each person in jeep for game drives). Besides, the great one horned Indian Rhino, the other major wild attractions include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons and Monitor Lizards.

Kaziranga National Park is a birding paradise; the grasslands are a raptor country that can be seen on safari makes a remarkable experience. These include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Huge numbers of migratory birds descend on the parks lakes and marshy areas during winters, including Graylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcate Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.

Return to resort for dinner & overnight.
Overnight at Kaziranga Diphlu River Lodge – Cottage


You will have your morning & evening game drive
Overnight at Kaziranga Diphlu River Lodge–Cottage

After an early morning game drive, return to your resort for breakfast, followed by a 4 hour drive to Jorhat to connect your flight to Bangalore.
Upon arrival at Bangalore, you are met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state, originally founded in 1537 by Kempegowda, a Magadi chieftain, who built a mud fort with four watchtowers marking the city limits, which he called Bengaluru.
When Bangalore became a British garrison town in 1809 they built wide avenues, classic bungalows, Gothic churches and museums.
It is a veritable melting pot of various races and cultures and one of the most cosmopolitan and modern cities of India. Known as the Garden City, beautiful parks and gardens, and long avenues of blossoming trees provide a lovely ambience. By embracing new technology it has become India’s “Silicon Valley”, with a worldwide reputation for high quality IT development.
Overnight at Bangalore Hotel
After breakfast at hotel, followed by a 4 hrs drive to Nagarhole National Park.

The Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka shares its boundaries with the famous Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, which together form a part of the Mudumalai Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Wayanad Reserve in Kerala. About 643 kms in area, Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the tiger along with the other wild life species and around 250 bird species. Located aside the river Kabini, the dam and the reservoir of this mighty Kabini river acts as a natural barrier separating the two wildlife sanctuaries - Bandipur and Nagarhole - in Karnataka.

The Nagarhole national park lies at a distance of 96 kms from Mysore. This protected territory is the habitat of several endangered species. Nagarhole derives its name from the root word `Naga' from Kannada language, which means `snake' and `Hole' that means `streams'. Thus the term as a whole point towards the numerous streams that leaps through the rich tropical forests of Nagarhole like a snake.

Also bordering the state of Kerala, the Nagarhole National Park was designated as a game sanctuary in 1955. In 1974, it was extended to its present size combining the Mysore forests within the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary. The deep valleys and the mesmerizing landscapes in the sanctuary make it a picture perfect destination in every manner. Apart from the largest Kabini River that drains the Nagarhole national park, the other three important rivers include Lakshmana, Teentha and Nagarhole. Several perennial and seasonal streams also merge into the four rivers.

Upon arrival check into Cicada resort.

Cicada invites you to join us on an adventure into the forests of India. Mingle with nature in its primordial form and yet get the comfort that you will crave for when you come back to your room after a safari or the nature walk. Meet like-minded people and discuss the latest sightings of the day while you huddle around the bonfire. You will feel and experience the stillness around the jungles except for an occasional sound of birds and animals. The sunset and sunrise are your clocks here and the whistling of the wind or the water flowing by is music. The glory of nature is on full display. Your stay at Cicada will leave you with a beautiful understanding of the wilderness and its occupants and a yearning to come back for more.

After lunch at the resort, undertake a visit to the park by private jeep.

The wild life seen in the national park are Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Elephant, Sāmbhar, Chital and other mammals like Muntjac, the Tiny Mouse Deer, Giant Squirrel, Slender Loris, Langurs, Wild Boar, Pangolin and Macaques.

The Park has about 250 bird species like Malabar Trojan, The Indian Pitta, Green Imperial Pigeon the Malabar Pied Hornbill and the Great Black Woodpecker. The jungle cat, leopard cat and rusty spotted cat are also the other wildlife species within the national park.

Return to hotel for dinner & overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel you visit the adjoining Bandipur National Park, which shares a common boundary with Nagarhole.

Once the private game reserve of the Mysore maharajas, Bandipur, the large forest (866 sq km) south of the river Kabini is now part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and one of WWF’s Project Tiger sites. It neighbors the Nagarhole National Park, the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. All together this area makes for the largest protected forest in India.

Bandipur has a sizeable population of wildlife - elephant, spotted deer and Sāmbhar, Gaur and Flying Squirrel, Four Horned Antelope, Nilgiri Langurs and Sloth Bear. Amongst the reserve’s most prominent animals are its 1,900-odd elephants. The Royal Bengal tiger (75 in the Park) and Leopard are even more elusive here than elsewhere because inhabit falls under the protected core area where casual visitors are not allowed. (SPECIAL PERMIT WILL BE OBTAINED FOR YOUR VISIT). Mostly dry deciduous forest with an abundance of teak on the periphery, the moister core area of Bandipur, has large tracts of fragrant sandalwood and rosewood. However, some summers this area too gets unbearably dry and during these times the animals migrate to the neighboring wetter Mudumalai Park.

Overnight at Nagarhole Cicada Resort
After an early morning game drive, return to your resort for breakfast, followed by a 4 hour drive to Bangalore to connect your flight to Cochin.

Kerala’s long history of international trade has made it eclectic, which in turn has influenced many aspects of culture and religious balance. Cochin (formally Kochi), by reflecting this, has become one of India’s fascinating cities. Beautifully located on a cluster of islands and peninsulas it surrounds a large natural harbor. Much of the past has survived in its many historic sites.

Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, and lagoons with feathery coconut palms. The older parts, Fort Cochin and Mattanchery, are an unlikely blend of Indian and medieval Portuguese. Now the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala, it is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India after Mumbai.
Upon arrival at Cochin, you are met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Moored on a historic stretch of Cochin's famed harbor, The Brunton Boatyard Hotel was resurrected from the remains of a Victorian shipyard. Today, it gives the modern traveler a unique opportunity to dwell amidst the shadow plays of 19th century history.

The Brunton Boatyard is a looking glass held up to this era. It's an attempt to capture the soul of a colorful and romantic age that remains one of history's most charming conjuring tricks, nurtured by Kerala's tolerant spirit.
All of the Brunton Boatyard Hotel's 22 rooms overlook the sea, and so, by happy circumstance, do the en-suite bathrooms. Few pleasures rival a long hot soak in your tub of an evening, watching the dolphins play tag with the trading ships of the globe. Your super-rested muscles should then have just enough energy to carry you to the quaint four-poster bed that dominates your room. (A little footstool has been thoughtfully provided to assist the process).

Overnight at Cochin Hotel Brunton Boatyard- deluxe Sea Facing Room (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, you undertake a half-day city tour St. Francis Church: Close the Fort Kochi it is the oldest church in India, built in 1503 by Franciscan Friars. On his third visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama the Portuguese trader, who reached India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi and was buried in St. Francis Church. Fourteen years later his remains were exhumed and taken back to Portugal. Despite this his grave inside the church is clearly marked.

Chinese Fishing Nets: It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan installed these fishing nets here. Oddly, outside China these nets are only found in and around Cochin. Today many fishermen still earn their livelihood using these massive nets, which are dotted along a stretch from Fort Cochin, opposite Vypeen Island.

Dutch Palace (Mattanchery Palace): Built by the Portuguese in 1557, it was presented to the Cochin Raja, Veera Kerala Varma as a goodwill gesture. In 1663 it was substantially renovated by the Dutch, hence its other name. The coronation of many Rajas took place here and in the Coronation hall dresses, turbans and palanquins are displayed. By far the most notable aspect of the Palace is the superb murals in the bedchambers and other rooms. They depict scenes from the Ramayana and legends of Lord Shiva, and are almost certainly the best in India.

Jewish Synagogue: Originally built in 1568, and re-built by the Dutch after being destroyed by the Portuguese in 1662, it is unique. The floor is laid with hand painted Chinese tiles and lovely Belgian chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattanchery.
After sightseeing tour, drive to Alleppey to board your houseboat. After lunch on board, cruise on the backwaters.
You can rest at ease on a houseboat at night and observe the beautiful countryside while sitting on the deck during the day. Food is cooked on board the houseboat by the accompanying staff. On Backwater cruises in Kerala with Kerala Backwater, you can have a relaxing time seeing the birds and aquatic life along the banks of the Kerala backwaters. See the local people in villages along the banks of Kerala backwaters carry out their daily routine of farming and fishing as you pass by on Backwater cruises in Kerala. Smile at friendly local children as they wave to you as you float along on your houseboat on Backwater cruises in Kerala.

The backwaters of Kerala are a series of interconnected waterways, lakes, inlets and Riverine estuaries that form an intermeshed network along the coast of Kerala.

Today’s houseboats on Kerala’s backwaters were originally barges, traditionally known as “Kettuvallam” constructed using only natural materials - wood, rattan and bamboo, in harmonious tones of brown and honey. In earlier times, when the backwaters were the “roads” for transporting spices, chilies, coconuts, coffee, tea, coir and rice to Cochin and waiting ships, Kettuvallam were the trucks. In their new role as comfortable houseboats they have solar-powered lighting, chic spacious bedrooms, and shower rooms with WC, a fully equipped kitchenette and large decks on which to relax. Although mainly polled along the backwater channels Kettuvallam are motorized so that when required longer distances can be covered efficiently and quietly. The crew includes two boatmen and a cook.

Overnight on board houseboat.
After breakfast on board, disembark for a drive to Periyar Wild Life Park.
Periyar, in Kerala, is the best-known wildlife sanctuary in south India. Though billed as a tiger reserve, Periyar is really famous for its wild elephants, 100-year-old artificial lake and it’s setting in the beautiful thickly forested Western Ghats. This is not your best shot at spotting the Bengal Tiger considering there are less than 40 of them that inhabit an area of 777sq.km but there’s plenty of other game like the Nilgiri Languor, Nilgiri Tahr, bison, deer, antelope and about 700 elephants to make the trip worthwhile.
The Asian elephant is diminutive compared to its larger African cousin but the thrill of spotting a herd of them lumbering through the dense shola forest or wading into a lake is going to be no less than seeing the African elephant in the Masai Mara grasslands. There are more than 700 of these large grey animals that have for a long time been a symbol of Indian exotica. Over a 100 species of butterfly and at least 240 species of birds inhabit the area.
Upon arrival check in at your hotel Spice Village.
Set in the heart of the Cardamom hills of Kerala, Spice Village is an unprecedented tourist destination, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy South India's wildlife & Beauty. The Village lies just outside Periyar tiger reserve, and a stay here is the perfect way to appreciate and respect the environment. Recreating the mood of local tribal community, the resort architects have designed individual cottages amongst a landscaped spice garden. Each dwelling is thatched with elephant grass & offers simple luxury & privacy.
Afternoon, we will organize a boat cruise for you to check out the wilds of Periyar Sanctuary. Today the Periyar Lake presents an excellent boating spot for tourists. Although it is unusual to see many animals from the boats, still you spot a family of Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sāmbhar Deer by the water's edge. The upper deck is best for wildlife viewing when taking a boat cruise.
Return to hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight at hotel.
Today early morning, with packed breakfast, you leave the resort for a full day trek.
Gavi Eco-Tourism a project of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation has caught the attention of tourists, mostly from European countries. The project is exclusive in many respects and the majority who visited were nature lovers and adventure tourists. Over a short period of time visitors to Gavi gradually increased, especially after 'Alistair International' the world acclaimed tourism major recently listed it among the leading eco-tourism centers and one of the must see places in India.
A highlight of the Gavi eco project is the involvement of the local populace in its activities as guides, gardeners and cooks. This will provide livelihood for the locals and also will help to create awareness on conservation of nature. Gavi offers its visitors activities like trekking, wildlife watching, outdoor camping in specially built tents, and night safaris.
The road leading to the picturesque Gavi is blanketed by tea plantations, which itself is a refreshing experience. Once you reach Gavi the serene eco-lodge 'Green Mansion' awaits you like a fairy to embrace you in its protective fold. From the 'Green Mansion', one can savor the spectacular view of the Gavi Lake and the adjoining forests.
The place is rich in flora and fauna. There are hills and valleys, tropical forests, sprawling grasslands, sholas, cascading waterfalls and cardamom plantations. Endangered species including the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed macaque are often sighted at Gavi. With more than 260 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, woodpecker, and kingfishers, Gavi is a heaven for birdwatchers. Some of the breathtaking viewpoints at Gavi like the Valley View offer spectacular view of a deep ravine and the forest below. From Kochu Pampa, a point near Green Mansion eco-lodge one can track the grazing Nilgiri Tahrs.
Return to hotel for overnight.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Cochin International airport for your onward flight.