Namaskara – Greetings from Bengaluru, the gateway to the beautiful Western Ghats!

Upon arrival at Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport, one of our team members will personally welcome you and escort you to your private transportation for a comfortable ride to your accommodation.

For two days, we’ll take you on a journey to discover Bengaluru’s rich history, heritage, and modern developments through its unique architecture, art, cuisine, and crafts.

Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka in southern India, is famously known as the Silicon Valley of India due to its thriving IT industry and innovative mindset. The city is a beautiful blend of ancient temples, palaces, modern skyscrapers, and malls, offering a diverse cultural experience and a vibrant nightlife for visitors to relish.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The Pauls

Let’s head from Bengaluru towards the southwest to reach Mysore City, the Heritage City of Karnataka. This cultural hub has a lot to offer to visitors from all over the world. One of the attractions of Mysore is its silk cocoon market, where you can witness the process of silk production from silkworms. The market is located near the railway station and is open from 6 am to 11 am every day. You can see how the farmers bring their cocoons and sell them to the traders, who then sort them according to their quality and weight. You can also admire the hand-painted playing cards made by a skilled artist named Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhat. He is one of the few surviving practitioners of this art form, which originated in Persia and was brought to India by the Mughals. He uses natural colours and paints intricate designs on circular cards made of paper or cloth. He also teaches this art to anyone who is interested in learning it. Another speciality of Mysore is its sandalwood products, which have a history that goes back to the 20th century when the Wodeyar kingdom established the Government Sandalwood Oil Factory. You can find sandalwood soaps, powder, oil, and artifacts in the markets of Mysore. The factory also offers guided tours of the production process of sandalwood oil, which is extracted from the heartwood of the sandalwood tree. The oil is used for various purposes like perfumery, cosmetics, medicine, and religious rituals. Mysore is also famous for its Mysore silk, which is produced in the same factory and sold in various shops like Ksic Mysore Silk Showroom. Mysore silk sarees are elegant and exquisite and have a history dating back to Tipu Sultan’s time. He was the one who introduced sericulture in Mysore and encouraged the growth of mulberry trees, which are essential for silkworms. The sarees are known for their soft texture, rich colours, and intricate zari work. They are also durable and do not fade easily. Mysore is a vibrant city that will enchant you with its beauty and charm. It has many other attractions like palaces, temples, gardens, museums, and wildlife sanctuaries that you can explore and enjoy.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  Royal Orchid Metropole

Leaving the hustle and bustle of city life, we head towards Coorg, which is situated in the lap of the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats in Karnataka. Referred to as ‘Scotland of India’, it is famous for its tranquillity, coffee plantations, architecture and rich culture. Here we will visit farms, take in culinary experiences and undertake gentle treks to meet and interact with the tribals of this region before we leave for the next state, Kerala. Coorg is home to the Kodavas, an ancient clan with extraordinary martial abilities and unique culture. They worship nature and their ancestors and celebrate festivals like Kailapodh and Puthari with great fervour. They also have distinctive dances like Umma and Bolak-aat that showcase their grace and valour. Coorg is also known for its diverse wildlife and ecology, with four types of vegetation and four protected areas that are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Coorg is a land of beauty, adventure and heritage that will enchant any traveller.

Meals:   B | L(1) | D
Accommodation:  Heritage Resort

Leaving the Malabar Coast, we head towards Wayanad, the ‘Land of the Paddies’. Nestled amongst the mountains of the majestic Western Ghats, this region envelopes you with its lush green hillsides covered in coffee, banana, rubber and tea plantations. This breathtaking natural beauty is home to the local tribals, who will share their perspectives with you.

Meals:   B | L | D
Accommodation:  Vythiri Resort

Another ancient trading port, this city is famous for being the place where Vasco da Gama landed in India. Here, we will visit a local market, marvel at the traditional art of jewellery making, feast on culinary and cultural experiences with one of the renowned chefs of this region, and spend time with a couple of my esteemed friends to enjoy the locals’ perspectives on their unique culture.

Meals:   B | L(1) | –
Accommodation:  The Raviz Calicut

Next, we take a leisurely drive south to a river retreat on the banks of the Nilla river. We will explore Kerala architecture, art & performance, walk through paddy fields and visit various talented local artisans living nearby.

Meals:   B | – | –
Accommodation:  The River Retreat Heritage Ayurvedic Resort

We continue on our southern route and arrive in the bustling metropolitan city of Kochi, Kerala’s Harbour city. Here we will feast our eyes on silk and cotton textiles, gold and platinum jewellery and everything in between. To really take in this colourful, fun, eclectic and history-rich location, we will stroll through the spice market, cycle through the narrow lanes of Fort Kochi, catch a ferry ride with the locals, and go to the market with a chef who will treat you to a special culinary experience at the chef’s home to draw this tour to its personal conclusion.

Meals:   B | L(1) | –
Accommodation:  The Dutch Bunglow, Fort Kochi

We have reached the end of our ‘Essence of Western Ghats’ Tour. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your journey with us. It brings us great joy to know that you have chosen to travel with us and allowed us to introduce you to the serene pleasures of South India.

We allocate a significant portion of our earnings towards community projects throughout India. Don’t hesitate to enquire about these initiatives if you’re interested. Your contribution towards these initiatives is made possible by joining our tours. We appreciate your support!

We offer an inclusive airport transfer service to Kochi International Airport for those returning home today. We eagerly await your return for another exhilarating ATI Travel experience. Namaskaram!

TOUR EXTENSION
Our team would love to assist guests who have opted to continue their tour to a beach or hill station by accompanying them to their next destination. We offer two tour extension options:
Tour Extention 1 – (6N/7D) Hill Station, Houseboat & Village experience
Tour Extention 2 – (6N/7D) Beach, Houseboat & Village experience

If you haven’t yet booked your tour extension, kindly get in touch with us for more details.

Meals:   B | – | –