South India Karnataka Royal Heritage & Malabar Coast Kerala Explorer

16-Day Karnataka & Malabar Coast Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Bangalore – Discover the Garden City

Land at Bangalore International Airport. Upon arrival our representative will meet and greet you warmly and escort to your hotel. Once, you complete a quick check-in, take a few moments of rest, and start exploring Bangalore as a Silicon Valley of India carefully combining modernity, colonial style, and botanical heritage.

Evening is free to spend time or optional shopping at commercial Street or UB city mall, which are best suited to international travelers and are seeking Indian art of crafts or designer brands.

Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 2: Bangalore Local Cultural, Craft and Spiritual Tour

Breakfast followed by resuming the Bangalore tour emphasizing the rich cultural history and places of colourful spiritual life.

Start your day by visiting the Start your afternoon visiting the Lalbagh botanical garden, one of India best known horticulture parks, which is famous with its exotic flora, a glasshouse patterned after London Crystal Palace, and quiet walks. Next, visit Cubbon Park, a large green island in the center of the city enclosed by buildings of the colonial era.Vidhana Soudha is the next stop, which is anLegislative building imposing in the neo- Dravidian style the Bangalore place which appealed  to the windsor castle of England with its tudor  structure and opulence.  National Gallery of Modern Art exhibiting modern Indian art in a colonial mansion, set in gardens. If you’re interested in silk and handicrafts, a guided stop at the Karnataka Handicrafts Emporium (Cauvery) is ideal for sourcing authentic sandalwood items, traditional Mysore silk, and rosewood inlay work.

Leisurely evening – you can choose to do a food tour or check out the international craft beer scene of Bangalore and visit one of the local microbreweries.

Day 3: Bangalore – Mysore (Drive – approx. 3.5 hrs) | Royal Heritage, Palaces & Gardens

The next morning after a late breakfast, leave your hotel in Bangalore at a set time and start your beautiful journey to Mysore which is the cultural capital of Karnataka State with its rich places Royal history silk and sandalwood. On the way, do take a detour to Srirangapatna, the small island fortress city of Tipu Sultan. Here you can explore historical attractions like the Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (Daria Daulat Bagh), and the Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali.

Moving on ahead to Mysore so as to reach there by afternoon and thus get to your hotel. After a brief rest, begin your city tour with the magnificent Mysore Palace (Amba Vilas Palace)  a blend of Indo-Saracenic architecture and one of the most visited landmarks in India. Imperio pyramids and triangles and geometric designs and burnt sienna and green and blue such as these is the stuff out of which the stained-glass mosaic ceilings and painted arabesques and carved rosewood doors and the royal durbar hall were built. During the downward road, visit one of the largest statues in India, the Nandi Statue.At late afternoon, visit a stunning and gorgeous neo-gothic cathedral, St. Philomena Church, and then walk around the Devaraja Market, a vibrant and aromatic conglomerate of flowers, spices, fruits, and fragrances of incense offering a rollicking and informative experience of photography and interaction with the locals.

In the evening go to Brindavan Gardens which are situated at the bottom of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam. See the magnificent musical fountain display which illuminates the night with music and dancing water.Stay over in Mysore.

Day 4: Mysore – Coorg (Drive 3.5Hrs) – Coffee Trails, Abbey Falls and Raja’s Seat

After breakfast, check out from your Mysore hotel and begin your drive toward Coorg (Kodagu), famously known as the “Scotland of India”. The ride also gives you a visit to beautiful countryside, wooded roads and villages. On the way, have a visit at Bylekuppe which is the biggest Tibetan colony in South India. Here, you’ll visit the Namdroling Monastery (Golden Temple)  a serene and colorful Buddhist monastery with giant golden statues, prayer flags, and chanting monks.

Go on to Coorg and you can go into your nature stay or heritage coffee estate accommodation. Relax and have lunch, after freshening up and head out to abbey falls a scenic waterfall within a coffee plantation in the confines of a spice plantation. A few minutes of walk through the plantations takes you to the falls, which are particularly spectacular in time of monsoon and after.

In the later evening visit the renowned Raja should, a garden with Raja should, a garden with a view which was earlier a point where the kings of Coorg had watched the sunset. The panoramic sight of mists all around the mountains and valleys are just breathtaking during twilight.

Night in Coorg.

Day 5: Coorg locally Discovered Madikeri Fort, Coffee Experience and Dubare Elephant Camp

In the morning, post breakfast; you may go out to visit the Dubare Elephant Camp that is on the banks of River Cauvery. This is a spotlight to nature lovers as you will have an opportunity of playing around with the elephants: See how they are bathed, fed and trained by their keepers termed as mahouts. You can even participate in the elephant bathing ritual .

Next, proceed with your visit to the 500 year old Madikeri Fort which was constructed by the Kodavas and later re- built by Tipu Sultan and the British. The complex of the fort has a palace, a museum, and a chapel, which provide the view to town and peek into the colonial history of Coorg.

Cross the road to Omkareshwara temple, a Gothic Islamic inspired architecture of the 19 th century where a unique one of a kind temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva can be found. It is a relaxing spiritual station because of serenity of the pond and its environs.In the afternoon, attend a local coffee plantation and experience a farm-to-cup journey. Now the knowledge concerning about  coffee growth, harvester, and roasting. You will have a chance to taste freshly brewed Arabica or Robusta types and even purchase some of the estate grown coffee-beans or essential oils.

Leisure in the evening. By the bonfire, you are allowed to unwind and you can visit the mountain air or even nature walk around your resorts. An overnight stay in Coorg.

Day 6: Coorg Bekal Hills to Coast

(Drive: approx. 5 hrs)

Breakfast, follow with a check-out and a journey down into the Western Ghats to Bekal, a serene seashore settlement in the northern Kerala. Upon arrival check into your beach resort or backwater resort close to Bekal Fort.In the afternoon visit the famous Bekal Fort, which is the largest fort in Kerala, that was constructed during the 17 th century. The fort is located dramatically turned towards the Arabian sea and vistas are panoramic coast. Stroll beneath its well preserved ramparts and visit its observation towers, old trenches and bastions. It is a good location to take photographs and watch sunset.

At night, relax at Bekal Beach or in your hotel. Optional parts will include a boat ride on the backwaters at sunset or a rejuvenating massage in Ayurveda.

Day 7: Bekal to Valiyaparamba Backwaters & Cultural Experiences

Then after breakfast drive on to the picturesque tranquil Valiyaparamba Backwaters, which makes a part of the least explored and most beautiful waterways in Kerala. Have a relaxing boat tour up and down palm-lined canals, dense green islands and quiet villages, something more off-track than the Alleppey trip.

Go back to the resort and have a lunch break with a beach or poolside relaxation. In the afternoon, visit Ananthapura Lake Temple, the sole-lake temple in Kerala, where there is a crocodile protector and a spiritual mood.

Optional: In the evening, you can reserve a classic Ayurveda procedure at the spa at the resort.

Over night at Bekal.

Day 8: Bekal – Thalassery – Colonial & Culinary Stories(Drive: approx. 2.5 hrs)

Go out and drive down to Thalassery, an old port town with a rich British colonial heritage, Mappila cuisine and tradition of spice trade.

Go to the Thalassery Fort that is an 18 th century construction of the British East India Company which overlooks the sea. After that visit the Gundert Bungalow where Hermann Gundert, a German missionary who wrote the first Malayalam-English dictionary used to stay.

In the afternoon, take a Moplah cooking lesson, or meal, in an old house or heritage site.  Thalassery: The birthplace of the world-known Thalassery Biryani (with its special type of small-grain Kaima rice with mild spices).Free in the evening to walk along the pier or Thalassery beach.Overnight in Thalassery.

Day 9 Thalassery Theyyam, Handlooms and the Local Life

Rise early to attend a seasonal Theyyam performance (Nov–May), a vibrant ritual dance with painted faces, drums, and fire  offering a deep dive into the region’s living spiritual traditions.

Later, visit a handloom weaving center in nearby Chirakkal or a Kalari (martial art) training center. These are the forms of local arts that are embedded in the Malabar culture and they warrant interesting interactions.

Leisure or optional, river cruise in evening. O/N at Thalassery.

Day 10: Thalassery – Calicut – The Spice Port City(Drive: approx. 2 hrs)

Check out and drive to Calicut (Kozhikode), the historical port where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Go to Kappad Beach which is one of the most conspicuous landmarks commemorating this historic landing.

Visit the Pazhassiraja Museum, which depicts the history, art and coins of Malabar. Then go to the SM Street which is one of the oldest commercial streets in India – ideal place to shop with spice, banana chips, and local textiles.

Evening at Beypore Port, visit the ancient shipyard known for building traditional wooden boats (Uru).Overnight stay in Calicut.

Day 11: Calicut Spice Markets, temples and Cultural immersion

Explore the spice markets of Valiyangadi, and local bazaars, after having had breakfast.Transfer to Tali Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kerala, and renowned because of the beautiful wood carvings and the peaceful atmosphere.

The optional experiences are:

A class in cooking with a local chef

Kerala massage Typical Kerala massage

Excursion to cultural center or local art gallery

Leisurely evening. Overnight Calicut.

Day 12: Calicut – Wayanad – Misty Hills and Tribal Culture

(Drive: approx. 3.5 hrs)

In the morning at breakfast time there is a drive to Wayanad the highland district covered with forests, water and tribal communities. Reserve a nature resort, tree house stay or a luxury plantation stay.

In the afternoon have a short ride of paddle boats at Pookode Lake. Then go to Lakkidi Viewpoint which is the highest among others with spectacular panoramic views of the hairpin roads and valleys.

Afternoon free to rest or play camp fire at your resort.Overnight stay in Wayanad.

Day 13: Wayanad – Edakkal caves, waterfalls and wildlife

In the morning, visit the Edakkal Caves which is a hike up, known to contain petroglyphs dating back to Neolithic Age as well as beautiful sceneries. This is an uphill walk that requires 45-60 minutes and you should bring walking shoes.

Visit later the Soochipara Water Falls, a three tiered fall that is surrounded by tea estates and forest paths. Wildlife In case you are wildlife enthusiast, an evening visit to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary on a guided jeep Safari can be optionally organized.Optional visit to a village inhabited by tribals and interacting with the local artisans.

Day 14: Wayanad – Kannur-Return to the Sea

(Drive: approx. 3.5 hrs)

Follow the breakfast with a drive towards the historic coastal town of Kannur that is rich in history and colonial trade, at the same time it is a traditional seat of arts. Consider checking into your beach resort or heritage homestay.

Check out St. Angelo Fort which was constructed by the Portuguese during the 16 th century, with some beautiful views of the sea as well as some great historical value. Evening time; watch the sunset at Payyambalam Beach or Muzhappilangad Drive-In Beach which is the longest drive-in beach in Asia.Overnight in Kannur.

Day 15: Kannur – Theyyam and local experiences

If in season, wake early for a Theyyam performance at a village shrine (different from Thalassery). Every Theyyam performance is individual and has mythological pretexts, music and fire dances.

The Arakkal Museum- the only Muslim royal family of Kerala is open later. Local weaving centers and handloom workshop are also something that you can undertake.

Free time in the evening to enjoy or take an ayurvedic spa treatment.Overnight stay in Kannur.

Day 16: Departure at Kannur International Airport

Enjoy breakfast and you will then be checked out and transferred to Kannur Airport to proceed. It is a tour to remember the calm hills, coastal forts, temple worships, and unparalleled beauty of the culture and natural gathers of South India.