Honeymoon in South India - 14 Days
Highlights
- Two-day safari adventure to spot wild tigers in Nagarahole National Park
- Enjoy sightseeing in beautiful Bangalore and magical Mysore
- Ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and wander tea plantations in Ooty
- Go trekking in Wayanad and find your adventurous side
- Visit the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and spot migratory birds
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangalore | Bangalore |
| Day 2 | Explore Bangalore | Bangalore |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Mysore, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | Mysore |
| Day 4 | Explore Mysore | Mysore |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Kabini, Jeep Safari | Kabini |
| Days 6-7 | Two-Day Jeep Safari at Nagarahole National Park | Kabini |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Ooty | Ooty |
| Day 9 | Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Afternoon Guided Tour | Ooty |
| Day 10 | Explore Ooty & Tea Plantation | Ooty |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Wayanad | Wayanad |
| Day 12 | Morning Guided Trek, Afternoon Wayanad Tour | Wayanad |
| Day 13 | Wayanad Free Day | Wayanad |
| Day 14 | Fly to Bangalore, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangalore
Welcome to Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India. This Indian city is more than just startups and IT professionals. It's also known as Garden City due to its beautiful parks, gardens, and long avenues lined with vibrant blossoming trees. Take a transfer from the airport to your hotel. Refresh in your room before enjoying the rest of the day as you wish.
Day 2: Explore Bangalore
There's plenty to explore in Bangalore (Bengaluru). Pause for a slow breakfast with your new partner before embarking on a sightseeing tour of the city. Start with an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic architecture, the magnificent Tipu Sultan Palace. The valiant ruler of Mysore once used this opulent summer retreat. Move onto the Bull Temple or Nandi Temple, one of the oldest in the city and the biggest dedicated to Nandi in the world. Drive by the imposing Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka, before exploring some gardens.
Cubbon Park is the green lung of Bangalore, sitting at the heart of the colorful city, and within it lies many government buildings, heritage centers, and historical monuments. Another favorite park is the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden. This haven for nature lovers stretches over 240 acres (97 ha) and was commissioned in 1760. It houses more than 1,850 species of plants, including rare plants of French, Persian, and Afghani origin. Don't miss the Lal Bagh Rock, which is said to be more than 3,000 million years old.
Day 3: Transfer to Mysore, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
After breakfast, transfer to Mysore, a calm and serene city located 86 miles (139 km) from Bangalore. Before you reach the cultural city, drop into the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary. Lying beautifully on the banks of River Cauvery, this sanctuary is home to some of the most exquisite birds, including many migratory birds that have flown from places like Siberia, Australia, and North America.
Continue to Mysore (Mysuru), a city of beautiful landscapes famous for its sandalwood and rosewood artifacts, incense sticks, stone sculptures, and exquisite silk saris. It's the perfect place to pick up a keepsake souvenir to remember your Indian honeymoon by!
Day 4: Explore Mysore
Mysore was once the imperial capital of a kingdom ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty. After breakfast, set out for a day of sightseeing. The jewel in the crown is Mysore Palace, a gray granite and pink marble structure topped with domes and steeped in history. The palace's facade blends Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles, with an impressive idol of Gajalakshmi (the Goddess of prosperity, wealth, and luck). Afterward, visit the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, housed in the Jaganmohan Palace since 1875. Look for traditional Mysore gold leaf paintings alongside contemporary oil paintings.
Alternatively, explore the Mysuru Zoo, one of the best zoological gardens in India. Maharajah Chamaraja Wodeyar established this zoo in 1892 for the royals. Here you can meet more than 168 species, from big cats to aquatic birds to primates and reptiles. End your exploration at St. Philomena's Church. It is the second-tallest church in Asia and one of Mysore's most important historical sites. Venture home to refresh, then in the evening, visit the Brindavan Gardens for the special synchronized Light and Sound Show.
Day 5: Transfer to Kabini, Jeep Safari
Days 6-7: Two-Day Jeep Safari at Nagarahole National Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 8: Transfer to Ooty
Day 9: Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Afternoon Guided Tour
Kick off the day with a toy train ride to Coonoor. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was built by the British in seeking a cool, hilly retreat in 1908 and has been connecting people of the hills to the plains ever since. The meter gauge railway line is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and provides an enchanting and romantic railway journey experience. Once you reach Coonoor station, look for your driver and enjoy the one-hour transfer back to Ooty.
This afternoon, join a local sightseeing tour of the area, once a favorite summer retreat of the Governor of Chennai (then Madras). Within the lush landscape of tea gardens, you'll see Ooty's charming bungalow homes and heritage buildings that reveal its colonial past.
Day 10: Explore Ooty & Tea Plantation
After breakfast, join a half-day tour of Ooty. Start with a visit to the Centenary Rose Park and Rose Garden, the heart and soul of Ooty, and a romantic place to take photos as newlyweds. Then visit the sparkling lake, Government Museum, Deer Park, and Doddabetta Peak. Doddabetta is the highest known peak in the region of Ooty, with its apex standing at 8,605 feet (2,623 m) above sea level.
Most importantly, you'll visit a tea factory and plantation to learn how tea is grown and harvested in the Nilgiri District. Home to some of the largest tea-growing belts in India, you'll see right from when the leaf is brought into the factory for withering to the rolling, drying, and shifting stages. Finally, the dried tea is poured into jute bags for shipment. It's the perfect gift to give family and friends back home.
Day 11: Transfer to Wayanad
Day 12: Morning Guided Trek, Afternoon Wayanad Tour
Venture straight into nature this morning on a guided trek that will take you past cascading waterfalls, natural streams, and pools within the resort. There's something extra romantic about the way the light bounces at this time of day, so you won't mind the early wake-up call. Back at your lodgings, enjoy breakfast with your beloved before visiting Thrikkaipetta village with a local guide. You can learn about agricultural practices in this bamboo village and see artisans at work.
Wayanad is a high-altitude area known for its perennial plantation crops and spices, including coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom, and rubber. Later in the afternoon, join a walking tour of the coffee plantations to learn about Robusta coffee and the process from field to cup. Wayanad produces some 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes of robusta coffee annually!
Day 13: Wayanad Free Day
Day 14: Fly to Bangalore, Depart
More Great India Itineraries
Map
