Day 13 Kumarakom / Backwaters cruise / Cochin

After breakfast embark on a quaint, thatched roof houseboat for one of the most memorable experiences – the boat journey in the backwaters of Kerala. This bewildering labyrinth of shimmering waterways, composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets, is lined with dense tropical greenery, and preserves rural Keralan lifestyles. The view changes from narrow canals and dense vegetation to open vistas and dazzling green paddy fields, homes, farms, churches, temples and mosques. In the afternoon disembark at Alleppey and drive to Taj Malabar situated on Wellingdon Island with magnificent views of the harbor. (Taj Malabar)

Day 14 Cochin

Cochin, Kerala's prime destination, spread across islands in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and backwaters. Morning tour of Cochin includes visit to Dutch Palace (built by the Portuguese), Jew Town and the 1568 Synagogue, the spice market where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices, St Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets. In the evening enjoy Kathakali dance drama, Kerala's most popular theatre form, is recognised as one of the major classical Indian styles. This is a unique dance form that combines dance, yoga, ballet and traditional Indian medicine. It has more than a hundred Mudras or gestures depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. (Taj Malabar)

Day 15 Cochin / Coonoor

Morning enjoy a drive through scenic countryside and steep valleys to Coonoor, a distance of 160 miles in 6 hours. Coonoor, the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri Hills, is situated at an altitude of 6050ft. The Nilgiri or the Blue Mountain is a captivating terrain that forms a charming backdrop to this scenic hill station and offers stunning spectacles of nature. Arrive Coonoor and check-in to hotel. (Taj Garden Retreat Coonoor)

Day 16 Coonoor

Today enjoy a Toy Train ride, through rolling hills covered with pine forests and coffee and tea plantations to Ooty, the Queen of the Blue Mountain or Nilgiri Hills. On your arrival in Ooty railway station you are met by your guide and proceed for the sightseeing tour that includes visit to Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Willington Barracks and Dodabetta Peak, the highest peak of the Nilgiri Hills. This afternoon there is a possibility to visit a tribal village around Coonoor. (Taj Garden Retreat Coonoor)

Day 17 Coonoor / Nagarhole National Park

Morning sightseeing of Coonoor includes visit to Sim’s Park, Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose that gives spectacular views of St Catherine’s Fall on one side and Coonoor and Kotagiri streams on the other side. Later drive through the steep hills and valleys carpeted with tea bushes to Nagarhole National Park. Arrive Nagarhole and check-in to the Water Woods Wildlife Resort. (Water Woods Wildlife Resort)

Day 18 Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole, once the hunting ground of the erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, became National Park in 1955. The steep valley of Nagarhole with rich deciduous forests, spectacular pools and rapids is abounding with wild animals, fish and birds. It is an ideal habitat for elephant, bison, gaur, wild cat, antelope, flying squirrel, sloth bear, monkey, panther and a wide selection of birds like Malabar trogon, black woodpecker, Indian pitta, pied hornbill, whistling thrush and Green Imperial pigeon. Early morning and late afternoon enjoy wildlife safari to the National Park for game viewing. (Water Woods Wildlife Resort)

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