Karnataka's Hills and Wildlife
Bangalore and royal Mysore, jungle safaris in Kabini and Bandipur, and the cool Nilgiri Hills at Ooty.
9 Nights, 10 Days
Duration
5
Destinations
Heritage Bangalore and Mysore, two jungle safaris in Kabini and Bandipur, and the cool Nilgiri Hills of Ooty.
Overview
This 9-night journey pairs the best of Karnataka's heritage cities with two of South India's finest wildlife reserves, before winding up into the cool Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.
Beginning in Bangalore, the Garden City, guests explore leafy gardens, historic temples and silk markets, before heading to Mysore, the elegant City of Palaces, home to the dazzling Mysore Palace, seat of the Wodeyar dynasty.
The route then turns wild, with a night at Kabini on the edge of Nagarhole National Park and a night at Bandipur National Park, both part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognised haven for tigers, elephants, leopards and gaur, with a jungle safari at each.
The final stretch climbs into the Nilgiris, the Blue Mountains, for three nights in Ooty among tea gardens, lakes and colonial-era charm, with a day in Coonoor, before departing via Coimbatore.
Guests choose Five Star or Four Star hotels throughout, with a private air-conditioned vehicle and a local English-speaking guide in Bangalore and Mysore.
Highlights
- Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill and the musical fountains of Brindavan Gardens
- Two jungle safaris, at Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and Bandipur National Park
- Elephant herds on the Kabini backwaters and a visit to Balle Elephant Camp
- Three nights among the tea gardens and lakes of Ooty, with a day in Coonoor
- Bangalore's botanical gardens, historic temples and silk markets
- Two stays within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats
Itinerary
A suggested journey
This is one way to experience the journey, not a fixed itinerary. Your specialist will adjust the pace, order and stops around you before anything is confirmed.
- Bangalore
Day 1Namaskara, Bangalore: Welcome to the Garden City
Namaskara, and welcome to Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, where modern tech campuses sit alongside leafy parks, historic temples and centuries-old markets. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to settle in before the palaces, forests and hills of southern India unfold.
- Airport meet and greet with private transfer to your hotel
Day 2Gardens, Gods and Silk of the Garden City
After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Bangalore's green spaces and heritage: the botanical splendour of Lal Bagh, the Bull Temple with its giant monolithic Nandi, the Government Art Gallery, leafy Cubbon Park and the vibrant ISKCON temple, with a drive past the grand Vidhana Soudha, seat of Karnataka's state government. Later, browse the city's celebrated silk sarees, from heritage markets to glossy modern malls.
- Full-day Bangalore sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide
- Shopping for silkOwn expense
Breakfast
- Mysore
Day 3Tipu's Island and the Dancing Fountains
After breakfast, drive to Mysore, around 150 kilometres and three hours, the elegant City of Palaces, famous for sandalwood and rosewood crafts, stone sculpture and fine silk. On the way, stop at Srirangapatna, the historic island town on the River Kaveri that was once the capital of Tipu Sultan, around 20 kilometres from Mysore. After checking in, head out this evening to Brindavan Gardens, whose terraced lawns and colour-lit musical fountain show make a magical end to the day.
- Private drive to Mysore (approximately 150 km, 3 hours), with a stop in Srirangapatna
- Brindavan Gardens and the musical fountain show
Breakfast
Day 4The Royal Splendour of the Wodeyars
This morning, discover why Mysore earned its royal reputation. Mysore Palace, seat of the Wodeyar dynasty, is a dazzling feast of carved stone, stained glass and colour. Continue to Chamundi Hill and the Chamundeshwari Temple, passing the great Nandi, the monolithic bull carved into the hillside, then visit the soaring St Philomena's Cathedral, Mysore Zoo (closed on Tuesdays) and the art collection of Jagan Mohan Palace. The afternoon is free to relax. In the evening, return to Mysore Palace for its Sound and Light show (English narration Thursday to Saturday; on Sundays the palace is illuminated instead).
- Half-day Mysore sightseeing with a local English-speaking guide
- Mysore Palace Sound and Light showIncluded, Monday to Saturday
Breakfast
- Kabini
Day 5Where Elephants Gather on the Kabini
After breakfast, drive to Kabini, a tranquil stretch of forest and backwater on the Kabini River at the edge of Nagarhole National Park, famous for its elephant herds and sightings of leopards and the occasional tiger. After checking in and lunch, watch for elephants grazing along the Kabini backwaters, learn about elephant care at Balle Elephant Camp (subject to access and timings), and wander the coffee, spice and paddy estates around the quiet village of Kutta.
- Private drive to Kabini
- Kabini backwaters and viewpoint, Balle Elephant Camp and Kutta village
Breakfast
- Bandipur
Day 6Tiger Trails from Nagarhole to Bandipur
Rise early for a jungle safari in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, one of India's premier wildlife destinations, home to tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, gaur, deer and more than 250 species of birds. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then drive to Bandipur, around 60 kilometres and 1.5 hours, at the foothills of the Western Ghats. In the afternoon, visit Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, Bandipur's highest peak, for mist-wrapped views and its ancient temple (reached by official bus), see the wildlife-rich Moyar River, and finish at Bandipur Nature Camp with a guided walk and birdwatching.
- Jungle safari, Nagarhole Tiger Reserve (shared safari vehicle)
- Private drive to Bandipur
- Gopalaswamy Betta and temple, Moyar River, Bandipur Nature Camp
Breakfast (lunch and dinner also included at The Windflower Resort & Spa)
- Ooty
Day 7From Jungle Dawn to the Blue Mountains
Another early start for a jungle safari in Bandipur National Park, one of India's first tiger reserves, watching for tigers, elephants, leopards, gaur, sloth bears and more than 200 species of birds. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then climb into the Nilgiris, the Blue Mountains, to Ooty, officially Udhagamandalam, around 50 kilometres and two hours. This much-loved hill station is famous for its cool climate, rolling tea gardens and colonial-era charm.
- Jungle safari, Bandipur National Park (shared safari vehicle)
- Private drive to Ooty
Breakfast
Day 8Ooty, Queen of the Nilgiris
Spend the day exploring Ooty's finest viewpoints and gardens. Climb to Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris, for views over misty, tea-clad hills, take a boat out on Ooty Lake, and admire the peaceful waters of Emerald Lake and the forests around Avalanche Lake. Wander the fragrant Government Rose Garden, one of the largest in India, and finish at the 55-acre Botanical Garden, home to rare trees and a fossilised tree trunk millions of years old.
- Full-day Ooty sightseeing with driver (no local guide)
Breakfast
Day 9Tea Trails and Waterfalls of Coonoor
After breakfast, head to Coonoor, the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris, around 17 kilometres from Ooty. Known for its tea plantations, dramatic valleys and colonial-era architecture, Coonoor rewards with Sim's Park, the viewpoints of Lamb's Rock and Dolphin's Nose, and the waterfalls of Catherine Falls and Law's Falls, before returning to Ooty for the evening.
- Excursion to Coonoor with driver (no local guide)
Breakfast
Day 10A Fond Farewell from the Blue Mountains
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, transfer to Coimbatore airport, around 90 kilometres and three hours, in good time for your onward flight, taking home memories of royal palaces, misty tea gardens and wild encounters in southern India's forests and hills.
- Private transfer to Coimbatore airport (approximately 90 km, 3 hours)
Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you'll stay
The hotels we recommend for this journey are shown below for Four Star, the standard you have chosen. Your specialist will confirm the most suitable options and availability when your journey is planned.
Bangalore
2 nights
A choice of 2
Or Grand MercureFive Star
Mysore
2 nights
Or Grand Mercure or Fortune JP PalaceFive Star
Kabini
1 night
A choice of 2
Or The SeraiFive Star
Bandipur
1 night
Ooty
3 nights
Or Sterling Ooty Fern HillFive Star
Hotels as listed or similar, subject to availability. Breakfast is included at every hotel, and full board at The Windflower Resort & Spa.
The detail
What the price covers
Included
- 9 nights at the hotels listed, or similar, on a twin or double sharing basis
- Breakfast daily, plus lunch and dinner at The Windflower Resort & Spa, Bandipur
- All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta or similar
- A local English-speaking guide in Bangalore and Mysore
- Monument entrance fees in Bangalore and Mysore
- One jungle safari each at Nagarhole and Bandipur (shared safari vehicle)
- All applicable GST
Not included
- International and domestic flights, and train fares
- Guide services in Ooty and Coonoor
- Entrance fees outside Bangalore and Mysore, unless confirmed
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks
- The Force Urbania upgrade and single room supplement, unless selected
- Anything not listed as included
When to travel
October to April offers the most pleasant weather across Bangalore, Mysore, Kabini and Bandipur; Ooty's hill climate stays comfortable for most of the year. Bangalore, Mysore, Kabini and Bandipur are warm year-round and driest from October to April. The monsoon (June to September) brings lush greenery but can affect safari visibility and roads. Ooty and Coonoor stay noticeably cooler, and light woollens are useful even outside winter. Not offered between 18 December 2026 and 10 January 2027. Private departures from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, except 18 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 (Christmas and New Year).
9 Nights, 10 DaysPrivate
Bangalore, Mysore, Kabini, Bandipur and Ooty
Four Star hotels
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