Coffee Estates, Ancient Caves & a Tiger Safari Through the Western Ghats
A 6-day circuit through the lushest stretch of the Western Ghats straddling Karnataka and Kerala — Coorg's coffee country, Wayanad's spice plantations and rock-cut caves, and a genuine tiger safari at Bandipur National Park, one of South India's finest wildlife reserves.
The journey opens with two nights in Coorg — coffee plantation walks, Abbey Falls, and the Dubare Elephant Camp on the River Kaveri — before crossing into Kerala's Wayanad district for two more nights, exploring the 6,000-year-old rock engravings at Edakkal Caves, the Banasura Sagar Dam (the largest earthen dam in India), and a guided spice plantation tour.
From Wayanad, the route crosses back into Karnataka for a night at Bandipur National Park, part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and contiguous with both Wayanad and Mudumalai — together forming one of South India's most important wildlife corridors, with healthy populations of elephants, tigers, leopards, and gaur.
The tour concludes at Mysore, with time for a final round of royal sightseeing before departure — a genuinely well-rounded six days combining coffee culture, ancient heritage, and serious wildlife safari time.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Bangalore! On arrival, begin the drive to Coorg (approximately 260 km, ~5.5-6 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel/plantation resort, with the evening free to settle in to the cool, coffee-scented air of Kodagu.
After breakfast, a full day in Coorg. A guided coffee plantation walk, learning about coffee, cardamom, and pepper cultivation in the shaded estates. Abbey Falls, cascading through private plantations near Madikeri. The Dubare Elephant Camp on the River Kaveri, where you can help bathe and feed the resident elephants. Evening at Raja's Seat for sunset views over the valley.
After breakfast, check out and drive into Kerala's Wayanad district (approximately 95 km, ~3 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Edakkal Caves — a pair of natural rock shelters with engravings dating back approximately 6,000 years, reached by a short, moderately steep climb with rewarding views over the Wayanad valley.
After breakfast, visit Banasura Sagar Dam — the largest earthen dam in India, set amid the Western Ghats with the option of a boat ride or short trek to nearby viewpoints. Continue to a working spice plantation for a guided tour of cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and clove cultivation, with a traditional Kerala lunch on-site. Optional visit to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, contiguous with Bandipur and Mudumalai.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Bandipur National Park (approximately 75 km, ~2 hours), part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and contiguous with Wayanad and Mudumalai — together forming one of South India's most significant wildlife corridors. Check in to your wildlife resort. In the afternoon, head out on a jeep safari in search of tigers, elephants, leopards, gaur, and a rich variety of birdlife.
Optional early-morning jeep safari for a final chance at wildlife sightings. After breakfast, check out and drive to Mysore (approximately 80 km, ~2 hours). Time permitting, a brief final stop at Mysore Palace or the Devaraja Market before transfer to Mysore Airport or railway station, or onward to Bangalore Airport (approximately 150 km further), for your departure. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 5 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ Coffee plantation walk, spice plantation tour & Dubare Elephant Camp entry
- ✓ 1 jeep safari at Bandipur (afternoon)
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Bangalore or Mysore
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Optional morning safari at Bandipur (payable locally, subject to availability)
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at attractions
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures across Bangalore, Mysore, and the Western Ghats hill stations (15–28°C), with good wildlife visibility at Bandipur as water sources concentrate animals near remaining waterholes by March-April. The monsoon (June–September) turns Coorg and Wayanad spectacularly green but can affect road access and safari operations.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the balance of time between destinations, add Kabini or Nagarhole, or extend any stop. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
October to March offers the most comfortable temperatures (15–28°C) for the ghats, boat rides, and temple queues. April–June is hot on the Gangetic plain (up to 42°C); the monsoon (July–September) raises the Ganges considerably, which can affect ghat access in both cities.
The new Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir draws very large crowds, particularly on weekends and during festivals such as Ram Navami and Diwali. We schedule darshan with queue time built into the itinerary; carrying a valid photo ID is recommended, as security screening is in place at the main temple complex.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, add Lucknow, or swap Chitrakoot for additional time in Prayagraj. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will tailor it for you at no obligation.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
