Gardens, Royal Palaces, a Tiger Safari, Spice Plantations, Tea-Covered Hills & an Empire's Ruins
Ten days that bring together every facet of what Karnataka and its Western Ghats borderlands have to offer — this is our most complete single circuit, combining Bangalore's colonial-era gardens, Mysore's royal Wadiyar heritage, a genuine tiger safari at Bandipur, Wayanad's ancient caves and spice plantations across the Kerala border, the tea-covered Nilgiri hills of Ooty, and a flight back via Bangalore to the UNESCO ruins of Hampi.
The first three days follow our classic Karnataka heritage opening — a day in Bangalore, two days of Mysore Palace and royal sightseeing — before the route turns into wildlife and Western Ghats territory: a night and a jeep safari at Bandipur National Park, then two days in Wayanad for the 6,000-year-old Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, and a guided spice plantation tour.
From Wayanad, the journey climbs further into the Nilgiris for two days in Ooty — the Government Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, Ooty Lake, and the option of riding the UNESCO World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway — before a flight back via Bangalore to Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and one of India's most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Ten days that move from manicured colonial gardens to dense tiger forest, from spice-scented Western Ghats plantations to boulder-strewn ancient ruins — genuinely the broadest single introduction to Karnataka's range that we offer.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Welcome to Bangalore! On arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Cubbon Park, with a drive past Vidhana Soudha and Bangalore Palace.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Mysore (150 km, ~3.5 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the evening, visit Mysore Palace.
After breakfast, a full day exploring Mysore — Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens, and Devaraja Market.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Bandipur National Park (approximately 80 km, ~2 hours). 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 within this section of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Optional early-morning jeep safari for a final wildlife sighting. After breakfast, check out and drive into Kerala's Wayanad district (approximately 75 km, ~2 hours). On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Edakkal Caves, with rock engravings dating back approximately 6,000 years.
After breakfast, visit Banasura Sagar Dam, the largest earthen dam in India. Continue to a working spice plantation for a guided tour of cardamom, pepper, vanilla, and clove cultivation, with a traditional Kerala lunch on-site.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Ooty (approximately 135 km, ~4 hours), climbing further into the Nilgiri Hills. On arrival, check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to enjoy Ooty's cool mountain air.
A full day exploring Ooty — the Government Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta Peak, and Ooty Lake. Optional ride on the UNESCO World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway. Visit a working tea factory to see the production process.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Coimbatore Airport (approximately 90 km) for a flight to Bangalore, connecting onward to Hubli (the nearest airport to Hampi) or continuing by road/overnight train to Hampi directly. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Evening at leisure ahead of a full day of Hampi sightseeing tomorrow.
A full day exploring Hampi's UNESCO World Heritage ruins — the Virupaksha Temple, the iconic stone chariot and musical pillars at Vittala Temple, the Lotus Mahal, and the Elephant Stables. In the afternoon, transfer to Hubli Airport or begin the journey back to Bangalore for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 9 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all road transfers & sightseeing
- ✓ Internal flight/connection, Coimbatore/Bangalore to Hampi region
- ✓ 1 jeep safari at Bandipur (afternoon)
- ✓ Spice plantation tour entry, Wayanad
- ✓ All monument entry fees at Hampi
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Bangalore
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Optional morning safari at Bandipur (payable locally, subject to availability)
- ✗ Toy train tickets at Ooty (optional, payable locally)
- ✗ Local guide fees at Hampi (recommended, payable locally)
- ✗ 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.
