Depart London Heathrow on an Emirates flight to Dubai, arriving in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Connect with an onward Emirates flight to Kozhikode (formerly and more commonly known as Calicut), arriving this morning, to be met and transferred to the Kadavu Resort for an overnight stay. The morning is free to relax and rest from the flight, after which there will be an afternoon tour of Calicut. The town itself has a long tradition of trade and is famous as the site where Vasco de Gama first set foot on Indian soil. There may also be an opportunity to visit the nearby settlement of Beypore, which for centuries has held an important position as one of Kerala’s most renowned ship building areas (your guide will only take you here if there is active ship-building being carried out).

This morning drive to Wayanad, situated amongst the picturesque plateaus of the Western Ghats (95 kms/approximately 2¾ hours). Kerala’s famous ‘Green Paradise’, this is a region of scenic grandeur, ethnic diversity and natural beauty that is rich in culture, history and charm. Two nights at Tranquil, situated close to Sultans Battery. The rest of the day is free to relax and soak up the hypnotic majesty of the setting.

Today has been left free to enjoy at your leisure, perhaps making the most of the genteel charm and ambience of the resort, a private coffee and vanilla plantation nestling amongst some 400 acres of lush rainforest. For the more active, numerous walking trails are available as well as a visit to the nearby Edakal Caves. The region itself gets its name from ‘Vayal Nadu’, which translates as ‘the village of paddy fields’, and in ancient times was once ruled by the Rajas of the Veda tribe. Rich in tribal cultures, its fertile hills were settled by the colonial British, who turned its pristine landscapes into plantations of tea, coffee and spices, a legacy that still holds today amongst these expansive highlands.

An early start for the forested landscapes of Nagarhole National Park (140 Kms/ approximately 3½ hours), the once exclusive hunting preserves of the rulers of Mysore. Set before the impressive backdrop of the Brahmagiri Mountain, this is one of the last protected refuges for the Asian elephant. On arrival check into the Cicada Lodge for an overnight stay and then, after lunch, proceed on a game drive into the park. As well as elephant, Nagarhole is also known for its four-horned antelope and pangolins, giant flying squirrels and hornbills.

After another game drive this morning depart for Coorg, set amongst the verdant valleys of the Western Ghats (120 kms/approximately 3 hours). Dubbed the ‘Scotland of India’, the town is actually one of the most picturesque hill stations in the entire region and, on arrival, check into The Camp at Orange County for a 2 night stay.

After an early breakfast depart for the elephant camp at Dubare, lying on the edge of the Dubare Forest, on the banks of the River Kaveri. A training centre for ‘domesticating’ wild elephants, the camp affords an opportunity to learn how the local mahouts train and work with the wild elephants. Continue to the Byaalkuppe Tibetan camp to visit its golden monastery, before returning to the camp for a second night.

Transfer to Mysore (100kms/approximately 2½ hours) this morning, for a 2 night stay at the Regalis Hotel. An afternoon tour of the city’s highlights includes the majestic Maharajah’s Palace and the Nandi Bull. The palace, built at the turn of the 20th century, is undoubtedly Mysore’s premier attraction, blending the diverging styles of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic together in a 3-storied edifice of grandiose opulence. Once the official residence of the former royal family of Mysore, it is filled with elegantly carved halls and ornate gilded columns and houses a rich collection of Indian and European sculptures and artefacts. If time allows there may also be the opportunity to visit the Jagmohan Art Gallery to see its collection of Wadeyar period artefacts before returning to the hotel.

A full itinerary today sees you visiting Somnathpur, on the banks of the Kaveri River, to takes in one of the last and greatest of the Hoysala monuments, the spectacular 13th century Kesava Temple. Built in 1268AD by one of the kings most trusted commanders, it is a masterpiece of Hoysala craftsmanship, highlighting the golden age of a dynasty that ruled this region for nearly 350 years. The tour also includes the island of Srirangapatnam, home to the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan (the Tiger of Mysore), as well as the 15th century fort and prison and one of the most important Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites in southern India.

An early morning drive to Ootacamund today (more readily abbreviated to Ooty) (165 kms/approximately 3½ hours), a popular hill station of the British Raj located amidst the forested landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills. Overnight at the Taj Savoy and this afternoon enjoy a tour of the city, to include the Botanical Gardens, the lake and Doddabetta viewpoint and, if time allows, nearby Toda village. (B)An early morning drive to Ootacamund today (more readily abbreviated to Ooty) (165 kms/approximately 3½ hours), a popular hill station of the British Raj located amidst the forested landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills. Overnight at the Taj Savoy and this afternoon enjoy a tour of the city, to include the Botanical Gardens, the lake and Doddabetta viewpoint and, if time allows, nearby Toda village.

This morning take a ride on the remarkable Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a narrow-gauge track that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is without doubt one of the most remarkable rail journeys on earth. This ‘Toy Train’ takes you to the hill station of Coonoor, recapturing some of the colonial grace of yesteryear as it negotiates a route through the forested hills and tea plantations, on a track measuring just 610 mm. From Coonoor continue by road to Palakad (150 kms/approximately 3½ hours) for an overnight stay at the Tharavad homestay.

Today drive on to the beautiful coastal waters of the Arabian Sea and the glittering port of Kochi (formerly Cochin) (160kms/approximately 4 hours), for a 2 night stay at the Malabar House.

Now re-named Kochi, Cochin has been described as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ and this morning visit some of the highlights of this captivating port, taking in the myriad styles and cultural influences that attest to Arab, Jewish and European tenure. There will be time to explore the 16th century Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace and its exquisite murals, as well as the Church of St Francis, which was briefly the repository for the body of Vasco de Gama, before viewing the remarkable cantilevered Chinese fishing nets en route back to the hotel. This afternoon is free to enjoy more of the town at your leisure. You may wish to explore more of what is actually the oldest European settlement in India, or perhaps visit the former residence of the old Maharajahs of Cochin, the sumptuous Tripunithura Hill Palace.

Depart Cochin this morning on an Emirates flight to Dubai, connecting with an onwards Emirates flight to London Heathrow, arriving in the early hours of this evening.