Region: South Indian states of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
Duration: 14 Days/13 Nights tour by road, train and air
Areas covered: Bangalore, Mysore, Ranganathittu, Nagarahole, BR Hills, Bandipur, Mudumalai, Ooty
Season: All year round

Highlights: Parks of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, endemic species of South India, cultural hotpots like Bangalore & Mysore, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, hill-stations like Ooty & Coonoor, Tipu Sultan's erstwhile capital at Srirangapatnam

Starting off from the Garden City of Bangalore, this wildlife tour takes you to all the major wildlife national parks in South India. After Mysore, the cultural city of forts and temples, you visit Nagarahole, one of the finest habitats of the Asian Elephant. Together with Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wayanad, the entire zone forms the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and acts as a large migratory corridor for elephants.

Nagarahole, BR Hills and Bandipur were once the exclusive hunting preserves of the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. A visit to these parks offers a chance to stay in the renovated hunting bungalows. At Mudumalai, apart from encountering elephants and bison in the wild, you also get to see endemics like Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Lark and Grey-headed Bulbul at the foothills of the Nilgiris (Blue Mountains). The scenic hill-station of Ooty and its evergreen shola forests are excellent for restricted range endemics like Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Laughingthrush and Nilgiri Flycatcher.

At the end of this wildlife tour you could take an extension to Periyar Tiger Reserve, home to endangered species like the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur. A boat-ride on the scenic Periyar lake reveals herds of elephants, wild boar and Indian wild dog. Walks through the forest edges may reveal the endangered Broad-tailed Grassbird, Malabar Trogon and Malabar Pied Hornbill. Near the tree canopies you can find the unusual Draco (Flying Lizard), Golden Tree (Flying Snake) and Malabar Flying Frog gliding through the air.

Itinerary

Day 01: ARRIVE BANGALORE
Arrive Bangalore airport and transfer to hotel. Morning at leisure followed by an exploration of The Garden City and other sites of interest. Overnight at hotel

Day 02: BANGALORE to MYSORE
Early morning transfer to railway station to board the train for Mysore. Arrive Mysore early and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the 12th century temple at Chamundi Hills and the impressive Mysore palace. Overnight at hotel

Day 03: MYSORE - RANGANATHITTU - SRIRANGAPATNAM - NAGARHOLE
Early morning drive to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary and return to Mysore stopping en route at Srirangapatnam to visit summer palace of Tipu Sultan. Afternoon depart Mysore by surface for Nagarhole National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge.

Day 04 & 05: NAGARHOLE
Morning and evening wildlife safaris into the Nagarhole National Park. Overnight at lodge

Day 06: NAGARHOLE to B R HILLS
Morning depart Nagarhole by surface for B R Hills (190 km). Afternoon game drive in the B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 07: BR HILLS
Morning proceed on the day return hike around the sanctuary. Return to the lodge in the evening. Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 08: BR HILLS to MUDUMALAI
Morning depart B R Hills by surface for Mudumalai (125 km). Arrive Mudumulai and check in at jungle lodge. Afternoon game drive in Mudumalai National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 09: MUDUMALAI
Morning and evening wildlife safaris into the Mudumalai National Park and the adjoining jungles of Masinagudi. Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 10: BANDIPUR
Day return game drive to Bandipur National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge

Day 11: MUDUMALAI to OOTY
Morning depart Mudumalai by surface for Ooty (80 km). Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities - explore the Tea Gardens, Botanical Garden or Ooty Lake. Overnight at hotel

Day 12: OOTY
Morning excursion to Coonoor - visit Sim's Park that houses an impressive collection Magnolia, Tree Fern, Camellia etc. Return to Ooty onboard toy train in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel

Day 13: OOTY to BANGALORE
Morning depart Ooty by surface for Bangalore (295 km / 8 hours). Overnight at hotel

Day 14: BANGALORE to ONWARD DESTINATION
In time transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Wildlife tours in India
Corbett Wildlife Tour, Horse Back Safari, Kaziranga Wildlife Tour,
Rainforest Tour South India, Ranthambhore Tiger Safari,
Elephant Safaris India, Tiger Safaris in India,
South India Wildlife Tour, Wildlife tour of Gir & Rann of Kutch