This morning, you'll arrive in Bangalore, where you'll be met by your private car and driver. You'll head straight out of Bangalore and onto Mysore, approximately a 3-hour drive away. Mysore is famous for its silk and incense production, as well as its Maharaja's Palace. It's easily one of South India's most interesting and appealing cities. 

This morning, we recommend paying a visit to the nearby Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to an incredible variety of endemic and migratory birds. This afternoon, head out to enjoy a walking tour of Mysore, to get your bearings with a local guide.

Your driver will take you to Coorg today, which will take around 4 hours. Coorg is one of South India's most beautiful regions, carpeted with cardamom jungles and coffee plantations. Check into your hotel for the next two nights.

Today, you'll visit a local coffee plantation to learn all about the process to get this precious export from bean to bag. After tasting the coffee for yourself, you'll visit Bylkuppe, a unique Tibetan settlement, for a glimpse into this unique way of life.

From Coorg, you'll head to Nagarhole National Park, a journey of approximately 4 hours. With increasing tiger and leopard sightings in recent years and a good population of elephant, Nagarhole is arguably South India's best park for wildlife spotting. 

Today, you'll enjoy both a game drive by jeep and a game drive by boat. This variation will give you the very best opportunity to make the most of the park's wildlife diversity and tick as many species off your wishlist as possible. 

You'll continue south today to Wayanad. The 4-hour journey is incredibly scenic, so it should pass by in a flash. This verdant region is one of Kerala's most beautiful and peaceful, with rugged mountain scenery and tropical plantations. 

We've left today free for you to explore the area at your own pace. There are several walking trails and a plethora of bird species to spot in this tranquil location. You might also fancy a visit to Edakkal Caves, which are famous for their cave paintings. As always, we'll chat through what might interest you most and be sure to design the perfect day to match.

Your driver will bring you over the border from Kerala into Tamil Nadu today, to the cooler Ooty. The drive will take around 3.5 hours and follows winding rural roads. Ooty was established by the British in the early 19th century as the summer headquarters for the Madras government. It's surrounded by tea plantations and dotted with charming cottage gardens growing vegetables. The remainder of your day is at leisure. 

Today, you'll head off to enjoy a tour of Ooty with a brilliant local guide. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, relaxing and soaking up the scenery.

Today, you'll travel downhill on the toy train from Ooty. On reaching the plains, you can journey onwards by road or train towards Cochin. The train departs in the early afternoon, offering the opportunity to enjoy a quintessential Indian experience. On arrival in Cochin, you'll be met and taken to your accommodation in colonial Fort Kochi. Cochin is one of India's best-preserved colonial landscapes, with tea planters' bungalows, village greens, and churches, all interspersed with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. 

Today, you'll head off with your guide to explore Fort Kochi on our Heritage Walking Tour. You'll take in all of the colonial highlights, as well as some local spots that are often missed. The remainder of your day is at leisure to explore or relax. 

This morning, you'll travel south to the Backwaters, ready to board your private daytime houseboat in time for lunch. The Backwaters are a fantastic collection of lakes, lagoons and waterways sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and Kerala's forested hills. Spend the remainder of your day in this idyllic location, home to small villages, coconut groves, fishermen and a huge variety of bird life. Cruise the shimmering waterways, watching daily life unfold before disembarking and heading to your comfortable accommodation in the Backwaters area.

You'll spend the day today doing whatever you please in one of southern India's most idyllic and iconic spots. It's your last full day in the country, so you might want to relax before your journey home. Or, if you're still fancying some extra adventures, chat to us and we'll be sure to make your final day one to remember.

This morning you'll be driven to Cochin Airport in time for your morning flight back to the UK.