A Journey from Hyderabad to Cochin
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

On this two and half week holiday, you'll really get a flavour for southern India by travelling, mostly overland, through Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala. It balances your time between the magical monuments and palaces of the famous cities of Hyderabad, Mysore and Cochin with a complete escape from the hustle and bustle as you discover Nagarhole and Wayanad in rural Karnataka and Kerala. You'll also experience a one-of-a-kind homestay cooking experience in the beautiful Thalassery, where you can relax on the Malabar coast too. 

This holiday really suits travellers who like to get under the skin of the places they visit, but who also relish getting away from it all in remote environments. It's reasonably well-paced and the accommodation includes some lovely boutique hotels.

Highlights include:

• Having high tea at the majestic Falaknuma palace with breathtaking views of surrounding Hyderabad
• Whizzing around in a tuk-tuk through the back streets of eclectic Cochin with its culturally diverse mix of architecture, cuisine and history
• Exploring the beautiful region of northern Kerala by jeep; home to some of India's most endangered birdlife
• Taking a cooking course at one of southern India’s most authentic homestays
• Walking around the western Ghats staying at the aptly named Tranquil Resort

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK for you flights to Hyderabad

 DAYS 2 & 3 HYDERABAD MAGNIFICeNT PALACES AND MONUMENTS

Over the next two days you will explore this fascinating city and ease in to the Indian way of life with your local guide. You’ll get to experience the magical Falaknuma Palace with an orientation tour around the rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture and enjoy high tea at the Jade Terrace restaurant with its breathtaking views of the city.

The following day will start with a guided heritage walk around the old city, through its atmospheric archways and historic by-lanes. You will finish your morning with lunch at a local restaurant to sample the famous Hyderabadi biriyani and kebabs.

In the afternoon you'll venture out to visit the magnificent monument which is the unique symbol of Hyderabad, the Charminar. Often called 'The Arc de Triomphe of the East,' this beautiful structure derives its name from four intricately carved minarets that soar above the colourful shops and markets of Lad Bazaar.

DAY 4 & 5 MYSORE WORLD HERITAGE OPULENCE

This morning you’ll drive to Hyderabad airport for your short flight to Bangalore, where you enter the state of Karnataka. On arrival, you’ll be picked up by your driver who will be travelling with you until you reach Cochin. (All costs for the driver such as food and accommodation are included and, if you have a day at leisure during your trip, your car is still available for use at no extra charge.)

You will drive to Mysuru (Mysore) which will take about four hours. If you wish you can stop en route at Srirangapatna, the de facto capital of Mysore. Check in to your centrally located hotel on arrival and this evening we can organise dinner at Lalitha Palace; its lovely views will give you a charming introduction to this area of India.

During your stay in Mysuru you will have a walking tour, unravelling the story of the city's heart where Maharajas lived a truly opulent lifestyle. As well as visiting the most iconic monuments, you’ll also have a chance to explore the surrounding area including Chamundi Hill and Devaraja market.

DAY 6 & 7 NAGARHOLE KARNATAKA WILIDLIFE

The trip to Nagarhole National Park takes 2 hours and is well worth it. The park was declared a tiger reserve in 1999 and is a key part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Tigers are still incredibly elusive, but the elephants are relatively plentiful and this lovely park is home to much more wildlife besides. 

Over the next few days you’ll enjoy a boat ride on the reservoir as well as both a morning and a late afternoon game drive in an open-top jeep. You’ll see the park from lots of different perspectives and there will be plenty of time to relax in and enjoy the gorgeous lodge.

DAY 8 - 10 WAYANAD PLANTATION LIVING

This morning you will drive to Wayanad a mountainous area of northern Kerala. The journey will take around four to five hours. Here you will spend the next three days exploring this beautiful area of the western ghats. Your bungalow style accommodation is set amidst stunning coffee, spice and pepper plantations and you'll have ample time to go birdwatching, walking in the hills, have a traditional ayurverdic massage or just relax by the beautiful pool.

DAY 11 & 12 THALASSERY CULTURE AND COOKING

A three hour journey will take you to Thalassery, a bustling little commercial town on the Malabar Coast. The city has a rich cultural heritage and was once called 'the Paris of Malabar'; its importance as a spice port in bygone days has left an interesting legacy. Here you'll stay in a colonial mansion overlooking the Arabian sea and you'll enjoy exploring the local market and fort. If you're lucky, your trip might coincide with a mesmeric local ritual - the Theyyam temple dance - when the priest goes into a trance to perform an eerie dance. You can also learn about Mopalla cuisine, the speciality of the Malabar coast, at a cooking class.

DAY 13 - 15 COCHIN  BUSTILING SEASIDE CITY

You’ll be taken to the local train station to board the six hour train journey to Cochin. On arrival, check into your lovely boutique hotel and,if time permits, take a sunset cruise around the Cochin harbour area.

The next two days will be spent explore this intriguing city. As the oldest European settlement in India, Cochin (Kochi) features a fascinating blend of architectural styles. There are Portuguese churches, colourful Hindu temples and even a synagogue, built in the 1560s in the old Jewish Quarter. Most sights of interest are found in Fort Kochi, including the Dutch-built Mattancherry Palace, spice markets and dilapidated colonial buildings.

There's time to take a tuk-tuk around the backstreets of Fort Cochin, exploring a side not often seen by tourists. You can also take a local ferry across the harbour to Ernakulam which is the business hub of modern day Cochin. Finally, sample a traditional banana leaf meal for lunch at a local restaurant.

DAY 16 FLY HOME (OR STAY!)

Today you'll travel to Cochin airport for your flight home, or perhaps you’d like to stay on and go to the beach. All of our tours are tailor-made, which means it’s easy to change them to suit your requirements. Please do call one of our India specialists on 0207 924 7133 to discuss your ideas.