The two-week Wilderness South India trip is a magnificent journey across some of Southern India’s most pristine and popular natural habitats. But you just don’t stay a passive witness to the array of native flora and fauna. You go on two 2-day treks in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Periyar Tiger Reserve that are done as part of joint-patrols with government forest officials and security. On these trips, you are led by former poachers-turned-protectors who are your nature guides. Through this trip, you pay for the ongoing conservation and rehabilitation programs targeting the communities that live on the periphery of these wilderness areas. Thus alternative livelihoods can be sustained as opposed to poaching activity.

But your trip starts off first with a quick introduction to Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley before you dash off to Mysore, the former kingdom of Tipu Sultan where the vestiges of royal patronage still exist. There are palaces, markets and temples to see – a riot of colour that will keep your camera busy! From here, head south to the wonderful wildlife experiences of the Nilgiris Biosphere at the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can see wildlife representative of this area of the world – elephant, bison, deer, and maybe the elusive leopard and tiger. Ascend the magnificent backdrop of the blue-gum Nilgiris Mountains with its quaint colonial hill towns and their English cottages, golf courses, boarding schools and fabulous mountain views. Board the UNESCO World Heritage Nilgiri Mountain Railway on its breathtaking cliff-side journey to your village-style resort in the mountains. Then begins the intrepid section of your trip where it gets rough but exciting!

Your trip ends on a more relaxed note with time spent at an island backwater retreat and the important town of Fort Cochin where you can soak in the atmosphere of Dutch, Jewish and Portuguese history.

During the well spent two weeks, you not only get to see the best that Southern India has to offer, but you also come away with a deepened awareness of the diverse and fragile natural environment of the region.

Short Program

Day 1: Arrival Bangalore and afternoon visits
Day 2: Drive to Mysore and afternoon visits
Day 3: Visits to Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Day 4: Drive to Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Evening jeep safari
Day 5: Stay Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 6: Drive to Ootacamund and afternoon visits
Day 7: Drive to Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 8: At Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 9: Drive to Munnar
Day 10: Drive to Thekkady
Day 11: Trekking in Thekkady
Day 12: Drive to Alappuzha backwaters
Day 13: On the Alappuzha backwaters
Day 14: Drive to Cochin
Day 15: Depart for Cochin Airport / Station. Onward journey or home