India > Leisure Tour > Explore South India’s Popular Hill stations
Overview:
Discover the meaning of enchantment
When you plan to visit the hill stations of South India, you can experience the tranquil atmosphere and be in the midst of mist-shrouded mountains. The exotic scenery will surely fascinate you and the hill station could just be a ‘vacation paradise’.
In this 14-days tour, we will visit many hill stations like Kodaikanal, Ooty, Thekkady and Munnar. Additionally, our tour representative will also lead you to the Chinnar wildlife sanctuary while we are on our way to Mettupalayam.
Kodaikanal – Located at 2133 m above the sea level, Kodaikanal is known for its grassy hills, valleys with dense forest, lakes and waterfalls. While you spend a couple of days at the hill station, the Coaker’s walk, Pillars Rock, Solar Physics Observatory, and Orchidarium are some of the place you can certainly visit.
Ooty – Nestled in the Nilgiris and known to be the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’, Ooty is where you could experience the peaceful atmosphere around tea plantations. Besides tea factories, the Sims park, Lams park, Dolphin Nose, the Doddabetta Peak and the Botanical as well as the rose garden are some of the vantage points you could certainly visit.
Thekkady – This hill station is definitely worth visiting owing to the spice garden and the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Once you settle at Thekkady, you could cruise around the lake and view many animals around the area. You can also spend some time shopping spices at the local outlets.
Munnar – Munnar experiences a pleasant climate across the year and is famous not only for tea plantations but also green landscapes. At the hill station, the Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Dam, Eravikulam – Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Top Station, Tata’s Welfare Center, a century-old church and Tata’s Tea Museum are some of the places worth visiting.
During the tour, you are sure to choose an array of options when it’s time for enjoying breakfast and meals. While you’re at Munnar, you can step out for shopping and splurge on varieties of tea at the KDHP outlet.
Note: The tour can be customized further with the interest of the traveller. Please do write to us to know more options and special interest tours.
On Arrival at Madurai Railway Station or Madurai Airport. You will be received by a member of our local team. Or an appointed driver who will take care of your transfer for Kodaikanal [175 kms] and check-in at the hotel. Kodaikanal is a lovely hill station, at an altitude of 2133 meter on the southern tip of the upper Palani hills in the Western Ghats. Kodaikanal has an invigorating environment where there is a no much of temperature variation from summer to winter. On arrival check-in to the hotel. In the evening you can enjoy a leisurely walk around the famous star-shaped lake, of an area 24 hectares. Where fishing and boating facilities are available.
Stay: Kodaikanal.
After leisurely breakfast, explore Kodaikanal. A great combination of some of the popular sightseeing places in and around Kodaikanal. You can enjoy Upper lake view, Silver cascade, Coaker’s walk, green valley view, Pillars Rock, Solar Physics Observatory, Museum and Orchidarium.
Stay: Kodaikanal.
After early breakfast, your spice trail starts to Thekkady, exotic mountainous area some 3000 ft above sea level, to Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Check into a resort set in a spice garden.
Rise and shine at early hours, with time for a cup of tea or coffee. Embark on the boat for the cruise around the lake where we hope to see some of the many animals; the most famous sightings are Elephants, wild boar, deer, monkeys. After the cruise, return to the resort for breakfast before visiting spice shops at Kumily and a local village where the guide will give you the knowledge about all the spice trees growing in the area. Afternoon free to relax or enjoy a swim in the inviting swimming pool. The evening to relax and enjoy the enchanting surroundings. Overnight stay at Thekkady.
Stay: Thekkady.
After breakfast leave for Munnar [110 kms], Kerala’s and probably India’s most popular hill resort situated at 1600 mt above sea level. Virgin forests, savannah, rolling hills, scenic valleys, numerous streams, huge, splashy waterfalls, sprawling tea plantations and winding walkways are all part of this awesome Hill station. English country cottages are the Imprints of the colonial past which stand tall in the Munnar town.
After checking into the hotel and post breakfast, we visit lush green surrounding tea estates, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point, Kundala Dam and Top station. Enjoy speed boat at Mattupatty lake.
After an early breakfast visit Eravikulam – Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary. This place is a fantastic feast for nature lovers. And this is the place where you can get a chance to watch rare endangered Nilgiri Tahrs. Your next stop will at TATA’s welfare centre developed for the mentally and physically challenged, A magical place high up in the tea gardens. Under this project, you can visit a center who create natural dyes that are born from pigments in the leaves, seeds, flowers, and nuts found in the lush forests of Munnar and create naturally dyed fabrics. Tata Tea Museum and A century-old church, owing to its legacy to the British tea planters. In the evening you can shop a variety of Tea at KDHP sales outlet.
Stay: Munnar.
After breakfast depart for Mettupalayam [197 kms]. En route, you can take a brief halt at Chinnar wildlife sanctuary – located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats and highly lush and rich in natural beauty. Later you drive through Marayoor Sandalwood jungle. This drive also touches Coimbatore, an important commercial town. If time permits you can spend some time shopping Sarees. On arrival at Mettupalayam, check into the hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure.
After an early breakfast, your spectacular journey starts for Blue mountain hills by Niligiri Mountain train. Ooty, the Queen of Hill stations snuggled in the Nilgiri mountains and popularly known as Ooty. In 1821, A Britisher Mr John Sullivan discovered Ooty. The sheer opulence of this dreamy city is enough to drain anyone out. On arrival check into the hotel. Evening you can spend at Ooty lake. Overnight stay at Ooty.
After breakfast, Proceed to Coonoor. It is probably the second most popular hill station in the Nilgiris. The hill station stands at the height of 1839 meters and is known for its great picnic spots and picturesque surroundings. Coonoor is also famous for tea gardens and tea factories. During this tour, we see some beautiful vantage points… Sims Park, Lams Park, Dolphin Nose, Tea Garden, Tea Factory, Ooty Botanical Garden, Ooty Rose Garden and Doddabetta Peak. In the evening, return to the hotel.
Stay: Ooty.
After breakfast check out & departure for Coimbatore (90 km) train station / Airport to leave for hometown / onward destination. Tour concludes.
Travel Time: 2h45m
