OMSTAR PLUS TRAVEL & TOURS

01 Day: Arrival Bangalore
Welcome at the Bengaluru Airport. Our representative assists and escorts you by a private car and transfer to the pre-booked hotel. After your check in, you will be given all the required documents related to your tour plan; he will explain all your queries and feedback about the entire tour plan. If you are arriving by morning flight, after relaxation, take a sightseeing tour of the city visiting Lal Baugh - One of the many gardens in the city; it derives its name from the profusion of Red roses which are in bloom here, Cubbon Park - a garden laid down by Lord Cubbon in 1864. The ambience of the city life is broken with presence of such a large park in the center of the city. The Bull Temple - The 4.57 m high and 6.10 meters long image is carved out of single granite rock, Bangalore Palace - Built in the Tudor style and inspired by the Windsor palace, Vidhan Soudha - the Vidhan Soudha houses the state legislative assembly of state government, Tipu’s Palace - The summer palace of Tipu Sultan later followed by visit to Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara  Temple - The temple is natural monolith carved cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the evening you can visit Ulsoor Lake. Overnight at the hotel.

Bangalore: Capital of Karnataka State, Bangalore is famous as the city of gardens. It is one of the most attractive cities in India with its beautiful parks avenues and impressive buildings. Bangalore is renowned as much for its industrial plants as for its silk saris, and for the sprawling Cubbon Park, which lies at the heart of the city, as also its prestigious race course.It is now part of the great Silicone Valley, is a beautiful city filled with the tranquillity of its greenery. The Lalbagh garden is particularly beauliful and well laid out. It has one of the largest collections of exotic Indian Tropical and Sub-tropical vegetation, Lakes and Lotus-filled pools. Cubbon park, Bull temple, Mysore arts & crafts centre are worth visiting.

02 Day: Bangalore – Srirangapatnam – Mysore (140 kms: 4 hrs)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Mysore. En route visit the Srirangapatnam (20 kms from Mysore) to visit Fort and Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. After sightseeing at Srirangapatnam, continue to drive to Mysore, whichis the Sandalwood and Incense Capital of the World & some of India's finest Crafts, such as Printed Silk, Inlaid, Furniture and Ivory Carvings are also found here. Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm that never fails to enchant. On arrival transfer to the hotel, after lunch visit to local market, evening visit to Brindavan gardens & spectacular musical fountains. Also visit the flower and sandal wood market, handicraft museum. Overnight at the hotel.

Srirangapatnam: Located at about 15 kilometers from Mysore, Srirangapatnam is the biggest of the three islands in the river Kaveri. The island, five kilometers long and two kilometers wide, derives its name from the deity of the temple located on its western side. The island has something for everyone. For those who are turned on by history, there are many monuments here spanning a thousand years. All the major dynasties of the South have left their relics and monuments here-the Hoysalas of the 11th century, the Vijayanagar kings of Chandragiri in the 17th century, the Hyder Ali-Tipu Sultan clan that came after them, and finally the French & the british.

Mysore, the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Mysore races its history back to the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. Mysore also has associations with the Mahabharata and King Ashoka of the 3rd century B.C. During the Wodeyars rule Mysore reached the Zenith of its glory as a fabled centre of oriental splendor.

03 Day: Mysore – Ooty (165 kms: 3 – 4 hrs)
After breakfast take a sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor) built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent followed by visit at  St. Philomenas cathedral - folklore museum - visit the Art Gallery; drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull.  Later drive to Ooty, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free for leisure. If time permits, you may visit the Ooty Lake. Besides these, there are various viewpoints like Kodanadu and Dodabetta Peak is the highest point in the district at a height of 2623 meters. Provided the day is clear, one can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. Overnight at the Ooty hotel.

Ooty: Known as the queen of hills and the most popular hill station in the South India. It is located in the Nilgiri hills at 2286 meter above sea level. With its rolling lawns and salubrious climate it became the important hill station in South India and the summer capital of the former Madras presidency. Ooty still has the touch of the Raj about it, with its cottages and pretty gardens and stone churches that stands among the groves of pine. Old summer palaces of maharajas are now hotels and set in their beautiful parks.

04 Day: Ooty – Conoor – Ooty (1 hr drive)
After breakfast drive to Coonoor, optionally you may take a toy train ride; visit Sim's Park, there are also a number of individual tree specimens planted all over the place, give a special charm to the park, Dolphin's Nose, the Nose is a unique rock of tremendous proportions which looks like a Dolphin, Lamb's Rock commands a grand view of the Coimbatore Plains, Laws Falls a paradise for Nature lovers. Later take a sightseeing tour of Ooty enjoy the  scenic surroundings, the Botanical Garden a wealth of  variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, several old trees and even a fossilized tree trunk that is 20 million years old, followed by boat rides and fishing. Evening is free for relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Coonoor, surrounded by the tea plantations, and at an altitude of 1850 m, Coonoor is the first of the three Nilgiri hill station-Udhagamandalam (Ooty ), Kotagiri and Coonoor - that you come to when leaving behind the southern plains. Like Ooty, it's on the toy train line from Mettupalayam. While Kotagiri had the Kotas, and Ooty the Todas, so Coonoor was home to the Coon hill tribe. (The suffix, 'oor', means village. ) This now bustling town appears rather squashed between the hills and it's only after climbing up out of the busy market area with the bus and train terminals that you'll get a sense of what hill stations were originally all about.

05 Day: Ooty – Cochin (280 kms: 5 hrs)
Early morning, check out from the hotel and drive to Cochin. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.  After relaxation, take a sightseeing tour of Cochin: Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coasts & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of the India's most colourful cities. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Visit to Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace. This evening a memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip (of your own) along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced - Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Overnight at the hotel.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'.

06 Day: Cochin – Athirapally – Cochin (Excursion 55 kms: 1½ hrs)
Today morning after a leisure breakfast, take an excursion to the beautiful waterfalls of Athirapally. There is a rocky road that moves around the mountain providing you with a magnificent view of the Athirapally waterfalls. As you move nearer through the beautifully landscaped road to Athirapally, you can enjoy the views of Areca nut Palms on one side and the Chalakudy River on the other side. First the river seems winding and then it crashes down suddenly, white with challenge. Only after a short distance, the river is back to its normal self again. There are some vendors here who sell jute hats and plastic flowers; they definitely make the place more tourists friendly. Later drive back to Cochin. In the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments.

Athirapally waterfalls, the sudden rushing sound of the cascading waterfall makes you feel that the water has begun to fall only now. Though the fact is that the waters have maintained this suddenness for a long time and they are still persevering. The Athirapally waterfalls are 80 feet high which start at the high ranges calmly and come crashing down through the gorges. Trekking is a wonderful way to explore the nearby areas, especially if you do it along the banks of the Chalakudy River. The waterfall is located at a height in the Sholayar forest ranges and is very near to the Valparai which is a popular hill station. The presence of the waterfall is unmistakable everywhere in Athirapally as it is present either in the form of a painting or a topic of conversation.

07 Day: Cochin – Munnar (120 kms: 4 hrs)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Munnar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in India. The word "Munnar" means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty. The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which make Periyar the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet.  You can take a short tour of the Munnar hill station exploring tea gardens and panoramic view of the wonderful hill station. Rest of the evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Munnar, the erstwhile 'summer capital of the British', has become the most sought after holiday destination in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala, 5000ft above sea level. Dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and major cash crop plantations cover most of this region. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri Thar and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna.

08 Day: Munnar
After breakfast visit to Pothamedu whichoffers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks. Visit the tea factory and the museum here. Later visit at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. Also take sightseeing towards Mattupetty Side, where you can visit the Photo point, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point (The natural Echo phenomenon is always happening here), Shooting point and the Kundale Lake. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

09 Day: Munnar – Periyar (160 kms: 4 – 5 hrs)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to Periyar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Then visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, discover the park, animals found here include elephant, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat at Periyar lake to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at the hotel.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq.miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centerpiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The lake is an important source of water for the many wild animals. The Best time to visit Periyar is between OCTOBER and MAY. The best chance of watching animals is during the hot months of march, April and May, when water gets low and the grass dries out, animals especially elephants come down to the Periyar lake to bath & frolic in the water with the young ones.