THE ITINERARY

October 5 - Arrive in India, continue to Vijayanagar

Hotel - Evolve Back, Nivasa Room

Arrive in India, at Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mumbai (Bombay, for which we arrange a short onward flight to Bengaluru). You may like to come in a day or so early, to adjust to the time difference and acclimatize; we can arrange that for you. Assisted with your onward afternoon flight to Vidyanagar. This evening, our group assembles.

October 6 & 7 - Vijayanagar

We have two and a half days to explore the extensive and magnificent ruins of this lengendary city, its monuments coated with narrative sculptures. Unwind, experience wellbeing with Nicki in different ways - walking sunrise/sunset, biking, climbing up Matangi Hill, visiting Hampi village and living temple (with its own elephant!). Enjoy nature walks, possibly take a ride on the river. And enjoy our hotel which has exceptional food, its own naturalist, ayurvedic doctors and spa staffed trained at Mysore.

Our Vijayanagar hotel is a contemporary high end deluxe hotel, designed in keeping with the great historic city it stands beside. Great food and spa.

October 8, 9, 10 Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Hotel - Taj West End, Luxury Grand Heritage Room

On October 8 afternoon, fly to Bengaluru.

We have two full days to enjoy this dynamic, gleaming city, its modern vibe, its arts including the new MAP museum, its cafes serving the special Mangaloran cuisine, and its contemporary fashion boutiques. With Nicki, who knows this city well, we have an inside track experience. She will also be creating solace and peace for us in leafy Cubbon Park, in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and in our hotel’s mature, tree-filled 20-acre grounds.

Our Bengaluru hotel is the city’s top hotel, a historic landmark in the city-centre, in a cocoon of lush gardens; fully renovated, exceptional services.

October 11, 12, 13, 14 Mysuru (Mysore)

Hotel - Metropole, Heritage Room

On October 11 we drive to Mysuru, pausing on the way to visit Asia’s largest silk cocoon market, a lovely rural museum, a village famous for its silk weavers and artisan wooden toy-makers. Three full days to see Mysuru and its surroundings. In this city of palaces, we visit inside some of them to imbibe the legendary Maharaja of Mysore’s fairytale life. Around it, we visit Somnathpur’s temple coated in exquisite carving, Sravanabelgola sacred to Jains, hero Tipu Sultan’s summer palace which he lost to the British, and some good silk weavers - so important it is a state industry. Throughout our time, Nicki shares her favourite places and our Mysuru hotel is a historic hotel in the city centre dating from the British period, thoroughly renovated.

October 15, 16, 17 Nagarhole National Park

Hotel - Kabini River Lodge, Cottage

Drive down to the park. We spend this afternoon and two more full days in this long-established national park.

Our hotel: https://www.kabiniriverlodge.com/ Built at the maharaja’s hunting lodge beside the Kabini River, this historic accommodation is renovated, though retains it characterful simplicity. It is where all park trips and walks start and end, and its resident naturalists are excellent and help us enjoy the birds, animals, trees and the full experience of ecology and today’s conservation work - the animal we are likely to spot is lots of elephant.

During our two and a half days here, we can take part in as much of the daily park routine as we wish, and Nicki will be creating special moments for us in beautiful spots. We shall plan our days to include early morning and sunset drives through park with naturalists, walks and meetings with naturalists and local people, visits to conservation projects, etc. Meals, included in our accommodation price, follow the traditional safari system: breakfast, lunch, teatime, dinner.

Friday October 18 to Bangalore, then onwards.

Depart to drive up to Bangalore. Depart India OR explore a little more of India.

Optional prelude: two full days to visit Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, early Hindu temples with monumental sculpture, mostly 7-10C; drive to join the group at Vijayanagar on October 5.

Optional postlude: two full days to enjoy Mumbai, India’s great port-city and its financial, fashion and entertainment capital.

Please note: Hotels are booked in good faith; changes made by the hotels are beyond our control.