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3-States-Tour

Unique places seen and unseen in South India

This unique tour leads you through beautiful, exciting and surprising parts of three different states of India: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Very different places and settings will give you the opportunity for maximum range of photography. We don’t hesitate to go off the beaten track to find hidden treasures or get deeper insight into Indian daily life. With a professional photographer at your side, and all organisational aspects carefully looked after, you can concentrate on extending your photography skills and have enough time for your own creativity.

This is what you can discover with the lens of your camera:

• Breathtaking landscapes: Plantation covered hills, thick forests, lake and river views, mountain peaks and palm-fringed beaches.
• Daily life and portraits of interesting and friendly people from village to city, at work on plantations, on the market or in the factory.
• Interesting architecture in various impressive temples of all ages. Monuments and homes.
• Discover religious sub-cultures in a Tibetan settlement and the Muslim majority of Kasaragod.
• Visit one of Keralas famous festivals.
• Hunt wildlife with the lens of your camera in a bird sanctuary, a Wildlife Sanctuary and along our way.

Detailed program

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1^st day: Arrival and meet up in Bangalore

We pick you up at the airport, railway station or bus stand. You meet your photographer guide and determine your level and preferences. You can rest for the day or stretch your legs.

2^nd day: Transfer to Mysore – Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary – sunset at Mysore Palace

We hit the road to Mysore and stop at Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. A boat will bring us to the small Island in the river. Various kinds of birds like painted storks, ibises and spoon bills can be seen and photographed. The Cauvery River is also known for its population of crocodiles, which you can spot if you are lucky. At Mysore Palace we have a sunset photo shoot.

3^rd day: Devaraja Market – street life – Mysore Palace – sunset in the city

We start the day with a stroll through the Devaraja Market. Let yourself and your camera float in the colourful business of the place with its rich variety of products. We continue our walk through the small lanes of Mysore and discover the daily life, meet friendly and relaxed people happy to be captured on camera. Our destination is Mysore Palace, the former residence of the Maharajas of Mysore. The Indo-Saracenic architecture has blends of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput and Gothic styles. Photography is forbidden inside but well worth seeing. Move freely in the beautiful garden to find your favorite motifs and angles of the palace, and the 12 temples inside the complex.

For sunset we find photogenic spots in the city. We have dinner at a rooftop restaurant in the city.

4^th day: Transfer to Ooty – Srikanteshwara Temple – Nilgiri Mountain Railway

After 20 km, Srikanteshwara Temple is located on the banks of the river Kapila in a serene atmosphere. The busy temple with the huge golden plated entrance tower, its large number of sculptures relating to Shiva, exquisite bronze icons and fine carved pillars, provides a variety of motifs for photography.

Through hills and plantations we arrive in Coonoor, to visit an old English cemetery. Later we catch the historical Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty. In the evening light we pass scenic views of the rocky terrain, plantations and forested hills, various bridges and tunnels.

5^th day: Scenic landscape – Mountain Peak

We take you through the stunning area around Ooty, passing vegetable and tea plantations, scenic villages, reservoir lakes and thick forests.

A peak with a fantastic view over the neighbouring mountains and plains is our turning point before we head back to our accommodation. Parts of the road will be the same as on the way there, so you have the chance to capture certain places in different light conditions.

6^th day: Transfer to Wayanad – Sochiapally Fall – view point for sunset

We travel through a beautiful scenery to Kalpetta. On the way we have various possibilities to stop and capture beautiful landscapes and nature. We visit Sochiapally Waterfall and a viewpoint for sunset shots.

7^th day: Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary – Jain Temple – rice paddies

We start early in the morning with a visit to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. The Jeep tour is a chance to spot wildlife. Afterwards we have a stop at Phantom Rock and an old Jain temple in Sultan Bathery. On our way back to Kalpetta we are passing rice paddies in a scenic area with a reservoir lake.

8^thday: Leisure and optional activities

This day is free for you to choose optional activities:

• Eddakkal Caves are natural caves with stoneage carvings, dated to at least 6,000 BC, expansive views at the top.
• Chembra Peak: the highest peak in this area where you can overlook the whole of Wayanad District. The trek to the top takes 3 hours with a heart shaped lake halfway.
• Ayurveda: various treatments are possible.
• In the beautifully arranged accommodation area you can learn about various plants growing here naturally, watch out for birds, swim in the pond or go bamboo rafting in the scenic surroundings. Close by, you find lush tea plantations covering the hills.

In the evening we have a camp fire in our accommodation place.

9^th day: Transfer to Bylakuppe – Thirunelli Temple

The more than 3000 years old Thirunelly temple is an important pilgrim site for Hindus. Very important for devotees is the spring of the river Papanasini, of which it is said the one dip washes away all sins.

Our destination area Bylakuppe, was once set up for Tibetan refugees to live freely. Several Monasteries house a large number of Buddhist monks.

10^th day: Tibetan settlement – Golden Temple

For getting around the settlement and hunting photos, it is recommende to take a rickshaw. You will get a map with some highlights, but there is so much more to discover. We meet in the late afternoon to visit the golden temple.

11^th day: Transfer to Bekal – Bekal Fort

Our way leads us through the beautiful area of Coorg. We visit Bekal Fort, located 3 minutes from our accommodation, in late afternoon. The 300 year old fort is one of the largest and best-preserved forts in Kerala. The fort itself covers an area of 40 acres with several original observation towers, huge walls and a well maintained garden inside.

12^th day: Fish market – beedi factory – lunch in a local home – Theyyam

The busy fish market in Kasaragod is our first setting for a shoot today.

We visit a small factory where women are producing the traditional Indian cigarettes, hand rolled beedis. Made out of tobacco flakes wrapped in a leaf, this is still the most common kind of cigarette in India.

In a local house we have a homemade meal at lunch time. At the beach next to Bekal fort we have a sunset shoot. In the evening we visit a Theyyam, a ritual dance which is popular in north Kerala. It incorporates dance, mime and music and enshrines the rudiments of ancient tribal cultures. The headgear and other ornamental decorations are spectacular in sheer size and appearance.

13^th day: Transfer to Hassan – Madhur Temple – sunset shoot at the ruin of a church

We have a stopover at Madhur Temple. Its three-tiered dome, and copper-plated roofing makes the architecture unique. Close by our accommodation, outside Hassan by a reservoir lake, we visit a beautiful church ruin for a photo shoot in the evening.

14^th day: Transfer to Bangalore – Shravana Belagola

We arrive at the historical Jain town of Shravana Belagola located between two hills. About 650 steps, on Vindhyagiri Hill, need to be climbed barefoot, to reach the top of the hill where the temple and the majestic 58-feet tall monolithic statue of Gommateshvara are located. In the town various temples, a white pond and street life give a lot of opportunities for photography.

15^th day: Departure

After breakfast, depending on your plans, we can take you to the airport, railway station or bus stand. The tour ends at 12 noon.

Photographer

Mohan Raj grew up in South India and has been fascinated by photography since his childhood. Eventually developed his talents to a professional level. With his sense for special setups and lights he will be an invaluable companion on your journey.