Ooty railway, Kodaikanal, Periyar and Munnar

Meet your driver early at Coimbatore airport for the scenic drive up the Nilgiri hills to Ooty, taking roughly three and a half hours plus rest stops. Check into your hotel to freshen up before beginning your sightseeing. Visit the Government Botanical Garden to see its diverse plant collections and fossilised tree trunk. Continue to the Government Rose Garden and finish by Ooty Lake, where you can stroll along the shore or choose an optional boat ride at extra cost. Stay overnight in Ooty.

After breakfast, head up to Doddabetta Peak, the highest vantage point in the Nilgiris, for broad valley views. Tour the Ooty Tea Museum to learn the regional history of tea processing. Next, board the historic Nilgiri Mountain Railway for the scenic ride down towards Coonoor before returning by road. Spend time wandering through the lively local markets to shop for handmade crafts and chocolates. Settle in for your second night in Ooty.

Have an early breakfast and set off on the long mountain journey from Ooty to Kodaikanal, a drive of about seven to eight hours including comfort stops. Arrive in Kodaikanal, check into your hotel, and spend the afternoon discovering the town's highlights. Take a gentle stroll along Coaker's Walk for sweeping valley vistas, wander the manicured lawns of Bryant Park, and relax beside Kodai Lake, with optional boating available if time allows, while keeping in mind that tomorrow brings a separate scheduled boat ride. Stay overnight in Kodaikanal.

Eat an early breakfast before heading out to walk the trail to Dolphin's Nose for dramatic views over the plains below without undertaking any Vellagavi descent, subject to clear weather. Return to the town centre for a boat ride on Kodai Lake. In the afternoon, visit the towering granite columns of Pillar Rocks, look out from Green Valley View, and stop by Bear Shola Falls, noting that Waterfall flow depends on conditions. Return to your hotel for a second overnight stay in Kodaikanal.

Enjoy an early breakfast and drive down through the hills towards Thekkady and the Kumily town area, arriving around midday after roughly four hours of travel. Check into your hotel before entering Periyar National Park. Preserve time to transfer to the boat jetty for a cruise on Periyar Lake, keeping watch for elephants, sambar deer and aquatic birds along the forested banks. Wildlife sightings are subject to nature. Optional guided nature walks, bamboo rafting or spice estate tours may be arranged at extra cost. Sleep overnight in Thekkady.

Depart after breakfast on a three-hour drive across emerald tea-clad hills from Kumily to Munnar in Kerala. Check into your hotel and take time to freshen up. In the afternoon, wander among the surrounding tea estates, head to Mattupetty Dam for scenic views and a boat trip on the reservoir, and visit the cascading waters of Attukad Waterfall. Personal culinary choices or other purchases remain separate. Settle into your hotel for the first of two nights in Munnar.

Set off early after breakfast up to Top Station on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border for morning panoramic views across the Western Ghats. Continue to Eravikulam National Park to look for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr along permitted trails, observing views toward Anamudi rather than summit trekking. Please note the park closes during the February to March calving season, while Lakkam Waterfall remains an optional separate excursion. Later, tour the Munnar Tea Museum for an insightful tea tasting, and visit the colourful Rose Garden. Note that the Tea Museum is closed on Mondays. Sleep overnight in Munnar.

Have breakfast at your hotel before checking out and beginning the drive back to Coimbatore, concluding the circuit of Ooty, Kodaikanal, Thekkady and Munnar. The scenic downhill journey covers winding ghat roads and takes around four to five hours, plus stops along the way. Your driver transfers you directly to Coimbatore airport by early evening, concluding your eight-day holiday across the southern hills.