South of India is known for its intricate temples, classical music traditions, festivals, spice gardens apart from tea estates and its Delicious spicy food. The climate in the southern region is hot and humid, with abundant rainfall and abundance in the variety of fruits and vegetables apart from a mouth-watering seafood platter. Your journey begins at Chennai, and takes you on a culinary journey from Tamil Nadu to Kerala, and concluding in India’s commercial capital Mumbai. This tour gives a wonderful insight into the culture and the cuisine which at times is also associated with comfort food and the one that grants you peace and contentment to the soul.
On arrival at Chennai international airport, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is then at leisure to relax and to get over the jet lag.
After breakfast at hotel proceed for a private guided tour of Chennai. Visit the Museum to see the bronze gallery with its superb collection of Chola art. Drive past the flower and fruit market, High Court building, Marina Beach. Visit the San Thome Cathedral, Kapeeleshwar Temple, and Snake Park. Afternoon experience lunch at ‘Shravana Bhawan’ famous for its Tamil Vegetarian food. Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner at ‘Dakshin Restaurant’ in Park Sheraton famous for Indian Cuisine.
Morning: Assistance and transfer to the airport in time to board the flight to Trichy and on arrival, assistance and proceed for a guided tour. Visit the famous Rock Fort perched on an 84 m high rock. Also see the Temple complex of Srirangam, dedicated to Vishnu. It is surrounded by 7 concentric walled courtyards with 21 magnificent gateways. Later you will drive to Karaikudi (2.5 hrs) and on arrival check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Evening enjoy a dinner on a banana leaf, the traditional Indian way! You can also see the Chefs rustle up your favorites at the Live Kitchen.
After breakfast, you will take a private guided tour of Village Chettinad to see the village life and markets. Today afternoon there will be a cooking demonstration of Chettinad Cuisine. Learn the skills from a master chef and prepare your own Chettinad style mouth-watering food.
After breakfast, you will drive to Madurai (1.5 hrs) and on arrival assistance at the time of check-in. Rest of the day is at leisure. Later in the evening visit the Meenakshi Temple for the evening prayers.
After breakfast you will take a private guided tour of Madurai, visiting the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva. Also visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace, a gracious 17th-century building in the Indo-Saracenic style famous for stuccowork on its domes and arches. Later in the evening you will witness the cooking demonstration by the hotel chef and learn the local cuisine – Chettinad Cuisine followed by dinner in the hotel.
After breakfast, you will drive to Periyar and on arrival check in at a jungle resort. Afternoon you will enjoy the boat ride on Lake Periyar. Evening enjoys the Kerala Cuisine dinner at Spice Village, with an emphasis on the flavors created by fresh spices.
After breakfast, you will have the half day tour of Spice Plantation. Later in the evening, you will witness cooking demonstration in the hotel by the Chef. He will share his experience while cooking and also unveil a few of his secrets.
After an early breakfast, you will drive to Kumarakom (03 hrs) and on arrival switch over to Houseboat. Kettuvallam (Houseboat) is an ideal way to experience the life of local village life through backwaters.
On arrival at Alleppey boat jetty, switch over to the car and drive to Cochin (1.5 hrs) and on arrival check in at the hotel. Today afternoon you have the option of having lunch at ‘Sarovaram’ on direct payment to enjoy Kerala Vegetarian Cuisine. Later in the evening proceed for Kathakali dance show. Evening: Enjoy dinner at ‘The History restaurant’ which offers cuisine that reflects the cultural influences of Cochin – Portuguese, Dutch, English, Arab, Syrian Christian and Jewish cuisines.
After breakfast, you will take a private guided tour of Cochin. Visiting the Dutch Palace, which has some of India’s most beautiful murals, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets; See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel-colored interior and carved wooden panels. Later In the evening, you will witness cooking demonstration of Syrian Christian Cuisine in the hotel/home of the chef.
Inclusion:
Little gifts from Travel East:
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