South Indian Culinary Tour

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.

Our Program

Day 01 - ARRIVE CHENNAI

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.

Day 02 - IN CHENNAI

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.

Day 03 - CHENNAI / TRICHY / KARAIKUDI

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.

Day 04 - KARAIKUDI

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.

Day 05 - KARAIKUDI / MADURAI

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.

Day 06 - IN MADURAI

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.

Day 07 - MADURAI / PERIYAR

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.

Day 08 - IN PERIYAR

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.

Day 09 - PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM

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.

Day 10 - ARRIVE ALLEPPEY / COCHIN

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.

Day 11 - IN COCHIN

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.

Day 12 - COCHIN / TELLICHERRY (THALASSERY)
With packed breakfast, you will be transferred to train station to board the train at 0650 hrs to Tellicherry. On arrival at 1150 hrs, you will be transferred to hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Evening you will witness the cooking demonstration by your hostess Ms. Faiza Moosa who will teach you the secrets of making good, authentic curries, is a well-known culinary expert in Kerala Muslim cuisine.
Day 13 - IN TELLICHERRY
After breakfast, you will take a private guided tour of Tellicherry visiting the Fort and the beach. Evening you will witness the Theyyam dance show in the local temple.
Day 14 - TELLICHERRY / CALICUT / MUMBAI
After breakfast, you will be met and transferred to Calicut airport (2.5 Hrs) to board your flight for Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure to explore on own.
Day 15 - MUMBAI / DEPART
Breakfast is at the Hotel. Today at an appropriate time, you will be met and transferred to Mumbai International airport to connect with your onward flight.

Important notes

Inclusion:

  • All sightseeing program as per the itinerary.
  • All transfers, sightseeing & excursions will be by an AC Vehicle.
  • Services of an English speaking local guide for the monuments as per the program.
  • All entrances to the monuments and activities as per the program.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes as per the program.
  • Mineral water bottles in the vehicle [02 bottles each day]s
  • Wet tissues places in the vehicle for the entire tour.
  • Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers with meet and Assist.
  • All currently applicable taxes, including, GST of 5% applicable on total invoice amount

Little gifts from Travel East:

  • Departure Gift.
  • Free WIFI in Vehicles.

Exclusion:

  •  Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, Camera /video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
  • Any meals, other than those specified above.
  • Any meals other than specified in the quote-supplement mentioned above.
  • Any insurance
  • Any visa fees
  • Any optional activities
  • Any optional activities as mentioned in the program
  • Domestic air-fare.
  • Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion
  • Any additional transfers
  • Early Check-In/Late Check Out
  • Any Tips / Porter charges

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Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Chennai – the gateway to South India
  • Periyar wildlife sanctuary and Kumily
  • Alleppey – Venice of the East
  • Madurai – great temple town.
  • Cochin – Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace & St Francis – Church
  • Trichy – the high up Rock Fort Temple

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Chennai – the gateway to South India
  • Periyar wildlife sanctuary and Kumily
  • Alleppey – Venice of the East
  • Madurai – great temple town.
  • Cochin – Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace & St Francis – Church
  • Trichy – the high up Rock Fort Temple