Culinary Tour Of God's Own Country

Tour Duration: 8 Nights - 9 Days

Routing: Cochin – Kumarakom – Thekkady – Cochin

Tour Highlights

This includes cooking demonstrations of Kerala & South Indian cuisine with an introduction to Indian Spices.

Also enjoy the Backwaters of Kerala in a Rice Boat.

Food is one thing, which every traveller wants to explore while on their tour to India. No wonder the incredible Indian offers one of the world's most sophisticated and diverse cuisines. And South Indian cuisine is one part of the Indian cuisine which is well known for its varied flavours. Tantalizing to the hilt, South Indian cuisine is focused around aromatic spices such as nutmeg, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and cloves, tamarind, whole red chillies, bay leaf and fennel seeds(saunf) specific to the region. Rice is the main component in the cuisine. South Indians have long perfected the culinary art of preparing mouth-watering dishes with simple ingredients.

Kerala is tantalizingly attractive, so is its cuisine. Its cuisine is tilted towards the liberal use of fresh coconuts and spices. Chutneys and pickles seem to be an inevitable part of the cuisine. From simple vegetarian food to sophisticated sea food, all occupy a prized place in Kerala cuisine. A variety of non-vegetarian dishes are also a part of the cuisine. One of the best features of Kerala cuisine is that use of oil, sugar and artificial additives is kept to a minimum, which makes it healthy. A typical traditional meal in South India is served on a freshly cut banana leaf, which is quite appealing.

Day 01 Cochin – Kumarkom (70 Km / 1½ Hrs)
Arrive, Cochin, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer to Kumarkom for check in.

Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands, on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Kuttanad, the 'Wonder Land' believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receded later. The land of lakes, canals & paddy fields, Kumarakom transports you to sheer ecstasy. Holiday on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvallam, are an out-of-this-world experience. Furthermore Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) & Konju (Tiger Prawns).

Evening we go for sunset cruise on a Rice Boat. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (D)

Day 02 Kumarakom
Short cruise to 'Philip Kutty's Farm' (A small home stead on an island). See the cultivation of various tropical fruits and vegetables and also a short demo of simple home cooking. Return to hotel for a talk on backwaters, food and cooking with a demo followed by lunch.
A cultural show will be held in the evening followed by Dinner.
Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (B, L, D)

Day 03 Kumarakom
Proceed for a demonstration of preparation of a 'Sadhya' (vegetarian wedding feast). We enjoy our lunch on banana leaves (to be eaten by hand). Afternoon at leisure. Proceed for a cultural show in the evening followed by dinner.

Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (B, L, D)

Day 04 Kumarakom / Thekkady
(175 Km / 4 Hrs)
We proceed to Periyar. Check in at hotel followed by lunch.

Periyar (Thekkady), one of India's most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where one can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, flora & fauna and the birds are unique, large in numbers and varied, and do not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuary in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern. The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill & spice scented plantations. The sanctuary is one of the best in the country for watching & photographing wild life. Notable among the inhabitants are the tigers, majestic Asiatic wild elephants & distinctive Nilgiri Langur.

Evening we take an Elephant Safari (out side the park).

Dinner will be at the hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Thekkady (B, L, D)

Day 05 Thekkady
Visit Spice Plantations and Tea Plantations. Lunch will be at leisure and later in the afternoon we proceed for a cooking demonstration. The theme will be cooking with spices.

Dinner will be at the hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Thekkady (B, L, D)

Day 06 Thekkady - Cochin
(200 Km / 5 Hrs)
Drive to Cochin. We shall stop at the Plantation Bungalow for a typical home lunch.
Cochin always had a very popular and historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe & Dutch. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.
Overnight Hotel - Cochin (B, L, D)

Day 07 Cochin
Proceed for a city tour of Cochin including the ancient Spice Market at Mattancherry and Chinese Fishing Nets. Next we have a 'History' lunch at hotel.

In the evening we proceed for a Kathakali performance followed by dinner.
Overnight Hotel - Cochin (B, L, D)

Day 08 Cochin
Today we have a hands-on experience with Hotel Chefs on Kerala Cuisine. Afternoon will be at leisure. Enjoy the sunset cruise at the harbour. A Farewell Dinner will be organized for you.

Overnight Hotel - Cochin (B, L, D)

Day 09 Depart Cochin

End the tour with sweet and spicy memories of India. Today we assist you with a punctual transfer
to the airport for your onward flight.

Our tour concludes: Caper thanks you for your patronage and looks forward to serving you again in the near future.