Kerala Culinary Vacation

Tour Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Destinations Covered: Cochin - Kothamangalam - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Marari - Cochin

Day 01: Arrival at Cochin
On your arrival at Cochin International Airport, you'll be welcomed by our representative who'll accompany you to the hotel for check-in. Cochin is famous as an ancient port town and is nicknamed as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". In the evening, a sunset cruise will introduce you to Kerala music and dance. Return to the hotel for night stay.

Day 02: Cochin
In the morning, you'll head to a native home who'll introduce you to the culture of Cochin. There will be one cookery session in the afternoon. After this, you'll be served with traditional Keralite delights for lunch with abundant hospitality and respect. In the evening, a visit to 'Pai Thattukada', famous for cheap and quick food, will be made for dinner. This eatery serves 70 different varieties of dosas or rice pancakes. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.


Day 03: Cochin - Kothamangalam
After a delectable breakfast at the hotel, you'll be driven to Kothamangalam, a beautiful and serene tropical Eden. This paradise offers picturesque vistas of misty mountains and River Periyar flowing in-between. Upon arrival, make a check in at a century old bungalow and spend the first half of the day at leisure. You can also visit Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary to witness an exotic collection of worldwide birds. The sanctuary is a permanent hub for mottled wood owl, spot-bellied eagle owl, Malayan night heron, Sri Lanka frogmouth, rusty-tailed flycatcher, grey-headed bulbul and Nilgiri wood pigeon. Come back to the bungalow for sleepover.

Day 04: Kothamangalam
You'll proceed to Kodanad elephant orphanage after breakfast. Take this opportunity to watch elephants from close and learn about their lifestyle. You can bath and feed elephants, apart from enjoying an elephant safari. Thereafter, a cookery demonstration will follow wherein you'll be taught to prepare authentic Kerala cuisines. Leftover time can be spent at leisure. Overnight stay will be at the bungalow.

Day 05: Kothamangalam - Periyar
After a tummy-filling morning meal, you'll travel to Periyar, a town presenting multitude sightseeing destinations including spice plantations, elephant sightings, tiger reserves and rolling hills. Check in at the hotel and get ready for a spice plantation tour. The strong fragrance of cardamom, pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon can be felt from far before you reach. Observe the cycle of their techniques and steps of how they are planted and processed before cooking. Kerala is known for producing one of the finest varieties of pepper in the world. Return to the hotel for night's rest.

Day 06: Periyar
On day six of the tour, you'll leave for a three-hour jungle trek, post breakfast. Make the most of this chance to observe birds, butterflies and other wildlife from close. Evergreen and moist deciduous forests, along with marshy grasslands, will accompany you throughout the hike. Your camera can be put to best use at this spot. Return back and sit for another cooking demonstration class in the evening. Night stay will be at the hotel.

Day 07: Periyar - Kumarakom
In the morning, you'll be driven to Kumarakom, a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Dotted with canals, lakes and coves, Kumarakom provides a heavenly experience. Here, you'll board a luxurious houseboat, completed with clean bedrooms, attached bathrooms and a kitchen. You'll be welcomed onboard with drinks and snacks, with all meals served throughout the day. Spend the entire day gazing and exploring the backwaters, further beautified by coconut palms and other lush green vegetation. Interact with the villagers at the countryside and shop whatever you require. Night will be spent at the houseboat.

Day 08: Alleppey - Marari
The night ride will land you at Alleppey when you rise in the morning. After a relishing breakfast at the house boat, you'll disembark at Alleppey and drive to Mararikulam, a scenic fisherman's village. When you reach at Marari, you'll make a check in at the resort and proceed to the beach. The virgin white sands, swaying coconut groves, calm blue waters and pleasing breeze prove to be a perfect heaven. Lunch will include exotic South Indian delights. In the evening, return to the resort for a full body Ayurvedic massage. Thereafter, dinner will be served before you retire for the night.

Day 09: Marari
Your day will start with a visit to the small organic farm, sited at the resort itself. Get detailed information of the greens, fruits and vegetables that come direct from the farm to the kitchen. This eco-friendly farm practices water harvesting and is a chemical-free zone. Therefore, only natural oils and local remedies are used for controlling the damage by pests and insects. Further, to keep the soil fertile, high definition techniques are used. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the resort.

Day 10: Marari - Cochin Departure
Start the day with a toothsome breakfast. Henceforth, you'll be driven to Cochin. Once you reach Cochin, you'll be transferred to the airport on-time to catch the flight for onward journey.