Culinary Art of Kerala

Day 1

Arrive Kochi, the queen of the Arabian Sea

Arrive in India, for your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour

PM:

• Arrive Kochi
• Welcome at airport
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2

Day in Kochi

Discover the first city of your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour, pacing through Kochi, the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala

AM:

• Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Kochi, visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church and Chinese fishing nets.

PM:

• Meet a local family for home cooked dinner tonight. Your hosts will show you their local cooking practices and share secrets to age old grandma recipes!

Day 3

Day in Kochi

Discover Kochi and learn the art of south Indian cooking on your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour.

AM:

• Enjoy a morning at leisure exploring Kochi and its local markets on your own

PM:

• Learn the culinary art of south Indian cuisine all the way from preparation to serving and eating food off banana leaves!
• Watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in India. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana

Day 4

Drive to Periyar, the spice plantaion hub of Kerala (150 Kms / 4.5 Hrs)

Enjoy a scenic drive on your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour, with a drive to Periyar

AM:

• Enjoy a scenic drive to Periyar, through the lush green countryside of Kerala.
• On arrival in Periyar, check in at your hotel and freshen up

PM:

• Visit Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, one of the finest elephant reserves of south India. Take a boat cruise on the serene Lake Periyar, spotting migratory birds and local wildlife around the lake.

Day 5

Day in Periyar

Discover the spices of Periyar, on your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour

AM:

• Enjoy a morning at leisure in Periyar

PM:

• Take a walking tour of spice plantations and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. You also get the opportunity to shop for fragrant spices at a local market.
• Enjoy a cooking demonstration themed on spices of Kerala – learn how to match the different scents and flavours to create the perfect aroma for speciality south Indian dishes

Day 6

Drive to Kumarakom, the coastal backwaters hub of Kerala (120 Kms / 4 Hrs)

Experience the serenity of your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour, with a visit to the calm coastal town of Kumarakom.

AM:

• After breakfast drive to Kumarakom, the coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala. On arrival, check-in at your hotel and freshen up.

PM:

• This afternoon visit one of Asia's largest freshwater lakes spreads across the land of green magic, Kerala. Vembanad Kayal, as it is called in the regional language, acts as a giant reservoir, a balancing tank against floods, and a major ecological resource, which has conditioned the flora, fauna and lifestyles of the people who live on its banks. Its wooded banks, chirping birds, fishermen with large palm-leaf hats, and the shallow edges where women immersed upto their necks in water searching for the shy but tasty Karimeen fish, will tempt you to explore more.

Day 7

Day in Kumarakom

Experience the tranquillity of your Culinary Art of Kerala Tour, cruising along the backwaters of Kerala

AM:

• Enjoy a morning at leisure
• Today, learn about south Indian fish and seafood preparations in a cooking demonstration followed by a lovely seafood lunch

PM:

• Enjoy a sunset cruise along the backwaters, which consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals. See life on the banks, lush green rice fields, and coconut groves with occasional temple or church as you cruise through the canals.

Day 8

DEPARTURE / Kumarakom – Kochi (50 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)

Bid goodbye to India, as you reach the finale of Culinary Art of Kerala Tour

AM:

• Cruise to a family owned island farmhouse – a beautiful hidden hamlet in the backwaters of Kerala
• Enjoy a tour of fruit and vegetable plantations on the island, followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch with the owners family

PM:

• Cruise and drive to Kochi, where you have time for some last minute shopping
• Later, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home