Overview:

Culinary tour of South India is a unique opportunity to sample South Indian cuisines cooked with local spices. Discover the incredible flavours of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on this culinary tour through South India. Visit the colourful local markets, enjoy a meal with a local family to learn more about the food and culture, join the master chefs for cooking demonstration, visit the spice plantations and explore the world heritage sites and monuments. Experience a wide variety of cuisine, scenery, architecture, culture, and the people as you travel through the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu on the culinary tour.

Day 01

Arrive Bangalore

Arrive at Bangalore International Airport. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Stay at Taj Westend for 02 nights. Evening enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 02

Bangalore

We start our tour in the morning with a visit to a Vineyard and an introduction to Indian Wines. We will visit the Soma Vineyards and have and taste some of the best made Indian Wines followed by lunch at this beautiful vineyard. Later in the evening we will visit the tasting room of the Bengaluru Oota Company for dinner. Bengaluru Oota Company's Tasting Room which specializes in Gowda and Mangalorean cuisine is an intimate space where you can share a meal that is curated especially for you.

Day 03

Bangalore - Mysore

Drive to Mysore in the morning visiting Tippu’s Summer Palace and ruins of the fort enroute. Stay at Royal Orchid Metropole for 02 nights. Later in the evening, visit Chamundi Hills, Nandi Bull and the colourful Devaraja market.

Day 04

Mysore

Visit the famous Mysore Palace in the morning, one of the most visited monuments in the country and it is still home to the erstwhile royal family. Visit a local host in the afternoon who will guide you through cooking a 03 course south Indian meal with all fresh produceright there in their kitchen. Enjoy your home cooked meal with your hosts eating like a true local on banana leaves.

Day 05

Mysore - Coorg

After breakfast, drive to Coorg visiting the Tibetian settlement and the Namdroling Monastery at Bylakuppeen route. Stay at School Estate for 02 nights. Later in the evening, take a walk through the coffee plantation and better understand the brilliance behind your favourite drink.

Day 06

Coorg

Join the forces with local family and learn how to cook native delicacies flavoured with scintillating local spices. Coorg is renowned for its culinary delicacies. Pandi curry or Pork curry is mouthwateringly delicious and world famous dish, synonymous with Coorgi cuisine. Later in the afternoon, get to dress in the traditional Kodava Attire, men in their full warrior regalia and for ladies in a special treat as you’ll get draped in a saree with a very distinctive twist.

Day 07

Coorg - Tellicherry

After breakfast, you will drive south to the coastal town of Tellicherry. Stay at Ayisha Manzil for 02 nights. Visit the famous mophilah home and enjoy the celebrated north Kerala cuisine of your hostess.

Day 08

Tellicherry

In the morning, enjoy a walk with the host to the local fish markets, spice shops, beedi making units. You could also visit the famous Parasinikkadavu Temple to learn and explore the ritual called `` Theyyam``. In the evening, enjoy a cookery lesson with the hostess.

Day 09

Tellicherry - Cochin

Early morning, you will be transferred to Tellicherry Railway Station to board the express train to Ernakulam. Arrive at Ernakulam Railway Station in the afternoon. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Fort Cochin. Stay at Brunton Boatyard for 02 nights. Evening enjoy a motor boat cruise along the harbour to see the Chinese fishing nets.

Day 10

Cochin

Morning, you will be picked from your hotel, board the Auto Rickshaws or also popularly known as TukTuk ‘s to enjoy a heritage tour of Fort Cochin & Mattanchery. Proceed to the home of a traditional Syrian Christian family for a lunch with family. Today, you will get an opportunity to participate in and learn the intricacies of typical Syrian Christian cooking. In the evening, witness Kathakali dance performance, the traditional dance drama of Kerala based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Accompanied by a gong, drums and cymbals, Kathakali performers combine dance and theatre in a ritualistic portrayal of gods and demons.

Day 11

Cochin - Backwaters

Late morning, drive to Alleppey. Afternoon, board your private houseboat (Kettuvallom) for an overnight cruise through the famous Vembanad Lake. Enjoy a relaxing cruise through the tranquil backwaters and narrow canals enjoying the village life. Your lunch, evening tea and dinner will be served on board the houseboat. Overnight on houseboat.

Day 12

Kumarakom

After a leisurely breakfast, disembark from the houseboat at your homestay. On arrival check-in to Philipkutty’s Farm, a backwater homestay on a private island overlooking the Vembanad Lake for the night. Later in the evening, enjoy a cookery demonstration with the hosts to learn the local cuisine. The cuisine is predominantly Syrian Christian with a strong backwater influence.

Day 13

Kumarakom - Periyar

After breakfast, drive to Periyar, South India’s best kept Tiger Reserve. Stay at Spice Village for 02 nights. In the evening, enjoy a spice plantation visit to learn more about the spices grown in this area.

Day 14

Periyar

Early morning, you’ll enjoy a nature trek with tribal trackers in Periyar Tiger Reserve. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot wild Elephants, Indian Bisons, Sambar Deers, Nilgiri Langurs and variety of species of birds.

Day 15

Periyar - Madurai

After breakfast, drive to the famous temple town of Madurai. Stay at the Gateway Hotel Passumalai for the night. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Madurai, which is home to some fine examples of Dravidian architecture, and in particular the stunning Meenakshi Temple complex with its vast colourfully carved gopuram. ThiruMalai Nayak Palace, actually designed by an Italian architect, makes for an interesting visit, along with the Puthu Mandapam and Pillared Hall.

Day 16

Madurai - Chettinadu

Late morning, proceed to the town of Chettindau. Stay at Visalam for 02 nights. Later during the day we will take part in the interactive kitchen sessions and learn the fine secrets that lie behind the Chettinadu Cuisine of Southern India.

Day 17

Chettinadu

Enjoy a visit to the rustic town of Chettinadu. Hop across towns, visiting the old mansions to take in the splendor of the art and architecture, the most famous is Chettinadu Raja’s Palace, Athangudi handmade tile making unit, Saree weaving and the daily local market. Visit the Arraynar shrine of Kothadi where alignment of terracotta figures which have been offered to the village Deity. Go antique shopping at the main market on MuneeswaranKoil street in Karaikudi. Shopkeepers are friendly and willing to chat with you about the rich history of their wares, most of them from local Chettiar homes.

Day 18

Chettinadu - Kumbakonam

After breakfast drive to the town of Tanjore. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town visiting the famous Brihideeshwara Temple, Bronze Museum and the Bronze idol making unit. Later, proceed to Kumbakonam visiting the ancient town of Swamimalaienroute. Stay at Manta Koodam for 02 nights.

Day 19

Kumbakonam

A whole day to visit the sights and temples in and around Kumbakonam. Visit Raja Veda Kavya Patashala, a legendary Vedic school that has produced renowned scholars and pandits since its establishment in 1542, Ramamohan's house to see the ancient artform of Kalamkari alive and thriving and a Silk weaving centre to see the master craftsmen weave intricate designs into silk saris with fine gold thread. In the evening, enjoy a scenic bullock cart ride to catch the glimpses of the rustic village life across the countryside. As your driver traverses expertly through the narrow lanes, you will be waved at and even joined by excited kids with contagious smiles. Get a first-hand experience of the charm of rural life amidst acres of paddy fields and warm-hearted locals.

Day 20

Kumbakonam - Pondicherry

This day’s drive will take you away from the inlands of Kumbakonam to the French quarters of Pondicherry on India’s eastern coast visiting the temples of Gangaikondacholapuram and Chidambaram enroute. Stay at Palais De Mahe for 02 nights.

Day 21

Pondicherry

Explore this gorgeous French colony of India with a heritage walk in the morning. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in the evening through the streets of Pondicherry.

Day 22

Pondicherry - Chennai

After breakfast, fast drive to visit the impressive coastal site of Mahabalipuram. You visit the famous Shore Temple, Five Ratha’s and Arjuna’s Penance. Later proceed to Chennai. Stay at Taj Connemara for 02 nights.

Day 23

Chennai

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Chennai in the morning visiting San Thome Basilica, Kapaleeshwara Temple, Fort St. George and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Late in the evening, gather at the Raintree Speciality Restaurant for the farewell dinner.

Day 24

Chennai Airport Drop

In good time, you will be transferred to Chennai International Airport to connect your flight home.