Day 1
Arrive into Chennai airport. Your Travel The Unknown representative will greet you at the airport for transfer to your hotel. Freshen up and relax. Depending on time of arrival, sightseeing can be arranged, including a visit to the impressive San Thom Cathedral, and a drive along Marina beach, the second longest beach in the world. Evening to relax. Overnight in Chennai. Meals: N/A
Day 2
After breakfast, transfer to Chennai domestic airport for short flight to Trichy. Your representative will greet you on arrival with further transfer by road to Chettinad (2 hours). Check into the stunning Visalam resort, hidden away in tranquil surroundings, this property blends old-age elegance with modern-day comforts. There is plenty of open space and an open-air swimming pool. You have the afternoon to unwind before your cooking class with the expert chefs. You will learn about Chettinad food and what makes it distinctive. Although dishes are typically very spicy, these can of course be toned down. Exciting Chettinar dishes include the fried murrell, a delicately spiced lamb dish, and robust curries with hints of fresh pepper and raw mango. Enjoy an excellent meal. Rest of the evening to relax. Meals: B,D
Chettinad cuisine is typically spicy and pungent, and consists of mainly non-vegetarian food. The dishes contain freshly ground masalas, and often topped with a boiled egg, which is usually considered an essential part of a meal. They also use a variety of sun-dried meats and salted vegetables, reflecting the dry environment of the region. Meat dishes are restricted to fish, prawn, lobster, crab, chicken and lamb. People from this region do not eat beef and pork.
Day 3
After a sumptuous breakfast, set off to explore some of the ancient temples unique to this area. Tamil Nadu was once ruled by the Chola Dynasty (9-13th centuries), who constructed some of the most ornate temples in South India. Dedicated to various Hindu gods, these temples contain intricate life-size carvings, beautiful murals and are a display of master craftsmanship. Afterwards, for lunch, we drop in to a local family to enjoy a traditional Chettinad meal. You will also get the chance to interact with them and learn about Chettinad/Tamil culture. Later, visit Chettinad mansions, which are unique in their layout and design, especially the use of space and extensive space. Return to the hotel for a relaxing evening meal. Overnight in Chettinad. Meals: B,L,D
Day 4
Set off early for Palakkad in Kerala. Drive through towns, villages and lush tropical countryside. Stop off en-route for lunch. Arrive mid-afternoon, and check into the Tharavad Heritage Homestay which has served as an ancestral home of the Kandath family and dates back almost 200 years. It is set in the lush rice paddies of rural Kerala. Using traditional construction methods, the most striking feature of the house is the frontal raised area ("Purathalum") with grand bulbous pillars fashioned in teak at each corner rising to glorious carvings of elephants, snakes, fish and dragons.
Rest and take a wander around the local village and countryside. In the evening, sit back and enjoy dinner with your hosts, who will serve up some mouthwatering Keralan dishes, all served on banana leaf. Savour some of the delicious coconut and tamarind chutneys, and chat about everything from food to culture and politics! Overnight in Palakkad. Meals: B,D
Day 5
After breakfast, you will visit the local market to buy vegetables. After scouring the market for vegetables and spices, you will then proceed to another home, where our hostess, who is an expert cook, will give a cooking class using the ingredients you've just bought. After cooking, you can enjoy the vegetarian sadya, lunch served on banana leaf. Later in the day you will visit the ancient fort of Hyder Ali, and watch pottery making. Finally we visit Kalpathy, one of the oldest settlements of Tamil Brahmins in Kerala. Learn about the history of this settlement and the Vedic traditions still practised there. Return to Palakkad and overnight. Meals: B,L,D
Day 6
After breakfast proceed to Thalassery. You will arrive at a beautiful old colonial style mansion, your home for the next two nights, overlooking the blue Arabian Sea. Enjoy a refreshing drink and unwind. After lunch, your hostess, Mrs. Moosa, will accompany you to the market to buy ingredients for your evening cooking class.
Mrs Moosa is an internationally renowned culinary expert, who has featured in many culinary magazines, as well as the BBC. Her cooking style is an intoxicating blend of Keralan and Muslim influences. You will learn how to cook her infamous Tellicherry Pepper. During the class, she will show you how to cook various dishes, including meat, seafood and vegetable dishes, as well as rice, South Indian bread and dessert.
After tucking into your delicious dinner, the rest of the evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Thalassery. Meals: B,L,D
Day 7
Today is a day of sightseeing and discovering the fascinating sites of Thalassery, including Thalassery (or Tellicherry) Fort. Perched on the Malabar coast, Thalassery was much sought and fought after by foreign invaders. Famous for its black pepper and cardamom, the fort and the seaport were established by the British East India Company, as Thalassery became a key part of the Spice Route. You will also see St John's Anglican Church, dating back almost 150 years, alongside mosques and temples, revealing the cultural diversity of this small town. After lunch, stop off at the hand loom weaving centre to see how some of the finest textiles are produced, as well as the beedi rolling centres. Beedi is a type of Indian cigarette. You will have free time to wander the old spice markets. Later, return to our homestay for a delicious home-cooked meal. Overnight in Thalassery. Meals: B,L,D
Day 8
Early morning transfer to train station to catch the train to Ernakulam. Enjoy a tasty breakfast on board the train. A typical South Indian vegetarian breakfast consists of idli, vada and sambar. You will be greeted on arrival by our representative and transferred to Alleppey, the home of Kerala's splendid backwaters. You will be staying at the superb Vembanad House, where a delicious lunch will be awaiting you. The homestay is located in its own private estate, with swaying palm trees, hammocks, overlooking shimmering Lake Vembanad. Late evening, go out in dug-out canoes for lobster fishing and soak up the tranquility of this place. Your host will serve up fantastic seafood, including freshly caught lobsters, crab, Keralan-spiced fish, and a delicious vegetable stew served with appam, a bowl-shaped pancake made from rice flour. Overnight in Alleppey. Meals: B,L,D
Day 9
Have a leisurely start to the day with a filling breakfast served outdoors by the lake. Later board the houseboat for your ride through Kerala's enchanting backwaters. You will see birdlife, rice barges making their way along the creeks and Chinese cantilever fishing nets. Stop off for some fishing, and if lucky(!), you will get to taste freshly caught fish for lunch. You can watch the onboard chef prepare Karimeen (pearlspot) Fry. Early evening return to your homestay. Evening free to interact with the family or simply chill out. Overnight in Alleppey. Meals: B,L,D
Day 10
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady, the spice capital of India. Arrive at lunchtime at the beautiful setting of the Spice Village. This mini-village recreated in the lush tropical forest of Thekkady is a nature lover's paradise. You will be staying in traditionally constructed cottages, with perfectly integrated modern comforts. Afternoon is free to explore the local surroundings, take a light walk, or do some bird-watching. In the evening, you will watch a cooking demonstration outdoors. your Your chef, Velayuthan, will unveil a few (but only a few!) of his South Indian cooking secrets, using the freshest local spices and ingredients. You can choose to eat out in the long verandah or in the rustic wooden dining hall. Overnight in Thekkady. Meals: B,D
Day 11
Early morning breakfast, then set off for a boat ride on Lake Periyar. Look out for local wildlife (elephants, deer, sloth bears) coming to the lake for water. Afterwards, go for a jungle walk (2 hours). Return to the Spice Village for lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit one of Thekkady's many spice plantations. Learn all about the spices that are grown here - pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and more. Return to your cottage. Dinner at the Village. Overnight in Thekkady. Meal plan: B,D
Day 12
Transfer from Thekkady to Cochin. Stop en-route at Kottayam for lunch at at a traditional Christian homestay. You can join your host in the kitchen as she prepares a mouthwatering South Indian platter of meat and vegetarian dishes. After lunch, take a walking tour of the owner’s spice and rubber plantations. Continue on to Cochin. You will be staying in the Tea Bungalow, an ambient heritage property in the colonial area of Fort Cochin. Evening free at your leisure. Choose from the many restaurant options available in Fort Cochin. Meals: B,L
Day 13
After breakfast set off on a walking tour of Cochin (2 hours) wandering its narrow lanes encountering echoes of its colonial past. Dutch, Portuguese, Arabs and the British have all left their mark. Also visit one of India's few synagogues in Jew Street. For lunch you will be going somewhere very special. Our friend, Nimmy Paul, has featured in many Indian and international food magazines, and is renowned for her unique South Indian recipes. She will conduct a cooking class, followed by lunch, either in the garden or in her cosy home. After leaving Nimmy's, you will make your way to the harbour for a sunset cruise observing port life and Kerala's famous Chinese cantilever fishing nets. Evening free. Overnight in Cochin. Meal plan: B
Day 14
Breakfast, then transfer to airport at appropriate time. If you have a flight later in the day, then you could explore more of Cochin or browse the market for handicrafts and wares. Meals: B
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