A visit to the southernmost state of India - Kerala,combining visits to tea plantations, coffee estates, spice markets, and chocolate making offers a unique experience of the state's rich agricultural heritage. The landscape and culture of South India is so different from North India that it is like going to another country.
This itinerary is designed to let you experience staying in a tree house, a home stay, overnight on a houseboat and in an award winning Dutch themed boutique hotel. This is not an escorted tour. you can travel independently anytime that suits.
The tour starts in Cochin. The day of arrival is just to acclamatise yourself - just chill out in the hotel or stroll to the local markets to feel the vibe of the place. Then head to Munnar for couple of days stay in a tree house. Yes, a real tree house! Visit a tea plantation at 8,000 feet above sea level - the highest in the world. We will also visit a Chocolate factory for a hands-on chocolate making experience.
The next stop is Periyar, famous for its wildlife reserve and spice plantations. After visiting spice plantations and a boat ride on Lake Periyar, we will have a hands-on cooking session of South Indian food at our hotel. Our accommodation here is at a resort, modelled on a tribal village set in a spice garden in the cool highlands of Periyar.
Perhaps the most amazing experience of this itinerary is the next 2 days on a farm by the banks of a small river. Disconnect from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the birdsong and the sustainable, organic produce of the farm. This homestay is the only place in Kerala which offers the true essence of ‘farm to fork’ fresh food. You can also enjoy the informal cooking lessons with the professional chefs.
After the homestay the next adventure is overnight in a houseboat. Cruise the calm backwaters in an air conditioned, luxury houseboat with all meals on board. The final night is back in Cochin, a port since 1341 and also a bustling city with Synagogues, beaches and museums. And one last cooking session and delicious South Indian cuisine before you head home.
Destination | Highlights |
---|---|
Munnar | Tea plantations, Chocolate factory, coffee estate |
Periyar | Spice plantations |
Kodikulam | farm-to-plate, traditional Keralan meal served on a banana leaf, cooking lessons |
Alleppey | Meals cooked live on the houseboat |
Cochin | Fine dining |
Destination | No of Nights | Hotel |
---|---|---|
Cochin | 2 nights | Hotel Brunton Boatyard |
Munnar | 2 Nights | Tree House at Naturezone Jungle resort |
Periyar | 1 Night | Spice Village at Thekkady |
Kodikulam | 2 Night | Dewalokam homestay |
Alleppey | 1 Night | Air conditioned houseboat |
Upon arrival at Delhi international airport, our company representative will meet & assist you with traditional welcome and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free & easy for own activities. Evening proceed for Dinner at Masala Library Restaurant ( www.masalalibrary.co.in) Masala library by Jiggs Kalra a magnum opus of the Czar of Indian Cuisine & tastemaker. The culinary offerings at Masala Library endevour’s to offer its patrons a never before under taken gastronomic voyage capturing the grandeur of centuries old traditions and the long last essence of one of the oldest known gastronomic tradition in the world. The main focus is to revive the traditional recipes specially KABAB & CURRIES. After dinner return to hotel(Meal Include – Dinner) Overnight at Delhi hotel
Post breakfast; proceed for a full day guided tour in Delhi starting from Old Delhi visiting drive pass Raj Ghat, visit Jama Maszid, drivepass through Red Fort & Chandni Chowk market and later enjoy an authentic old Delhi street food and taste (if guest like).
After old Delhi tour; procced for lunch at a famous Old Delhi Indian restaurant called "Chor Bizarre" (www.chorbizarre.com/del) Chor Bizarre is the complete eating out experience, great décor, distinct ambience, wonderous cocktails, superlative food, charming old world service. Every city in India have its own special ‘Chor Bazar’ which translate as ‘thieves market’. All kind of wares find their way here (with or without the consent of the owners). This brings an inspiration and to celebrate the eclecticism of India.
Later proceed to visit India Gate, drive pass through Parliament Street & President house and visit Qutab Minar.
After sightseeing; In evening, you will take a cooking class session at chef Harpal Singh Sokhi at home with dinner. He is celebrity chef from India. Also known as “Energy Chef of India” is now a “Dancing Chef Of India”. Hailing from North India, which, like the rest of India is rich in culture and cuisine, Chef Harpal is a music lover and is fluent in English and five Indian languages, namely Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Oriya and Telugu. He graduated from the catering school at Bhubaneshwar, a capital of Orissa. He spent his initial years in learning different international cuisines but later realised that his interest lay in unearthing the authentic regional Indian food.
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Lunch)
Overnight at Delhi hotel.
Early breakfast; check-out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi- Nizamuddin railway station to board the train to Agra; the city of Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival at Agra Railway station; Meet & assistance by company representative & transfer to hotel for check-in. After lunch proceed for a half day guided tour in Agra visiting Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Post tour; spend some time in shopping the world’s best Marble products and the famous James & Jewelry.
In night enjoy the dinner at Bellevue Restaurant in hotel Amar Vilas (www.oberoihotels.com/amarvilas) Bellevue offers an unforgettable dining experience. It is well known that Mughal Emperors were patrons of lavish foods. At here chef tried to capture Mughal’s passion for international flavours. You will find Italian Classics reinvented with an Asian twist that reflects the gout de terrior ot the spirit and nature of the South and South East Asian Regions.
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Overnight at Agra hotel
Post breakfast; drive to Jaipur; the capital city of Rajasthan State and known as the “Pink City. Upon arrival Jaipur; check-in to the hotel and relax.
In Evening procced to visit Chokhi Dhani Village; Chokhi Dhani is a popular and remarkable attraction of Jaipur. It is an ethnic village resort offering you all type of entertainment options including dance, music, food and accommodations in royal styles. We can enjoy the activities at Chokhi Dhani include magic shows, puppet shows, Rajasthani dance, Rajasthani folk music, future tellers, acrobatics on a bamboo and luck predicting parrots. There are also interesting activities and adventures that will keep you completely engaged, like camel ride, elephant ride and horse ride and boating. Later take the Rajasthani dinner at the most sumptuous at Royal Rajasthani dining hall where we can enjoy delicious Rajasthani cuisines with cultural performances by bhopa and bhopan (Rajasthani songs & Music)
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Remark: After visit Chokhi Dhani village; if guest not like Rajasthani food than we can arrange the dinner on finest restaurant in Jaipur (Restaurant Peshawar in hotel ITC Rajputana – On direct payment basis/ similar )
Overnight at Jaipur Hotel
Post breakfast; leave for an excursion to Amber Fort. Enjoy the Elephant ride to ascend the Amber fort. After visiting Amber fort, visit to a traditional Rajasthani Handicraft & handloom factory to see the craftsmen performing.
Afternoon enjoy the lunch at a famous Jaipur restaurant Swapna Bhawan in Hotel Raj Palace (www.rajpalace.com) Formal receptions remained the local activity of country life during the British period. Hence the Thakur Sahib made Swapna Mahal imitating the great houses of the British and French nability. This hall is completely titled out with European furniture, Chandliers, Mirrors and Crockery Collection. The Food is serve in Royal Thali (is a big plate made of silver , gold or other metal).
Later procced visit to City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory. Before returning your hotel; a short stop in front Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) for photo shoot.
After relaxing; In evening, we will proceed for dinner at Restaurant Rajput Room in hotel Taj Ram Bagh Palace; Here first we will explore Ram Bagh Palace and later enjoy the dinner. They special prepared the Rajasthani Thali and serve.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
Overnight at Jaipur hotel
Early breakfast; on time transfer to Jaipur airport to board the flight to Udaipur; city of lakes. Upon arrived Udaipur; meet & assistance by company representative and transfer to hotel for check-in / or Proceed direct half day guided sightseeing tour of Udaipur. (Check-in time is 02 PM- Subject to early check-in facility if room are available)
visiting City Palace, an intriguing collection of buildings built in the year 1725. Also visit Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour) and Jagdish Temple; the Indo-Aryan Temple and visit Old city of Udaipur.
Later in evening procced for a cooking class demo on Rajasthani cuisine at chef home and enjoy the dinner with variety of foods which is prepared by chef.
Chef : Mr. Vimal Dhar
One of India’s most renowned Young Chef, CHEF VIMAL DHAR is a highly experienced Chef with a passion for perfecting culinary specialties. With an impressive list of achievements to his credit, this astute and result oriented professional has been featured among INDIA’S TOP CHEF in the book MY LAST SUPPER by Melanie Dunea. The soft-spoken Chef Vimal Dhar also holds the distinction of having been featured in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, USA magazine by Mr. Stan Sessor and in the DISCOVERY CHANNEL by Anthony Bourdain. Also featured on TRAVEL & LIVING CHANNEL.
CHEF VIMAL DHAR is featured among 50 Chefs handpicked globally by celebrity photographer Melanie Dunea for her latest coffee table book MY LAST SUPPER. For this book, the Dunea travelled the world to short list (based on surveys and extensive research) the 50 best names in the culinary world and interviewed each one of them herself.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
Overnight at Udaipur hotel
Post breakfast; On time transfer to Udaipur airport to board the flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival, New Delhi airport; meet & assistance by company representative and transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the time is free for leisure and relax. In evening proceed for dinner at Indian Accent Restaurant. After dinner return to hotel
(Meal Include – Breakfast & Dinner)
Overnight at Udaipur hotel
Post breakfast; On time transfer to Delhi International airport to board the flight to onward journey.
(Meal Include – Breakfast)
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Good Food Journeys is a New Zealand company with a strong base in India. We are a passionate team dedicated to culinary travel……..Read More