Kerala Culinary Trail Tour

Arrive Kochi, the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Starting from the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlements in India.

This morning explore Fort Kochi, a historic trading port of Kochi with narrow cobbled stone streets, cafes that open for business late in the morning and visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and see the authentic Chinese fishing nets still in active use by the fishermen in Kerala.

Later in time embark on a scenic drive to Munnar, one of the most popular hill resorts of south India and en route visit Mundackal Plantation Bungalow at Kothamangalam and spend the afternoon at leisure in a 100-year old estate bungalow homestead set in over 100 acres of multi-crop plantation. Apart from exploring the estate, you could also participate in cookery demonstrations of authentic Kerala cuisine conducted by the hostess, Mrs. Daisy.

After breakfast, visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum to learn about the cultivation and processing of a variety of Indian teas. Then we visit a unique welfare initiative in Munnar, which focuses on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children, most of whom are from families of local tea pluckers of Munnar. Here we see three projects that aim to equip disabled children to secure a better future: a centre for special education; a natural dye fabric printing project; and a unit that manufactures handmade paper and paper products. The products made by these children are sold at a small outlet near the workshops and are exported to Japan and Europe. A visit to this unique initiative reiterates how enthusiasm is a sign of spiritual health and imperfections are what make you beautiful! Enjoy the rest of the time at leisure.

This evening visit one local family for a cooking demonstration with the chef and learn uses of various spices in everyday cooking. The chef will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about south Indian cooking.

After a leisurely breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive to Periyar, the spice plantation hub of Kerala.

Upon arrival in Periyar, check in to your hotel for 2 nights stay and enjoy the rest of the time at leisure!!

This evening watch Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest form of martial arts and known as the mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu consists of punches, leg moves, stretches, twists, and jumps performed in a particular sequence. In Periyar, you get a unique opportunity to witness a performance of this ancient art along with the locals at the village arena.

Early this morning, we take a guided walk with a naturalist in Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Observe some rare species of flora and fauna, along with a variety of birds and if you are lucky you may even spot a few elephants and wildlife across the lake.

This afternoon, take a spice plantation tour and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. The spice plantations in Periyar are captivating farms growing different spices in different sections of the plantations. You will be intrigued to see the vast variety of spices.

Ranging from cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper, chilli, turmeric etc and during the spice plantation tour, you have the option to experience elephant safari through the plantation. Undisturbed by the mechanical roar of a car or jeep, open to the skies accompanied only by the rhythmic sound of the elephant, enjoy the ride through spice scented breeze.

Today you will make the 2-3 hour journey into the Western Ghats. You will be staying at Vanilla County Heritage Plantation House, an authentic and tranquil homestay, set in a beautiful garden at the foothills of Vagamon. Situated close to the source of the Meenachil river, the plantation is surrounded by lush greenery where one can wander around spice gardens, mountain streams and rubber plantations. Vanilla County promises unpolluted natural beauty, rustic countryside and a slow ambling pace of life.

There is so much to see and do in Vanilla County that one needs at least a full day to sample the various delights. The home itself is a colonial bungalow with sloping roofs and belongs to the very warm couple Rani and Mathew. Rani is a gifted cook and the meals conjured up by her in her immaculate kitchen are a delight both to learn from and finally to feast on! Vanilla County gives you a true peek into the work that goes into a family run plantation.

Early this morning after a leisurely breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kumarakom, Which is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam {16 kilometres (10 minutes), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala

Upon arrival in Kumarakom, check in to your hotel and later take a boat to Philipkutty's Farm, an exclusive homestay located on a small farm island on the Vembanad Lake. The farm is run by a local family and offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the true Kerala experience while getting to know the people who live and work here. Meals at Philipkutty’s are a family affair; using mostly local ingredients, dishes are home cooked and some, if not all, of the resident family, join guests for dinner each evening. The predominantly Syrian Christian fare has strong backwater elements, with touches of family tradition. Cooking classes are also offered – some of the sample dishes taught include appam (hoppers of fermented rice batter and coconut milk), chicken stew, duck curry and roast, iddi appam (string hoppers), Kerala fish curry, vegetable thoran, chutneys, and traditional desserts.

After lunch, drop back at the resort and enjoy rest of the day free for personal activities and expressions

Early this morning enjoy en visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for bird watching, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a small piece of heaven for nature lovers and bird watchers. Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, this preservation ground is a habitat to plenty of common as well as endangered species of residential and migratory birds.

These include Siberian Cranes, Parrots, Herons, Owls, Egrets, Darters, and Waterfowls. Exploring the sprawling 14 acres in a canoe is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating things to do in Kumarakom.

Also visit Pathiramanal the fascinating island called the Sands of Midnight on the Vembanad Lake, can be reached by boat from here.

This morning board your houseboat to cruise through resort jetty, Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. Discover the daily life along the backwaters and watch the circle of life in endless shades of green. Enjoy the comfort of a floating suite, relax and discover the flavors of Kerala served on the sundeck as the fascinating life along the waterfront passes by.

Morning you will be transferred to Kochi railway station on time to board the train to Thalassery. On arrival Thalassery proceed to the Ayisha Manzil homestay.

Ayisha Manzil was built in 1862 by Murdoch Brown, a tradesman from the East India Company; and bought in 1900 by the Moosas, a local timber trader family of Muslims, who still run it today. Experience the warm hospitality, traditional cuisine with emphasis on fresh seafood, and local culture of Thalassery. Ayisha Manzil oozes history – antique furniture and family heirlooms decorate the spacious rooms. Enjoy home-cooked food with the Moosas.

This coastal strip is famous for its fish, caught daily in the warm waters that lap the gorgeous Malabar Coast and sold right off the boat on the local beach. It is here that a particular style of Indian cooking developed, quite different from elsewhere on the subcontinent. Named after the Mappilas (Muslims of North Kerala), Mappila cuisine is the tradition that Faiza Moosa teaches in her home kitchen.

After enjoying a wonderful home-cooked meal, it is time to explore Thalassery. Visit the Muzhappilangad Beach (the best four kilometre drive-in beach of Kerala), Beedi Factory, and handloom weaving centre.

You can even hire a bike or cycle to ride along the coast; and during the festival season, if you are lucky, you can watch Theyyam a ritual temple dance performance of North Kerala.

Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Breakfast at the homestay. Begin your day in Ayisha Manzil with an early morning trip to the fish market and spice merchants, and finish with a great feast. A Houseboy can accompany you on trips to a six-kilometre long tropical beach, the fruit markets of Thalassery or to the 300 acres of the cinnamon plantation which is 10 km away from the house. The plantation was originally established by Murdoch himself and is the only one of its kind in the country. Faiza Moosa will delight you with her own Kerala specialties.

You are in for a treat if you like your food hot and spicy. In the evening, a cooking demonstration, of which you can be a part, will be held by Mrs. Moosa.

Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

After breakfast, proceed to Kozhikode. Lunch at the Kozhikode Paragon Restaurant. With a culinary heritage dating back to over seven decades, the flagship restaurant is iconic of Kozhikode, offering a fusion of the Malabar region's Mappila, coastal, and Thiyya cuisines. After lunch, visit CVN Kalari, where you will witness a training session of Kalaripayattu. Unique to Kerala, the ancient martial art form of kalaripayattu dates back three millennia and is not only one of the oldest existing martial art forms in the world but also believed to be the mother of all martial art forms. Check in at the riverside resort – Kadavu. Evening, the chef at the resort will demonstrate a few of his special varieties in the Malabar cuisine. Overnight in Kozhikode.

Departure transfer to Kozhikode Airport to board onward flight.