PLACES: COCHIN | PERIYAR | KUMARAKOM | MARARIKULAM | THALASSERY | KANNUR | CALICUT Savor the flavors of Kerala with ‘Culinary Journez,’ a delightful 11-day tour through Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom, Mararikulam, Thalassery, Kannur, and Calicut. Immerse yourself in the rich culinary traditions of each region, from the bustling markets of Cochin to the spice plantations of Periyar and the coastal delights of Mararikulam. Explore the unique tastes of Thalassery, Kannur, and Calicut, creating a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds at every stop. Arrive Cochin – Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Depending on the arrival time, we shall take the opportunity to explore old Cochin. Evening, enjoy the sunset cruise around Cochin harbour. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. Breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Nimmy & Paul Kerala home in Cochin for a Syrian Christian cooking demo with 3 different varieties. (She is a renowned cooking teacher and recently traveled to the USA for cooking classes). Lunch (Home Food) with the family. In the afternoon, visit local shopping areas and later proceed to a Kathakali Dance show. Overnight at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, proceed by surface to Periyar. After lunch at Spice Village Resort, enjoy a boat ride at Lake Periyar. In the evening, immerse yourself in classical music/dance performance at the resort. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. After a quick and early breakfast at the hotel, the day session starts with a visit to vegetable farms in Cumbum valley, nourished by the waters of Periyar Lake. As the day proceeds, take a walk at the local vegetable market to see, feel, and buy the vegetables the way a Kerala housewife would. Later, go on a fascinating and informative visit to a neighboring spice plantation/gardens, where owners pride themselves on their adaptation of organic farming methods. The visit provides a deeper understanding of how spices used in everyday cooking are grown, harvested, and processed. It offers insights into the wonderful world of spices, including their history, cultivation, medicinal values, and economics. In the afternoon, apply the theory learned! Each participant has a personal cooking station where the chef guides into an absorbing cooking lesson. The knowledge from the spice interpretation from the earlier day unfolds in front of you in the form of a dish cooked by you. The chef is invited to have dinner together with you tonight, and on the table, experiences and new knowledge are discussed and debated, friendships are extended and strengthened, and memories are created at Spice Village. Overnight at the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to ‘Nedumudy Jetty’ in the backwater to experience the cruise through the narrow canals on board a houseboat (known as Kettuvallam). Lunch will be served on board the houseboat. The cruise concludes at Kumarakom. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, the day’s focus is on a cooking demo featuring ‘Vegetarian Sadya’, a traditional feast of Kerala. Sadya is a three-course meal served on a plantain leaf, consisting of 40 vegetarian delights. The meal is rounded off with different varieties of Payasams (sweet desserts). The afternoon is free for an Ayurveda massage. Overnight at the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Mararikulam. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Arthungal Church using local bicycles. In the evening, enjoy a cooking demo on Seafood Grill, featuring Marari Fish/Prawn curry or ‘Meen Pollichthathu’, where fish is cooked/baked with banana leaf and various spices. Overnight at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Morning, proceed by surface to Mararikulam. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon, visit the Arthungal Church by local bicycles. In the evening, enjoy a cooking demo on Seafood Grill, Marari Fish/Prawn curry, or ‘Meen Pollichthathu’… fish cooked/baked with banana leaf and different spices. Overnight at the hotel. Early morning (0630hrs) visit to a nearby temple to witness the oldest ritualistic temple art form in India and one of the most spectacular in terms of artistry and symbolism… Theyyam. Theyyam literally means a form or shape, which is usually the representation of a divine or heroic character from mythology. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After check-out, we proceed to Ayesha Manzil to join Mrs. Moosa for culinary lessons on Mopilla cuisine followed by lunch. After lunch, we proceed to Mahe, a French Colony within British India (now comes under Pondicherry), visit a local school where we see the medium of language is French, visit St. Theresa’s (Mother of Aliva) Church and later proceed to Calicut. Overnight at the hotel. Again early morning this particular day, we choose to visit to experience “CVN Kalari Payuttu”, where you will witness one of the oldest martial art forms training, unique to Kerala. Return for breakfast at your resort, later check out and proceed to Kapad Beach to see the famous landing point of the greatest navigator ‘Vasco Di Gama”, who touched its shore in 1498. Later, visit Beypore boat building yard followed by a visit to the Malabar banana chips cottage industry en route to having lunch in Taj Residency, Calicut. After lunch, you are transferred to the railway station to connect the train Intercity Express for Cochin – 1610/2005 Hrs – Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight at hotel. In time transfer to the airport to connect a flight for the onward journey.
Itinerary
