Gourmet South India By World Journeys

Gourmet South India By World Journeys

13 Days / 12 Nights from $7,255 Price Per Person

Sales from 03 May 2023 to 31 December 2026

**Day 1: Bengaluru**
You will be met and transferred to your hotel.

**Day 2: Bengaluru**
Enjoy a walking tour today of Bengaluru, one of India’s most progressive and developed cities. You’ll visit lovely parks and see striking Victorian-era architecture including the beautiful St Marks Cathedral, Queens Park, the Government Archaeological Museum and 300 acre Cubbon Park. This evening try an ethnic South Indian seafood dinner experience on a traditional banana leaf just like the locals.

**Day 3: Bengaluru > Srirangapatna > Mysore **
Drive to Mysore via the deserted fort town of Srirangapatna located on an island in the holy Kaveri River. The town is of religious, cultural and historic importance. The ramparts, battlements and some of the gates of the fort still stand, as do a few monuments. This afternoon visit Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill, and enter the sacred Chamundeshwari Temple. Enjoy a royal dinner in Lalitha Mahal Palace, a shimmering white palace set in sprawling terraced and landscaped gardens.

**Day 4: Mysore > Ooty**
Drive to the hill station of Ooty, a fascinating blend of Indian bustle and ancient temples with natural flora and charming British Raj Era houses. Visit the Observatory and watch the sun set over the Nilgiri Hills. Dinner this evening is in the Summer Palace of the Maharaja of Mysore Fernhills Royal Palace.

**Day 5: Ooty > Coonoor**
Visit the Botanical Garden and enjoy a boat ride on Pykara Lake. Visit Willy’s Coffee Pub to enjoy coffee or tea and snacks before joining the heritage steam train to Coonoor Hill Station.

**Day 6 : Coonoor > Kochi**
Visit Highfield Tea Estate this morning before driving to Kochi, one of the first European colonies in India. A Kathakali dance show and Keralan dinner will round off your day.

**Day 7: Kochi**
Bicycle ride (or walk) on a heritage tour of Fort Kochi. As you pass the beach, see the iconic Chinese fishing nets before visiting Santa Cruz Cathedral. Drive to Mattancherry Palace and visit the oldest existing Jewish Synagogue, as well as the spice markets where shopkeepers explain to you the importance of various spices. This evening join a cooking class and afterwards, taste the fruits of your labour.

**Day 8: Kochi > Munnar **
Drive to Munnar stopping at Mundackal Estate Farm for a South Indian cooking class with lunch. The family estate grows everything from coconuts and cardamom to black pepper.

**Day 9: Munnar**
Munnar was developed to cultivate spice and tea plants since the British Raj. Enjoy the area this morning and visit Eravikulam National Park for a glimpse of the rare Nilgiri Tahr. A banana leaf dinner will introduce you to the paper-thin Dosa bread of the region.

**Day 10: Munnar > Alleppey > Kerala Backwaters**
Drive to Alleppey and join your traditional kettuvallam houseboat. Set sail, relax and unwind as you cruise slowly through the narrow canals and backwaters. Join the chef on board in a cooking class with freshly caught fish.

**Day 11: Kerala Backwaters > Alleppey > Kovalam**
Today after breakfast and check out you will be picked up from your houseboat and driven to Kovalam for accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Known as the paradise of the south, once a calm fishing village clustered with crescent beaches, today Kovalam is a popular beachside town by the Arabian Sea located 16 Km from Kerala’s capital city of Trivandrum. This small town of Kovalam is known for its secluded 1.7 Km beach coastline owning 03 sun & sandy beaches.

**Day 12: Kovalam**
Enjoy a full day at leisure. You can explore the nearby beaches, experience Indian herbal Ayurvedic massage or join a Yoga session during sunrise-sunset by the beach.

**Day 13: Kovalam > Trivandrum**
After breakfast you will be met and transfer to the nearby city of Trivandrum for your sightseeing guided tour. Visit the 5,000 year old temple of Padmanabhaswamy, Napier Museum and Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Later enjoy a farewell lunch at the 18th century Dutch Manor House Villa Maya. Each dish has been carefully handpicked for its cultural heritage and significance in the trading history of the region. After the tour transfer to the airport where arrangements end.

Tailor-made journey: This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.

Inclusions

• • 11-nights’ accommodation
  • 1 night onboard a traditional Kettuvallam (houseboat)
  • 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • Meet & Greet Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru
  • Private transfers as per the itinerary
  • English-speaking local guides
  • Private sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • Entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • Goods & Services Tax (GST)