Day 1 - Arrival Chennai

You will be met on arrival at the Chennai International Airport by our representative, handed your travel documentation and transferred to your Hotel. The rest of the day is free to settle in. Overnight in the GRT Grand Hotel, B&B.

Day 2 - In Chennai

Start your day with breakfast or tiffin at a local restaurant which includes dishes such as idli (steamed rice cakes), dosai (a pancake made from a batter of rice), lentils crisp fried on a pan, vada (deep fried doughnuts made from a batter of lentils), pongal (a mash of rice and lentils and seasoned with ghee, cashew nuts, pepper and cumin seed), and uppuma (cooked semolina seasoned in oil with mustard, pepper, cumin seed and dry lentils). Most of the dishes in Tamil Nadu are enjoyed with coconut chutney and sambar (seasoned lentil broth).

Enjoy a guided tour of Chennai in the afternoon, including the San Thome Church, Fort St. George, Marina Beach and Kapeeleshwarar Temple. Evening at leisure, overnight in the GRT Grand Hotel, B&B

Day 3 - In Chennai

Enjoy breakfast before visiting Asia's largest wholesale vegetable/flower market at Koyambedu. Afterward you drive to the Hotel Saryana Bhawan where you visit the kitchens and see how their dishes are prepared. The Hotel was opened primarily to offer diners a quality vegetarian restaurant. Annachi, the founder was later joined by his sons, who have lent their expertise as well as growing the business. Ever since Sarayana Bhavan has crossed milestones, set records and redefined the vegetarian dining experience.

Afternoon visit to the kitchen/factory of Grand Sweets & Snacks, the pioneers of South Indian snacks. You get to enjoy some of these in the kitchen before returning to the GRT Grand Hotel for overnight, B&B.

Day 4 - Chennai to Pondicherry

Departing Chennai with your driver/guide, you visit Kanchipuram, India’s silk weaving center. Here Sari silks are still hand made on a loom, following ancient traditions. Enjoy lunch in Kanchikudil before heading on to Pondicherry, where time permitting, you embark on a short sight-seeing tour. Overnight in the Promenade Hotel, B&B.

Day 5 - In Pondicherry

Your day starts early with a visit to the local fishing village, where today’s catch has just been landed. A chef will assist you with your purchase of seafood from the fisher folk and you stop off at the local vegetable market before returning to the Hotel with your fresh ingredients. Now you get to prepare your own meal under the supervision of your chef, before enjoying the fruits of your labour over lunch.

In the afternoon you visit Auroville, the city of Dawn, started in 1968 as a unique experiment in international living, where people live and work in total harmony. You visit an organic farm and cheese factory and you get to understand local farming techniques and cultivation methods. This “foodie” day ends with dinner at the Rendezvous Café. Overnight in the Promenade Hotel, B&B

Day 6 - Pondicherry to Mahabalipuram

Departing “Pondi” after breakfast, you drive to Mahabalipuram, which is part of the state of Tamil Nadu. The area is best known for its rock-cut caves and numerous temples, some of which were carved out of one enormous rock rather than simply being constructed.

After arriving at your Hotel, you attend a demonstration on the coastal cuisine covering basic ingredients and techniques followed by a short cookery session. You also visit a school of sculpture, Arjuna's penance and the Shore Temples. Your evening is free to visit the local markets which are well known for their fantastic shopping experience and where exquisite local handmade crafts are readily available. Overnight in the Ideal Beach Resort, B&B

Day 7 - Mahabalipuram to Thekkady

An hour’s drive will bring you to Chennai, where you board your flight to Cochin (D 10:15am/A 11:30am). On arrival you will be met by your driver and you depart for Thekkady. The journey by road itself is an experience, passing through bustling towns in the plains, rubber plantations on the foothills and undulating tea gardens on the mountains. The Resort is at 800m where it is cool and is located near the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Here green palm groves, mango, nutmeg and cardamom flourish. Overnight in the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort, B&B.

Day 8 - In Thekkady

Leisurely breakfast before visiting a local spice and tea plantation. You spend the afternoon walking through the Kumily Market where shops sell exotic spices renowned for being some of the best quality in India. Overnight in the Shalimar Spice Garden Resort, B&B.

Day 9 - Thekkady to Kumarakom

A 2hr drive will take you to Kumarakom, an idyllic floating island located on Vembanad Lake. The adjoining bird sanctuary with its spectacular collection of resident and migratory birds may be visited, as well as enjoying nature walks, backwater boat cruises, traditional Ayurvedic massages (practiced since ancient times in Kerala) and swimming are all possible and for those interested in fishing, this may be arranged.

The afternoon is spent watching food being prepared for a Sadhya (vegetarian wedding feast) and best of all you get to enjoy the delicious dishes for dinner. Overnight in the Backwaters Ripple Resort, B&B

Day 10 - Vembanad Lake

After breakfast you depart on a boat cruise on Kerala's beautiful backwaters to Philipkutty’s Farm. Guests are welcomed and cared for by several generations of the Mathew family, whose grandfather reclaimed the private island on which the farm now sits (5ft below sea level) from beneath Vembanad Lake in the 1950’s. They call it a 'homestay' and are delighted to show you around the 50-acre working farm, where mango, nutmeg and coconut trees thrive alongside bean, pepper and banana plantations. If you’re worried about privacy, rest assured that your waterfront cottage is completely independent (the family live in their own house nearby).

Your afternoon is spent enjoying a simple home cooking demonstration which you enjoy for lunch afterward, before departing on a sunset cruise in a vallam (local canoe). Overnight in the Philipkutty’s Farm, B&B

Day 11 - Kerala Backwater Cruise

A short drive after breakfast brings you to Alleppey, where you board your houseboat. Hear the soothing sound of water rippling alongside, as you drift along Kerala backwaters. See the green countryside, swaying palm trees, emerald rice fields and children waving from the banks as you sail on the traditional Ketuvalloms. Each houseboat has a three member crew - a chef, driver & cabin assistant. The cuisine is based on traditional Keralan flavours including local specialties; delicious fish (Pearlspot - Karimeen) & prawns. Country boats of various types crisscross the path with passengers from all walks of Kerala's rural life ranging from milkman and newspaper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties. It is a unique experience and is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of god's own country. Overnight in the Lakes & Lagoons Houseboat, B&B

Day 12 - Alleppey to Cochin

Disembarking your houseboat, you drive to Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, boasting one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Cochin is the gateway to Kerala and on arrival you enjoy a guided tour including a visit to the Dutch Palace which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, Ramayana, can be seen here. Visit St Francis Church built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here.

Enjoy lunch and a cooking demonstration of Malabari cuisine at Nimmy Paul's, where the nuances of traditional Kerala recipes are taught. Later you attend a traditional 'Kathakali' performance, which is the classical dance-drama of Kerala. Overnight in the Fort Heritage Hotel, B&B.

Day 13 - Depat Cochin

Sadly today you say farewell to South India and after a private transfer to the Chennai International Airport you return home on your flight.

This Culinary Tour of South India is FANTASTIC and we think anyone would enjoy this trip - NOT just you 'foodies' !