Arrive Kochi

Please be in Kochi no later than today. If coming directly from New Zealand or Australia, you are able to depart on Saturday morning and connect same day to Kochi through Singapore with Singapore Airlines (SQ534 Singapore - Kochi). 

Accommodation: 5-star Heritage Hotel, Fort Kochi

Meals: No Meals included today

Kochi

An easy settling in day. After a late start, tour with Sarah around some key Kochi sites and enjoy a seafood platter lunch together at Malabar House. Kochi is an historic Portuguese town with a very interesting history. See the Chinese fishing nets, the murals and antiquities at the Dutch Palace, indulge your senses browsing traditional spice and antique markets, visit the Jewish quarter and the original grave of Vasco da Gama.

Accommodation: 5-star Heritage Hotel, Fort Kochi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Kochi to Marari Beach

A morning drive down the coast and time for some real relaxation as we head to Marari Beach for a couple of nights. The swaying coconut palms and golden sands of the beach make this spot idyllic, and it's great for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Long beach walks and pampering yourself with a traditional Ayurvedic wellness treatment are definitely on the menu. 

Accommodation: 5-star Beach Resort, Marari Beach
Meals: Breakfast

Marari Beach

Another day to relax under the swaying palm trees. Take the time to indulge in delicious Keralan cuisine - think seafood, coconuts and tropical fruit! Also this is a perfect opportunity to do some yoga or hire a bike and explore the local village, Mararikulum. This afternoon we will head out to the surrounding farmland to join local chefs in picking vegetables and herbs to add to a bespoke dish you’ll plan, prepare and eat tonight as part of a cooking class. 

Accommodation: 5-star Beach Resort, Marari Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Marari Beach to the Alleppey Backwaters

Exploring the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey on a houseboat (known as a kettuvallam) is an experience of a life time. Traditional Keralan houseboats offer a relaxing and luxurious stay onboard with freshly prepared traditional delicacies. Make the most of the intriguing Alleppey backwater heaven from up close.

Accommodation: 5-star Houseboat (Air conditioned)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Alleppey Backwaters to Munnar

Today we leave the humid, coastal region of Kerala and climb the Western Ghats mountain range to the cooler climes of the town of Munnar, a hill station and former resort for the British Raj elite. Munnar is surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. After checking into our accommodation, enjoy a short guided walk with a local nature guide through a cardamom plantation. It's cool, quiet and very peaceful here.

Accommodation: Estate guest on a working tea plantation
Meals: Breakfast

Munnar

Wake up in the clouds...make sure you don't miss the stunning view as the sun rises this morning and the valley below the plantation awakens. After breakfast, you have the option to head out on a trek with a local nature guide through the tea plantations. You'll cover a good distance and climb to see some magnificent views - reasonable fitness is required. If that's not your cup of tea, that's ok...because there is plenty of just that! Take the chance to learn more about the many varieties of tea with a tea tasting.

Accommodation: Estate guest house on a working tea plantation

Meals: Breakfast

Munnar to Madurai

We will be on the road after breakfast for a fascinating drive across the Western Ghats, through miles and miles (and miles) of tea plantations before we descend onto the plains of Tamil Nadu state, the southernmost of India. The drive to the valley floor is spectacular; down 17 hairpin bends! Our destination is Madurai an ancient city with a skyline dominated by the 14 colourful gopurams (gateway towers) of Meenakshi Sundareshvara Temple which we will visit early this evening.

Accommodation: 5-star Heritage Hotel, Madurai
Meals: Breakfast

Madurai to Chettinadu

We'll venture further into Tamil Nadu today and head for Chettinadu. A highlight of visiting this ancient city are a visit to some of the ancestral residences of the wealthy Hindu bankers and traders who once made this city their home. Many are now unoccupied, but are absolutely worth a visit to see some of the incredibly ornate interiors and antiques. We will also have the chance to visit a saree weaving centre.

Accommodation: 5-star Chettinadu Mansion, Chettinadu
Meals: Breakfast

Chettinadu

"One is lucky to eat like a Chettiar", they say in South India. Chettiar food is an absolute feast for the gourmet. A generous dose of pepper (not always chilli), makes it spicy along with a burst of cinnamon, shallots and garlic! Today we will explore Chettinadu further and you will have the chance to give it a try a hand at making their most famous dish, Chettinad Chicken yourself at a Chettinad Cuisine Masterclass tonight.

Accommodation: 5-star Chettinadu Mansion, Chettinadu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Chettinadu to Kumbakonam

Heading north today, we will drive to one of the most sacred cities in Tamil Nadu, Kumbakonam, a city famous for its textiles, jewellery and bronze casting. There is the chance here to visit a local silk weaver and also the Mahamaham Tank (Lake), the legendary location where Lord Shiva's arrow shattered the 'cosmic pot' containing the divine nectar of creation...a guide will provide full interpretation.

Accommodation: 5-star Heritage Hotel, Kumbakonam
Meals: Breakfast

Kumbakonam to Puducherry

This morning we will leave central Tamil Nadu and head to the Bay of Bengal and the French concession city of Puducherry (Pondicherry), established in 1674 by the French East India Company. The Gallic flavour is still evident with French widely spoken. Spend the afternoon wandering around the colourful stately colonial mansions down tree-lined streets. There's plenty of boutiques, cute cafes, a botanical gardens and a museum to explore.

Accommodation: 5-star Colonial Mansion Hotel, Puducherry
Meals: Breakfast

Puducherry

More of yesterday...Puducherry is a lovely city to spend a couple of days in. This morning we'll do a guided walking tour of the old town and you'll have free time to do any last minute shopping before dinner tonight at a very popular local spot (dinner at own cost).

Accommodation: 5-star Colonial Mansion Hotel, Puducherry

Meals: Breakfast

Puducherry to Chennai

After breakfast we will head north to Auroville, a 'live-in campus for material and spiritual research' dedicated to the vision of Sri Aurobindo Ghose, an Indian philosopher and freedom fighter. Conceeved in the late 60s, it's now home to a community of over 550 international residents and at it's centre is a gold metallic sphere, the Matri Mandir meditation centre. After lunch, we'll continue our drive north up the cost to Mamallapurum to see the spectacular Seashore Temples dating back 1,400 years. These temples and reliefs are all carved out of solid granite. We will end the day in Chennai.

Accommodation: 5-star International Hotel, Chennai
Meals: Breakfast

Depart Chennai

You will be transferred to Chennai International Airport for your flight. A morning departure from Chennai back to Singapore (SQ525 Chennai - Singapore) connects with overnight flights to New Zealand or Australia. You’ll be back home on Sunday. Alternatively, talk to Sarah about trip extensions - maybe a couple of days in Rajasthan or you can join the North India Tour!
Meals: Breakfast