Guide

English speaking Guide in Kochi.

Transport

All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned vehicle with an English speaking driver. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced with good knowledge of the road conditions and well trained. The type of vehicles provided are as follows : Passenger Vehicle type • 1-3 persons Air-conditioned Sedan car such as Suzuki Dzire or similar • 3-4 persons Air-conditioned SUV car such as Toyota Innova or similar • 5-10 persons Air-conditioned mini-van such as Tempo Traveler Luxury or similar TRANSPORT IN INDIA: Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common as is the total use of the horn as a form of communication. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let Ghum India Ghum Team know immediately. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times. TRAVEL TIMES: Distances in India do not reflect the driving time and to cover 100km may take much longer than you would expect at home, even if much of the route is on a highway. AUTO RICKSHAWS: On this trip we travel on local style of transport called an auto rickshaw. These small, motorized three wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts.

Meals

Daily breakfast at coffee shop or restaurant at the hotel. 01 Dinner at Houseboat in Alleppey . This tour offers Jain, Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal food options on request. Simply let our Customer Support team know the food option that you prefer.

Accommodation

• Check-in Time : Throughout the trip, we request all our hotels prepare rooms in time as per your arrival time, especially if you are reaching the hotel prior to normal check-in time. (In India, normal check-in is at 12:00 hrs, check-out is at 10:00 hrs). This may not be always possible to manage early check-in for you; in that case you won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, you can store your luggage and explore the new destination. Hotels Name :- 02 Nights in Chennai :- Hotel Raj Palace or Similar 02 Nights in Mahabalipuram :- Hotel Ideal Beach Resort or Similar 01 Night in Pondicherry :- Hotel Astoria or Similar 01 Night in Tanjore :- Hotel Star Residency or Similar 02 Nights in Chettinad :- Hotel Chettinadu Mansion or Similar 01 Night in Madurai :- Hotel Sparsha or Similar 01 Night in Thekkady :- Hotel Jungle park or Similar 01 Night in Kanjirapally :- Hotel Chillax Vagamon or Similar 01 Night in Alleppey :- Deluxe Houseboat 02 Nights in Cochin :- Hotel Cochin Palace or Similar (Please note that hotel names are subject to availability as per your booked dates but the alternate hotel which will be provided in case of non availability of above hotels , that will be of similar category ) SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay.

Not included:

Others

Meals Not Mentioned In The Itinerary Anything Not Mentioned In The Inclusions. Entry Fees To Monuments And Palaces. Anything Not Mentioned In The Inclusions. International flight Ticket, Personal Travel Insurance, Telephone Call. • Laundry Service, Bottled drinks, Meals, your personal expenses. • Tips for staff, guide & driver, Insurance for any loss & damage. • Any other expenses/service not mentioned in the inclusions Porterage At Hotels And Airports, Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Liquors, Wine, Etc. All Items Of Personal Nature. Tips : Tipping is a common custom and we always suggest our travelers to comply. No tip is compulsory, however in case of good services rendered; it is advisable to pay by a few rupees (driver / guide). For example, 200 rupees can be left in restaurants (depending on the bill amount), between 300 and 500 rupees per day per person for a good driver.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. We recommend World Nomads, a company recommended by Lonely Planet.

Optional

(Single room supplement is applicable when there are other travellers booked on the tour and you want your own single room and do not want to share the room with other travellers)

Flights

The domestic / International flight tickets are not included in the package cost. Once you tell us the dates of your travel, we will advise you the exact flight fare. International flight tickets have to be booked on your own, once you book your flight tickets, please share with us your schedule so that we can arrange your smooth pick-up and drop off from airport to hotel on your arrival day and hotel to the airport on the departure day. Passports and Visas : All travelers listed on the Participant Information form must be in possession of a valid passport and all relevant visas. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid travel documentation, including but not limited to passports and visas, which meet the requirements of immigration and other Government authorities at every destination. If your itinerary includes travel to any other country besides India, please check on visa requirements for each country that you will visit. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.

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Day 1 Arrival In Chennai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrival In Chennai

On Arrival at Chennai Airport Meet and greet our friendly represenatative at the Aiport, later transfer to your pre-booked hotel in Chennai in a nice comfortable air conditioned car
Day 2 Chennai Local
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Chennai Local

A day in Chennai with sightseeing including the historic Fort St George and Vivekananda House, as well as your first opportunity to sample a traditional Tamil thali meal. This is the staple lunch of the vast majority of the population of Tamil Nadu and consists of a large selection of gravies, spices, chutneys and condiments served with mountains of rice and an array of breads and rice-flour concoctions, traditionally served on a banana leaf. Anna Lakshmi restaurant is one of the most famous eateries in Chennai- a great place to sample this fabulous food and meet some locals. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 3 Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram

Travel inland to the sacred temple city of Kanchipuram, before driving to the beachside town of Mahabalipuram. Its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Bay of Bengal and a number of excellent beachfront restaurants make this a great place to sample seafood - you will be able to select your own fish and choose the way you would like it cooked. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 4 Mahabalipuram Local
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Mahabalipuram Local

Today you can visit the cultural village at Dakshinachitra and later enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram taking in the UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments which are the highlights of this one-time trading port and dynastic capital. Mahabalipuram today is a sleepy town but the legacy of the past is rich and the temples and rock carvings here are outstanding for their craftsmanship and sheer beauty. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.
Day 5 Pondicherry Local
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Pondicherry Local

Head south and drive to Pondicherry, a former French colony and as such quite different in atmosphere and culture to the surrounding areas. Although the French left Pondicherry more than half a century ago, the city retains a strong Gallic feel. Rooftop restaurants serving a variety of excellent continental, superb bakeries and wonderful cafes are all testimony to the lasting continental influence. In the afternoon you will have time to explore the French Quarter on foot and later spend some time in the Tamil Quarter which is far more ’Indian’ in feel and home to some superb shops and boutiques. Overnight in Pondicherry
Day 6 Pondicherry- Tanjore
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Pondicherry- Tanjore

Continue south and inland to Tanjore, site of one of south India’s most spectacular temples. Visit the temple as the sun is setting for a truly unforgettable sight. Overnight in Tanjore.
Day 7 Tanjore- Chettinad
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tanjore- Chettinad

Head to the village of Alangudi early in the morning for a 5-hour long tour-de-force of village walks! This is one of the best rural tourism initiatives we’ve found anywhere, and is a superb opportunity to explore a traditional way of life. At the end of 2-3 hours of walking, meeting people and seeing agricultural practices at close quarters, head to your hosts’ home for a cooking demonstration and lunch. Later drive around 2 hours to the Chettinad district of Tamil Nadu which is famous for its ornate mansions and equally unique and spectacular cuisine. This will be your base for the next two day with plenty of time to explore the villages, observe the local craft of tile making, visit the markets and even join in cooking a meal or two. While here you will stay in one of the spectacular 40,000 square foot homes owned by a local family. Overnight in Chettinad.
Day 8 Chettinad
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Chettinad

Plenty of options for the day including a bullock cart ride around the village. You may like to have your future predicted by the rather unusual method known as ’parrot astrology’ in which a specially trained parrot selects a card from a Tarot-like deck and this is then interpreted by the fortune teller. The unique cuisine of Chettinad is a major focus for visitors here- richer and including more meat than most Tamil food, the Chettinad style is famous throughout India with many restaurants the offering Chettinad dishes. But here at the source of the style you can experience this wonderful food in its purest form- spicy and delicious but not hot, with complex combinations of flavours making every dish distinct and unforgettable. Overnight in Chettinad.
Day 9 Madurai Local
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Madurai Local

Madurai is the next stop on the itinerary - it is a mix of modern commercial centre and ancient pilgrimage site, melded together into a compelling whole. The emphasis of your time here is on the major sights - Meenakshi Temple and Tirumalai Nayak Palace but there will also be time to visit some of the multitude of bazaars and the flower and vegetable markets. Our Madurai team offers a bespoke ‘food safari’ tour which many people regard as a highlight of their time in South India- visit local restaurants with one of our Madurai crew and sample the best food (street food is included as well) on offer in Madurai. Overnight in Madurai
Day 10 Madurai – Periyar (Gateway To Kerala)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Madurai – Periyar (Gateway To Kerala)

Departing Madurai and heading west towards Kerala, you will drive through lush agricultural areas and the Spice Market at Theni which is one of the largest in South India. After a short but steep ascent of the Western Ghats, Periyar is reached by lunchtime. Spend time in the afternoon touring a spice garden and seeing the origin of many of the condiments we take for granted in our kitchens at home. Overnight in Periyar. Overnight in Periyar.
Day 11 Periyar- Kanjirapally
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Periyar- Kanjirapally

Head back down the hills towards the Keralan midlands, reaching Kanjirapally for lunch. Kerala cooking includes lots of coconut and spices. Your accommodation here will be at an estate bungalow on a plantation, and surrounded by planted areas of rubber, coffee, cocoa and vanilla. With delicious South Indian meals prepared from locally grown ingredients this is another culinary delight in a trip studded with them. Overnight in Kanjirapally.
Day 12 Kanjirapally- Alleppey
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Kanjirapally- Alleppey

Descend from the hills to Alleppey and board a houseboat for an afternoon cruise with lunch on board. Enjoy the scenery as it slips by, and later disembark the boat for a night spent at a resort or homestay adjacent to the backwaters where you can enjoy wonderful Keralan food. overnight near Alleppey.
Day 13 Fort Cochin Loca
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Fort Cochin Loca

Spend some time around your accommodation, exploring the region further, before heading back to the mainland and driving 2 hours to Fort Cochin, south India’s most important trading port for more than 500 years. Here you can spend the afternoon on a guided tour of the historic areas of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry covering elements as diverse as India’s oldest synagogue and Jewish area (Jew town), the Dutch Fort and St Francis Church- all testimony to the vast range of influences brought to bear on Cochin over the years. Overnight Near Fort Cochin
Day 14 Cochin Local
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cochin Local

Morning visit to the fish market and later to the home of Mrs. Nimmy Paul a renowned Keralan Chef. Enjoy a traditional Hindu food "Sadhya" served on a banana leaf, an extensive meal usually served at weddings and other festivals. Nimmy will explain the traditions and history behind the dishes. During the afternoon Nimmy will lead a cooking demonstration in which you can participate in preparation of a special dinner. Overnight in Cochin.
Day 15 Cochin Departure
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Cochin Departure

Post Breakfast, pack your bags with lot of unforegtablle memories of the Incredbile South India Journey and get your drop to Kochi Airport as per your flight tickets with a prmoise of coming back to India again n again.

+12

15 days tour

Exclusive Culinary Tour Of South India - ( 15 Days & 14 Nigh

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Exclusive Culinary Tour Of South India - ( 15 Days & 14 Nigh

Arrival In Chennai

Chennai Local

Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram Local

Pondicherry Local

Pondicherry- Tanjore

Tanjore- Chettinad

Chettinad

Madurai Local

Madurai – Periyar (Gateway To Kerala)

Periyar- Kanjirapally

Kanjirapally- Alleppey

Fort Cochin Loca

Cochin Local

Cochin Departure

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