Flavors of God’s Own Country

Upon your arrival at Cochin airport, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred directly to your hotel in Kochi for check-in. In the early evening, take a stroll along the spice street of Mattancherry, a historic area that remains a vibrant hub for the spice trade. The air here is filled with the rich scents of ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, and black pepper, often referred to as “black gold.” As you walk past the spice warehouses, you’ll notice the lively activity—trucks arriving and departing, workers moving loads on pushcarts, and others busy drying, sorting, and packing spices for distribution.

Spices have played a pivotal role in shaping Kerala’s history and global connections. Their alluring aroma attracted explorers and traders from distant lands, leading many to brave long sea voyages in search of Kerala’s prized treasures. The region’s spice trade dates back to the third millennium BCE, with the Malabar Coast welcoming merchants from Arabia, China, and later European powers such as the Portuguese, French, and British. Over time, Kerala’s spices became highly sought-after commodities across the world.

Later in the evening, enjoy an exclusive session with renowned chef Ms. Nimmy Paul, who has been hosting cooking demonstrations and serving authentic home-cooked meals to international guests for over twenty years. The evening concludes with dinner at the Paul residence, after which you will return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, immerse yourself in Cochin’s vibrant culture with an ethnic tour that begins at the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets—massive, cantilevered structures stretching over the water, instantly recognizable as a symbol of Fort Kochi. Next, visit St. Francis CSI Church, India’s oldest European church, built in 1503 and the original resting place of Vasco da Gama, before passing the impressive Santa Cruz Basilica. Hop on a tuk tuk, the favored local transport, and head to Dhobi Khana, the traditional laundry area that now stands as a fading remnant of the past.

Continue through the narrow lanes of Mattancherry to the Dutch Palace, a prime example of Kerala architecture blended with colonial elements, featuring exquisite mural collections. Wander along Jew Street, a place that evokes nostalgia, and visit the Jewish Synagogue at its end—constructed in 1568, it is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. By midday, travel to Kumbalangi village, surrounded by serene backwaters and dotted with Chinese Fishing Nets, where aquatic life thrives. Visit a village home to witness backwater fish farming and enjoy a homemade lunch featuring freshly caught fish. Return to Cochin and spend your evening exploring Fort Kochi at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, head to Alleppey and board a traditional houseboat by midday to discover the charm of village life and the scenic backwaters. Glide through a network of canals, lakes, and inlets, where daily life unfolds entirely on the water. Locals travel, fish, swim, bathe, and do their laundry in these waters, often chatting for hours while immersed up to their shoulders. Vendors deliver goods by boat, and public transport also moves along the waterways. Numerous water birds can be seen waiting patiently to catch fish. The journey takes you through lush, green landscapes typical of Kerala’s backwaters. Relish a traditional Kerala lunch served on board during the cruise.

Kerala’s endless coastline offers a feast for the senses, especially with its houseboats serving a variety of delicious fish curries. The freshest catch, straight from the backwaters, is prepared and served by the houseboat crew. Along the way, you’ll spot small huts selling toddy, a local coconut sap brew, which are a common sight in Kerala.

In the evening, disembark at Kurialacherry House, a heritage homestay set along the Pampa River, surrounded by coconut palms and green paddy fields. Once the residence of Thomas Kurialacherry, the first bishop of the Archdiocese of Changanassery, this family home now welcomes guests, with some rooms converted from an old granary and featuring original wooden architecture. After checking in, take a leisurely walk through the paddy fields. Enjoy a homemade dinner prepared by your host in the traditional Kuttanad style. Spend the night at your homestay.

Wake up to the melodious sounds of birds in the morning. There’s no better moment than early dawn to set out on a country canoe ride through the tranquil backwaters. Observe daily village life from the unique viewpoint of your boatman. Return home for a hearty breakfast. Before lunch, take part in a cooking session with your host, learning to prepare traditional Kuttanad dishes, and then savor the meal you helped create. In the early evening, embark on a village walk to meet local residents and visit the historic Champakulam Kalloorkadu St. Mary’s Forane Church, thought to be one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomas in AD 427. Continue your journey to witness the craftsmanship of a master wood carver and see the impressive longest Snake Boat. Stop by the Bishop’s Museum before heading back. Enjoy a homemade dinner and spend the night at your homestay.

Start your day with breakfast at the homestay, then check out and set off for Thekkady. The journey takes you from the plains up into the lush Nilgiri hills. Along the way, stop at the Pattumalay Heritage Tea Factory, where you can witness the entire tea-making process firsthand—from cultivation and plucking to factory processing. The sight of women gathering fresh tea leaves, filling large sacks on their backs, is a memorable highlight. Pattumalay is known for producing Orthodox tea and is home to one of the region’s oldest factories, still using machinery from the British era. The estate, founded in 1931, continues to preserve its heritage equipment and traditions.

Afterward, visit the Pattumalay Velankanni Matha Church, located opposite the estate. Its striking architecture stands out against the manicured green tea gardens, lending a serene and spiritual atmosphere to the area. Continue your drive to Thekkady and check in at your hotel. In the evening, take a tour of a local spice plantation. The experience is enriched by the beauty of cardamom flowers, the inviting aromas of cinnamon and cloves, and the gentle breeze that sweeps through the plantations. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Cardamom is a major crop in this region, with the variety Elettaria Cardamomum (Cardamom Small) thriving at elevations between 600 and 1200 meters. Kerala is responsible for about 70% of India’s cardamom production, much of it from plantations around Kumily. Early mornings here are refreshing, with sunlight filtering through pepper leaves and the air filled with the scent of fresh spices—a true retreat in nature’s embrace.

Begin your day with an early boat ride on Periyar Lake, where the chances of spotting wildlife are higher as animals often visit the water’s edge to drink. You might catch sight of Gaur, Sambar deer, and wild boars grazing in the grasslands near the shore. The lake’s dead tree trunks provide perches for birds such as darters, egrets, and kingfishers, making it a great spot for birdwatching.

Later, immerse yourself in a cooking session with the Mannan community of Thekkady, who continue to uphold their age-old customs and traditions. The community is unique for maintaining a hereditary kingship, which they still respect. To sustain themselves, the Mannans grow staple crops on their allotted farmland, gather forest products from permitted areas, and also work as laborers or raise cattle. Join them in preparing a traditional meal and enjoy the flavors of their cuisine.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure, perhaps exploring the local spice markets on foot. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, head to Konni, an area renowned for its sweeping green forests and recognized as the eco-tourism center of Pathanamthitta district. Upon arrival, check in at your homestay, Manasveedu. In the afternoon, consult with an Ayurveda doctor for a session. Ayurveda, a discipline refined over centuries, is a holistic health system that views wellbeing as the harmony of body and mind, maintained by balancing the three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. When these doshas fall out of balance, illness occurs. Adopting Ayurvedic practices restores this balance, promoting unity of body, mind, and spirit. This session is followed by an Ayurveda massage, designed to uplift your mood and fortify both body and mind.

Later in the evening, immerse yourself in the unique Syrian Christian culinary traditions of Kerala, sampling rare family recipes that are seldom found elsewhere in India, and then enjoy dinner. Stay overnight at the homestay.

Kerala’s Christian cuisine has a heritage spanning centuries. While the community has its own distinct cooking style, flavors and serving traditions vary by region. These special dishes typically appear during festivals and celebrations, and their recipes are notably different from other local Kerala fare. The presentation is also distinctive: much like the traditional Kerala feast known as Sadya, Theen Mura is served on a plantain leaf, and in some regions, cake and wine are offered first. Placing table salt on the leaf marks your entry into this rich culinary experience.

After breakfast, proceed to Konni elephant camp, The primary focus of the trainers here is to deal with the development of baby elephants that have been separated from their herd or been found hurt somewhere. The trainers have traditional methods that have been passed down through generations to deal with these situations. The elephants are taught to obey specific commands and are taken for special exercise walks in the morning, are given baths and specific diets. From the camp continue drive to Adavi, a picturesque forest patch, 10 km from Konni on the banks of river Kallar, Adavi has nearly 5-km river frontage. Enjoy a Coracle ride in the river, it’s a round bamboo raft on which a group of four can row. Back to hotel, this evening visit artisans of Aranmula, those who are in masters of fine metallurgical art of making metal mirrors or the Aranmula Kannadi. Back to hotel, dinner & Overnight stay.

After breakfast, set out for Varkala, stopping along the way at Munroe Island village. Here, take a leisurely country boat ride through a maze of narrow canals that weave across the lush backwaters, offering a true glimpse into the tranquil lifestyle of Kerala’s villages. The slender waterways not only reveal the daily rhythms of local life but also immerse you in the serene atmosphere unique to this region. As you glide past, you’ll spot village playschools, fish farms, coir-making units, and traditional craft workshops, all contributing to Munroe Island’s reputation as a model of sustainable living. Farming and coir production are the primary livelihoods here. Savor a traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf before resuming your journey to Varkala.

On arrival, the scenic beach awaits, its calm shoreline dramatically framed by imposing laterite cliffs that rise above the sea, offering breathtaking views of the waves below. Check into your hotel, then in the late afternoon, visit Sivagiri Mutt. Spread across 200 acres on a raised plateau, the mutt is distinguished by its striking multi-tiered white terraces. This sacred site is where Sree Narayana Guru, the revered social reformer, spent his final days in 1928. The Guru’s tomb rests on a hillock, drawing numerous pilgrims, and his former residence displays personal artifacts. The site also includes a Sharada temple, with the idol of Goddess Saraswati installed by the Guru himself. Spend your evening at the beach, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then spend the day discovering Varkala at your own pace. Visit beaches such as Chilakoor, Kappil, and Papanasam. Rent a scooter or hire a tuk-tuk to tour the village, try surfing with Moon Wave Surf School, or take a ride on a traditional fishermen’s boat. For lunch, sample dishes at Babu Farm Beach Restaurant, enjoy vegetarian cuisine at True Thomas Café, or savor seafood at God’s Own Country Kitchen or Inda Hotel Café. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, proceed with your transfer to Trivandrum International Airport according to your flight schedule.