Cochin - Munnar - Alleppey - Chennai - Goa - Mumbai
12 Nights / 13 Days
This exclusive culinary tour is curated by Sid Sahrawat, a renowned chef and restaurateur in NZ, known for his innovative culinary creations and success of his 4 Auckland restaurants – Kol, Cassia, French Café and Anise. Sid is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most talented chefs and has been consistently recognised with numerous awards and accolades over the years. He has also appeared as a guest judge on TV shows such as MasterChef NZ and My Kitchen Rules NZ.
This 13-day tour covers 6 cities in South India and Mumbai. The landscape and culture of South India is so different from North India that it is like going to another country. Some of the highlights of this exclusive culinary tour are tea estates, spice plantations, coffee estates, night on a luxury houseboat, visit a French colony, fine dining, street food, Bollywood party and delicious culinary experiences at every destination.
The tour starts in Cochin, followed by Munnar for a couple of days. In Munnar we will visit a tea plantation 8,000 feet above sea level – the highest in the world. Our next adventure is overnight on a luxury houseboat cruising the calm backwaters with all meals cooked fresh on board. Then from the West Coast, we head to the East Coast to Chennai. Highlights here are fine dining, day trip to the French colony of Puducherry, and a lot more. Then we go to Goa for 3 days of sunshine on the beach and amazing Portuguese influenced cuisine. Our last stop is Mumbai, and the highlight here is a fine dining meal at Sid’s favorite restaurant in India… easy to see why.
Sid wants a small group and therefore we have a limited number of spots available, and the tour ensures an intimate and personalized experience. Sid’s involvement ensures attention to detail and an insider's perspective into the culinary world, making it an enriching journey for food enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Guests will experience Indian hospitality at its best in 5-star luxury hotels at all destinations. If you’ve always wanted to visit India and love Indian cuisine, then join us in April 2025 for a trip like no other.
On this tour we are supporting a local NGO called Phool. They collect millions of sacred flowers offered in the temples of India and upcycle these flowers into the worlds first certified, handcrafted incense products. By joining us on this tour you are helping us help more than 300 women from marginalized communities.
On arrival at Cochin airport, you will be met by our local representative for transfer to our hotel. After checking in, take a few hours to rest and unwind from the long flight. That evening you can visit a local market or book an Ayurvedic spa at the hotel. Dinner is a South Indian cultural experience to welcome you to this part of the country.
After breakfast, we will visit the popular sightseeing spots of Cochin. Then later in the afternoon we drive to Munnar to visit expansive tea estates and coffee plantations. It is a 4-hour scenic drive through small towns and winding hill roads. Dinner is a traditional vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf. Eat as much as you can!
After breakfast, enjoy the scenic beauty of lush tea plantations which are spread across hundreds of kilometers, nestled amidst the green mountains of Munnar. Visit the Kolukkumalai Tea estate, the highest tea estate in the world at 8,000 feet above sea level. We can pick tea leaves and learn about the tea making process. For dinner we will learn how to make crisp dosa and some other South Indian dishes.
After breakfast we go on a 4-hour scenic drive to Alleppy which is also known as the “Venice of the East”. The backwaters of Kerala are a network of interconnected canals, lakes, and lagoons, offering picturesque views of palm- fringed landscapes, paddy fields, and villages along the banks. The best way to experience the backwaters is on a traditional houseboat crafted from natural materials like bamboo, coir and wood. On arrival in Alleppey, check in to your luxury houseboat. Enjoy the beauty of sunset and sunrise cruising the backwaters, providing an unforgettable and tranquil night amidst nature. Savor all meals of delicious Kerala cuisine prepared by onboard chefs, including fresh seafood, traditional curries, and local specialties cooked and served in authentic Kerala style.
After breakfast on the houseboat, we will head to Cochin for our flight to Chennai on the East Coast. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore the awe-inspiring size and grandeur of our hotel, the ITC Grand Chola. It is a palatial tribute to the Imperial Cholas, arguably Southern India’s greatest empires. Traditional stone carvers and sculptors have contributed to the beautiful interiors of the hotel inspired by Chola themes. Dinner tonight is a treat to all senses. We will enjoy modern South Indian cuisine with a superior experience of fine-dining degustation in an award-winning restaurant of our hotel.
After an early breakfast we will go on a day road trip to Puducherry (erstwhile Pondicherry). It is a 3-hour drive to this former French colony. Although the French left Pondicherry 70 years ago the city retains a strong Gallic feel and vibe. Rooftop restaurants and boutique cafes serving fresh Croissants and delectable spicy local cuisine are all testimony to the influence of continental- Indian fusion. We will also visit the famous Auroville township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother"). The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity. It is a universal town where men and women of all countries can live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, politics, religions and nationalities. For dinner we will stop at a legendary Biryani joint that was established in Chennai in 1956 and now has outlets in 7 countries.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit some of the tourist spots of Chennai. For lunch we will enjoy delicious street food guided by a local storyteller. We will learn about the origins of the local cuisine and its popularity across the globe. Dinner is a bit of a contrast from our fine dining meal a couple of nights ago. This unique experience will stay with you for a long time!
After breakfast at the hotel, we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Goa. We will enjoy the sun and sand of Goa at our hotel, the ITC Grand Resort and Spa Goa. Our next 3 days in Goa are a perfect break before we reach the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and then head back home. The golden beaches of Goa are inviting and the water is always just right warm for a swim.
There is no itinerary in Goa. We will have a lot of time for rest and relaxation by the beach or poolside or enjoy a spa at our Resort. There is direct access to the beach from our resort. Optional sightseeing to marvel at the many Portuguese inspired churches and monuments, learn to make Feni (Alcohol made from Cashew), visit local markets, fishing, etc. The 3 dinners in Goa are 3 unique experiences to enjoy the chilled vibe of Goa and each other’s company.
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival, the day is at leisure in the hotel or transport can be arranged for shopping at a nearby mall. Dinner is at Bollywood dress up party with a Mumbai street food theme.
After breakfast we have a sightseeing tour of South Mumbai to see the Gateway of India, Nariman Point, etc. We will have the opportunity to see the “Dabbawalla’s” in action. It is a lunchbox delivery system in Mumbai that delivers 200,000 home-cooked meals daily with 99.99% accuracy. It was the subject of a case-study at Harvard Business School Later we will visit Pheonix Palladium, India’s first luxury retail mall with more than 250 premium brands. If you like watches, this is India’s biggest luxury watch destination. For lunch, there are several trendy restaurants in the mall, and you can pick your choice of cuisine. Last dinner of the tour is fine dining experience at Masque, Sid’s favourite restaurant in India. It was ranked #16 in Asia and the Best Restaurant in India for 2023.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight back to NZ. Alternatively talk to us about extending your holiday to visit Mumbai or experience the contrast of North India and visit the iconic Taj Mahal.
12 days
13 days
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