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South Indian Culinary Delight
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Delectable Culinary Tour of South India

South India is known for its delicious cuisine that comes with an explosion of flavor. One of the remarkable tours of South India is a 13-day culinary delight that lets you experience a private and fully escorted food safari across the many cities of South India.

This beautiful food odyssey begins in Chennai with a day of sightseeing at the historic Fort St. George, Vivekananda House, and other monuments. You experience Tamil Nadu's staple lunch with various gravies, spices, chutneys, and condiments. Enjoy this traditional meal served on a banana leaf.

Travel to Mahabalipuram, the land of the great demon King Bali to experience mouthwatering seafood at the many tiny beachfront hamlets. You can even select your fish and how you want it prepared.

Time to experience the French cuisine in South India as you explore Puducherry/Pondicherry. The French cuisine of Pondicherry will leave a lasting continental influence on your taste buds while exploring this spiritual town.

When you are in South India, you must get a taste of Chettinad cuisine. Experience this famous cuisine in its purest form - spicy and hot with a complex combination of flavors.

From seafood to Chettinad cuisine, the food safari across South India will leave you with an unforgettable experience and an exceptional taste in your mouth.

Tour Highlights
Overview Itinerary Inclusions Accommodations Cancellation Policy
12 Nights/13 Days
Private Tour
Fully Escorted
12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners Included.
Private Car
English Speaking Driver

Vibrant Experiences

Food Connoisseurs Tours at Chennai – Madurai – Pondicherry – Cochin
Evening with Local Family
Indian Cuisine Cooking Experience
Fish Market Visit
Pondicherry French Flavour
Chettinad Cuisine
1000-year-old Brihadishvara Temple Visit
Shree Meenakshi Temple Visit
Village Walk
Local Farm Visit
Wildlife Boat Ride - Wild Elephants & Tigers
Kerala Backwaters - Houseboat Tour
Kathakali Dance
Ayurvedic Massages

Trip Route

Chennai Kanchipuram Mahabalipuram Pondicherry Tanjore Chettinad Madurai Thekkady Alleppey (Houseboat) Cochin

With Standard Hotels

A$1947 per person/twin share

With Deluxe Hotels

A$2547 per person/twin share

With Luxury Hotels

A$3147 per person/twin share
Special Offer
A$100 Deposit Only
Book now and pay rest by 14 days before your tour start date.
Book Now
How can we help?
To customise this trip or to book or for advice on where to go, when to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect tour, send an enquiry or talk to our Travel Experts.
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Itinerary
South Indian Culinary Delight Route Map
Accommodations

City

Standard

Deluxe

Luxury

Nights

Chennai

Hotel Iris or Similar

Hotel GRT Grand Chennai or Similar

Hotel Ramada or Similar

02

Mahabalipuram    

Hotel Ideal Beach Resort or Similar

Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay Resort or Similar

Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay Resort or Similar

02

Pondicherry

Hotel Abirami Regency or Similar

Hotel Le Pondy or Similar

Hotel La Villa or Similar

 

01

Tanjore

Hotel Star Regency or Similar

Hotel Ideal River Resort or Similar

Hotel Ideal River Resort or Similar

02

Madurai

Hotel Astoria or Similar

Hotel Poppys Hotel Madurai or Similar

Hotel Courtyard by Marriot or Similar

01

Thekkady

Hotel Karar Garh or Similar

Hotel The Elephant Court or Similar hills and hues

Hotel The Mountain Courtyard or Similar

01

Alleppey

Deluxe Houseboat 

Premium Houseboat 

Luxury Houseboat

01

Cochin

Hotel Dunes Cochin or Similar  

Hotel Amritara 

Hotel Trident Cochin or Similar

02

Package Cost

AUD$1947

AUD$2547

AUD$3147

 
Day 1: CHENNAI, SOUTH INDIA ODYSSEY BEGINS!!
Our representative will welcome you at Chennai International Airport and assist you with your hotel transfer. Check-in at the hotel and you will have remaining time for leisure. Meals: Welcome Dinner Included
Day 2: CHENNAI, TRADITIONAL TAMIL MEAL EXPERIENCE
Your day will start with a delicious breakfast followed by a guided sightseeing tour of Chennai. A day in Chennai sightseeing includes the historic Fort St George, Vivekananda House and 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. You will visit one of the most famous eateries in Chennai- a great place to sample this fabulous food and meet some locals. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 3: KANCHIPURAM - MAHABALIPURAM
Have breakfast and check-out from the hotel to visit the ancient city of Kanchipuram - the ancient capital of the Pallavas, famous as a city of 1000 Temples and 124 shrines. A guided sightseeing tour through the city includes visit to popular shrines namely Ekambareshwara, Kailasanathar Temple and Kaanchi Kaamachi. MAHABALIPURAM Next on the list is beach side town of Mahabalipuram, a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site located between Great Salt Lake and the Bay of Bengal. Mahabalipuram’s 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. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 4: MAHABALIPURAM, ANCIENT TIMES
Today enjoy a visit to the heritage museum DakshinaChitra. It is an exciting cross-cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. Later enjoy a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram. Explore the best of this ancient towns UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments of Pancha Pandava Rathas, Varaha Mandapa and other structures that were built during 7th and 8th century. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 5: PONDICHERRY, FRENCH FLAVOUR
Fifth day of the trip is all about adding French experience to your holiday in India. We will drive you to the Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry), an erstwhile French colony. 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 dishes, superb bakeries and wonderful cafes are all testimony to the lasting continental influence. In the afternoon you will explore The French Quarter and Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later spend some time in the Tamil Quarter which is far more 'Indian' in feel and home to some superb shops and boutiques. EVENING WITH LOCAL FAMILY & COOKING CLASS Spend evening with the local family. You will experience a great insight into the lifestyle of Indian family. Later, you will be part of a cooking class with the local family. You will learn few local dishes and how to prepare them from with fresh ingredients. Enjoy the dinner prepared by you with the family. Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 6: TANJORE
Have delicious breakfast and we will drive you to your next destination Tanjore, a city with 1500 years of impressive history. The city features 1000-year-old Brihadishvara temple, one of the largest temples in South India. The Sacred Bull made from a single piece of stone is one of the significant highlights in the temple. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 7: CHETTINAD, VILLAGE WALKS
The day kicks off early in the morning with drive to the Chettinad. There will be plenty of time to explore the villages, observe the local craft of tile making and visit the markets. 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. Later try the unique Chettinad cuisine, wonderful food in its purest form- spicy and delicious but not hot, with complex combinations of flavors making every dish distinct and unforgettable. Later visit the village of Alangudi. This is a superb opportunity to explore a traditional way of rural life in South India. By walking around the village gives you the perfect opportunity of meeting local people and seeing agricultural practices at close quarters. Overnight stay in Tanjore. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 8: MADURAI, FOOD SAFARI
Madurai is the next stop on the itinerary. 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 on offer in Madurai. In the evening, you can plan to experience the night at popular Shree Meenakshi Temple. A procession takes place during the ceremony where the bronze idol of Lord Shiva is taken to the bedchamber of the Hindu deity, Parvati. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 9: PERIYAR NATIONAL PARK (THEKKADY), SPICY & WILD
The day starts with a scenic drive to Periyar National park, Thekkady. The drive will take you through the lush agricultural areas and the Spice Market at Theni, which is one of the largest in South India. Later be a part of wildlife boat ride over the beautiful Periyar Lake in Periyar National Park, one of the prominent elephants and tiger reserves in India and admire the gorgeous natural surroundings. You can explore various species of animals and birds and might get a glimpse of wild elephants, tigers, boars and bison. Overnight stay in Thekkady. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 10: ALLEPPEY, VENICE OF THE EAST
Today, we will take you to Alleppey, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’, with its meandering lagoons, coconut trees, endless rows of paddy fields.
Around 1200 hrs check in at the Houseboat and start your cruise through the rich and splendid backwater. It will be a unique and exclusive experience in your lifetime. You will be cruising along the village sides and paddy fields witnessing the core life of the Kerala villages for the whole day. The houseboat is fully furnished with bedrooms and a kitchen. Lunch, Dinner, and overnight stay at the houseboat. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Day 11: COCHIN (KOCHI), ANTIQUES SHOPPING & KATHAKALI DANCE
Enjoy healthy breakfast and drive to Cochin. Explore St. Francis Church- the oldest church in India, the imposing Santa Cruz basilica built by the Portuguese, the heritage sites of Fort Kochi and shop for antiques and spices. Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace and Jewish Synagogue are other highlights of the tour. You will have several opportunities to find prized souvenirs such as spices and antiques while shopping at Jew Street. KATHAKALI DANCE Add a cultural tinge to the evening with a Kathakali dance performance at a popular cultural centre in Fort Kochi. The, colourful dance is not merely a dance. It is an art form that comprises powerful storytelling with ritual, drama, and music. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Day 12: COCHIN (KOCHI), EVENING WITH LOCAL FAMILY & COOKING CLASS
Your next day of the tour starts with a delicious breakfast followed by a morning visit to the fish market. Spend evening with the local family. It’s a great way to have a local experience in Kochi. You will experience a great insight into the lifestyle of Indian family. You will be part of a cooking class with the local family. Get a taste of true Indian hospitality thanks to this cooking lesson and meal in the home of a local Kerala family. You will learn few local dishes and how to prepare them with fresh ingredients. Enjoy a traditional vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf. End the experience by enjoying your meal, accompanied by lots of lively conversation, with the family. Return to your hotel and live a memorable night. Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Included.
Day 13: DEPARTURE COCHIN (KOCHI) AIRPORT
This Morning after breakfast checkout from your hotel and at appropriate time you will be transferred to Cochin Airport for your onward journey. Board your flight and fly back with memories to cherish for life. Tour ends. Meals: Breakfast Included.
Accommodations

City

Standard

Deluxe

Luxury

Nights

Chennai

Hotel Iris or Similar

Hotel GRT Grand Chennai or Similar

Hotel Ramada or Similar

02

Mahabalipuram    

Hotel Ideal Beach Resort or Similar

Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay Resort or Similar

Hotel Radisson Blu Temple Bay Resort or Similar

02

Pondicherry

Hotel Abirami Regency or Similar

Hotel Le Pondy or Similar

Hotel La Villa or Similar

 

01

Tanjore

Hotel Star Regency or Similar

Hotel Ideal River Resort or Similar

Hotel Ideal River Resort or Similar

02

Madurai

Hotel Astoria or Similar

Hotel Poppys Hotel Madurai or Similar

Hotel Courtyard by Marriot or Similar

01

Thekkady

Hotel Karar Garh or Similar

Hotel The Elephant Court or Similar hills and hues

Hotel The Mountain Courtyard or Similar

01

Alleppey

Deluxe Houseboat 

Premium Houseboat 

Luxury Houseboat

01

Cochin

Hotel Dunes Cochin or Similar  

Hotel Amritara 

Hotel Trident Cochin or Similar

02

Package Cost

AUD$1947

AUD$2547

AUD$3147

 
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Inclusions
  • Accommodation at the specified hotels.
  • Garlanding welcome at the Airport in Chennai.
  • Daily breakfast during your stay at all proposed destinations.
  • Welcome dinner on Day1.
  • Breakfast Lunch and Dinner in Houseboat.
  • Cooking classes in cochin and Pondicherry.
  • Evening Food Safari Tour in Madurai.
  • 1 packed mineral water per person per day.
  • Boat Ride in Periyar National Park.
  • Kathakali Dance Show in Cochin.
  • All arrival and departure transfers, sightseeing by an exclusive deluxe air-conditioned Car with chauffeur as per the itinerary.
  • Services of English-speaking local tour guide during all sightseeing tours in Chennai, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Madurai and Cochin.
  • Airport pickup and transfers.
  • State tax, toll taxes and all applicable taxes.
  • Assistance at all pickup and departure points.
Exclusions
  • Entrance and Camera fees to the monuments and palaces.
  • Anything Not Mentioned in The Inclusions.
  • Porterage at Hotels and Airports, Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Liquors, Wine, Etc.
  • All Items of Personal Nature.
  • Any Cost Arising Due to Natural Calamities Like Landslides, Roadblocks, Etc.
  • Any Increase in Taxes or Fuel Leading to An Increase In Surface Transport.
  • Meals not specified in Itinerary.
  • Tips for staff, guide & driver. 
  • Domestic & International airfares. 
  • Optional, suggested, or unspecified activities. 
  • Insurance and Medi claim.
  • Insurance of any kind.
  • Visa costs.
  • Anything not mentioned or “optional” or “own account” in the itinerary

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel right up to last moment before tour starts and we will refund your full deposit and any progress payments made by you within 14 business days.
If you decide to rebook or reschedule right up to last moment before tour starts, your deposit and any progress payments will be carried forward as full credit towards future travel with us for up to five years with Zero fees.
If your tour is cancelled due to government travel restrictions, your deposit and any progress payments will be carried forward as full credit towards future travel with us with Zero fees.
If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.
If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made.
Note: Cancellation and rebooking policies are only valid for land part of tour not International and domestic airline tickets.
Note: International and domestic airline tickets are subject to full payment at the time of booking and are subject to respective airline policies for booking, rebooking and cancellation.
A cancellation or rebooking will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation.
For full cancellation & refund policy, visit https://www.vibrantindiatours.com.au/terms-conditions
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