THE CURRYTRAIL

a gastronomic journey through south India

MAN G A L O R E – U D U P I - C A L I C U T - T H R I S S U R - C O C H I N -A L L E P P E Y - T H E K K E D Y – MAD U R A I - K A R A I K U D I -P O N D I C H E R R Y – MAH A B A L L I P U R AM - C H E N N A I

This journey starts in Mangalore – a small town in the Western coast of India. This is aninteresting town known as a coffee hub & also for fish landing. From Mangalore you

drive to Calicut. Here you will visit an affluent Keralian Muslim family. Mrs. Rasheed, thelady of the house specializes in Moplah cuisine, typical of this region. You will have a

hands-on experience of delicious Mopalah cuisine. From Calicut travel to Cochin. On theway - stop at Thrissur to visit a Hindu Brahmin home for a "pure vegetarian" meal with

the family. The science of preparing the meal & the sequence of courses will also beexplained by the family. After Cochin you will drive to Alleppey. Here you visit a SyrianChristian family and experience a cooking lesson. This will be an introduction to the

variation in ingredients and preparation styles, based on religion & caste. Your next stopis Thekkady – set in the Cardamom hills. After a couple of nights in Thekkady, that

combine spice trails and wildlife visits, you will drive to Madurai. Here you will visit oneof the most beautiful temples of all – the Meenakshi temple Madurai is the perfect base

to visit the village of Karaikudi that is home to spice-infused "Chettinad" cuisine.Continue your journey to Pondicherry where will experience a guided walk in the frenchquarters. And with that - you fly off to Chennai for a final "smorgasbord" of the melange

of flavors of this region.

HIGHLIGHTShands on experience on a range of culinary traditions

across Southern Indiaunderstand the variance in recipe & taste based on location,

religion & casteexplore the highlights of South India visiting Cochin &

Maduraivisit the spice plantation in Thekkedy

visit the architecturally acclaimed mansions in Karaikudi

detailed itineraryday 1 - your journey begins

day 2 - to managalore

day 4 - a veggie affair

day 5 - to the backwaters

day 3 - to the fish landing

this day marks the beginning ofyour journey as you get on theplane to Mumbai

Transfer to airport to board aflight to Mangalore departing at10:15 hrsMeeting on arrival at 11:50 hrs anddrive to Udupi [59 kms/ 1.5 hrs] –the place where “Masala Dosa” - atypical South Indian cuisine wasoriginatedLate lunch will be organized atMitra Samaj with Masala Dosa &Goli Baji – two specialized cuisineof UdupiLater visit the Krishna temple –one of the most important pilgrimplace for the ISKON In the late afternoon drive back toMangalore

Early morning : Witness the Fishlanding and observe the variety offishes in different shape and sizes.After breakfast, transfer torailway station to board a train toCalicut departing at 11:45 hrsArrive Cochin at 15:10 hrs, you willbe met by Mr. Rasheed who willtake you through the local market.The Sweet Meat Street which isfamous for its Mithai Theruvu - asweet that has made Kozhikodepopular in Kerala.

In the evening, you will be takento the home of Mr. Rasheed to tryyour hands on Mopalah cuisinewith your host – Mrs. Rasheedfollowed by dinner and interactionwith the family.

After breakfast, transfer torailway station to board a train toThrissur departing at 09:00 hrsArrive Thrissur at noon and leavefor a Hindu family for a traditionalmeal. This will be a purevegetarian meal. An interactive session with thefamily will be arranged tounderstand the cooking and alsothe reason of serving the meal intheir particular way. Afternoon : Drive to Cochin [80kms/ 2.5 hrs]En-route visit a shop to see howbanana chips are made and tounderstand the importance ofbanana in Kerala

Morning : Embark on a sightseeingtour of Cochin visiting DutchPalace, Jewish synagogue, St.Thomas church & Chinese FishingnetAfter sightseeing visit a local hometo have a hands-on experience onSyrian Christian cuisine followedby a meal with the family.

day 6 - cruising along

day 7 - into the wild

day 8 -spices and temples

day 9 - food of the merchants

day 10 - to the french quarters

The family is also a perfectexample of Indian diversity wherethe lady of the house is a SyrianChristian & the male memberbelongs to a traditional Hindufamily – so the family practicesboth the culturesLater drive to Alleppey

After breakfast explore the villagearound our home-stay to witnessthe rural life in Kerala. Also visit500 years old temple located inAlleppey.Later transfer to boat jetty toboard a House Boat.Cruise through the backwaters.Also take some shore excursions toexperience the local life along theway. A typical South Indian lunch willbe served on board.Disembark at Alleppey and driveto Thekkady [4 hrs].Arrive Thekkady by late afternoon& check-in at the hotel.

Early breakfast at the hotelExperience a variety of jungleactivities like bamboo rafting,nature walk & a boat ride onPeriyar lakeIn the evening, witness a Kathakalidance show.

Embark on a spice plantation tourto have a detailed explanation onspicesLater drive to Madurai [4 hrs]Arrive Madurai by mid afternoon &embark on a sightseeing tour ofMadurai visiting Meenakshi temple& Tirumal Nayak Palace

After breakfast, proceed for a dayexcursion to Karaikudi [2 hrs – oneway]Attend an interactive session withthe chef on Chettinad cuisinefollowed by lunch at a localmansionLater visit the mansions whichhave a certain architecture belongsto the landLate afternoon : Drive back toMadurai

After early breakfast transfer torailway station to board a train toVillupuram departing at 07:00 hrs.Arrive Villupuram at 11:40 hrs anddrive to Pondicherry [[2 hrs]Attend an interactive session withthe chef of a well-knownrestaurant in Pondicherry whospecializes in Tamil-French fusioncuisine followed by a lunch.Later visit Auroville – known asthe Universal colony. Alsoexperience a guided walk throughthe French quarters in Pondicherry.

day 11 - drive to Chennai

day 12 - bid adieu to India

After early breakfast , proceed toChennai [150 kms / approx 3.5 hrs]with a stop at Mahabalipuram.Visit the historical sites inMahabalipuram, including ShoreTemple.Later drive to Chennai [1 hr]On arrival in Chennai, proceed to visita home for an interactive session ontraditional Tamil cuisine followed bylunchIn the late afternoon visit toKapaleeshwar Temple where a specialBlessing ceremony will be organizedfor you followed by the distribution of“Prasadam” – an offering made to Godwhich is shared by the devotees.After visit drive to hotel for check-in

Breakfast at the hotelTransfer to airport to board youronward flight back to Singaporedeparting at 11:50 hrs

journeystarts at

$ 1998**cost valid per

person in a twin

sharing room

cost includes all the arrangements,interactions, visits, meals as listed, andprofessional assistance throughout the trip

the cost does not include the airfare,personal expenses, visa and airport fee

for more info:india@indebo.com