www.healingtravel.comwww.healingtravel.com
Forgot password?

SPICES & CURRY of Kerala

SPICES & CURRY

History knows that Kerala is the hub of spice trade in India and has maintained this status for thousands of years. The ports in Kerala attracted traders from all across the world for spice trade since centuries. The desire to control the spice trade from Kerala could also be termed as one of the primary reasons for the western colonization in India. Kerala continues to be a major contributor to the international spice trade over the last decades.
Let us explore the world famous land of spices and know more and learn their culinary delight

Travel Route

Cochin – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum

Tour Highlights

  • Travel to the famous fish and spice market of Cochin
  • Get introduced to the Indian style of cooking by attending a cooking class by expert chefs.
  • Enjoy a traditional “Sadhya” served on a banana leaf, an extensive meal usually served at weddings and other festivals
  • Explore the delightful spice and rubber estates, in Periyar
  • Spice plantation tour and visit local spice market
  • Attend the cooking demonstration to learn the art of preparing specialties of Kerala seafood
  • Visit a farm in Kumarakom and engage in an interactive cooking class
  • Traverse the charming backwater canals around Alleppey in the private comforts of a houseboat
  • Feel the soothing warm sand and rejuvenating waters on the shores of the Arabian Sea at Kovalam

Day 01-Arrive Cochin

Cochin- the principal port and centre of the spice trade on the Malabar coast. Cochin was the first European settlement in India and the port was founded by Vasco-da-Gama in 1502. Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers have all left their culture on this colourful city.

A tour of the city visiting the mattancherry palace, the nearby merchant houses and a fine synagogue. Also visit Fort Cochin and St.Francis church, the oldest European church in india.

In the evening learn about Kerala’s fascinating art form -the Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime -you will enjoy a dance performance ( Witness the artist’s make-up demonstration at 17.15 hours and attend the dance performance at 19.00 hours .Dance drama ends at 200hrs )

Overnight at hotel.

Day 02- Cochin

Morning visit to the fish market and later to the home of Mrs Nimmy Paul a renowned Keralan Chef. Nimmy will explain the traditions and history behind the dishes. Afternoon Nimmy will lead a cooking demonstration in which you can participate in preparation of special Indian dinner

Overnight at hotel.

 Day 03-Cochin  –  Periyar  by road  (142 kms / 4 hrs Approx) 

Drive to Periyar. Later explore the Periyar wildlife sanctuary that is a Tiger Reserve

In the afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on the Periyar Lake. Return to your hotel to attend the class on cooking that will teach you the use of traditional spices in cooking.   Spice Village’s master chefs share some of their skills at the evening cookery classes. Here you will learn the secrets of traditional Kerala and seafood cooking. Enter the magical world of Indian spices. What they are, how to use them, combine them, and savour the special magic they bring to even the most commonplace foods.

Ovenight at hotel. 

Day 04-Periyar

Begin your day with a guided walking tour to the spice plantation. Get to know more about the uses of these spices and enhance your knowledge on the cooking skills followed by  a traditional keralan meal (Sadhya) , Sadhya is a variety of pure vegetarian dishes traditionally served on a banana leaf Evening walk through the spice market and you usually get the variety local spices to take back home

Overnight at  hotel.

 Day 05-Periyar to Kumarakom by car  ( 127 kms / 3hrs Approx)

Drive from Periyar to Kumarakom.

Evening enjoy the sunset on the backwaters of Kumarakom on a boat cruise.

Overnight at hotel.

 Day 06-Kumarakom

Morning explore the beautiful island of Kumarakom. Later drive to Philip Kutty’s Farm, located on a small island in the backwaters by Vembanad. The farm is about 35 acres and is the largest farm on the island. Explore the farm on an escorted farm walk with one of the family members or staff and learn about farming below lake level as well as the different crops cultivated .

Afternoon attend the cooking demonstration to learn the art of preparing specialties of Kerala seafood. This is the final class of the tour and by now, you would have mastered quite a few Indian styles of cooking.

Overnight at hotel.

 Day 07-Kumarakom-Alleppey

Drive to the Jetty to board Housboat around 1100 hrs.

Enjoy sailing through the backwaters with your personal Chef preparing some special food for you.

Overnight on board Houseboat

Day 08-10 Alleppey-Kovalam  by  car (161 Kms / 4-5 Hrs Approx)

Disembark the houseboat and drive to Kovalam.

Days spent at leisure to venture into the depths of the countryside or linger on the marvelous golden sands of Kovalam beaches or  you can extend your stay for  some Ayurveda treatments or

You could even journey southward to Kanyakumari, the Cape of Comorin. The Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean merge at the edge of the continent. The Kumari Amman Temple is a mixture of concrete stone and legend

Overnight at hotel.

 Day 11: Kovalam-Trivandrum (12 Kms / 30 minutes Approx)

Transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the flight for your onward destination.