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South India Culinary Adventure Jan 12, 2023 – Jan 19, 2023

Come join us on an epic South India culinary tour, filled with food, culture, and camaraderie. This affordable, all-inclusive culinary tour takes care of all the details, leaving you free to enjoy the true experience of India.

  • Duration: 08 Days (approx.)
  • Location: Chennai, Madurai, Karaikudi, Periyar, Kochi
  • Product code: SOUTH_INDIA

Our Travel Philosophy

We choose places where the US dollar is strong, where the food culture rocks, and the locals really benefit from our visits. These all-inclusive culinary tours are food and learning-focused. We combine a few tourist activities, with activities and places that regular tourists rarely see.

We want you to experience the country as the locals do, while not skipping major sites. So in Periyar, you will see the local artisans—but you won’t see 5 other tourist sites. Instead, you will have a chance to have a home-cooked meal after a cooking lesson, and you’ll be able to shop in some small stores.

These are first-class culinary trips, and we make them as all-inclusive as possible. From the time you arrive until you leave, the only times you will need your wallet are to shop or to order alcohol and other incidentals. Food, drink, transport, and ALL TIPS are included in your very low price!

Quality of Trips

This trip is customized and vetted by Great Culinary Travels. I have personally gone on this trip and worked with my friend Alka Sharma to customize it to suit the needs of foodies who love adventure and want to experience the real India.

UPCOMING TRIP DATES 

Jan 12, 2023 – Jan 19, 2023

Pongal Festival

Travelers on this trip will be lucky enough to experience many Pongal festivities. Pongal is very specific to south India, and it marks the end of the winter solstice.

Pongal means to boil or to overflow and refers to a delicious dish prepared from the new harvest of rice boiled in milk with jaggery (raw sugar). So Pongal refers to both the dish, as well as the festival.

It’s not just people who celebrate and enjoy Pongal. The cattle come in for their own share of love on Mattu Pongal (the second day of the five-day celebration). Cattle are bathed, their horns are polished, and they are festooned in garlands. Combine this with their liquid black yes and their sweet faces, and this makes for some mighty cute cattle, I have to say. They also get to enjoy the rice Pongal that day.

kathakali dancer with mask

Trip Overview

On each food-focused trip, a small group of us will head on an 7-night, 8-day adventure to Madurai, Karaikudi, Periyar, and Kochi. The week will be a mix of major sites in big cities, smaller villages, and local shops. Each itinerary includes expert-led tours, cooking classes, market visits, home visits, boutique accommodations, and a great group of fellow travelers.

DAY 01 – ARRIVE CHENNAI: (Jan 12, 2023)

Arrive in Chennai, Check-in time 02:00 PM. || Dinner.

DAY 02 – CHENNAI / MADURAI / KARAIKUDI: (Jan 13, 2023)

Breakfast || Fly Chennai to Madurai || Drive to Karaikudi || Packed lunch on bus || Cooking demo and dinner at hotel || Optional Massage (extra cost)

DAY 03 – KARAIKUDI: (Jan 14, 2023, 2022)

Breakfast || Village market & Local Artisan shops || Lunch || Dinner and overnight at a famous hotel with fabulous food || Pongal Celebrations!

cooking class

DAY 04 – KARAIKUDI / MADURAI: (Jan 15, 2023)

Breakfast || Drive to Madurai, Pongal for the cattle today || Lunch at hotel || Meenakshi temple visit || Dinner at Hotel

DAY 05 – MADURAI / PERIYAR (Jan 16, 2023)

Breakfast || Drive to Periyar in an air-conditioned bus || Visit Spice Plantation|| Lunch at Hotel || Local activities at the resort || Cooking demo and dinner at natural resort|| Dinner and overnight at this fantastic natural resort |

temple in karaikuddi

DAY 06 – PERIYAR / KOCHI (Jan 17, 2023)

Breakfast || Drive to Kochi || Late afternoon harbor cruise || Dinner and overnight at hotel ||

DAY 07 – KOCHI (Jan 18, 2023)

Breakfast || Tour of Fort Kochi || Seafood Lunch || Kathakali Dance Show || Cooking demo & Dinner and overnight at hotel || Late Transfers to Airport

DAY 08 – KOCHI / HOME (Jan 19, 2023)

Check-out time from the hotel: 11:00 AM (No Hotel Accommodations, Breakfast included)

COST FOR THE SOUTH INDIA FOOD TOUR

Cost for a double or twin room (2 persons)US $6,119
Cost for a single room (1 person)US $3,626

Once you decide you are going, please email us ([email protected]) and we will send instructions for payments and documents.

If you’re wondering if this is a legit operation check out the Facebook group where you can connect with those who have traveled with us before.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Here’s what’s included in the trip fare:

  • All accommodations
  • All in-country travel including airfares, buses, etc.
  • Transportation from the airport to the hotel in Chennai
  • Transportation from the hotel to the airport in Kochi
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner starting with Dinner on Day 01 in Chennai through till the end of the trip
  • Bottled water on the bus and during travel
  • Group transportation to/from all events listed on the itinerary
  • Meals listed in the itinerary
  • Tips for all meals, hotels, drivers, and activity guides

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

The following are not included in the trip fare:

  • Transportation / International Airfares from your home to/from India
  • Visa costs for India
  • Any incidental expenses 
  • Required travel insurance
  • Any meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Any extra excursions or events you plan
  • Alcoholic drinks, massages, and extra snacks
  • Anything from room service or the hotel minibar

Payment Schedule

  • A $,1500 per person non-refundable deposit, payable by August 30, 2022.
  • The remainder of the payment is due by November 15, 2022
  • Since this trip is planned for the very near future, we cannot offer refunds for anything after September 15, 2022. We keep prices low by pre-booking trips and getting attractive prices. Last-minute cancellations hurt the whole group.
  • Please note this trip is priced for a minimum of 10 guests. We will cancel and refund your deposit if a trip has fewer attendees 45 days before the trip

THE FINE PRINT

Required Waiver

We require you to sign a waiver holding Teknilogic Inc. not responsible for any travel mishaps. Instead, please get travel insurance so you are covered.

Required Trip Insurance

Please note that trip insurance is required to join us on a Great Culinary Travels trip. FYI most major credit cards (such as American Express, CHASE Sapphire, and Capital One) offer complimentary insurance when you purchase using their card.

Cancellation policy

US$ 500 deposit to hold each spot. This can be refunded for up to 3 months before the trip starts. After that time, no refunds are possible. Full payment is due 45 days before the trip starts at which point NO refunds will be issued. We keep prices low by pre-booking trips and getting attractive prices. Last-minute cancellations hurt the whole group.

Roommates

If you do not have a travel partner, you can purchase a single occupancy room and have it all to yourself. If you would like a roommate, please post in the Facebook group and see if someone is interested in rooming with you. It is up to you to find a suitable roommate.

If you don’t get along with your roommate, Great Culinary Travels is not responsible for this 🙂

Additional Questions?

Check out our travel FAQs

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