Kitchens of South India

ATOC TOURS SPECIAL FEATURES

First Class Hotels with private bath/shower
American Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner daily; All Meals during stay at Lake Periyar
Freedom-of-Choice Dining, Full Buffets
ATOC representative assistance at airport and hotels
Local English-speaking Guide on Sightseeing Tours
Boat ride (seat in boat basis) on Lake Periyar
Airfare within India
Entrance fees to monuments and museums
Baggage handling and porterage

ATOC TOURS VALUE ADDED FEATURES
Welcome Dinner with Cultural Dances & Music
Kathakali Dance performance
           

Your Journey begins:

DAY 1: Depart North America
Board your international flight for your Kitchen Tours of India.

DAY 2: En Route
Relax and enjoy the in-flight service.  

DAY 3: Kochi (Cochin)
On arrival at Kochi (Cochin), you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance show followed by a Welcome Dinner. The Brunton Boatyard (B/D)

DAY 4: Kochi (Cochin)
Your morning city tour includes a visit to the Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557. Continue to St. Francis Church, constructed in 1503 by the Portuguese Franciscan friars. Tour the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, and the Chinese Fishing nets. This evening visit a Kerala family and witness a cooking demonstration of Malabari cuisine. The Brunton Boatyard (B/D)

DAY 5: Kochi (Cochin) / Alappuzha (Houseboat)
From Cochin, drive to Alappuzha and embark on a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala. This evening experience a cooking demonstration by the houseboat cook. Deluxe Houseboat (B/D)

DAY 6: Kumarakom / Lake Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Disembark at Kumarakom and drive to Thekkady. The drive is one of the most beautiful, with coconut groves at the lower level and rubber, tea and spice plantations as you climb higher. Take an afternoon boatride on Lake Periyar to view wild animals drinking or taking a dip. A cooking demonstration is followed by dinner at your hotel. The Spice Village (B/D)

DAY 7: Periyar / Madurai
From Periyar, drive to Madurai. Check into charming your charming Taj Garden Retreat Hotel. In the afternoon visit Madurai, including the spectacular Meenakshi Temple. Fortune Pandian Madurai (B/D)

DAY 8: Madurai / Chennai / Covelong
Spend your morning at leisure before check out at noon. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Chennai (Madras). Transfer to your hotel. The Park (B/D)

DAY 9: Mahabalipuram
After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram for a visit to the Arjuna’s Penance, the Five Rathas, and the famous Shore Temple. A cooking demonstration will be followed by dinner. Fortune Chariot (B/D)

DAY 10: Chennai / Hyderabad
Today you have a morning flight to Hyderabad. In the afternoon, visit the delightful Salarjung Museum, well known throughout India for its prized collections belonging to different civilizations dating back to the 1st century.  The Aditya Inn (B/D)

DAY 11: Hyderabad
Enjoy a full-day visit of Hyderabad and fascinating Golconda Fort, which was designed with an acoustic “alarm” system that allows a hand clap to be heard at the fort’s main gates. This evening there will be a demonstration of Hyderabadi cuisine followed by dinner. The Aditya Inn (B/D)

DAY 12: Hyderabad / Bangalore
From Hyderabad you have a flight to Bangalore and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon visit Vidhan Soudha, Fort Kempe Gowda, and Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. The Park (B/D)

DAY 13: Bangalore / Goa
After breakfast, fly to Goa. On arrival you will be greeted and transfer to your hotel. Spend an afternoon at leisure. The Leela Palace (B/D)

DAY 14: Goa
Your morning is free to explore or relax as you please before your afternoon city tour. In the evening, witness the demonstration of traditional Konkan food and famous Goan curries. After the demonstration, dinner will be served. The Leela Palace (B/D)

DAY 15: Goa
This is a day at leisure to explore or relax as you please. The Leela Palace (B/D)

DAY 16: Goa / Mumbai
Today, fly to Mumbai and connect with your international flight to the USA. Your spectacular journey through the Kitchen Tours of India comes to an end as you return home with fond memories of the tastes, sights, sounds and spiritual facets of ancient India. (B)

Note: A Touch of Class Tours offers you the lowest international airfares available at the time of booking.