Name: 13 Day Small-Group Culinary Tour to South India with Chef Sid Sahrawat
Brand: Good Food Journey
Price: 8150 NZD
Availability: InStock

Accommodation

Check-in Time:

15:00

Check-out Time:

10:00

At all locations, the accommodation is 5-star luxury. They pick hotels and accommodations that are in tune with their passion for food and culinary experiences.

Cochin: Hotel Brunton Boatyard
Munnar: Fragrant Nature
Alleppey: uxury houseboat
Chennai: ITC Grand Chola
Goa: ITC Grand Resort and Spa
Mumbai: ITC Maratha

You will stay in a shared twin room, with the option to stay in a private room at additional cost.

Program

Overview

This 13-day tour covers 6 cities in South India and Mumbai. The landscape and culture of South India is so different from North India that it is like going to another country. Some of the highlights of this exclusive culinary tour are tea estates, spice plantations, coffee estates, night on a luxury houseboat, visit a French colony, fine dining, street food, Bollywood party and delicious culinary experiences at every destination.

Sid wants a small group and therefore there are a limited number of spots available, and the tour ensures an intimate and personalized experience. Sid’s involvement ensures attention to detail and an insider's perspective into the culinary world, making it an enriching journey for food enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Guests will experience Indian hospitality at its best in 5-star luxury hotels at all destinations. If you’ve always wanted to visit India and love Indian cuisine, then join this tour in April 2025 for a trip like no other.

Itinerary

Day 1: April 9 - Arrive in Cochin

On arrival at Cochin airport, you will be met by their local representative for transfer to your hotel. After checking in, take a few hours to rest and unwind from the long flight. That evening you can visit a local market or book an Ayurvedic spa at the hotel.

Dinner is a South Indian cultural experience to welcome you to this part of the country.

Day 2: April 10 - Cochin to Munnar

After breakfast, you will visit the popular sightseeing spots of Cochin. Then later in the afternoon you drive to Munnar to visit expansive tea estates and coffee plantations. It is a 4-hour scenic drive through small towns and winding hill roads.

Dinner is a traditional vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf. Eat as much as you can!

Day 3: April 11- Munnar

After breakfast, enjoy the scenic beauty of lush tea plantations which are spread across hundreds of kilometers, nestled amidst the green mountains of Munnar. Visit the Kolukkumalai Tea estate, the highest tea estate in the world at 8,000 feet above sea level. You can pick tea leaves and learn about the tea making process.

For dinner you will learn how to make crisp dosa and some other South Indian dishes.

Day 4: April 12 - Munnar to Alleppey

After breakfast you go on a 4-hour scenic drive to Alleppy which is also known as the “Venice of the East.” The backwaters of Kerala are a network of interconnected canals, lakes, and lagoons, offering picturesque views of palm-fringed landscapes, paddy fields, and villages along the banks.

The best way to experience the backwaters is on a traditional houseboat crafted from natural materials like bamboo, coir and wood. On arrival in Alleppey, check in to your luxury houseboat. Enjoy the beauty of sunset and sunrise cruising the backwaters, providing an unforgettable and tranquil night amidst nature.

Savor all meals of delicious Kerala cuisine prepared by onboard chefs, including fresh seafood, traditional curries, and local specialties cooked and served in authentic Kerala style.

Day 5: April 13 – Alleppey to Chennai

After breakfast on the houseboat, you will head to Cochin for your flight to Chennai on the East Coast.

On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore the awe-inspiring size and grandeur of your hotel, the ITC Grand Chola. It is a palatial tribute to the Imperial Cholas, arguably Southern India’s greatest empires. Traditional stone carvers and sculptors have contributed to the beautiful interiors of the hotel inspired by Chola themes.

Dinner tonight is a treat to all senses. You will enjoy modern South Indian cuisine with a superior experience of fine-dining degustation in an award-winning restaurant of your hotel.

Day 6: April 14 – Chennai – Puducherry

After an early breakfast you will go on a day road trip to Puducherry (erstwhile Pondicherry). It is a 3-hour drive to this former French colony. Although the French left Pondicherry 70 years ago the city retains a strong Gallic feel and vibe. Rooftop restaurants and boutique cafes serving fresh croissants and delectable spicy local cuisine are all testimony to the influence of continental-Indian fusion.

You will also visit the famous Auroville township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa (known as "the Mother"). The purpose of Auroville is to realize human unity. It is a universal town where men and women of all countries can live in peace and progressive harmony, above all creeds, politics, religions and nationalities.

For dinner you will stop at a legendary Biryani joint that was established in Chennai in 1956 and now has outlets in 7 countries.

Day 7: April 15 – Chennai

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit some of the tourist spots of Chennai. For lunch you will enjoy delicious street food guided by a local storyteller. You will learn about the origins of the local cuisine and its popularity across the globe.

Dinner is a bit of a contrast from your fine dining meal a couple of nights before. This unique experience will stay with you for a long time!

Day 8: Chennai - Goa

After breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Goa. You will enjoy the sun and sand of Goa at your hotel, the ITC Grand Resort and Spa Goa.

Your next 3 days in Goa are a perfect break before you reach the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and then head back home. The golden beaches of Goa are inviting and the water is always just right warm for a swim.

Day 9-10: Goa

There is no itinerary in Goa. You will have a lot of time for rest and relaxation by the beach or poolside or enjoy a spa at your resort. There is direct access to the beach from your resort. Optional sightseeing to marvel at the many Portuguese inspired churches and monuments, learn to make Feni (alcohol made from cashew), visit local markets, etc.

The 3 dinners in Goa are 3 unique experiences to enjoy the chilled vibe of Goa and each other’s company.

Day 11: Goa – Mumbai

After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, the day is at leisure in the hotel or transport can be arranged for shopping at a nearby mall.

Dinner is a Bollywood dress up party with a Mumbai street food theme.

Day 12: Mumbai

After breakfast you have a sightseeing tour of South Mumbai to see the Gateway of India, Nariman Point, etc. You will have the opportunity to see the “Dabbawalla’s” in action. It is a lunchbox delivery system in Mumbai that delivers 200,000 home-cooked meals daily with 99.99% accuracy. It was the subject of a case-study at Harvard Business School

Later you will visit Phoenix Palladium, India’s first luxury retail mall with more than 250 premium brands. If you like watches, this is India’s biggest luxury watch destination. For lunch, there are several trendy restaurants in the mall, and you can pick your choice of cuisine.

Last dinner of the tour is fine dining experience at Masque, Sid’s favorite restaurant in India. It was ranked #16 in Asia and the Best Restaurant in India for 2023.

Day 13: Departure to NZ or onward destination

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Instructors

Sid Sahrawat

Sid Sahrawat is a renowned chef and restaurateur in New Zealand, known for his innovative culinary creations and the success of his 4 Auckland restaurants – Kol, Cassia, French Café and Anise. Sid is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most talented chefs and has been consistently recognized with numerous awards and accolades over the years. He has also appeared as a guest judge on TV shows such as MasterChef NZ and My Kitchen Rules NZ.

Location

The tour starts in Cochin, followed by Munnar for a couple of days. In Munnar you will visit a tea plantation 8,000 feet above sea level - the highest in the world. The next adventure is overnight on a luxury houseboat cruising the calm backwaters with all meals cooked fresh on board.

Then from the West Coast, you head to the East Coast to Chennai. Highlights here are fine dining, day trip to the French colony of Puducherry, and a lot more. Then you go to Goa for 3 days of sunshine on the beach and amazing Portuguese influenced cuisine.

The last stop is Mumbai, and the highlight here is a fine dining meal at Sid’s favorite restaurant in India… easy to see why.

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Food

Breakfast is included at all locations. You will have some amazing foodie experiences that will be the dinners on all nights. 4 lunches are also included.

The following meals are included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Drinks

The following drinks are included:

Water
Coffee
Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

Regular (typically includes meat and fish)

If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

What's included

Program activities
English speaking guide at all locations
Air-conditioned vehicle for sightseeing and transfers at all locations
All requisite airport transfers with personal assistance
12 nights’ accommodation with breakfast
All dinners, 4 lunches including the culinary experiences as per itinerary

What's not included

International airfare
Domestic airfare: 3 domestic flights which is approximately 300 USD in total
Tips and any personal expenses
Tax @ 5% towards GST in India
Alcoholic beverages consumed during hosted dinner or lunches.
Anything which is not mentioned under Inclusions.

How to get there

Recommended Airports

COK

Cochin International Airport

26 km

Transfer included

Arrival by airplane

Please book your flight to arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK). The entire tour is fully escorted. You will be picked up a the airport on arrival in Cochin and dropped off at the airport in Mumbai for departure. All domestic travel and transfers will be taken care of by Good Food Journey.

Airport: Cochin International Airport Airport transfer included: Cochin International Airport No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.

Cancellation Policy

A reservation requires a deposit of 15% of the total price.
The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.

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