A Culinary Portrait Of Kerala: Tea, Spice & Tradition

Welcome to Kerala, a region shaped by monsoon winds, ancient maritime trade, and a culinary heritage infused with Arab, Jewish, and coastal influences. Upon arrival at the Kochi Airport get transferred to Muvattupuzha & check-in into your boutique stay. The day is at leisure to unwind from the travel. Overnight stay in Muvattupuzha.

After breakfast, explore a guided Market Tour with a culinary expert, an intimate introduction to Malabar ingredients and gastronomy. Wander through vibrant Indian bazaar, visit spice, grain and produce stores, and learn about indigenous Malabar ingredients. Soak in the theatre of Indian markets, its cultural cadence, spirited bartering, and exhilarating energy. Return to your hotel for a Chef-led Malabar Cooking Masterclass, transforming market-fresh staples into signature dishes, followed by lunch crafted by your own hands. Later, meet a local toddy artisan and witness the bold craft of Toddy Tapping. Toddy is a naturally fermented, mildly alcoholic sap drawn from coconut or palm trees, prized across Kerala as a rustic heritage drink. Observe the traditional tapping knife, watch the ascent of swaying palms, and taste toddy drawn fresh from earthen pots. Overnight stay in Muvattupuzha.

Today morning post breakfast check-out and start driving towards Kochi. Upon arrival check-in and relax. This evening, step into the historic quarters of Mattancherry for a curated Street Food Walk. Savour age-old snacks, uncover the spice-laden chapters of Cochin’s past, and enjoy the gentle bustle of its multicultural lanes. Conclude with a refreshing local drink. Overnight in Cochin.

Begin your morning with a Half-Day Heritage Tour exploring Cochin’s storied landmarks like the Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets. Each site narrates the cosmopolitan history that shaped Kerala’s cuisine. This evening, immerse yourself in a Private Cooking Class at a local home. Learn the nuances of Kerala’s coastal spices, master classic recipes, and end with a lovingly prepared home-style dinner that celebrates the heart of Kerala hospitality. Overnight in Cochin.

This morning, drive into the mist-draped mountains of Munnar, Kerala’s famed tea country. Check in to your serene plantation retreat, surrounded by sweeping vistas of emerald estates. The rest of the day is yours to unwind amid cool highland air, birdsong, and the tranquil charm of the hills. Overnight in Munnar.

Today, embark on the iconic Lockhart Tea Trail, a gentle guided walk that winds through rolling plantations. Learn about the rhythms of plantation life, interact with tea workers, and absorb the quiet beauty of Munnar’s tea valleys. Continue to the heritage factory to witness the traditional orthodox processing that gives Munnar teas their distinctive character. Conclude with a curated tasting of delicate white teas, aromatic greens, and robust blacks. Overnight in Munnar.

Post breakfast, bid farewell to the hills as you drive towards Thekkady, a region celebrated as India’s Spice Country. Check in to your retreat and enjoy an evening at leisure amidst fragrant spice-scented air. Overnight in Thekkady.

This morning, head out for the Spice Plantation Walk. Discover cardamom gardens, pepper vines, and fragrant herbs that have powered Kerala’s global culinary legacy for centuries. Continue with a warm Cooking Demonstration, where you will learn to prepare traditional dishes using freshly harvested spices. A wholesome Kerala lunch followed as fragrant, soulful, and steeped in local flavours. The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Thekkady.

Today, drive to Alleppey to enter the tranquil world of Kerala’s famed backwaters. Board your private Houseboat, a floating sanctuary that glides past canals, palm groves, and village life along the water’s edge. Savour freshly prepared backwater specialities and delicate freshwater seafood, cooked onboard the traditional way as you drift through serene waterways. Overnight on Houseboat.

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin Airport for your onward journey, carrying with you the aromas, warmth, and timeless flavours of Kerala.