Description
The tour includes 2 nights in Cochin, visiting the local spice markets and seeing the local produce being sold. We have selected the best two restaurants in Cochin for evening meals; The Fort House Restaurant specialises in seafood, whilst the Oceanos Restaurant specialise in southern Indian cuisine.
Continue to the Western Ghats, where many spice plantations are located. You will see where many of the spices you use originate from, and you can easily pick up some fantastic samples to take home.
Finally continue to Phillip Kuttys Farm for 3 nights, a local homestay and the place learn how to cook Indian cuisine using local, age old techniques. We will offer 2 cookery courses, run by the local family and you will also be able to walk around the estate to see how the local ingredients are produced.
Itinerary
| Stay | Location / Route | Overnight |
|---|
| 1 night
| Fly to Cochin (via Dubai) | Overnight flight |
| 2 nights
| Cochin, Kerala, India | Malabar House |
| 1 night
| Thekkady, India | Spice Village |
| 3 nights
| Backwaters, India | Philip Kuttys Farm |
| 0 night
| Fly Cochin to London (via Dubai) | Day flight |
When to travel
Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical and as a result of the mountain ranges the area isn’t as dry as much of India. The best time to visit is from January through to April. While there can be the occasional light showers these are just a prelude of the wet weather to come. The weather is generally hot and humid during this early summer. The monsoon season arrives in early June and thus can wash out July and August. September is much more humid as a result of the rainy season, and the fall can be dry but with the humidity this makes it feel quite the warm. There can be a little rain in the night in October and November. The temperatures cool down and the humidity lets up as winter comes in around December, with this season lasting until February when the dry spring returns. Winter can be a pleasant time to visit, especially if you’re looking to head off the beach and explore this Indian land of mystery.
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Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Cochin, Thekkady & Backwaters
The Malabar House is in the heart of historical Fort Cochin opposite St. Francis Church, a 3-minutes walk to the Chinese fishing nets. Spice Village is located in Kumily, a small settlement three kilometres from Thekkady, the main entrance to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Philip Kutty's Farm is located on a private island in the Keralan backwaters, near Kumarakom.
How to get there
13-hour flight (via Dubai) to Cochin International Airport. Cochin is the nearest airport to Malabar House, 45 km away, a journey time of 1-hour.
