Rani's Southern India Spice Tour

RANI’S SOUTHERN INDIA SPICE TOUR – OCTOBER 2022

Limited remaining spaces, book now!

On arrival meet & greet at Cochin Airport. Transfer to our charming boutique hotel (1 hour).

Late check-in and a big sleep - Overnight at Brunton Boatyard

Sunday 16 October - Day 2 – Cochin

After a late breakfast, we start our day with Cochin sightseeing coupled with spice hunting. Our guide specialised for this excursion will show the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and Chinese fishing nets we will also be visiting the spice market. After the sightseeing, we visit Anglo-Indian place to relish their specialty Portuguese food. Thus giving start to our Food Tour. Rest of the day at leisure. You can witness the Kathakali dance in the evening. (This can be arranged locally as an option).

Evening take a guided walk around the old town.

Welcome dinner together at our hotel. Overnight at Brunton Boatyard

Monday 17 October - Day 3– Cochin

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning cooking class with the Chef at Brunton Boatyard followed by lunch at the Brunton restaurant that serves authentic food coupled with chefs' specialty dishes.

Afternoon explore Fort Cochin and local Dinner. Overnight at Brunton Boatyard

Tuesday 18 October - Day 4 – Cochin - Thekaddy (Periyar) (4.5 hours drive)

After breakfast you will be driven 90 minutes to Kalady – birthplace of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Visit Sri Krishna temple, and neighboring places of interest.

Later you will be visiting a Brahmin house to experience Kerala Feast – Sadhya.

After lunch we continue our drive towards the hills to reach Thekaddy (Periyar) - set in the green hills of spice plantations and home of the Periyar Wildlife Reserve - a sanctuary for a multitude of wild elephants bears, bison, deer, boar and the great Indian Tiger.

Dinner at our wonderful and unique hotel and overnight stay at Spice Village

https://www.cghearth.com/spice-village/aboutus

Wednesday 19 October - Day 5 – Thekaddy

After breakfast we visit the local spice plantation followed by shopping of good quality spices,  and a guided stroll around the little town of Kumily.

Afternoon you will visit the Wildlife sanctuary where you will be taken by boat to Lake Palace where a special Lunch will be served. Afternoon back to the Spice Village to relax.

Overnight stay at Spice Village

Thursday 20 October - Day 6 – Thekaddy

After breakfast drive through Tamil Nadu to understand different vegetables of the region, visit a vegetable farm, fair trade market and a Tamil lunch at a vegetable garden exclusively for the group.

Evening back to hotel and after a short break we visit Sudheer’s house to witness a local cooking demonstration followed by dinner.

Overnight stay at Spice Village

Friday 20 October - Day 7 Thekaddy – Alleppey (4.5 hours drive)

After breakfast you will be driven to the boarding point for the ‘kettuvallam’, thre famous Houseboats of Kerala.

Enjoy a backwater cruise, lazing in this converted houseboat as it meanders through the tranquil network of water canals, dotted with busy hamlets, lush green paddy fields.

Formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea from the Cardamom Hills, this network of canals, lakes and estuaries comprises one of India’s most enchanting areas - a rural, revering expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies. The scene is idyllic and the mood – romantic and the experience unforgettable.

Lunch will be served on board.

Later in the afternoon assist the cook for dinner and by evening join the group for supper.

These converted rice barges or "Kettuvallams" sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto dugouts. You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition. The boats offer one or two cabins with a small sitting room and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The food is authentic Kerala cuisine, purchased fresh along the way.

Overnight on our exclusive Houseboats.

Saturday 21 October - Day 8 –  Kerala Backwaters

A full day of cruising and exploring, cooking demo and overnight on our exclusive Houseboat.

Sunday 22 October - Day 9 – Alleppey – Mararikulam (1 hr drive)

After breakfast disembark from the Houseboat and drive a short distance to reach the beachside destination of Kerala, Mararikulam. Afternoon the “Interactive Kitchen” experience

Overnight at Marari Beach Resort

Monday 23 October - Day 10 – Marari Beach

This morning or afternoon you can maybe can experience the famous Ayurveda massage.

Lunch time cooking class “Our Chef recommends” paying attention to the daily recommendations of the Resort Chef – treust us, he knows best what you need, particularly if you are a seafood lover. A must try at Marari beach is the freshly caught squid grilled with Masala – a tret from the Gods 😊

A few hours this afternoon to relax and enjoy the ocean side locale

Monday 23 October - Day 10 – Marari Beach  cont…

Then an evening cooking class “Coastal Secrets Revealed” with our Resort chefs who will share their secrets as to what sets their Coastal cuisine apart.

Overnight at Marari Beach Resort

Tuesday 24 October - Day 11 – Marari – Cochin Airport (2 hours drive)

FULL DAY MARARI BEACH

Late check out then transfer to the airport around 7pm

COCHI TO SINGAPORE

Singapore Airlines flight SQ 535

Departs 11.00pm

Wednesday 25 October - Day 12 – Homeward bound

Singapore in Transit – visit the O

SINGAPORE TO BRISBANE

Singapore Airlines flight SQ 245

Departs 9.55am Arrive 7.30pm

All flights Economy class

Suggested extension tour

Those who wish to extend their holiday can fly to Chennai. On arrival at Chennai they will be picked and driven (2 hours) to Mahabalipuram. Stay overnight at hotel. Morning after their sightseeing in Mahabalipuram they will be driven for 2 hours to reach Pondicherry. Spend two or three nights in Pondicherry. After your Pondi stay guests will be transferred to Chennai airport to connect their fight to Australia.

Destination                         Hotels

Cochin                                 Brunton Boatyard

Thekaddy (Periyar)           Spice Village

Alleppey     Luxury houseboat

Mararikulam    Marari Beach Resort

Mahabalipuram   Radisson Blu Resort

Pondicherry     Palais De Mahe

Your Price includes

# Accommodation for 10 nights on twin sharing basis

# 10 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 Dinners

# Cooking demos as mentioned in the program

# One time entry to all monuments as mentioned in the itinerary

# Transport in Air Condition Mini coach

# 01 Cultural dance performance

# All activities mentioned in the above program

# Specialised service of professional guides at cochin, Thekaddy and Marari

# Airport assistance on arrival and departure

# 2 bottles of drinking water per day per person

(Any change in tax structure can affect the price accordingly)

Transport Arrangements –

Air Conditioned mini coach with private driver/guide

Meals and cooking classes included as listed

FULL TOUR PRICE with airfares and all listed inclusions  $ 6375 per person twin share

NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT      $ 1500 per person

BALANCE DUE BY 15 AUGUST     $ 4875 per person

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT      $ 2475

PONDICHERRY EXTENSION      $ 1495 per person twin share

TRAVEL INSURANCE ADD FROM $270

INDIAN VISA ON-LINE

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

ADDITIONAL BOOKING INFORMATION

AGENCY

Nicole Beasley Travel Pty Ltd is the “agent” only of the respective airlines or tour operators (the “Operator”) they represent. All payments are processed via the audited Client account of the “Agency” to relevant suppliers as required.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is ESSENTIAL that all passengers insure themselves against loss of pre-paid travel and accommodation expenses that may be incurred due to involuntary cancellation and against injury, medical, hospital, emergencv and other unforeseen expenses. A quote has been included for you.

IDENTIFICATION/PASSPORTS/VISA

All travellers must hold a PASSPORT VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS for entry to Singapore and India. Your will also require a Visa for India which you can obtain online at (official govt site)

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

CONDITIONS OF QUOTATION

All quotes and prices given to you and any travel arrangements set forth in the booking requests are:

a) Subject to confirmation by the Operator and

b) Subject to the terms set forth in any brochure supplied by the operator.

c) Subject to availability

d) Prices subject to change until paid in full.

FORM OF PAYMENT / CREDIT CARDS

Payment by bank deposit can be made to

Nicole Beasley Travel Pty Ltd

BSB 034-061 ACC 372 882

Payment by Credit Card will incur a processing fee of 1.3% for Visa/Mastercard and 1.8% for Amex.

Pay at our secure website pay.travelpay.com.au/nbtvl

CANCELLATION/ AMENDMENT FEES

Please be aware generally all deposits are non-refundable and cancellation fees of up to 100% of your pre-payment may apply. We do recommend availing your Travel Insurance at the time of a substantial deposit or concurrent with your major payments to protect your payments.

Amendment fees of a minimum $200 apply to bookings once confirmed to you.

Whilst all care is taken in providing accurate prices and information, fluctuations can occur which are beyond our control. The prices and services set out on this form are subject to withdrawal or change at any time by the providers of the services, tours, and accom. The carriage of passengers and baggage by operators is performed, subject to the conditions of carriage endorsed on the relevant tickets or related documents issued by the operator.

IMPORTANT COVID INFORMATION

Subject to update and change prior to travel - https://boi.gov.in/

Traveller Costs

You need to be aware there will be costs associated with the COVID testing requirements that currently apply on departure and arrival at the destination and arrival into Australia.

To be prepared, we recommend you have a COVID kitty of between AUD$300-$500 for each destination.  If you are going multiple destinations you need to allow for this 😊

PCR Tests

Some airlines require your PCR Test as a PDF” copy of the test, please ensure you have this format if it is required. There is PCR testing currently at SYD & MEL airports only.

Here is the link to a site which you might find helpful in regard to PCR testing.

https://www.histopath.com.au/traveltesting/

While some airlines will be happy with an e-copy of you test results, some are not. SO be sure and take a printed paper copy of your results.

We are here to advise you but the ultimate responsibility to be prepared is with you.