Nirup is a chef by trade and is a former resident of India. She comes from a place called Mysore, which is a city in the south of India. Her love of food, travel and history has prompted her to start a new venture, where she has designed a personalised tour, encompassing cities and towns of the south. She will accompany Australian travellers throughout their journey, explaining the culture and food of the region. Here are the details of what is on offer-
| Duration of the tour | 15 days |
| Places of interest | Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Mysore, Nagarhole national park, Coorg, Hassan, Srirangapatna, Cochin, and Kumarakom |
| Pace | easy,but moderate. (no rushing about) |
| Number of people | 8-10 per group |
| Mode of transport | overland by coach, 2 internal flights |
| Inclusions | All meals, accommodation (including pre tour accommodation and airport transfers), transport, internal flights, entry fees to attactions, cooking demos, bottled water, tipping and all of nirups time! |
| Exclusions | International airfares, visa fees and travel insurance. |
| Cost | $4,580 per person twin share, single supplement $1,400. |
Join her in the journey of a lifetime, where you can meet with locals and find out the true culture and way of life down in the south of India. Also learn how different languages , cooking style and use of ingredients differ from one state to another. Visit spice farms, coffee estates and learn about sericulture and many more exciting activities.
For details, call her on 02-99707630 or visit her facebook page.
Itinerary
Day 1
Guests arrive in Chennai and are transferred to mahabalipuram, which is an hour and a half drive from the airport. Here they will be checked in and the rest of the evening is for relaxation. There will be a welcome dinner with the tour director.
Day 2
Guests will be taken on trip to Pondicherry which is a 2 hour trip by road. This is a full day trip, where you will visit auroville, and arabindo ashram. Guests can enjoy coffee at the local cafes in this quaint town which was once a French colony.
Day 3
Today guests will visit the shore temple at mahabalipuram and also the surrounding areas which have the pandavas bedrooms and the ganpapathi and other temples scattered around the area. This is a half day trip and the rest of the evening can be free for relaxation.
Day 4
Guests are transferred to Chennai airport to catch a flight to Bangalore, where there will be a coach waiting to transfer us to Mysore. On the way, we will be visiting the big banyan tree at Ramohalli and also stopping at shivalli for some refreshments. Then we arrive in mysore, to be checked into the hotel. This evening , Nirup will explain the brief history of mysore.
Day 5
In the morning, after breakfast, we will be visiting the Mysore palace, and the art gallery. This evening, we will visit chamundi hills to view the city of Mysore from its summit.
Day 6
Guest will be taken to Srirangapatna, which is 25 kms from Mysore city and Tippus summer palace, gol gumbaz, and sangama are all on the itinerary. This is a full day trip. Also we will visit a local farm to see how jaggery is made.
Day 7
Today is a free day to explore Mysore, do some shopping, get some henna tattoos or just walk around this majestic city. Optional tours to a local silk factory could be arranged and also some insight into wood carving. If there are any takers, we could also have a sari tying class for the ladies.
Day 8
Today we will be visiting the ancient temples of somnathpur and talakaadu. After spending half a day there, we will be visiting shivanasamudra, where there are beautiful waterfalls.
Day 9
Guests will be taken to a local market, where we can look at the local fresh produce and get a glimpse into the life of locals. This evening, we will make our way to the mysore palace to watch the famous illumination.
Day 10 & 11
Today, we will be transferred to kabini, where the resort is on the edge of a wildlife reserve. We ill be staying here for 2 days. In these 2 days we will be going on wildlife safaris and learn about the flora and fauna of the region.
Day 12
We will be leaving early to reach Bangalore, where we will board a midday flight to cochin and will be transferred to Kumarakom, which is an hour and a half drive from cochin airport. We will check into a farm stay which is situated on the banks of vembanad lake, with plenty of birdlife and spectacular scenery.
Day 13
We will embark on a canal and bird waching cruise in a country boat, which will take you through the canals of the region, where you can see the locals on the canal bank going about their daily life. The guide will also impart his knowledge of birds of the area.
Day 14
Today, guests will board a house boat like no other. With all meals cooked fresh on the boat, guests will spend the afternoon on the boat. In the evening, our host will hold a cooking demonstration in their kitchen, showing us how local delicacies are prepared.
Day 15
This morning, we will be transferred to cochin. After checking into the hotel, we will spend the mid-morning visiting the dutch palace and also the jewish quarter in cochin. An afternoon visit to the cultural centre where the local dance form kathakali will be showcased.
Day 16
The tour ends today after breakfast. Guests have the morning free, and will be transfered to Cochin airport later that evening, to continue on their journey back home, or on their onward journey.