iSpice ToursPersonally Escorted Tours to South India

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We personally escort you throughout the tour Walk - talk - meet - greet - observe - enjoy - yoga

up close and personal - connect With locals immerse in the culture, customs & traditions

mouth-Watering cuisine - spices in all its glory

calm & serene to buzzing & chaotic

relive history through the amazing architecture

visual drama - riot of colours & detail

gain an indepth understanding of this ancient culture

Well paced - time to take it all in

your enjoyment = o u r r e W a r d

Come - Travel with us1

Table of Content

Welcome to iSpice Tours 1

About iSpice Tours 3

Essence of Kerala 5

Itinerary & map 7

Destinations 10

Kovalam 11

Nagercoil 13

Alappuzha 15

Kochi 17

Munnar 19

Thodupuzha 21

Booking Information 23

About iSpice Team 25

Contact Us 27

Version: 1.1Photo: Chickyhiky

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We are infatuated with many parts of the world but we are head over heels in love with India! South

India, in particular, is in our blood. It is our heritage – it is our passion.

We love the people, the places, the scrumptious spicy cuisine and the rich tapestry of culture, tradition, customs, architecture, history and arts. We dearly want to share this deep seated-passion with as many people as we can so they too can enjoy the wonders of this part of the world! Whenever we shared details of our travels to South India with friends, clients and colleagues here in NZ, most of them asked if they could tag along with us the next time we travelled over there. These expressions of genuine interest sowed the seed for iSpice Trails – insightful journeys to experience the historical Spice Trails of fabulous South India as we know it.

We will personally escort small groups of like-minded people on tours of South India. These tours will be packaged by us personally so you can relish an up-close and personal experience of South India.

We will be there by your side to guide you and advise you every step of the way – from the day the tour starts to the day it ends.

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celebrate christmas on golden sandy beaches fringed by coconut trees & caressed by the Warm arabian sea

Welcome in 2014 from historical & modern kochi

culture, customs, cuisine, colours,traditions, arts, architecture, beaches, backWaters, mix of ancient & modern - is the

Essence of Kerala

meet & mix With friendly locals at markets & cottage industries

stroll among tea & spice plantations on a romantic hill station

cruise along the backWaters on a houseboat

relish the scrumptious kerala cuisine at every turn

enjoy the mellifluous architecture that blends eastern & Western influences so artistically

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KovalamMerry Christmas! Unwrap the Christmas present to yourself - a tropical haven bathed in sunshine, lined with coconut trees and sandy beaches and caressed by the waves from the balmy Arabian Sea. Find your spot in the sun and enjoy the heat and waves or just enjoy a good book and lots of cool drinks. Christmas Day in Kovalam is yours to colour in as you please.

Day 3 25 Dec 2013

KovalamAfter a restful first day, we will head off early to take in some rural scenery, visit a historical palace of significance and a little agricultural town in Tamilnadu. After refreshing ourselves, we will sit down to a special Christmas Eve banquet.

Day 2 24 Dec 2013

Day 426 Dec 2013

Alappuzha (‘Venice of the East’) Rise early for our train journey to Alappuzha, ‘Venice of the East’. We will cruise along the backwaters in a lovely houseboat and enjoy the sights and sounds of life along the backwaters. Enjoy an authentic Kerala lunch cooked & served on the boat. After the cruise, we will motor up a scenic route to Kochi and dive into the hustle and bustle of a Kerala city. Here you will see locals’ love for silk and cotton, gold and platinum and everything in between before retiring for the evening.

Kovalam (‘Grove of Coconut Trees’)The morning and afternoon is yours to relax, refresh and acclimatise yourself to this tropical haven. In the evening we will have an early dinner and enjoy cultural activities on offer.

Day 1 23 Dec 2013

Day 527 Dec 2013

Kochi (Gateway to Kerala)We will set off early to walk around and visit historical sites, watch Chinese fishing nets in action and then leisurely stroll around Mattancherry and Jew Town where history, architecture, spices, antiques, Indian jewellery and handicrafts abound. Those who need an excuse to spend - look no further. Those who would rather not spend - walk past and relax in a cafe of your choice and enjoy a cool drink whilst the spenders sweat it out. The evening is yours to put your feet up and relax.

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Day 628 Dec 2013

Munnar (Three rivers)We head off early to the misty hill station of Munnar, making a few stops along the way as we ascend the majestic Western Ghats. Enjoy the misty coolness of the hills covered by emerald green tea and cardamom plantations. Relax far away from the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse yourself in the green luscious retreat. We will attend a short cultural performance in town before dinner and leave you to enjoy the cool of the evening.

Day 729 Dec 2013

MunnarFor early risers, start your day with a free yoga session. After a sumptuous organic breakfast we will head off to see, hear and smell how tea is processed and get an appreciation of the history of the tea industry in Munnar and India. We will wander around the Munnar market before heading off for an elephant safari. Treat yourself to a relaxing evening.

Day 830 Dec 2013

MunnarEnjoy the day as you please. You may choose to undertake the optional activities like trekking, hiking and cycling or you may prefer something quieter like a soothing Ayurvedic massage or just relaxing with a good book. Just revel in the serenity of Munnar, in your own space and pace.

Day 931 Dec 2013

ThodupuzhaAfter a delicious organic breakfast, we say a fond farewell to Munnar and head towards Thodupuzha, a quiet unassuming little agricultural town. Immerse yourself in the village life - walk or cycle or enjoy a spice or forest walk or cycle around the village. This warm and friendly place, bathed in natural beauty, is the perfect setting to reflect back on the year that has been and plan the year that is about to be presented.

Day 101 Jan 2014

ThodupuzhaHappy New Year! The day is all yours to truly unwind - swing in the hammocks dotted between the trees or gently float in the freshwater pool. We would like you to totally chill out and soak yourself in the authentic rural Keralan setting and village life.

Day 112 Jan 2014

Thodupuzha After yet another sumptuous home-cooked breakfast, we will meander towards Kochi taking in some sightseeing along the way. We will drop off the guests who are flying out of Kerala at the Cochin Airport and bid them ‘Bon Voyage’.

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“There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is such a place. When I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture, by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds... I had been seeing the world in black & white and, when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything re-rendered in brilliant technicolor.”

Keith Bellows, National Geographic Society

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KOVALAM NAGERCOIL ALAPPUZHA

KOCHI MUNNAR THODUPUZHA

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A fishing village whose beaches were only visited by the Maharajah of Travancore

and his European friends in days gone by as a place of beauty and relaxation, it is now a thriving tourist spot thanks to the hippies who ‘discovered’ it in the 70’s and raised its profile to the rest of the world.

Locals and tourists now share the beaches – going about their business symbiotically and co-existing in harmony. There are lots of hawkers and little stalls on the periphery and lots of handcraft shops which rely totally on the tourist market.

KOVALAMDAY 1 - 3 23 - 25 Dec 2013

It is lovely to walk along the beach and take in the sea breezes in the early evening – it also provides an opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the setting sun (on a non-cloudy day that is). It is best to do this walk in the early hours of the day so as to avoid the evening crowds – locals winding down after a busy day.

Kovalam is one of those places where you want to totally relax, read and have soothing conversations over a sumptuous meal and let the tension just wash away.

Kovalam is a sprawling village, so the best way to get around easily is to use a hired taxi or auto.

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Nagercoil derives its name from a famous old Jain temple called Naga Raja Coil

(where 'Naga' means serpent; 'Raja' means king and 'Coil' means temple - serpent king temple) which still exists in the central part of the town. Archaeological records show Jain influences in ancient times.

The southernmost city in India, it is flanked by the Western Ghats on the west and with the Arabian Sea sweeping in on the east, it is situated in an excellent catchment area resulting in acres and acres of green rice fields and plantations of bananas, sugar cane and vegetables. A large Wind Farm, the largest in South Asia, is situated on a mountain gap (pass) in the Western Ghats,

NAGERCOILDAY 2 24 Dec 2013

through which the wind gushes for a major part of the year, supplying the locals' electricity needs. The army of wind turbines standing tall and proud caressed by the green rice fields and with Western Ghats as the backdrop is breathtaking.

Once part of the Travancore kingdom, it became part of Tamil Nadu after India's independence. Therefore, there is a strong blend of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the culture, religion, customs and cuisine of the people. The influence of European missionaries is evident in the schools and churches, which are still up and running since their inception in the early 19th century.

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Photo: KTDC

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Alappuzha, dubbed ‘Venice of the East’, is famous for the backwaters of Kerala. Located within a beautiful

tapestry of lagoons and canals laced with coconut trees and luscious greenery, it lends itself to houseboats and boats of all shapes and sizes punting leisurely along its veins.

Founded in 1762 by the King of Travancore, it was developed under his reign into a bustling waterway complete with commercial interests on the other side of the canal, attracting merchants from Europe and America. By the mid-19th century, more land became available as the sea receded a mile, drawing national and international trading vessels to its shores and turning it into a major port city.

With the abundance of coconuts in its land, the first organised coir (a Malayalam word pronounced as ‘Kai-eer’ adopted as an English word for string made up of coconut husks) factory was set up in the late 19th

century to produce coir-yarn-based products. Now there are both small owner-operated and large coir factories operating all over the city. Coir products are now exported to all parts of the world.

It is therefore the place of choice to find one-off coir matting and exquisite carpets. There is an impressive collection of coir products of high quality at reasonable prices. It is a great chance to get a glimpse into the coir manufacturing process, from the coconut husk to the final rope/coir yarn stage. The local markets offer a range of coconut oil, areca nut, pepper, cardamom and sugar among other condiments. The vegetable market, lush with farm-fresh vegetables and fruits, is another attraction.

Thanks to the government promoting this as a tourist destination, Alappuzha is now a major centre for backwater tourism. Many differrent types of boat trip are on offer so that tourists can enjoy the scenery and observe the way of life of the locals along the waters edge.

ALAPPUZHA DAY 4 26 Dec 2013

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KOCHI DAY 5 27 Dec 2013

Kochi’s strategic location and natural harbour have drawn visitors from many parts of the world from time

immemorial. It was a trading post for the well known ‘Spice Route’. The Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Jews, Arabs, Greeks, Italians, Romans and other nations have all traded with Kerala for centuries.

Kochi is a thriving city that is expanding and modernising at great speed but, cultural value, customs, religion and tradition are still honoured and are evident everywhere.

A walk along its main road, M.G. Road (where M.G. stands for Mahatma Ghandi and there is one in almost every city in India to honour him), is really interesting and provides an opportunity to feel the pulse of the city and observe and mingle with the ever-busy locals. All the main shopping centres are located along this road as are the amazing bakeries and eateries of all sorts. One will never have to take too many steps before coming across another food haven!

Kochi has several islands around it. The most interesting way to move around the various islands is by ferry. Ferries

not only provide a more scenic option, they also provide the opportunity to mix with the locals. The bus services are also very efficient - so efficient that you really need to run for the bus, hop onto to it pretty quickly and get ready for a pretty speedy ride.

The best activity in Kochi is visiting Fort Kochi and Mattancherry - history, heritage, architecture, spice trade, Chinese fishing nets, antiques, jewellery (silver and precious stones) and much more are on offering when walking around this really quaint area. Although located on the outskirts of Kochi proper - one almost feels transported back in time when walking around the interesting streets of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. There is a concentration of spice merchants in this area who are not only selling the freshly packed spices but also package them for export.

Kochi has a bit of the ancient, a bit of the old and a bit of the new. Its unique fusion of land and water features makes it a really interesting and intriguing place to visit. The variety of food on offer is incredible and is certainly a gastronomical haven.

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Photo: KTDC

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MUNNARDAY 6-8 28 - 30 Dec 2013

Munnar (Pronounced ‘Moon - R’ - three rivers) is a beautiful hill station and was once the summer resort for

the British Government in South India. Perched high up on the lofty Western Ghats, it is so named because of the three rivers which flow through it - the Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru Rivers.

Low wispy clouds, hazy mists and a green carpet of tea and cardamom plants beckon you as you arrive at Munnar. Tall lanky silky oaks stand proudly amongst the tea bushes. Poinsettia bushes flare up wherever they can spread out and add a splash of red to the serenely green landscape. The cool, romantic and peaceful setting draws a lot of young Indian honeymooners to its folds but it welcomes all and sundry just as heartily.

Being near the border to Tamil Nadu, Munnar is populated with people from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, making it even more interesting and richer culturally. Most of the

plantation workers are from Tamil Nadu. With their lovely brown eyes, nose ring and betel nut stained lips, they never shy away from a little chat and big hearty smiles whilst they pluck away the young Camelia Sinensis shoots.

Whilst the little bustling town of Munnar itself is not something you would write home about, it has its own charms, as any small town would do. It has all the essential services one requires and quaint little shops in the local ‘mall’ and a bustling open air vegetable market.

The old charm of British plantation days is still visible through some of the cottages and holiday homes spotted around the place. The Munnar Tea Museum has a fantastic display of historic photos, furniture and equipment from the British plantation days. Tea lovers will not only leave the Munnar Tea Museum with an in-depth understanding of the origins of tea and how it is

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THODUPUZHADAY 9-11 31 Dec 2013 - 2 Jan 2014 2013

Thodupuzha is a quiet unassuming little agricultural town which has developed over the years along

the banks of the river Thodupuzha. The waterfalls nearby put on quite a dramatic show during the rainy season and makes the trek up the hill to see them worthwhile.

It is one of those towns which will provide opportunities to mix and mingle with the locals, watch them undertaking their daily routine, and where you can walk around the various plantations and generally just relax and enjoy the quiet unassuming ambience.

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Whether you wish to book or have some burning questions you would like answered, please do get in touch with us.

Contact Us >>

We have first-hand knowledge of the places we are going to and of South India in general. We will be happy to answer your questions and provide any clarification you may require about the tour.

When you are ready, please complete a booking form and pay the required deposit to confirm your booking.

Please check out our cancellation policy.

You are more than likely to think of more questions after you have booked your tour.

Please feel free to contact us at any time.

CommunicateConfirm

ClarifyContact

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Your iSpice Tour directors and leaders are an international team made up of an Indian (Kerala) dad, Malaysian

(South Indian ethnicity) mum and a Kiwi kid who has travelled often to India since he was just five months old. The unifying factor is that we are Kiwis – New Zealand is our home of choice (has been for the past 20+ years) and we are here to stay.

With dad’s immediate family in Kerala, we spend our summer holidays in Kerala with a stop-over in Malaysia to visit mum’s family. We love travelling and so during these long trips to visit family, we make it a point to travel to different parts of South India (Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka) to gain a deeper understanding and broaden our knowledge of the customs, traditions and history of these various regions. The more we travelled around the regions, the more our love and fascination for the people and places of South India grew.

Wherever we went, our genuine interest and respect for the people and the places and our willingness and ability to communicate in the local languages (especially since we are from overseas) meant people just warmed to us very quickly and shared even more of themselves.

For us, whilst there are beautiful landscapes and wondrous architectures and colourful traditions to be enjoyed every which way you turn, it is the warm and wonderful people, who give with their hearts that leaves a deep and indelible impression on our souls.

It is this love affair with India that has spurred us to set up iSpice Trails. Through iSpice Trails we would like to share the sights and sounds of India (iSpice Tours) and the cuisine of India (iSpice Culinary Discovery). Our love of food, and especially the foods of India, has already manifested itself in a series of Indian culinary discovery events in Wellington that we have hosted, enabling friends (and their family and friends) to experience authentic South Indian cuisine. It was during these special culinary events that the seed for iSpice Trails was planted when the guests expressed their desire to travel with us when we next travelled to South India.

Our South Indian background, our excellent command of both English and the local languages of South India will enable us to remove all cultural and language barriers so you too can experience South India fully.

Our aspiration is for you to experience South India the way we see it, understand it and love it.

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Come & Travel With Us

Tel : +64 (0) 4 475 3519

Mob: +64 (0) 21 505 713

Skype: ispicetours

Email: joji@ispicetours.co.nzWeb: www.ispicetours.co.nz

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iSpice ToursPersonally Escorted Tours to South India

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