Namaste & welcome to India! Arrive in Madurai, where after completing the airport formalities, you will be warmly greeted by an Alphonso Stories representative waiting outside the arrival hall with a placard bearing your name.

You will then be assisted and transferred comfortably to your hotel. Please note that standard hotel check-in time is 2:00 PM, and any request for early check-in will be subject to room availability.

In the early morning, visit Madurai’s vibrant jasmine flower market with our representative, offering wonderful photo opportunities and interactions with local vendors and skilled garland makers. After breakfast, continue to a jasmine farm to experience traditional flower plucking alongside local workers while learning about cultivation, harvesting, and jasmine’s importance in daily life and temple rituals.

Later, visit a traditional distillery and solvent extraction facility to witness the transformation of delicate blooms into precious oils and perfumes using organic, time-honoured methods and specialised techniques. Learn the intricate distillation process, enjoy a hands-on perfume blending session, and savour a curated regional lunch at the distillery before returning to the hotel for rest.

In the evening, visit Meenakshi Temple to witness the famous night Aarti ceremony, where Lord Shiva’s image is carried in an elaborate procession to Parvati’s shrine; a powerful gl

Rise early this morning for breakfast and drive to Thekkady (about 3 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before checking in at your hotel.

Later, visit the renowned spice plantations of Thekkady, where an experienced guide introduces spices such as pepper, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, vanilla, all spice, and cinnamon, sharing generations of farming knowledge. Lunch features an authentic Kerala culinary experience with a cookery demonstration and meal at a charming homestay, where local chefs showcase traditional recipes, fragrant curries, fresh masalas, and regional cooking techniques in an interactive setting.

During your stay, enjoy a naturopathy session at Spice Village, where a resident doctor explains holistic wellness, natural healing, diet, and lifestyle practices rooted in traditional approaches to well-being, offering a peaceful opportunity to reconnect with body and mind.

Morning, enjoy a boat ride along scenic Periyar Lake, famed for its serene waters, swirling morning mists, and skeletal tree remains rising from the lake, creating an almost primeval atmosphere. Located within the sanctuary, the lake is also an excellent place to spot elephants frolicking in the placid waters before returning to the hotel for breakfast. The afternoon is at leisure, with the option to experience an Ayurvedic wellness session at Spice Village, including an insightful talk by an Ayurveda doctor and traditional massage therapies promoting relaxation and well-being.

In the evening, attend a riveting Kalarippayattu performance, an ancient martial art believed to predate most combat traditions. Originating in Kerala and rooted in legend, it requires years of intensive training and evolved from combat practice into a discipline of self-purification and self-realization.

Breakfast at the hotel before driving to Kumarakom (approximately 3.5 hours). Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and take time to relax amidst Kerala’s peaceful backwater surroundings.

In the evening, set out on a gentle sunset cruise along Kumarakom’s tranquil backwaters, where the sky softens into shades of gold and amber reflected across still waters. Drift past palm-fringed banks and quiet villages, watching snippets of local life unfold as the fading light creates a serene and unhurried end to the day before returning to your hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel before setting out on a guided village walk through Kumarakom, offering an intimate glimpse into the peaceful rhythm of rural Kerala. Walk along narrow village paths lined with coconut groves, lush paddy fields, and traditional homes while observing everyday life, interacting with locals, and experiencing the simplicity, warmth, and culture that shape the region.

Later, discover “A Tea Estate Story – Land, Craft and Continuity,” where you walk through lush tea plantations shaped by fertile landscapes and watch the quiet rhythm of tea plucking. Visit the processing unit to learn how timing, precision, and craftsmanship influence each brew, while gaining insight into the generations of people whose lives, traditions, and connection to the land continue to shape the enduring ritual of tea.

Breakfast at the hotel before driving to Kochi (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy a seamless check-in at your hotel before setting out on a guided walking tour of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

Explore atmospheric streets lined with colonial-era buildings, bustling spice markets, warehouses, and historic landmarks while discovering the cultural influences of Portuguese, Dutch, and British heritage. Witness the iconic Chinese fishing nets in action and pause for tea at a local café.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner with a local family in Kochi, where authentic Kerala home-cooked cuisine and warm hospitality offer a meaningful glimpse into everyday life, culture, and culinary traditions before returning to your hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel before visiting the SPR Perfume Museum for an immersive sensory journey into India’s perfume heritage. Discover the history and traditional art of fragrance-making through rare aromatic ingredients, natural distillation techniques, and engaging exhibits that reveal the cultural significance of perfumery in India. Later, enjoy a private interactive session at Natyashastra with classical dance artists, exploring the traditions, gestures, and storytelling techniques of Bharatanatyam or Kathakali.

In the evening, attend a captivating Kathakali performance, beginning with a traditional make-up demonstration where performers transform into vivid characters through elaborate costume preparation. Experience centuries-old storytelling brought to life through expressive gestures, intricate costumes, and Kerala’s rich performing arts traditions before returning to the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel.

Later in time transfer to Cochin International airport to board your flight to onwards destination.