SUE TASHER COOKERY TOUR OF KERALA - KERALA CONNECTIONS
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KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
SUE TASHER
COOKERY TOUR OF KERALA
This exclusive gourmet cookery tour is fully escorted by Kerala cookery expert – Sue Tasher.
The 14 night holiday takes place in the beautiful South Indian state of Kerala. During the tour you will
visit the harbour city of Cochin; a farming area in the foothills; a hill station (tea growing area); a
wildlife sanctuary; Kerala’s famous backwaters and a palm-fringed beach.
This holiday includes six hands-on cookery lessons conducted by Sue and a local chef. During the
lessons there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and practice the skills. There are also
two cookery demonstrations by local chefs. Throughout the tour you will be eating the local Kerala
cuisine and on four occasions there are special chef’s dinners. These dinners are four courses and will
feature the cuisine of Kerala.
Many of the nights are spent in top quality hotels owned by the CGH Earth group. This is a Kerala
family owned hotel group with the emphasis on character and sustainability. Spice Village, Coconut
Lagoon and Marari Beach all have accommodation in cottages/villas spread throughout substantial
grounds. They offer numerous activities that may be enjoyed between cookery classes (or during
them for non-cooking travelling companions). If you are interested in the environmentally friendly
aspects of the hotels the staff are always pleased to show guests the various features they have
(including a bio-mass converter at Coconut Lagoon and a huge solar panel installation at Spice
Village). There are two nights spent at a working farm in the foothills of the Western Ghat Mountains.
Here you will stay with a family (who live in the adjacent farmhouse) and gives you a great
opportunity to get to know a Kerala family and learn a bit about their lives. One night is spent in
plantation estate (coffee and cardamom) high in the mountains near the tea growing area of Munnar.
You also visit a farm on a reclaimed island in the backwaters where you will have a cookery
demonstration and lunch.
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Kerala Connections Ltd has two trading names – KERALA CONNECTIONS and INDIA CONNECTIONS
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
This tour is really diverse both in the destinations visited and the accommodation used. As well as the
cookery lessons included in the cost are:
· Guided Cochin city tour
· Kathakali performance
· Spice plantation visit
· Guided soft trek in the wildlife sanctuary
Other activities are available – so this holiday is not only for ‘cooks’. There is much to entertain non-
cooking travelling companions.
There are two departures per year – October and March.
Your escort on this tour is South Wales based restaurateur and
chef – Sue Tasher. Sue’s love of Indian food began over
twenty years ago and she has a particular passion for Kerala
and its cuisine. She has travelled extensively throughout
Kerala and fell in love with the country, the people and the
fresh, organic ingredients they use for their delicious cuisine.
Sue has organised various food festivals; has worked with the
Welsh development agency in Paris; has written many cookery
programmes; has
worked alongside
many well-
known BBC chefs
including John Torode and hosted hundreds of cookery
classes over the last ten years. Her Indian cookery
courses for a leading South Indian chain of restaurants
are regularly sold out.
Sue owns a successful, high end Kerala ‘take away’
restaurant in Penarth called The Pickled Pepper
(www.pickledpepperpenarth.com) and is now working
with multi-award winning Kerala chef – Anand George.
Later this year they will be opening a new cookery
school together.
Sue always seeks the freshest ingredients – but in the UK this is not always possible – so she decided
that the best option was to take her students to Kerala – and thus the Sue Tasher Gourmet Cookery
Tour was launched.
If you asked Sue her favourite place to eat she would undoubtedly reply “Phillip Kutty’s Farm”. This
sustainable, organic farm grows coconuts, nutmeg, banana,
cocoa and pepper is situated on a low lying island in the
backwaters. “I have never eaten such deliciously prepared
fresh Kerala food anywhere. This is true Kerala cuisine, from
the earth to the plate.” says Sue. The farm operates as a
homestay and is the home of Anu Matthews, her mother
(fondly known as mummy) and her two children and was
featured in Series 3 of Rick Stein’s TV programme. This tour
includes a visit to Phillip Kutty’s Farm where you will have a
cookery demonstration by Anu followed by lunch.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
The hotels in this tour are owned and operated by the environmentally friendly CGH Earth group. Sue
understands their ethos of incredibly fresh organic vegetables, fish, and spices and has become firm
friends with all of the head chefs at CGH. She has worked alongside them on many cookery
programmes to bring her guests a very unique cookery tour of Kerala.
Sue also organises special chef’s dinners for her guests. This unique
experience sees CGH chefs bring their own flair to secret family
recipes passed down through many generations. The chefs often
change them slightly to bring the regional and seasonal cuisine to the
table.
Other food related activities are included in the tour – for example in
Cochin, Head Chef – Ajeeth (who also worked with Rick Stein) will
take you to the old spice markets in Mattancherry followed by a visit
to the Chinese fishing nets and fish markets. You will also stop off
for chai (Indian tea) and snacks at Cochin’s oldest tea establishment.
It’s a little rough around the edges, but offers a true taste of a local
tea shop in off the beaten track Cochin.
This cookery tour caters for all levels of skill from the novice cook to
the more advanced. Sue has taught people who have never sliced an
onion to professional chefs who want to learn about the food of
South India. By the end of the holiday everyone will be able to
produce superb three course meals.
On cooking days the lesson will start at 10am (when it is
cooler) and continue until 12.30 or lunch time. You will
find everything is relaxed in India and times are
approximate. You will be introduced to the chef and
the chosen menu (which will be different at each
location and based on the local ingredients). Lessons
may be held in the dining area or outside (often with a
beautiful backdrop). The ingredients and spices will be
ready for you and recipe cards are provided. The chef
will demonstrate the dishes (usually three including a
bread) and then you are put to work to replicate the
dishes. Sue will be there to help and answer questions.
Then everyone enjoys the lunch together. Although not
a competition past guest have become quite competitive
– wanting their meal to be the best – this can add to the
fun and the chef may be asked to choose the winning dish.
Non-cooking partners/travelling companions are very welcome. During the cookery lessons they can
relax or do other local activities and simply enjoy the tour and the excellent food. The tour can cater
for most dietary needs - gluten free, dairy free, celiac, nut allergies, vegetarian and vegan. Please
inform us at the time of booking.
“This is a fun and exciting cookery tour that will bring the ‘creative chef out’ of
most of our guests” says Sue. “Some people come for the cooking and some for
the cuisine and excursions.”
If you would like to contact Sue before departure you can e-mail her at:
sue@tasher.co.uk
or ring her on: 07973 636078
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
GROUND ARRANGEMENTS
In South India we use a local agent called Companion Holidays and
they work exclusively with us. This means that your satisfaction is
as important to them as it is to us. We have a great team of
drivers, most of which have been with us for many years.
We arrange the transfers in the most cost effective/environmentally
responsible way we can. This means that in some cases the driver
will pick you up and deliver you and at other times he will remain
with you (at disposal). Sue Tasher will be travelling with you at all
times and be there to assist if you have any questions.
ROUTE OF TOUR
Note: The driver may not take the exact route shown.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
COCHIN (KOCHI)
The city of Cochin comprises three main areas - historic Fort Cochin (where many of the places of
tourist interest are located), busy Ernakulam (with its large range of shops and restaurants) and the
more industrial Willingdon Island sandwiched between them. All three parts are connected by road
bridges as well as water taxis, so travel around the city is not difficult. Cochin is a harbour city, which
makes it interesting. As well as sightseeing it is good city for shopping and eating out.
There is a wide range of activities available in Cochin. Included in this holiday is:
GUIDED CITY TOUR
The city tour can be tailored to suit your interests but would normally include the Mattancherry
(Dutch) Palace with its marvellous murals, St Francis Church (the original burial place of Vasco da
Gama), the Chinese fishing nets and Jew Town with its old Synagogue and streets full of shops selling
antiques and souvenirs. The colourful ‘go-downs’ used by the spice traders are close by and there are
two good book shops near the Synagogue.
KATHAKALI PERFORMANCE
There are a number of theatres in Cochin where the
narrative dance performances of Kathakali take place.
We will select a suitable one depending on where you
are staying. Often the theatre is within walking
distance of the hotel. We suggest you arrive early
because the application of the make-up is fascinating.
A full Kathakali performance normally takes place at a
Temple, starts at dusk, ends a dawn and non-Hindus
are not welcome. The stories depicted are taken from
the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and the script is in
Malayalam (the language of Kerala) and sign language.
There are other activities available in Cochin (eg harbour cruise) that may be arranged locally.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
EIGHTH BASTION (a CGH Earth hotel)
FORT COCHIN
Top Range, Boutique
This 19 room hotel is a member of the
environmentally friendly CGH Earth group of
hotels. It is located in Napier Street in central
Fort Cochin. The hotel was created from an
original building in the Dutch area. The rooms and
bathrooms are spacious and attractive. The
restaurant offers cuisine that is a contemporary
mix of Asian favourites. This hotel has a courtyard
swimming pool.
Two nights. During your time here you will
have a special chef’s dinner and have a hands
on cookery lesson followed by lunch. Other
meals to be paid for locally – this includes tea at
Mattancherry and dinner at Dal Roti with Sue.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Stylish with pool but no harbour view. Currently no alcohol licence. Official check in is 14.00; check
out 11.00.
KODIKULAM
This rural area is not a destination as such – rather visitors come here in order to stay at Dewalokam.
Koduvely (Kodikulam) is in the Idukki district and the nearest town is Thodupuzha. People in the
area are mainly farmers and rubber is the main crop.
DEWALOKAM RETREAT
KODIKULAM, FOOTHILLS
Homestay
Dewalokam is a farm on the banks of the river
Kannadipuzha. It has the feel of a homestay with a
delightful host family. The ten acre farm includes
spices and fruits as well as an Ayurvedic herbal
garden. On the opposite side of the scenic river is
pristine tropical forest that provides ideal terrain for
forest treks and nature walks. Other activities
include rafting and river swimming.
Two nights. During your time here you will have
a hands on cookery lesson. All meals are
included in the price.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A Homestay with guest accommodation is in a separate building adjacent to the family home. Family
(including children) very much in attendance and eat with the guests - communal dining.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
MUNNAR
At around 1,600m above sea level the hill station of Munnar (previously known as the High Range of
Travancore) is one of the highest tea growing areas in the world. The landscape is dramatic with
craggy rocks and neat manicured tea gardens. This is an area for walking and trekking and if your
interest is wildlife then it is possible to visit Eravikulam National Park (just 14 km outside the town of
Munnar) and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (58 km away but quite a long journey due to the mountain
roads).
Please note: Eravikulam National Park is closed for much of January and February when the
endangered Nilgiri Tahrs are breeding.
WINDERMERE ESTATE
MUNNAR
Mid to Top Range
This cardamom plantation is just outside the
town of Munnar and has wonderful views over
the countryside. Accommodation is offered in a
range of room types including spacious cottages
and villas. The friendly hospitality combined
with good quality accommodation and stunning
location means that Windermere is very popular
with our customers. Windermere is a good base
for walking.
Facilities include a restaurant (the Barn) and
tea shop and snack bar (the Hut).
One night. During your time here you will
have a cookery demonstration and an
evening meal. Lunch to be paid for locally.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
This is the best option in Munnar where the choice is limited. No pool or alcohol licence.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Periyar is between 900m and 2,000m above sea level and is said to offer the visitor the best chance
to see wild elephant in the whole of India. The park is also home to leopards and a small number of
tigers although these animals are rarely seen as the park is huge at 777 sq km. It is excellent for
birds and there is also a good chance of seeing wild boar, gaur bison, sambar deer, Nilgiri langur,
macaque monkey, otter and the Malabar giant squirrel. As with all wildlife viewing it is a matter of
luck what you see.
It is a beautiful area to visit and there are a number of activities offered by the forestry department
including soft treks into the forest, boat trips across the lake etc and this is why it is such a popular
destination. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is in the Western Ghats and this mountain range was declared
a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 because they comprise one of the world’s eight “hottest
hotspots” of biological diversity.
THEKKADY is the small town just outside the park gates and it is here that the majority of hotels are
located. The high street also has a variety of shops selling gifts, spices, clothes etc.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
SPICE VILLAGE (a CGH Earth hotel)
THEKKADY
Top Range
Spice Village offers cottage accommodation
set within eight acres of garden. The design
of the cottages was inspired by the
dwellings of the native tribes and the roofs
are thatched with elephant grass. This is an
attractive and popular resort with a good
range of facilities and activities on offer.
Cultural performances of music and dance
are regularly staged in the evenings and
talks about the wildlife of Periyar are also
offered. As well as their main restaurant
they have the 50 Mile Radius Restaurant
where every ingredient is sourced within a
50 mile radius, helping to reduce the
carbon footprint. This is a major spice
growing area. They also grow their own
vegetables at their organic farm and the
fish comes from local rivers.
Three nights. During your time here you will have a special chef’s dinner and have two hands on
cookery lessons followed by lunch. Other meals to be paid for locally. You can eat in the hotel
or there are a number of local restaurants within walking distance.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A 52 room/cottage resort. No TV in rooms. Official check in is 14.00; check out 11.00.
This tour has three nights at Spice Village giving two full days in the area.
Included in the itinerary is:
· A visit to a Spice Plantation - Abraham's Spice Garden (was featured on the BBC series "Monty
Don's Around the World in 80 Gardens")
· A soft trek in the forest - This trek takes 2 - 3 hours and is taken at a slow pace with any
birds, insects, plants etc being pointed out to the group.
There is time for you to arrange other activities locally. Activities that may be booked locally
include a boat trip on the lake, Elephant Junction (elephant rides etc), bamboo rafting and a bullock
cart ride. Spice Village also offers a wide range of activities including: a guided walk around the
property; classical dance performance; bicycle hire; tennis; badminton; basketball. It also has a
range of facilities including a choice of restaurants, a bar and a swimming pool.
KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
THE BACKWATERS
This term refers to the network of waterways stretching from Kollam in the south to Cochin in the
north and includes lakes, lagoons, rivers, canals and channels. This is a beautiful area where you can
visit small villages and enjoy the countryside and birdlife – either from a backwater resort or from the
decks of a houseboat. Many of the resorts are on the banks of the vast Vembanad Lake. This region of
the backwaters, called ‘Kuttanad’, is known as the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the most
beautiful and interesting areas.
COCONUT LAGOON (a CGH Earth hotel)
KUMARAKOM, BACKWATERS
Top Range, Heritage
This is possibly the most popular hotel in Kerala
(and certainly extremely popular with our
customers). Accommodation is in traditional
Kerala bungalows and the resort is set on the side
of Vembanad Lake and access is by boat only.
Coconut Lagoon offers a wide range of activities
(including nature walks with one of their
naturalists, canoe trips and cultural events).
Facilities include restaurants, bar, swimming pool,
Ayurveda and Yoga, recreation room, shop.
This hotel was selected for the tour for its superb
location and the abundance of fish from
Vembanad Lake – the longest lake in Kerala and
one of the largest in India.
Three nights. During your time here you will have a special chef’s dinner and have a hands on
cookery lesson followed by lunch. On the day of arrival you will also have a cookery
demonstration and lunch at a nearby farm. Other meals to be paid for locally.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A 50 room resort. Bungalows and Mansions have outside bathrooms. No TV in rooms. Access is by boat
only (10 - 15 mins boat ride from car drop-off point). Official check in is 14.00; check out 11.00.KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
BEACHES OF CENTRAL KERALA – MARARIKULAM
If you are flying in or out of Cochin airport and want some time at the beach then the beaches of
central Kerala are ideal. The coastline of central Kerala is currently undeveloped and quiet with few
accommodation options and no beach bars or restaurants. The area with the greatest choice of
accommodation is around the village of Mararikulam. Mararikulam is just over an hour south of Fort
Cochin on a strip of land between the sea and Vembanad Lake. It is a good location as it offers the
opportunity to visit the backwaters and Cochin.
Please note: India is a developing country and fish are an important food source in Kerala. This
means that fishing takes place all along the coast and, while it may be interesting to watch the catch
being brought in, you must also be aware that this local activity does mean that the beaches have all
kinds of debris on them. The beach resorts do their best to keep their own beach fronts clean but
tidal movements mean that this cannot be guaranteed. You may prefer to swim and lounge at the
hotel pool.
MARARI BEACH RESORT (a CGH Earth hotel)
MARARIKULAM, ALLEPPEY DISTRICT
Top Range
This delightful and popular resort has accommodation
in attractive thatched villas - set in substantial
grounds. There is direct access to the beach through a
coconut grove. Facilities include a swimming pool,
main restaurant, a snack bar that becomes a fish
restaurant in the evenings, bar, shop, Ayurveda
centre, bicycle hire, tennis and badminton courts.
This hotel was selected for the last stop on this tour as
the long stretch of beach is a great place to relax. It
also has its own organic vegetable garden.
Three nights. During your time here you will have a
special chef’s dinner and a hands-on cookery lesson
followed by lunch. Other meals to be paid locally.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A 62 room resort. Outside bathrooms. The beach in this area is not developed - so no restaurants,
bars, shops etc. Ground based villas mean that rooms do not have sea views. Official check in is
14.00; check out 11.00.KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
HOW TO BOOK
This is an escorted group tour with fixed departures. However, we also arrange tailor-made holidays
so if you wish to make some adjustments to this itinerary it may be possible. Many of the hotels we
use in this tour have other room types – so you may like to consider upgrading to a ‘pool villa’ or
similar. Or you may like to remain in India after the tour finishes. You could stay on at the beach
resort or you could travel to another destination. If this is your first visit to India and you may wish
to see the Taj Mahal – you could fly from Cochin to Delhi and take a ‘Golden Triangle’ tour.
The flights included in the cost are economy class with Emirates Airlines from Heathrow. However,
Emirates also fly from other regional airports in the UK and have business class seats that we could
book for you. If you wanted to fly with another airline, that too is possible, but there would be a
cost implication if the arrival or departure times are different as we would need to arrange individual
transfers. Please discuss your requirements before confirming your booking.
Once finalised we will invoice you – the full airfare and 25% of the tour cost. The deposit is non-
refundable; unless we cancel the holiday or are unable to operate it. If we are unable to operate the
tour, the deposit will be refunded in full (less 2% bank charges if paid by credit card). We will advise
early bookers as soon as we have the required numbers to operate the tour. The balance is payable
ten weeks before departure. Full details will be given on your invoice.
VISAS
An Indian Visa must be obtained before departure and you are responsible for obtaining this. We
supply all our customers with detailed advice about the application process. For more information go
to http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk
ABTA
We are a member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of
Conduct. Many of the travel arrangements that we sell are protected in case of the financial failure
of the travel company. Please ask us about the protection that applies to your booking. Kerala
Connections ABTA membership number is Y5454. For further information about ABTA, the Code of
Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park
Street, London SE1 9EQ. Tel: 020 3117 0500 www.abta.com
FINANCIAL SECURITY
In accordance with ‘The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992’ all
British passengers booking a flight inclusive holiday with Kerala Connections are fully protected for the
initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if
required, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency
of Kerala Connections.
ATOL
When you buy an ATOL protected flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate.
This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and
who to contact if things go wrong.
We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Certificate, will provide you with the services listed on
the ATOL Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are
able to do so for reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services
you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those
circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any
money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However,
you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in
which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer
where applicable).KERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or
a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the
Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL
scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those
Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the
services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable).
You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid
sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.
Our ATOL number is 6462. For further information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk
TRAVEL INSURANCE
India is a long haul destination and you must ensure that you have adequate travel insurance. At the
time of booking we will ask you to provide us with your insurance details and at least one emergency
contact. We will not accept bookings from customers who are unable to provide these details.
CANCELLATION CHARGES
If you wish to cancel your holiday please advise us in writing as soon as possible. If you cancel more
than ten weeks before your departure date then you lose your deposit only. If your written
cancellation is received less than ten weeks [70 days] before the departure date the following
charges will apply:
69 - 31 days 75% of your costs
30 - 0 days 100% of your costs
If your cancellation is due to circumstances beyond your control you should be able to claim through
your travel insurance policy. Remember to keep your insurance company informed of all
circumstances that could affect your decision to proceed with your holiday. This may mean giving
them health information about a family member who is not travelling with you but who could cause
you to cancel your holiday if they became ill shortly before or during your holiday.
Kerala Connections makes the safely of its clients its highest
priority, is continually monitoring local conditions, and may
modify or cancel tours for this reason. We would not
recommend customers visit an area that the UK FCO (Foreign
and Commonwealth Office) is advising against. If
circumstances change between the time of your booking and
your departure date and the FCO are advising against travel
to the area you plan to visit and this advice is still current 10
days (or fewer) before departure, then Kerala Connections
will credit all moneys paid towards a subsequent booking to
be taken within 24 months of the initial departure date.
Where the client has initially booked contrary to the recommendations of the FCO and subsequently
decides to cancel, our normal cancellation conditions apply.
SURCHARGES
We hope that we will not be put in the position whereby we have to make a surcharge on our
holidays but the current financial climate and devaluation of Sterling against other currencies
(including the Indian Rupee) means that we may be forced to do so. Therefore please accept our
quote as the price that we hope to be able to maintain based on current conditions. We will absorb
increases up to 2% but any more than this we will need to pass on to the customer.
There may be circumstances beyond our control that mean that changes have to be made to your
holiday at short notice – such circumstances usually include, but are not limited to - war, threat ofKERALA CONNECTIONS
TAILOR – MADE HOLIDAYS TO KERALA & SOUTH INDIA
www.keralaconnections.co.uk info@keralaconnections.co.uk 01892 722440
war, airport closure, flight cancellation or schedule change, epidemic, natural or manmade (eg
nuclear) disaster, terrorist activity, civil unrest, industrial dispute (strike), bad weather (actual or
threatened) change to FCO advice. In these circumstances we cannot pay any compensation,
reimburse expenses or cover losses for any amount or otherwise accept responsibility.
COMPLAINTS
Kerala Connections, our suppliers and their staff will make every effort to ensure your holiday is
enjoyable. However, if you are not satisfied and have a complaint you should immediately advise the
supplier concerned. If the problem cannot be resolved locally, Kerala Connections must be informed.
If, after contacting us, your problem is still not resolved and you remain dissatisfied you must inform
the supplier in writing - ask for their Complaints Book. Tell them that you remain dissatisfied and
that you intend to submit a formal complaint to Kerala Connections. Your written complaint must be
received by us within seven days of completing your tour even if you have not returned home. We
will not accept liability for any complaint that was not notified to both the supplier and Kerala
Connections in writing at the relevant time.
ABOUT KERALA CONNECTIONS
· We were the first UK Tour Operator to specialist in Kerala and South India.
· We have been operating since 1998.
· We are the largest tailor-made UK operator to Kerala.
· We hold our own ATOL – 6462
· We are members of ABTA - Y5454
· We only offer India (with the option of Maldives as an add-on) – we do not specialise in ‘The
World’. We therefore know India (and particularly South India) extremely well.
· All our UK staff are British – so we ‘see’ India as a visitor rather than a local.
· Our local agent works exclusively with us – so we offer a very personal service in South India
too.
· We have a very wide range of accommodation and don’t only offer the ‘tried and tested’ large
hotels but will book small guesthouses and even homestays.
· Most transfers are in a private car with driver and we can also book train tickets as many
people enjoy the India rail experience. For larger groups we use a minibus or suitable vehicle
for the group size.
· We have a Fair Trade policy and believe in Sustainable Travel.
· We know we are doing a good job because most of our bookings are repeat customers and
referrals.
· If you would like to see what past customers think of our service – see the FEEDBACK BLOG on
our website.You can also read
