Kerala Backwaters

Kerala is well-known for backwaters, boat races and green symphony.Kerala have exotic backwaters and lagoons. Begin at Alappuzha which is hailed as the Venice of the east because of its intricate maze of backwaters canals and bridges when the visitor leaves alappuzha on a boat voyage through kuttanad he will find himself travelling along canals where the level of water is often higher than that of the green fields on either side you could journey right up to kochi via the backwaters many beautiful sights greet you along the way such as the chinese fishing nets

Day 01. ARRIVE COCHIN
Arrive late evening in Cochin, where our representative will meet you outside the customs area and escort you to your hotel. He will then assist you in checking in.

Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 02. IN COCHIN
This morning after breakfast enjoy the city tour of Cochin. Visit the Dutch Palace that was built originally by the Portuguese but later in the 17th century modified by the Dutch and presented to the King of Kochi. Later visit the Jewish synagogue, decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. (It is closed on every Friday, Saturday and national holidays). After this, visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by the Europeans. Lastly proceed to view the one of its kind fishing nets, aptly called Chinese fishing nets as it is believed that traders from the court of Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets.

Later in the evening visit the auditorium to witness a performance of the classical dance, 'Kathakali'. The best part is to see the laborious process of make-up being done on these artists.

Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 03 COCHIN - THEKKADY (125 MILES)
This morning after breakfast drive on to Thekkady (Periyar). Upon arrival check in at the hotel and relax. Thekkady is known for its cool climate due its location, the beautiful Periyar forest and the wildlife sanctuary therein. The region is also famous for its spice plantations.

Early afternoon enjoy a boat ride on Lake Periyar, in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest. If lucky you could come across a herd of elephants.

Later in the evening enjoy the ever-famous Ayurvedic massage or just lie by the pool. You could also enjoy a short walk in one of the spice plantations.

Stay overnight in Thekkady.

Day 04. THEKKADY - ALLEPEY TO BOARD THE HOUSE BOAT (KETTUVALLAM)
Early morning enjoy another boat ride on the lake and then return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later proceed to Allepey by road to board the houseboat for an overnight trip through canals to Kumarakom.

Kettuvallam - means stitched boat. They are 70 feet long, made with wooden planks, joined and stitched together with coir (Coconut Fibre) ropes and painted on the outside with cashew nut shell oil or fish oil. A Kettuvallam equipped with all modern facilities and requirements is called a Houseboat. The houseboat has a living room, a sunbathing deck, and a bedroom with attached European style bath and a kitchen. The boat has solar lamps and fan.

The boat moves by an outboard engine of 25 HP (which does not make much noise), enroute visiting villages to see coir making, local tea shops, paddy fields, temples, beaches etc. till sunset.

At night the boat is anchored at a beautiful and quiet part of the lake.

Stay overnight on board the houseboat.

Day 05. ARRIVE AT KUMARAKOM
Enjoy breakfast on the deck and then sail to Kumarakom jetty and check into the hotel.

Seemingly afloat on the placid waters of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quaint little hamlet of tiny islands, about 53 miles from Cochin International airport.

The Kumarakom bird sanctuary, a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, as well as egrets, darters, herons and teals, is a 14-acre island close to Kumarakom.

Relax or just enjoy a sunset boat cruise organized by the hotel.

Stay overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 06. KUMARAKOM - MARARIKULAM
This morning after breakfast you will drive on to the little village of Mararikulam.
The village of Mararikulam is tucked away behind a line of dense palms that rise like a sudden rampart of green out of the sands. The huts are thatched with palm and tied with coir, or coconut rope.

Stay overnight in Marari Beach Resort.

Day 07. IN MARARIKULAM
This day is free for you to either enjoy the pool or an Ayurvedic massage, or simply relax on this quiet beach.

Stay overnight in Marari Beach Resort.

Day 08. MARARIKULAM - COCHIN
This morning after an early breakfast proceed to Cochin airport to connect to the flight for onward destination

Note: You could take the extension to Bangalore/Mysore/Chikmagalur as per our program "Spice of the South" or travel to Goa for a beach stay or to Bombay.