ChariotindiaTravel

Kerala Backwater Tour

Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations Covered: Cochin- Alleppey- Thekkady (Periyar)- Kovalam- Trivandrum

Kerala, the land of coconut and Kathakali, is a strip of green-canopied land on the southern part of peninsular India bordered by the Arabian Sea on the western side and the Western Ghat mountain ranges on the eastern side. Kerala is rated amongst the most picturesque and versatile tourist destination of India. Its beauty lies in its exceptionally beautiful natural landscapes and a rich and unique culture. Kerala has some of the finest beaches, hill stations and the serene and calm backwaters of India. And rightly so, the National Geographic has chosen Kerala as one of the 50 'Paradise Found' on the earth. Kerala Backwater Tour offers you the perfect opportunities to explore this little natural paradise on the earth.

Passing through the countryside as deep or shallow channels or canals, the tranquil backwaters of Kerala are the most popular tourist attractions of Kerala. The enchanting backwaters of Kerala offer an ideal environment for tourists to relax and explore natural beauty of Kerala. Experience a unique feeling, while moving gently in the comforts of a luxury houseboat (Kettuvallom) on the calm and serene backwaters of Kerala. Traveling in a cozy houseboat and passing through the lush green surroundings of swaying coconut trees and emerald fields with the cool refreshing air touching your body and soul, would surely be a lifetime experience for you.

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Kerala and its exceptionally beautiful backwaters on your Kerala Backwater Tour. To a traveler of Kerala, Cochin (also known as Kochi) offers a chance to partake in a rich history, replete with influences as varied as Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arabic and Jewish. Visit the historic city of Cochin along with a fascinating houseboat stay on the Kerala backwaters on your Kerala backwater tour with ChariotindiaTravel. Also enjoy the traditional and centuries old snake-boat races held on the backwaters of Kerala on your Kerala Backwater Tour. Also experience a uniquely delicious cuisine that will leave you with memories for years to come. Discover this exceptionally beautiful world, rightly called - "God's Own Country" on your Kerala Backwater tour with ChariotindiaTravel.

Cruise Itineraries as per MV Vrinda (the luxury Houseboat)

The 4 Nights / 5 Days Vrinda experience combines 2-Nights in Cochin and a splendid 2-Night cruise aboard the M.V. Vrinda and a visit to Periyar National Park and the beautiful Kovalam Beach. This unforgettable journey can be enjoyed in 4 Nights / 5 Days or 6 Nights / 7 Days. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served on board daily.

Day 01: Arrival Cochin
On your arrival at Cochin, you will be met by our representatives and transferred to the hotel.

Cochin: Once the centre of the spice trade and now the principal port on the Malabar Coast, Cochin's rich and varied history bears testimony to Portuguese, Dutch and British influences over the centuries. Vasco de Gama reached its shores in 1502.

After lunch at 'The Trident', enjoy an evening harbor cruise. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the picturesque Chinese Fishing Nets silhouetted against the horizon at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel at Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin
In the morning, enjoy a memorable sightseeing tour of the historic town of Cochin. Visit the famous Mattancherry Palace* (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the king of Cochin, Veera Kerela Varma (1537-61), as a gesture of goodwill. The Dutch renovated the palace in 1663, and named it Dutch Palace. The astonishing murals in the side galleries, depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranic legends are some of the finest you will see in India.

Thereafter, visit the famous St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in the region. Then, you will visit the Jewish Synagogue** built in 1568, known for its hand-painted willow-pattern floor tiles brought from China and also preserves scrolls of the Old Testament in Hebrew. The Spice Market and the Old Jewish Quarter are also worth a visit in Cochin. Return back to 'The Trident' for lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay in the hotel.

* Closed on Friday and on national holidays.
** Closed on Saturday and on Jewish holidays.

Day 03: On Board M.V. Vrinda
11:15 hours: After breakfast, guests will be transported from 'The Trident', Cochin, to the Vembanad Lake Jetty by an air-conditioned coach (55 km- 1 hour 15 minutes) to board the luxury M.V.Vrinda.

12: 30 hours: From the Vembanad Lake Jetty, Vrinda will sail across the Vembanad Lake and enter the serene and calm backwaters of Kerala. Lunch will be served on board. The vessel will sail along these scenic waterways for 4 1/2 hours. Vrinda will return to the Vembanad Lake in time, for you to enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunset.

Later in the evening, you can watch a colorful performance of Mohiniattam. This classical dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is also called the 'Dance of the Enchantress'. Dancers attired in beautiful traditional costumes will perform with slow, graceful movements and highly emotive expressions.

Vrinda will anchor for the night just off Pathiramanal Island. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 04: On Board M.V. Vrinda
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. After breakfast, it will sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The vessel will anchor at Champakulam by mid-morning and guests will be transferred to a traditional rice boat. You will explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races.

Later, visit the St. Mary's Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721. Return to Vrinda for lunch. Afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters as you sail in a traditional rice boat and experience a way of life unique to this region. Visit some of the ancient temples en-route. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters to Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East". At Alleppey you will board Vrinda to return to the Vembanad Lake.

Vrinda will anchor for the night. Enjoy dinner and stay on board.

Day 05: Disembark of Vrinda / Periyar National Park
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. Breakfast will be served on board. Then, the vessel will return to the Vembanad Lake Jetty. Guests will check out at 10:00 hours and will be met by our local representative.

Thereafter, we drive to Periyar Wildlife Reserve (Thekkady) by a luxury car on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the. Arrive at Periyar and check in to the hotel. Rest of the day free to walk around. Explore the scenic and beautiful Spice and Coffee plantations. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 06: Periyar/Kovalam (Travancore Heritage Resort)
Enjoy an early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar to see wild elephants. In the afternoon, we drive to Travancore Heritage Resort (40Min from Trivandrum) by a luxury car. Travancore Heritage Resort: Situated on the side of scenic and quiet Kovalam Beach, the Travancore Heritage Resort is a heritage property, built with restored Palaces and Nalukettus of vintage Kerala, to bring to life the traditional architectural splendor of the region, rooted in the concept of living in communion with the elements of nature. The resort, carefully recreated using 60-100 years old materials, represents authentic Kerala architecture in its grandeur with tile roofed timber houses and fine woodcarvings.

Check in to the resort for an overnight stay.

Day 07 - 08: Travancore Heritage Resort
After breakfast, we drive to Trivandrum by a luxury car. On arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum, visiting the ancient Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple, one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Later, visit the Napier Museum, built in 1880 and showing a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal and Rajputs schools of arts.

Rest of the day at leisure. Relax at the resort or beach or enjoy a body rejuvenating Ayurvedic treatment (optional). OR you can also opt for an excursion (optional) to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin).

Day 09: Trivandrum - End of Tour
In the morning, on time transfer to Trivandrum airport (approx. 40Min) to board a flight for your onward destination or way back home.