Kerala Backwaters Holiday
Places to visit : Mumbai - Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Allepey
- Marari - Cochin - Mumbai
Duration : 09 Nights / 10 Days
The
backwaters are best experienced while slowly punting down the labyrinth
of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'kettuvallam'.
An experience you will savour for a long time.
The houseboats are renovated cargo boats… kettuvallams… and
are provided with all modern conveniences and comforts to make your stay
a pleasant experience. To complement the traditional way of rowing using
large poles, outboard engines are also provided. The boats are designed
to facilitate a most eco-friently functioning.
A wide selection of beautiful routes are available for the cruises and
you can choose one that suits your budget and time frame. Each route is
comprehensive, serene and enjoyable in itself, extending to you a complete
experience of kuttand.. The unique waterland of kerala.
Day 01: Abroad - Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai International airport. On arrival, the guest will be met
by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Mumbai
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush
green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved
Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. For rows of massive
columns cut into solid rock from three magnificent avenues, lead to the
outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu
the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty
and power of these phenomenal sculptures depicting the various manifestations
of Shiva is overpowering. Afternoon, City tour of Bombay - the great port
city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling
with the modern. The tour includes 'Gateway of India' overlooking the
Harbour, the 'Towers of Silence', 'Marine Drive', the 'Colaba Causeway'
- the commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful
outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar Hill to the lovely 'Hanging
Gardens' and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful
view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea, spread out before you. Also visit
Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma
Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market. Overnight at hotel
Day
03: Mumbai - Cochin - Periyar
Morning transfer to the airport to connect flight to Cochin(0840 hrs /
1025 hrs) Upon arrival, meet & transfer to the hotel for lunch. Thereafter
drive to Periyar (190 kms) Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel
Periyar - Sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the Western
Ghats, Thekkady is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in
India. Alive with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect
getaway tucked away among hills. Spice Village Resort is situated just
outside the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This unique and deluxe
village resort is set in a spice garden - with 37 cottages of thatched
roofs which blend well with the surrounding greenery. Overnight at hotel
Day 04: Periyar - Kumarakom
Early morning boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary
to see wild life. Periyar - an artificial lake or reservoir created by
a dam on Periyar River is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary wild elephants,
Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of the lake for
a drink. Return to hotel for breakfast After breakfast a guided walk around
the Spice Village to see the various spices grown in the resort garden.
Thereafter drive through the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous
tea plantations & then arrive the fascinating countryside of low-lying
palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (190 kms) enroute visit the tea estates.
Kumarakom - is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting
Vembanad Lake, criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages.
A holiday in Coconut Lagoon promises to be different from any other. Every
"tarawad" or cottage you stay in is at least a century old,
reconstructed piece by piece in accordance with ancient rites of carpentry.
Relax at the waterfront, with the occasional native row boat gliding silently
by, and the air so calm, you can reach out and touch the sky with your
finger tips. Overnight at hotel.
Day
05: Kumarakom - Houseboat on Backwaters
Morning at leisure at Coconut Lagoon, taking a cruise on the backwaters
in traditional country canoes called "vanjis" to see the agricultural
activities of the local people living on the back waters. Visit also the
beautiful bird sanctuary. Lunch at the hotel Afternoon board the traditional
rice boats - "Ketuvallam" and begin your journey through the
picturesque backwaters and small lakes relaxing in the tranquillity of
Kerala's beautiful scenery. Experience the way of life and activity of
the local people, the one bedroom house with a lounge is exclusively for
you, meals will be served with freshly bought produce from the local markets
and cooked on board. Overnight on board.
Day 06: Alleppey - Marari
Breakfast on board. Sail to Alleppey & disembark at Puthenagady Jetty.
On arrival proceed directly to Mararikulam (30 kms) Mararikulam - is one
of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coast line of
Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of
coconut palms. Rest of the day at leisure for own activities and enjoy
the facilities of the Resort. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Marari
Full day at leisure for own activities and enjoy the facilities of the
Resort. Overnight at hotel.
Day
08: Marari - Cochin
COCHIN - Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is the
oldest European settlement in India. Frilled with backwaters and rich
with old world charm, this city has lured many a great voyager to its
shores. Arrive Cochin & check into hotel Tour of Cochin or "Kochi"-
the palm green, commercial captial of Kerala is known as the "Queen
of the Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch,
British & Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi &
left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic
of these myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue,
the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese
fishing nets. Afternoon, Harbour cruise - Cochin has one of the finest
natural harbours. The backwaters extending to the east & south from
the harbour are dotted with tiny islands, formed naturally by alluvial
deposits from the rivers. Evening witness the Kathakali dance performance
+ make up demonstration - Kathakali is a unique dance which has a 2000
year old history with more than 100 different 'mudras' or gesture depicting
deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings - each based on episodes from
the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at
hotel
Day 09: Cochin - Mumbai
Morning transfer from hotel to the airport for flight to Bombay.(1055
hrs / 1240 hrs) Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel near airport. Room
till departure. Midnight transfer to the airport for onward flight.
Day 10: Mumbai - Abroad
Leave Bombay Tour Ends
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