Tour Route
Cochin - Houseboat - Kumarakam - Mararikulam - Cochin
Overview
A week long luxury tour of Kerala that combines some of the best highlights and experiences in the region. Stay in the fascinating port town of cochin, rendevouz on your private houseboat along the mesmerising backwaters, spend time in a backwater resort and end your tour with a stay at a tranquil beach resort. This tour uses some of the finest hotels and resorts on offer in Kerala.
DAY 01 – Arrival Cochin
You will be greeted at the International airport with a traditional welcome by the Kerala Travel Centre team and escorted to the Brunton Boatyard hotel overlooking the sea, in Cochin. Cochin, also known as the 'Spice coast of India' has been a port town since early centuries which attracted traders and invaders from the world over. Needless to say, Cochin offers you some fascinating snippets of history and culture today. The place is broadly divided into two areas- Ernakulam which is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis and Fort Cochin which is the cultural hub where the hotel is located. Step out of the hotel and you are within walking distance of the sea and other attractions like the Chinese fishing nets, said to have been left behind by Chinese traders in the 15th century. Relax and unwind at the hotel on your first day in India. In the evening enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise along the Cochin harbour. Overnight at the Brunton Boatyard.(Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 02 – Cochin
Enjoy a sightseeing tour this morning to explore the many fascinating highlights of Cochin which include - The Jewish Synagogue in what is locally called the Jew Town, St. Francis Church which is the oldest European Church in India, the Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1557 by the Portuguese, the Dutch Palace and the Spice market. In the evening enjoy a 'Kathakali' dance performance. 'Kathakali' literally means a 'story-play' and is a highly dramatic dance form which depicts the moral values of god and man. The characters wear elaborate make up and heavy ornaments and the performances are enthralling to watch. Overnight at the Brunton Boatyard. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 03 – Cochin – Houseboat (72 km / 2 hrs)
Drive to the backwater region of Allepey to embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats or 'Kettuvalloms' are converted rice barges with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sun bathe in the well appointed lounge or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it is the life along the backwaters that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals' travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods, door to door in small wooden boats. A small crew will be available at all times to assist you during the cruise. The crew includes the captain who mans the boat, a chef and a housekeeping staff member. The local food prepared by the chef on the houseboat is another delight not to miss. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, enroute where you can choose to go on a village walk. Enjoy a romantic candle lit dinner on the houseboat.Waking up the following morning on the tranquil expanse of the Vembanad Lake is an experience like no other. Overnight on board. (Full Board) (Vehicle for Transfer)
DAY 04 – Kumarakom
After your houseboat cruise you can disembark at the Coconut Lagoon resort, located on a little island in the backwaters of Kumarakom. Rated as one of the twenty five best get- aways in the world, the authenticity of the resort along with the captivating beauty of its surroundings will not fail to mesmerise you. Kerala's rainwater surges down its hills and mountains and runs into canals and streams where the rolling water tumbles in an effusive surge to join the 40 odd rivers in the state. This labyrinth network of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons form the famed backwaters. The landmass along these waterways pulsate with a different tempo, possessing a lifestyle and ethos so unique that it has become one of the biggest highlights in Kerala. Spend the day at leisure. Overnight at the Coconut Lagoon. (Vehicle for transfer)
DAY 05 – Kumarakom – Marari (30 km / ½ h)
This morning you will be transferred to Mararikulam, a typical fishermen's village and check into the Marari beach resort. The Marari is an eco-friendly resort on the beach with accommodations built like traditional fishermen's huts. All that separates the resort from the sea are rows of coconut trees which lets you take in the splendours of the beach. The simplicity and charm of village life that pervades the resort will make you feel one with nature. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort. (Vehicle for Transfer)
DAY 06 – Marari
Day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.(No vehicle)
DAY 07 - Marari - Cochin - Departure (75 Km/ 2h)
Departure transfer to Cochin airport to board onward flight.(Vehicle for transfer)
| Place | Nts | Resort | Room Type |
|
| Cochin | 2 | Brunton Boatyard | Standard Sea Facing Room |
| Houseboat | 1 | CGH Spice Coast Cruises | 1 Bedroom AC Boat |
| Kumarakom | 1 | Coconut Lagoon | Heritage Mansion |
| Mararikulam | 2 | Marari Beach | Garden Villa |
| Tour | 1 May 11-30 Sep 11 | 1 Oct 11-15 Dec 11 | 15 Dec 11-15 Jan 12 | 15 Jan 12-31 Mar 12 |
| Standard | - | - | - | - |
| Superior | - | - | - | - |
| Deluxe | £ 990 | £ 1150 | £ 1250 | £ 1150 |
|
Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing a double/ twin room. For single travellers an 80% supplement will apply. Offer subject to availability of accommodation. Price includes all excusrions listed on the itinerary, sunset cruise in Cochin, cookery demonstration. Price does not include International flights. For flights contact Kerala Travel Centre. |
Kerala Climate and Weather
Being a coastal state surrounded by the Arabian Sea and because of its proximity to the equator, Kerala has a more or less consistent temperature pattern in the summers and the monsoons alike. The temperature hovers around 29�32 degrees (Celsius) throughout the year with varying levels of humidity.
Best months for travel to Kerala:
The months of October through to March are considered to be the most favourable months to travel to Kerala when the weather is sunny and pleasant.
The months of April and May are also favourable for travel but the humidity tends to be comparatively higher.
August and September are also good months for travel.
Monsoon Months in Kerala:
June and July are monsoon months in Kerala, the showers being heavy at first and then easing off gradually. Whilst these are not the best months for tours, interestingly, this happens to the best time for travellers seeking the therapeutic Ayurveda treatment which is said to be most effective in these months.
Special Experiences
This tour has been designed such that you can see the best of all the regions you are visiting and therefore includes all the major highlights in each area. Apart from these, Kerala offers a myriad of delightful, lesser known experiences. At the Kerala Travel Centre we have always been keen to showcase these little, special and off-the-beaten-track experiences that will make your Kerala holiday a memorable experience like no other. We have compiled a partial list experiences which you could choose to enjoy on this tour. When in doubt, just ask your Kerala Travel Centre driver and he will point you the right direction.
Cochin : - Stroll down the beach in Fort Cochin to see the 15th century Chinese fishing nets. Whilst they are not as frequently used as before, you can see a demonstration of how the fishermen use these gigantic nets. It is also possible to take part in this experience along with the fishermen.
- The bustling fish markets adjacent to the fishing nets also make for an interesting visit.
- The sunset cruise in Cochin along the harbour is also a great experience where you pass other ships and boats of all sizes and can see the Cochin skyline and the Cochin shipyard which is more than 200 years old.
- Fort Cochin has a number of seafood restaurants ranging from the high end 'History' restaurant at the Brunton Boatyard to the all vegetarian 'Roti Dal' restaurant where you can try the mouth watering fish food.
- Enjoy an enthralling Kathakali dance performance while you are in Cochin. Watching the dancers put on make up before the show is also quite a fascinating experience.
- Your sightseeing excursion in Cochin includes several fascinating highlights including the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Santa Cruz Basilica and others.
- Apart from this, you could also try exploring the streets with their many shops both in Fort Cochin and in the bustling Ernakulam part of Cochin. Cochin is great for shopping especially for jewellery and garments. (Our drivers should be able to point you to select shops that do not hassle customers). If you are a cigar aficionado don't miss the 100 year old R.Baliga & Sons who stocks cigars of all types.
- If Henna and bangles are of interest to you, you can pay a visit to a small, yet vibrant shop selling bangles and other ornaments in Cochin.
Houseboat Cruise
- During a houseboat cruise, ask your captain to anchor the boat by one of the villages, where you could take a village walk along the backwaters which is an exciting way to get up and close with life along the backwaters.
- You could also go for canoe rides in the backwaters. Canoes can travel through narrower canals which houseboats cannot navigate.
- There is a boat building yard in a place called Champakkulam by the backwaters which makes the long banana boats used for Kerala's snake boat races. Mararikulam.
- While in Mararikulam, you can hire bikes and go cycling along the coastal roads.
- You could take a tuk tuk into the Allepey town and visit its bustling bazaars.
- The fishermen's village has a boat landing area where one can see the fresh catch being brought in. You can also participate in the fish auctions that are held here by the local fishermen.
