Tour Route
Cochin » Houseboat » Kumarakom » Kovalam
Overview
This tour has been designed to offer the best of Kerala along with maximum comfort and convenience for disabled travellers. Resorts used on the tours have been carefully chosen to provide the utmost convenience. Tour includes : Stay in a port town, Sunset Cruise, Traditional dance performance, Houseboat Cruise, Stay in a Backwater Resort, Martial arts demonstration and Stay in a Beach Resort.
DAY 01: Arrival Cochin
Welcomed by Kerala Travel Centre representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Cochin. Often referred to as the spice capital of the world, Cochin's spice trade can be traced way back to the time of pharaohsand the pyramids. As you walk the streets of Cochin, you can feel the aroma of these spices wafting in the breeze. Check into your hotel, relax for a while, and as the dusk falls, go on an enchanting sunset cruise to glimpse the city silhoutted against a starlit sky. Overnight at the Brunton Boatyard. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 02: Cochin
Today you could go for a specially selected sightseeing tour (optional) 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 Spice market and the 15th century Chinese fishing nets believed to have been brought by Chinese traders. In the evening, an optional visit to see the famous dance drama of Kerala, the Kathakali. This dance is characterised by some great story telling, amazing costumes and extensive makeup. Overnight at the Brunton Boatyard. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 03: Cochin - Houseboat
(70kms/1.5hrs)Drive to 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 luxurious boats with well appointed bedrooms andensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it's the life along the coast that makes this a fascinating 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. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop atvillages, paddy fields and other places enroute. Overnight on board (Full Board)
DAY 04: Houseboat - Kumarakom
Disembark at Kumarakom, the enchanting backwater region of Kerala and check into your hotel. The labyrinthine network of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons which form the famed backwaters offer stunning views and is an idealplace to relax. Day at leisure. Overnight at the Zuri. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 05: Kumarakom
Spend the day at leisure in the stunning backwater resort. You can interact withAyurveda physicians at the resort about the 5000 year old ancient medical science of Ayurveda. Overnight at the Zuri. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 06: Kumarakom - Kovalam
(165kms/4hrs)Drive to Kovalam, one of the most popular beach destinations in Kerala and check into your hotel. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches separated by rocky headlands, of which the southernmost, Lighthouse Beach,is the most famous. The Azure waters and favourable climate make Kovalam a favourite year-round destination for beach lovers. Overnight at the Leela. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 07: Kovalam
Today you could choose an optional excursion to Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala and take a sightseeing tour of Horse Palace, Napier Museum and Art Gallery or you could simply spend your day at leisure on the beach. Overnight at the Leela. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 08: Kovalam
Day at leisure on the Beach. Enjoy a Kalaripayattu (martial art of Kerala) performance in the evening. Overnight at the Leela. (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 09: Kovalam
Spend your day at leisure on the Beach. Overnight at the Leela (Vehicle at disposal)
DAY 10: Kovalam - Trivandrum
Departure transfer to the airport for return flight. (Vehicle for transfer)
| Place | Nts | Resort | Room Type |
|
| Cochin | 2 | Brunton Boatyard | Standard Sea Facing Room |
| Houseboat | 1 | Rainbow Cruises | 1 Bedroom AC Houseboat |
| Kumarakom | 2 | Zuri | Standard Room |
| Kovalam | 4 | The Leela | Beach View Deluxe Room |
| Tour | 1 May 12-30 Sep 12 | 1 Oct 12-19 Dec 12 | 20 Dec 12-15 Jan 13 | 16 Jan 13-31 Jan 13 | 1 Feb 13-28 Feb 13 | 1 Mar 13-30 Apr 13 |
| Standard | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Superior | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Deluxe | £ 1287 | £ 1795 | £ 2489 | £ 1795 | £ 1837 | £ 1795 |
|
Prices are per person based on two people occupying 1 double/twin room. Prices may vary based on local market fluctuations. For Single supplement charges contact Kerala Travel Centre. Price Includes: B&B at all hotels except where cited on the itinerary, chauffeur driven AC car, sunset cruise, all entrance fees, guide charges, assisted airport transfers. Price Excludes: International Flights - Please contact Kerala Travel Centre for booking flights. |
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
Kerala offers a myriad of delightful, lesser known experiences which one does not get to enjoy on a regular tour which is packed with standard excursions. At the Kerala Travel Centre we have always been keen to showcase these special, 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 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.
Kovalam
- Travellers know Kovalam for being a great beach destination but few know that for those who love bikes, Kovalam has a few shops that hire out Enfield motorbikes.
- There is a Swiss bakery in Kovalam which offers some fascinating cakes.
- For veggie lovers, Kovalam has one of the best run vegetarian restaurants called 'Lonely Planet' ( not the same as the guidebook).
