Backwaters of Kerala

Backwaters of Kerala (Tour Code: IN/006) – God’s own country where Gods descend to holiday. An all season destination Kerala offers you a wide variety of holiday options. Therapeutic oil massages, back waters, unique untapped quiet surroundings, great coconut based sea food. Modern yet very delicately wrapped in traditions to offer you a destination that is holistic by all means. 16/17 days tour rejuvenates you to jump back into the life for yet another time.

Itinerary

Day 01  Arrival day In Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, our representative will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and day up to lunch at leisure. Post lunch you will be visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. Late evening back to the hotel, welcome dinner along with a briefing session at the hotel and overnight at hotel in Delhi.

Day 02  Delhi / Cochin / Alleppey

Early morning check out from the hotel and transfer to airport in time to connect your flight to Cochin (3.5 hrs). Packed breakfast will be provided to you. Upon arrival in Cochin you will be transferred to your hotel at Alleppey. Check in at hotel and day up to lunch at leisure. Post lunch visit St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and Hill Museum. Back to hotel by the dinner. Overnight at the hotel in Alleppey.

Day 03  Alleppey

Breakfast at hotel. Post breakfast with host family you can explore the nearby rice fields, coir works, temples and life around the backwaters. Alleppey is a major centre for eco-friendly coir products. Back to hotel and overnight at the hotel in Alleppey.

Day 04  Alleppey / Kanam (in the Rice boat)

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast check out from the hotel and you will board a private rice-boat for a cruise along the palm-fringed backwaters of Vembanad Lake and its tributaries. Overnight on board.

Day 05  Kanam

Disembark after breakfast for a short drive to Kanam Estate. Stay in the midst of a rubber plantation at Serenity for 2 nights.

Day 06  Kanam

After breakfast you have the opportunity to visit the surrounding spice plantations including pepper, areca nut, nutmeg, cardamom, etc. You can also spend the day with an elephant and tend to his bath.

Day 07  Kanam / Munnar

After breakfast drive to the tea country of Munnar and check into the Winderemere Estate for 2 nights. On your way visit the Eravikulam Sanctuary, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Overnight at Munnar.

Day 08  Munnar

Breakfast at the Tea Estate. Post breakfast visit the nearby tea factory. You can go for a long walk in the estate with a picnic by the waterfalls. Back to hotel and overnight at Munnar.

Day 09  Munnar / Athirapally

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast morning drive to down the hills to Athirapally. Stay at the Rain Forest, a boutique property overlooking the famous Athirapally waterfalls. Remainder of the day is at leisure. You could go for walks with the hotel naturalist within the property or in the nearby reserve forest. Overnight at Athirapally.

Day 10  Athirapally

You could take an early morning or a late afternoon jeep safari or go for a walk to the tribal village in the forest. As well as being home to elephants, gaurs and other wildlife and the forest is also a paradise for bird-watchers. Overnight at Athirapally.

Day 11  Athirapally / Wayanad

After breakfast drive to Sultan’s Battery in the hill country of Wayanad. Stay at Tranquil, a guesthouse in the midst of coffee plantations for two nights. Overnight at Wayanad.

Day 12  Wayanad

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast you can enjoy the area and its rich bird life. A visit to the nearby Muthanga sanctuary can also be arranged. The resort has an attractive pool and a well stocked bar. Overnight at Waynad.

Day 13  Wayanad / Kadavu Resort

After breakfast, drive past the coastal town of Calicut to the Kadavu Resort, overlooking Feroke River. The traditional style resort has good facilities for Ayurveda and offers rice-boat cruises on the river. On the way visit a handloom-weaving unit. Overnight at Kadavu Resort.

Day 14  Kadavu Resort / Cochin (Kochi)

Breakfast at the resort. Post breakfast a take a long drive to Cochin visiting the elephant stables at Guruvayoor en route. Stay at the elegant Malabar House Residency for 2 nights. In the evening enjoy a sunset cruise around the Chinese fishing nets. Overnight at Cochin.

Day 15  Cochin

After Breakfast at the hotel you can enjoy an auto-rickshaw ride through the old town of Fort Cochin and see the bazaar selling spices native to this area. Visit the sights including the Jewish synagogue and the Dutch Palace where murals depict the story from the epic Ramayana. Enjoy a lesson in Kerala cookery in the afternoon and enjoy lunch with your hostess. In the evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.

Day 16  Cochin / Delhi / Home

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast transfer to hotel in time to connect your morning flight to Cochin with a further connection to Delhi and later back home.

Tour Highlight

The spectacular beauty of Kerala’s backwaters needs no introduction. Kerala Houseboat cruises along the palm-fringed waterways of Alleppey in a luxury houseboat. This is the most enchanting holiday experience. In this world of simple pleasures, you will cruise past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A guided tour down the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerela and will also reveal to you some interesting facts about the life of the local villagers.