Essence of Kerala

On arrival at the airport, meet your Tour Executive who will assist you with transfer to the hotel in Cochin for an overnight stay.

Next day go for a sightseeing tour of this port city with a rich and interesting past and an active present, with daybreak full of indeterminate promise. A slow lividness at the mist-obscured harbour mouth meets the swelling untamed surge of the ocean. Cargo-laden barges and villas or country boats move ponderously slow, over the sprawling vastness of the Vembanad Kayal, Kerala’s largest lake that spreads full-bosomed and silver-grey in the sultry sun. Cochin has been the business and commercial hub of south India since very ancient days. The Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans sailed into this city to trade and their influence is still found in the buildings and lifestyle of the city. Experience the boat ride along the palm-fringed lakes and backwaters. Enjoy this extraordinary excursion as we sail along the shady canals, witness the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Dinner and overnight at Cochin.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After breakfast check out and travel to Alleppey, on arrival embark on the houseboat. This day’s journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside, enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, enjoying palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. An enchanting experience, the backwaters of Kerala reveal some interesting facts about the local life of local village people. Fishing lovers can enjoy fishing while watching the sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. Lunch, dinner and overnight on the houseboat.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and travel to Kumarakom; an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Laze in a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings where the only presence is yours and the egrets. Later visit the famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that gives you the pleasure to meet a variety of migratory birds that cluster in thousands some of the Himalayas and some even from the snow-kissed hills of Siberia, a true multicultural avian metropolis. Watch numerous alluring species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost in their nests on the green acme, chirping and taking flight every now and then. For the inquisitive bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry binoculars at all times. Dinner and overnight at Kumarakom.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

Early morning visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to spot rare and endangered species of birds and reptiles. Later proceed to Mararikulam and stay two nights at the beach resort.

• Breakfast
• Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, the tour will finish with a transfer to Kochi airport.

• Breakfast