South India Vacation package
The Backwaters of Kerala
Duration: - 5 days / 6 nights
Destination:
- Delhi - Cochin - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin - Delhi
The dominant colours are the deep green of paddy fields and palm groves,
the azure blue of the sky & the golden shimmer of the sun on the ripples
of the waterways. Kerala is said to have sprung from the ocean. All along
is coast, the exotic backwaters, canals, lagoons and inlets create an intricate
maze that streatches for almost 900 kms across the land. We stay at Kumarakom,
a 14-acre bird sanctuary, that is accessible from Alappuzha, by the vividly
beautiful Vembanand Lake, see the nestling storks and a variety of water
fowl. Begin your backwater barging trip at Kumarakom to Allappuzha, floating
slowly past coconut palms dipping down towards the water and serene villages,
as the moving landscape creates a living portrait of Kerala's rural life.
Other country crafts will go by, some carrying a load of fresh bannana or
coir, other filled with people travelling to nearby villages. Travelling
on the backwaters is a relaxing, idyllic holidays in a picturesque setting,
the palm trees and sun dipped waterways of Kerala wait for you.
Day
01: Delhi / Cochin
Depart Delhi for Cochin by flight. Arrive Cochin. Meet and transfer to hotelCasino,
located close to the waterfront, in Cochin's busy commercial centre. Cochin
gives one of Kerala's most interesting experiences, this is a natural harbour
created by the famed underwater Malabar mudbanks whose unique quality ensures
that rougher the seas are outside, the calmer the waters are within the
harbour. Here at dusk, the dim silhouttes of the huge merchant ships can
be seen, patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. Centuries
ago, tales of this exotic coastal strip had crossed the vast ocean and attracted
an answering gleam in a Portuguese eye. Vasco da Gama arrived, to place
Cochin on the World map. Cochin has a delightfully cosmopolitan look. A
jewish Synagogue, Portuguese Churches, Mosques and Hindu temples co-exist
amicably in a typical example of Indian secularism. Overnight Casino.
Day 02: Cochin
Early morning boat cruise on the enchanting backwaters through the coconut
groves and quite lagoons. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours
is an unforgettable experience. A few minutes after you move out of the
old fashioned dock, you will find yourself surrrounded by lush palmgroves
and lovely streatches of paddy fields. The swaying coconut palms almost
dip into the waters, and on chunks of land that nudge the backwaters are
little children playing in the sun. You might see housewives cleaning rice
for the day's meal or pounding coconut husk for coir fibre or sweeping the
Muttom (front yard) completely ablivious of the regular ferry and cargo
boat traffic ply to and fro across these waters from morning to dusk. This
afternoon you visit the sights of Cochin. It's easy to be mesamarised by
the magic of Cochin. Stroll around the lanes of Old Portuguese, Dutch and
British merchant houses. Take a peak Vasco da Gama's church where he was
cremated before being finally laid to rest in his home town in Portugal.
Glimpse the Chinese fishing nets silhoutted against an amber sunset - or
take a trip into history. To the 400 years old Jewish Synagogue. Evening
witness the Kathkali Dance performance. The famous dance drama of Kerala.
It's the most famous dance drama of Kerala. The duration of performance
will be for 1 hour and the guests can also witness the artist putting on
th elaborate make -up, half an hour before the performance. Overnight at
the hotel.
Day
03: Cochin / Kumarakom
Morning start on your backwaters cruise to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is bound
by the Vembanad Lake on two sides, to swaying paddy fields on one side and
a bird sanctury on the other. Stay at the Coconut Lagoon Resort. Located
on the banks of the Vembanad lake adjacent the Kumarakom bird sanctury the
resort is built on a 10 acres coconut garden. The rooms are the old wooden
houses of Kerala dasting back to 100 - 150 years which have been transplated
from various locations and the public areas like the reception and restaurants
are almost 400 years old. A unique feature in both type are th court yard
toilets. large open to sky yet with all modern fittings and having absolute
privacy. The menus is international and ethnic with special emphasis on
seafood and tropical fruit and vegetables. The large free form swimming
pool with the sunkeen bar has been designedin traditional Kerala temple
style. Relax in the quite atmosphere of the resort amidst picturesque surrounding.
Evening sunset cruise on a traditional rice boat. There after the traditional
"Theyyam" dancers who will enhant you with their rhythmic chanting.
And the spectacle of the "Kalari" martial art specialists gliding
silently in from Vembanad Lake, with torches blazing in the silent night,
will linger forever in your memory followed by these events is a sumptuous
sea food bar-be-que dinner awaits you. The dinner will be served by the
poolside. Overnight at the Coconut Lagoon Resorts.
Day
04: Kumarakom / Alleppey (Backwater Boat Cruise)
This morning you enjoy an increadibly different experience just floating
on the waters in a country craft and absorbing this unusual representation
of Kerala life. There is a Kerala that lives along these backwaters, throbbing
with its own unique culture. You begin at Kumarakom, breath - takingly green
village slumberes by the sides. On cruise scenery flashes up vivid contransts
of lush green of the fringed palms ripple in the waters and blend into the
little wavelets. For as far as the eye can see are beautiful spreads of
coconut palms, many dotted with men who have clambered up to tap the nectar
of the palm. If you wish, you could break journey and actually taste its
raw sweetness. You could even ask your boatman to tak you into one of the
thatched country shops for a glass of the termentad nectar, which is served
with plates of delicious fried card or "Karimeen", a fish that
is a special gift of the backwaters. Reach Allappuzha (Alleppy) which is
hailed as the Venice of the East, because of its intricate maze of backwaters
, canals and bridges. Stay overnight at the Hotel Alleppy Prince.
Day 05: Alleppey / Cochin / Delhi (Drive 63 kms/1 hr. 30 min.)
Morning drive to Cochin and transfer to airport in time to board flight
for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi your backwaters experience comes to an
end. Later transfer to Waterbanks Island resort near Delhi (only 25 kms
from International Airport) can be reached only by boats & the place
abounds with a variety of birds, deer & lots of flora & fauna. Evening
farewell lakeside bar-be-cue dinner. Late night or early morning transfer
to International airport to board your flight.
Kerala
Backwater II
Duration: - 7 days / 6 nights
Destination: - Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Cochin
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Our services starts with transfer to hotel upon arrival in Cocin. Overnight
at Hotel.
Kochi (Cochin): An all time tourist favourite, Kochi is the commercial
capital of Kerala. It has to offer palaces, forts, beaches, backwaters,
old churches, snake boat races, Kathakali, museums and the convinence of
the big city.Kochi is just about the center of Kerala. It is basically a
collection of islands and narrow peninsulas. Ernakulam is the commercial
centre and forms the main land. It has a fine natural harbour around which
the city has grown. Kochi is the famous port, trading between India and
the rest of the world. Attracted by trade and its liberal laws, many foreigners
have made this their home.
Day 02: In Cochin
Breakfast at hotel followed by city tour of Cochin, which includes the
Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, and Chinese Fishing Nets etc. Combine
with a shopping at Le Meridien shopping Arcade.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Cochin / Periyar
Morning after breakfast proceed to Thekkady, following a journey through
spectacular countryside. you will arrive in the hill-station of Periyar.
Check in to your hotel. After fresh up sightseeing tour of Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake. The pride of Kerala
and a testimony to nature's splendor and human innovation. - an artificial
lake, at Thekkady. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed
in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below
this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs,
lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. Over night stay at Thekkady.
Periyar: One of the largest wildlife reserves in India, the Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary is more popluar as a tiger reserve. A boat ride on the splendid
Periyar lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.The Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary is one of the few places where the chances are pretty high that
you will spot an elephant in the wild at close quarters and from the safe
confines of a boat. Not just elephant and tiger, but if it's your lucky
day, gaur, masher, otter and other wildlife. Rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight at Hotel
Day
04: Periyar / Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast proceed to Kumarakom, Kumarakom the charming emerald
peninsula jutting into the ever-effervescent Vembanad Lake takes you into
the heart of the scenic lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional
country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into
the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways.
The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora. They
are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl
spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns)
and many more. Overnight at Kumarakom.
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. Situated on the Vembanad
Lake, in this small water world you'll come across plenty of traditional
country crafts, boats and canoes which will take you into the heart of the
scenic lake. The ressorts nearby offer comfortable accomodation and exclusive
leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing,
angling and swimming.
Day
05: Periyar / Kumarakom
Breakfast at hotel. Day free at leisure to explore surroundings or to
take ayurveda treatments.Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Kumarakom / Houseboat
Morning at leisure Later take 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. Overnight on board.
Day 07: Houseboat / Cochin
Breakfast on board. Sail to Alleppey & disembark at Puthenagady Jetty.
On arrival proceed directly to Cochin airport t
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