Kerala enjoys unique geographic features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. National Geographic voted Kerala as one of the must-see 50 destinations in the world. An equable Climate. A long shoreline with serene Beaches. Tranquil stretches of emerald Backwaters. Lush Hill Stations, unforgettable Hot Spots and exotic Wild life, Waterfalls, Ayurvedic health holidays. Enchanting Art forms. Magical Festivals. Historic and cultural Monuments, Cuisine. All of which offer you a unique experience.
Day
1
ARRIVE MUMBAI - KOCHI (COCHIN)
Special Welcome and assistance on arrival at Mumbai International airport
and transfer to the domestic airport for a flight to Cochin. Depart
Mumbai by flight to Cochin. Assistance and special welcome on arrival and
transfer to your hotel Brunton Boatyard, a heritage Hotel situated in Fort
Cochin situated on the banks of the backwaters, where a traditional Kerala
Welcome awaits you.. The warmth of Indian Hospitality and the custom of
welcoming guests are as old as time itself. As you step into the hotel,
ladies in traditional local costumes greet you with garlands of flowers
and perform the “Aarti” ceremony. After having your forehead
anointed with the traditional red “tikka”, relax with a non-alcoholic
welcome drink.
After lunch at the hotel, half day sightseeing tour of Kochi (Cochin) –
an important port city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the
Dutch Palace, the Chinese Nets, the Church of St. Francis and the Tomb of
Vasco da Gama.
Evening Sunset Cruise with cocktails on the backwaters of Cochin. Followed
by a performance of Kathakali, a popular Dance Drama performance of Kerala,
which is referred to as first theatre of imagination of the world owing
to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-ups.
Followed by Red & White Dinner – The tables and chairs will be arranged in the lobby and each table will have 8 covers. Since the theme is red and white, the tablecloth, napkin and chair covers will be a mixture of red and white. The service will be a pre-plated silver service in the Raj style. The stewards will be in the old Raj style. The tables will be decorated with different spices. The guests can also opt to dress up in red and white attire. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
2
COCHIN - PERIYAR
Morning, after breakfast, depart by surface to Alleppey (63 kms/2 hours approx.) from where you can board a boat and cruise through the backwaters (the inland water routes of Kerala). Sail through colourful flowering water plants as transparent jelly-fish glitter in the water and bathing children wave from the shores. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers - while you float! The cruise will take approx. 2 & ½ hrs to reach the Kottayam, where your vehicle would be waiting for youra drive to Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary (approx. 130 kms/3 hours drive). Upon arrival check-in at the Spice Village. Lunch at the hotel.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - P 777 sq km in area is set in a rich, mixed deciduous forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a perch for waterbirds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous mammals swim in the waters and streams and usually they can be observed during the boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur . The forest harbours a variety of woodland birds.
Evening dinner with Live Classical Dance Performance: India is famous for its rich and diverse classical dance forms. There are many different modes of classical dance besides a host of folk dance forms. You can chose from Bharatanatyam or Mohiniyattam, which originate from the South India. Followed by a Bar-be-que Dinner with Bon Fire at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
3
PERIYAR - KUMARKOM
Early morning take game viewing boat ride on the Periyar Lake. After breakfast,
depart by surface to the Kavanathingara Boat Jetty in Kottayam, where your
boats will be waiting for you to transfer you to the ultimate Backwater resort
of Kerala – Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom.
Lunch at the Resort. Rest of the day free to relax or to get an Ayurveda Rejuvenation
Massage. Coconut Lagoon has an Ayurvedic Centre offering various Ayurvedic
Therapies and rejuvenation massages under the guidance of an expert physician.
Evening cocktails at the Sunset Point.
Evening Local Martial Arts – Kalaripayutu Performance. The martial arts are believed to have originated in South India. Kalaripayutu is the local traditional martial arts form. Kalaripayutu derives its name from Kalari (gymnasia) in which this martial arts form was first practiced. The performance will include various authentic forms of armed and unarmed combat.
Evening special Bar-be-Cue dinner, where cooking demonstration will also take place. Enjoy rest of your evening at the Bar, which is converted to a Disco at night, which will play some foot tapping music. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
4
KUMARKOM
Early morning take a Boat Cruise for Bird Watching – on the southern bank of the Kavanar River, immediately opposite Coconut Lagoon, is a small bird sanctuary, where numerous species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost.
Sunset Cruise – Evening at Sunset Boat Cruise on the Vembanad Lake with Cocktails on board. There can be few better ways to adjust to the pace of backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the late afternoon just watching the sun go down whilst cruising on a boat on the Vembanad Lake sipping a cocktail.
Kerala Village Theme - Amongst country boats with fishing nets, the local
toddy shop, fruit vendors and people working in paddy fields, we transport
you to a traditional Kerala village. Dine on traditional cuisine served in
clay pots, under thatched coconut leaf roofs. Hurricane lanterns and traditionally
attired attendants add to the ambience. Followed by special Kerala Dinner
served on the Banana Leaf (plantain leaf).
Today again, you may spend rest of your evening at the Bar, which is converted
to a Disco at night and will play some foot tapping music.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day
5
KUMARAKOM – COCHIN - MUMBAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure. Afternoon drive by surface to Cochin airport (3 hours) to board flight to Mumbai. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to a Hotel for Dinner (optionally 2 rooms can be taken for wash & change). Later departure transfer to the airport to board your flight back home.
Day
6
DEPART MUMBAI
____________________________________________________________________________________
Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
