ADHVAN representative will be meeting you upon arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and relax.

Later in the evening, enjoy a harbor cruise in the evening during sunset. As the sun sets, the fishing islands all around light up while the Fort Cochin area, with its Colonial waterfront, retires for the day.

A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

Also visit the BOLGATTY PALACE and VYPPIN ISLAND.

Overnight will be in Cochin.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Embark on a guided tour of Colonial Jew Town – Fort Cochin.

Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church’s cemetery.

Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets from the land. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th century.

Folklore Museum: Kerala Folklore Museum is the key place to experience the whole of Kerala, her people, art, culture and heritage. This is the biggest biennale and best life style museum in India. It is basically an architectural museum, combining three architectural schools of Kerala – Cochin, Malabar and Travancore architecture. To provide art education to the society, the museum is adorned with 5000 ethnic artifacts, to project the vibrant tradition of Kerala and other parts of south India. British government selected this museum as the venue to visit and experience the culture and heritage of Kerala for Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall in November 2013.

In the evening proceed for a Cultural Evening – Kerala’s best known dance drama Kathakali, its martial art form Kalaripayattu, semi – classical dance form Mohiniattam, Theyyam – a ritual dance performed as a surrealistic representation of the Gods & classical Indian music. Start early for the make-up session as it is interesting and intriguing.

Overnight will be in Cochin.

By road 160 km in 04 hrs

Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel.

Drive through the plantations and small Kerala villages. The whole of Kerala including the towns are like villages and the simplicity of the state can be felt while driving. All around would be scenic beauty.

Reach Thekkady (This place is also referred as Periyar because of the Lake Periyar) and check in at the hotel.

The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, ‘Akananuru’, ‘Purananuru’ etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the ‘Choorni Nadi’ or ‘Thamraparni Nadi’. A land route existed in the Sangam age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor) to Madurai, which passed near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the ‘Azhimugham’ of the Periyar, which is now known as the Vyppin Islands. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more.

Later in the afternoon, proceed to an Elephant Farm to spend time with elephants and enjoy activities like bathing the elephant in a small pool, feeding, ride, timber dragging, photo options etc.

Overnight will be in Thekkady.

Wake-up early and proceed for jungle walk / nature trek experience at Periyar National Park.

You will visit the rare species of plants and animals. The “experience” will be customized as per your preference depending on how many hours you want to spend in the park.

Return to the hotel and have relaxed breakfast.

In the afternoon; visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. Also visit Kumily spice market (Asia’s largest spice market) and pick up the best spices and fragrant spices available.

Overnight will be in Thekkady.

By road 135 km in 04 hrs

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Kumarakom passing through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations.

Stop at a tea factory and watch the tea making process. There is a beautiful solitary church you pass by and it is a nice place to stop for photography.

Reach Kumarakom and proceed to the boat jetty in Vembanand Lake.

The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self-supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.

Check-in to a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey. Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.

Tea and snacks would be served in the evening. In the evening the boat will anchor in the backwaters by the lush paddy fields and enjoy the tranquility of the water around on the houseboat. You can also go for a stroll into the village to witness local life and culture.

Dinner will be served on the boat.

Overnight will be on the houseboat.

By boat
Alleppey – Marari
By road 15 km in ½ hr

Enjoy breakfast on the houseboat.

The houseboat will sail to Alleppey. Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.

Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. “Kuttanad” in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.

Disembark the boat at boat jetty where your driver will be waiting for you to arrive.

Drive to beautiful and serene beach destination – Mararikulam. Arrive and check-in at the resort.

The day will be free for you to enjoy the beach or relax at the pool.

Overnight will be in Marari.

By road 42 km in 1 hr
Cochin – departure

After breakfast at the resort, proceed to Cochin by road.

Reach and as per your flight timings, you will be transferred to Cochin airport to take flight back home / onward destination with pleasant memories of your Kerala Backwaters Tour.

END OF THE JOURNEY