Kerala Backwater Tours, Kerala Houseboat Tours, Kerala Backwater Cruises, Kerala Houseboat Cruises
KERALA BACKWATERS & HOUSEBOAT TOUR
This is a short 6 day tour, ideal for those seeking to experience the Kerala Backwaters. This tour gives you the opportunity of spending time in the culturally rich city of Cochin, cruising the Kerala backwaters, and then relaxing at a Lake facing backwater resort in Kumarakom. Houseboat cruises in the Kerala backwaters, are an amazing experience, giving the traveler, not only time to relax and enjoy the marvelous scenery of the Kerala backwaters, but also an opportunity to view village life surrounding the backwaters.
Tour duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Places Covered: Cochin / Houseboat / Kumarakom
Tour Destination: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6
Day 01 – Arrive Cochin
Your Kerala backwater and houseboat tour begins with your arrival at the Cochin airport, where you will be met by a Trans India Holidays representative and transferred to the hotel and assisted with check in formalities.
Cochin: - Cochin means harbour and even before the building of Ancient Rome, spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood were traded here. Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage, but is also one of the most fast-paced and modern cities in India. It is also one of the finest natural harbours of the world and a major Indian port. It is its charm and a relatively good infrastructure that make it the ideal gateway to the state. This has been the case since 1341, the year nature carved out Cochin's harbor with a massive flood. As a result, Cochin became the first port of call for Arabs and came to be known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea." This city offers visitors Forts, palaces, museums, old churches, cool backwaters, palm fringed lagoons, beaches and the practicality of a contemporary metro.
Overnight at the Vivanta by Taj – Malabar in Cochin.
Day 02 – Cochin - Houseboat
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Cochin. Tour includes visits to the following places of interest: Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace): The Jewish synagogue, Cochin Harbor, St Francis church, Fort Kochi beach, Hill Palace:
Later you will be assisted with check out formalities and start your drive to Alleppey (70 kms/approx 1 ½ hrs). On arrival in Alleppey transfer to jetty to board your private house boat for an overnight stay.
House Boat - A highlight of any trip to Kerala is time spent cruising the Kerala backwaters on a houseboat, or a rice barge. These converted rice barges or "Kettuvallams" sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto dugouts. You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition. The boats offer one or two cabins with a small sitting room and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The food is authentic Kerala cuisine, purchased fresh along the way. For most of the journey, the boat is poled, sailing only between dawn and dusk. The Kerala backwater cruise, is an unforgettable experience.
Overnight onboard Houseboat.
Day 03 – Onboard Houseboat
The day will be spent onboard your houseboat, cruising the narrow canals of the Kerala backwaters, giving you the opportunity of seeing and even visiting some of the traditional Kerala villages, bordering the backwaters.
Overnight onboard Houseboat.
Day 04 - Houseboat - Kumarakom
After breakfast, disembark the houseboat in Kumarakom and check in at the resort.
Kumarakom: The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom is a small village that is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerela. Kumarakom strengthens Kerala’s reputation for being God’s own country with its unbelievably beautiful mangrove forests, coconut groves and emerald green paddy fields interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary spread across 14 acres is any ornithologist's paradise. This enchanting backwater destination offers visitors many leisure options. From wandering into the depths of its wildlife sanctuary to cruising down the back waters and fishing, Kumarkom is perfect for a lazy and laid back holiday. Kumarakom is an example of nature at her bountiful best in the fragrant flowers, the riot of multi coloured birds, the surrounding greenery and the clear waters.
No activities are scheduled for this day. Spend rest of the day enjoying the resort’s facilities.
Overnight at the Vivanta by Taj – Kumarakom in Kumarakom.
Day 05 – In Kumarakom
Day at leisure to enjoy the Kerala backwaters or perhaps enjoy a boat ride in the Vembanad lake or take in a famed Ayurvedic Massage.
Overnight at the Vivanta by Taj – Kumarakom in Kumarakom.
Day 06 – Kumarakom - Cochin airport (85 kms /02 hrs) and Depart
Morning at leisure. Later in the day, you are met by our representative at your hotel and assisted with checkout formalities, followed by transfer to Cochin airport in time for your flight home.
| Category of Hotels | Superior |
| Valid from 01st Nov’2010 till 15th April’2011 | US$ 776 per person |
| Cities | Standard |
| Cochin | Vivanta by Taj - Malabar |
| Houseboat | Aircon Houseboat |
| Kumarakom | Vivanta by Taj - Kumarakom |
Small supplements may apply for travel between 20th December’10 and 05th January’2011 and during the month of February 2011.
Note: All the figures quoted above are net per person in US Dollars.
Inclusions:
- Accommodation on twin sharing bed and breakfast basis in Cochin and Kumarakom and on full board basis onboard Houseboat.
- Land transportation exactly as per itinerary using an air-conditioned car.
- Sight-seeing tours exactly as per itinerary including entrance fee to monuments along with an English Speaking Guide.
