Kerala Backwaters Tour – There could be nothing more exotic, more complete than a cruise through the placid backwaters of Kerala. A fine network of river estuaries and lagoons along the Malabar Coast intermingle and twist around lush paddy fields, soaring palms and peaceful villages. Cruising past this serene landscape, with ayurvedic treatments and candlelight dinners thrown in would be one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating holidays you could ever have.
Destinations Covered: Cochin – Kumarakom – Kottayam – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum
Kerala Tour Duration: 06 Nights / 07 Days
Kerala Backwaters Itinerary
Day 1 Cochin
Arrive in Cochin and check into hotel.
Cochin, or Kochi, with one of the best ports in the country has been a major trading town for centuries. The city has a fine cosmopolitan culture and is the commercial capital of Kerala.
After lunch and rest, depart in time to catch the sunset cruise around Cochin Harbour This two-hour cruise from the national waterway 3 cruises past the Bolghatty Palace on the Bolghatty Island and the Willingdon Island. Tea and snacks are served on the cruise.
A cultural programme follows after sunset.
Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2 Cochin – Kumarakom
After breakfast, depart for Kumarakom, 65 km.
14 km from Kottayam, Kumarakom is a cluster of tiny islands on the Vembanad Lake. This verdant village supports a wide variety of flora and fauna, and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to a variety of local and migratory birds like the Siberian stork. The lake is also known for the abundance of marine and freshwater fish species, especially ‘Karimeen’ and shrimps.
On arrival, check into hotel and relax with an Ayurvedic massage Late afternoon, take a canoe cruise around the Bird Sanctuary.
Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 In Kumarakom
After breakfast, board your houseboat for a cruise around the Vembanad Lake.
Lunch, tea and dinner are served aboard the houseboat.
Indulge in activities like boating, fishing, windsailing and water skiing.
The cruise takes you to Kottayam where you may visit the churches.
Overnight cruise on backwaters.
Day 4 Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam
Houseboat reaches Alleppey in the morning.
After breakfast, board a kettuvellam, or a long houseboat for experiencing the lifestyle of the locals as it anchors at preferred spots where you can hop off to experience the life style of the locals – toddy tapping, fishing, coir-making and prawn farming are still practiced in conventional ways in these villages. Also visit the local temples and a village farm house.
After the kettuvellam ride, drive to Kovalam.
Check into hotel in Kovalam for night stay.
Day 5 In Kovalam
After breakfast, head for the lovely beach where you may indulge in kayaking, swimming or water skiing.
Post lunch, drive to Cape Comorin and see the beautiful Padmanabhapuram Palace and the Archaeological Museum.
Or, stay back at the hotel to take the herbal or body toning massage.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kovalam.
Day 6 Kovalam – Trivandrum
After breakfast, depart from Kovalam for Trivandrum.
Trivandrum is Kerala’s capital city. Explore its tourist attractions – the Veli Tourist Park and the Puthe Maliga Palace Museum are worth visiting.
Depart for onward destination.
Tour Ends.