Aqua Serene Nights  

Arrive this morning at Cochin, one of the most picturesque places in Kerala. Its past is so rich that it could lay a valid claim to being a museum city.

Cochin has a beautiful all weather harbor and a grand seascape, one of India's largest port and a major naval base. At dusk you can see the dim silhouettes of huge merchant ships patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. The influence of Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The older parts of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English country village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Despite this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene backwaters, lagoons overhung with feathery coconut, palms trees and picturesque islands.

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a tour of this incredible city.

Visit the Portuguese St. Francis Church, considered the first European Church in India, built in 1562 by St. Francis; this is India's oldest European-built church. Continue on to Mattanchery Dutch Palace, a double-storied palace built in the classic The most important feature of Mattanchery Palace is the murals in the bedchambers, which depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata These murals are some of the most beautiful and extensive, one of the wonders of India.

Proceed to the Jewish Synagogue, which was constructed in 1568 and is the oldest in the Commonwealth. A stone slab from the Kochangadi synagogue (built in 1344, and has disappeared), inscribed in Hebrew, can be found on the inner surface of the wall. At the Cochin Harbor, you can watch the fishermen using strange Chinese fishing nets to catch.

This evening enjoy a presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali dance drama.

Kathakali is a ritualized dance form native to Kerala; elaborate costumes and makeup, as seen here, are the norm. Male dancers portray both male and female roles.

Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom, located 70 kms and will take apprx 2 hrs to reach.

Located in the Kerala Backwaters, Kumarakom is a haven of peace and tranquility. Explore the intricate backwater by boat and witness a way of life that is in complete harmony with nature. Your afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take advantage of the rich waters with a bit of fishing, or just relax and soak in the rich atmosphere of your surroundings.

Overnight is at the hotel.

After breakfast you will drive to Allepey which is 35 kms and apprx will take 40 minutes and board your private houseboat.

And cruise through the series of canals and lagoons snaking your way through several tiny villages and tropical vegetation.  Not only do the backwaters of Kerala link the state together, they are an integral element in maintaining ecological balance and creating harmony with nature.

Lunch, dinner & overnight on board houseboat.

The boat cruise takes you to small islets & you get glimpses of village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Watch village girls picking mussels or laundering clothes or pots on the small ponds in front of their house, while men folk are busy plucking cocnuts, dates from the trees. Watch the village folk make the golden fiber called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. So stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water from the kernel and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work. You can see birds like kingfishers, pheasants, cormorants, drogues, wood pecker, Bee-eater & kite.

All meals and overnight is on board houseboat.

After breakfast you get off your houseboat and drive to Varkala which is 185 kms and will take apprx 5 hrs.

Varkala Beach is a quiet and isolated sandy expanse where you can have a relaxing beach holiday without the crowds and bustle of some of the busier beaches in Kerala. Enjoy the laid back attractions of Varkala Beach.

The mineral springs near Varkala Beach are considered to have medicinal properties and many people come here to drink and bathe in the water from the mineral springs. The Varkala Beach is also called Papanasam Beach because it is believed that bathing here will wash away all of one's sins. The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple nearby is believed to be between 800 - 2000 years old. A nature cure center located near Varakala Beach is another popular attraction that you can visit on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

A high rocky cliff ends abruptly and a stretch of clear sand extends down to the sea. The contrast between the cliffs, sand and sea makes Varkala Beach a striking sight. The sunset at Varakala Beach is truly breathtaking with the sun sinking into the sky like a ball of molten gold as the sun and sea are tinged with crimson and vermilion. See the magnificent sunset at Varkala Beach on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

The Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple dedicated to Ayyappa is visited by many thousands of pilgrims year round. The auspicious new moon is considered especially holy.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, day is at leisure to explore the beach. You may perhaps like to undertake some Ayurveda treatments available at your reort of stay.

Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, day is at leisure to explore the beach. You may perhaps like to undertake some Ayurveda treatments available at your reort of stay.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast you will be driven to Thiruvananthapuram airport which is 42 kms and will take apprx an hour, in time to board your onward flight.