Kerala Backwater & Beaches

Duration 10 Nights / 11 Days Places Covered: Kochi, Vaikom, Kerala Backwaters Cruise, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, Varkala

Day 2 - Kochi
Kochi is set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands in the Indian Ocean and is a fascinating blend of cultures. From time immemorial it has been the favourite destination of globe-trotters and explorers. Blessed by one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Kochi has been eulogised as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. We include a tour of the Fort Kochi peninsula where we discover the Dutch Palace, which was restored by the Dutch and presented as a gift to the King of Kochi, and St Francis Church - the oldest Christian church in India, built by Portuguese Franciscan monks in 1503. The church itself is testament to the history of historic Cochin, having been used at various stages by Roman Catholics, Dutch Protestants and Anglicans. We also visit the famous Mattancherry Jewish Synagogue, originally built of wood in 1568. The area surrounding the synagogue is full of spice shops selling cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and a host of other spices. We also take a look at the unique Chinese fishing nets, which are set up close to our hotel.

Day 3 - Vaikom - Kochi
This morning we drive to Vaikom for a day visit, where we include a boat ride through the small waterways and visit various local industries such as like coir making, toddy tapping, spice producing, mat weaving and pot making. We visit a riverine village and meet the families living in this stunningly unique environment. The backwaters of Kerala have become the lifeline of the state, with a number of towns like Allapuzha, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kuttinad located amidst the maze of waterways. Late in the afternoon we drive back to Kochi for our overnight stay.

Day 4 - Backwater Cruise - Alleppey
Today we catch a bus to the small market town of Alleppey (Alappuzha) that is built on a network of canals and surrounded by coconut palms. Upon arrival we board our houseboat, converted from a Kettavallum, or traditional rice barge, and sail the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. This large aquatic area is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, and the people who live in this region have created their own distinct lifestyles. From our comfortable houseboats we witness the peaceful way of life on these amazing waterways. After watching the sun go down over the backwaters we return to dock at Alleppey and transfer to our nearby backwater hotel.(L)

Day 5-6 - Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Today we catch the local bus to Thekkady, on the edge of one of India's most popular wildlife reserves. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds an artificial lake that was built by the British in 1895. It is home to gaur, wild boar, sambar deer, langur monkey, wild elephant, various antelopes and a wide variety of birds. We include an early morning cruise on the lake, which is a great way to start the day. The rest of the time is free to explore the area and perhaps take an optional jungle walk with a local guide or visit a nearby plantation.

Day 7-9 - Varkala
We spend the next three days at Varkala - a beautiful beach town on the Arabian Sea about an hour's drive from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). The main beach here is Papanasham Beach, which is long and golden with a backdrop of red laterite cliffs from which mineral water springs forth. It is a chill-out place and in the mornings and evenings we can witness fishermen pulling up their nets from the sea. Our tour leader is able to take us to various beaches in the surrounding areas and advise us on various optional activities such as witnessing an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayatt show. It is also a town famous for Ayurvedic massage centres - ideal for rejuvenation!