Life on the Backwaters Program
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Duration3 Days
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Region
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Category
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Best Time
- October - April
Introduction
- Visit Ancient Churches
- Bird Watching
- Local Arts & Crafts
- Visit boat building unit
- Meet locals and their cultures
Destinations Covered
Backwaters of Kerala
Kerala is renowned for its emerald backwaters that sing of tranquility and rejuvination like Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 km of canals both man-made and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. While hill resorts and beaches can be found in other parts of India, the backwaters are unique to Kerala. Meandering through the coastal areas of Kerala is a 900 kilometers (560 miles) long intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of several rivers that flow into the Arabian Sea.
Detailed Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrive Backwaters
Backwaters of Kerala
Drive along the Keralan coast to the docks at Thothapally in the Alleppey district to board our River Vessel. Arrive and check-in to the on-board RV Vaikundam River Cruise.
An environmentally-friendly vessel unique to Kerala’s placid waterways. Prior to their conversion to passenger boats with all the modern comforts, these traditional craft known as kettuvallom once plied these waters as rice barges. Coir (coconut fiber rope) and resin from cashew kernels, not nails, hold the kettuvallom together – a shipmaking practice passed down through the centuries.
The uniqueness of Kerala has always been its Backwaters, and no place in the world is blessed with this mesmerizing beauty. It is for this reason; this heaven is called “GOD’ S OWN COUNTRY!!”
Lunch and Dinner on-board.
Overnight on-board RV Vaikundam River Cruise (L, D)
Accomodation -
Day 2
Backwaters
Backwaters of Kerala
Today, we see Indian life up close as we slowly cruise along the palm-fringed backwater canals of the Arabian Sea, a distinctive region whose beauty and tranquility have earned it the sobriquet “God’s own country.” A vast network of lagoons, lakes, and canals formed by the confluence of Kerala’s numerous rivers and the Arabian Sea, the Kerala backwaters run alongside the coast for more than 550 miles. These labyrinthine waterways have served as a thoroughfare for boats like ours from ancient times, and the daily existence in the communities here has changed little over the centuries.
Along the way we go ashore to visit some of the local villages and farms, observing traditional livelihoods such as coir making, boat building, fish farming, rice growing and toddy tapping – the extraction of palm sap for production of palm wine, or toddy.
We also see churches in a land synonymous with the very beginnings of Christianity: Saint Thomas the Apostle was said to have made a missionary visit to Kerala in 52 AD; to this day Kerala has a significant Christian minority.
On this comfortable floating home you may spend your day relaxing and unwinding. As you slowly cruise along the backwater canals of the Arabian Sea, you may choose to stop and explore some of the many small villages, farmlands, old temples and churches that you come across.
Lunch and Dinner on-board.
Overnight on-board RV Vaikundam River Cruise (B, L, D)
Accomodation - Day 3 Backwaters & departure
Dates & Prices
| Day | City | Hotel/Accomodations | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Backwaters of Kerala | RV Vaikundam
Deluxe Cabin
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L, D
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| 2 | Backwaters of Kerala | RV Vaikundam
Deluxe Cabin
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B, L, D
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| 3 | Backwaters of Kerala |
B
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B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner
Prices
Valid from 1st October 2020 till 15th April 2021
| Particulars | Per Person prices |
| Per Person prices for minimum 2 paying guests staying in twin sharing | INR 20475 |
| Single Room Supplement | INR 20475 |
- 2 nights Accommodation on Twin/Double sharing basis as per the above mentioned River Cruise OR Similar in base category rooms as per above mentioned meal plan.
- All meals
- Evening tea/coffee with light snacks
- All currently applicable taxes
- Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, etc.
- Any Insurance.
- Any tipping.
- All entrance fees at the monuments as per the itinerary.
- Any transport services
- Assistance at the Airports.
- Any meals or beverages that are not specified on the above inclusions.
- Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and air plane delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances, taxes, lost luggage, etc.
- Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Any further tax levied by the government of India.
Suggested trips for Backwaters of Kerala
Handcrafted tours by experts.A Sacred Trail with Kerala Backwaters
- Visit Meenakshi Temple
- Tour of Madurai City
- Explore Kanyakumari (boat ride to visit Vivekanand Memorial)
- Visit Padmanabha Temple, Trivandrum
- 2 Nights Stay on the traditionally built Kerala boat with all meals
- Explore the Kerala Backwaters
- Tour of Fort Cochin
Life on the Backwaters Program
- Visit Ancient Churches
- Bird Watching
- Local Arts & Crafts
- Visit boat building unit
- Meet locals and their cultures
The Hidden Treasures with Kerala Backwaters
- Accommodation in twin sharing basis
- Visit Athirapally Waterfalls
- 2 Nights Stay on the traditionally built Kerala boat with all meals
- Daily Breakfast
- Explore the Kerala Backwaters
- Guided Tour of Fort Cochin (Entrances on Direct Payment)
- All currently applicable taxes
The Masala Chai with Backwaters
- Accommodation in twin sharing basis
- Munnar Tea Gardens
- Spice Plantation tour in Thekkady (Periyar)
- Boat ride in the Periyar Tiger Reserve
- 2 Nights Stay on the traditionally built Kerala boat with all meals
- Daily breakfast
- Explore the Kerala Backwaters
- Guided tour of Fort Cochin (Entrances on direct payment)
- All applicable taxes