The Backwaters & Beaches of Kerala
Starting from: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram
Season: All year
Duration: 9+ days
Highlights: Kochi - Alleppey houseboat - Vembanad lake - Marari beach - Poovar beach - Kovalam beach - Thiruvananthapuram
Holidays
Relax in the backwaters and spend a night cruising on a houseboat before heading to the beautiful coast. Experience village life, local people and fantastic local cuisine.
This holiday is perfect for travelers who are interested in a relaxed experience of the natural beauty, cuisine and culture of Kerala.
We help with all the arrangements - a private vehicle with a driver, local guides where necessary, handpicked quality accommodation as per your choice, a personalised itinerary, and local assistance during your trip; to make sure that this is the trip of a lifetime!
Each of our holidays is a personal experience and our goal is to design an itinerary that matches your dream trip. Below is a 9 day / 8 night itinerary to give a general idea of our Backwaters & Beaches itinerary starting from Kochi and ending at Thiruvananthapuram:
Day 1 - Arrival & Kochi
Arrive in Kochi. Later in the day take a guided walk around the Fort Kochi area followed by a traditional dance performance.
Overnight in Kochi.
Day 2 & 3 - Backwaters & the Vembanad lake
Drive to Alleppey from where you take a relaxing boat ride to your resort on the Vembanad lake.
Spend the next two days in traditional wooden homes admiring the beautiful views over the lake, listening to the birds, spending time with the locals and enjoying their fantastic food.
Optional add-ons:
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
- Ayurvedic treatment
Day 4 - Houseboat on the backwaters
Stay on a houseboat to enjoy an authentic experience of life on the backwaters and the time when rice, spices and coir were carried by boats through the canals of Alleppey.
Enjoy local cuisine prepared by your own personal chef.
Day 5 & 6 - Marari beach & villages
After the tranquillity of the backwaters, it is now time to experience Kerela's beautiful coastline. Drive to a coast where you will stay in a village by the sea amidst farms, coconut groves and fruit orchards.
Spend the next two days walking on golden beaches with graceful palm trees, discovering the unique ecosystem of the Malabar coast or experiencing life in the nearby villages and the harbour.
Optional add-ons:
- Village experience
- Ayurvedic treatment
Day 7 & 8 - Poovar Island
A perfect finish to your backwaters and beaches holiday with two nights in a cottage afloat on the backwaters overlooking the sea.
Surrounded by coconut groves and on a beautiful golden sand beach, this island resort makes for a unique experience.
Optional add-ons:
- Cooking lesson
- Ayurvedic treatment
Day 9 - Thiruvananthapuram & Departure
Drive to Thiruvananthapuram stopping on the way for a bit at the famous Kovalam beach.
Depending on your flight back, it is possible to spend some time in the city.
Since the exact itinerary is customised for your arrival and departure times, activities and tours you choose, and the pace of your trip; these might change to balance your daily travelling time.
We can of course also accommodate any preferences you have.
Here are some of the ways in which we can customise this trip:
- Add extra days to slow down the pace or enrich your itinerary with more time for activities or detours
- Cut a day or two from the itinerary to allow for reduced time or budget
- Create a themed itinerary with an emphasis on your favourite activity or interest f.e. history, culture, art, architecture, cuisine etc.
Price from: 1,763 USD per person on a twin-sharing basis in summer
Inclusions:
- Accommodation with breakfast for 8 nights as specified in the itinerary
- Chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned car for transfers between accommodations and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Traditional Dance show in Kochi
- Current applicable taxes
- Contact person in India
Note: These prices are not applicable for festival dates and Christmas-New Years period.
Notes:
We offer a variety of comfortable vehicles for different group sizes with a local driver, and a guide for the sightseeing.
We offer a wide variety of accommodations from star category hotels to heritage hotels, all well rated and located so as to balance your daily travel time.
Your detailed itinerary will include must-see attractions and offbeat sights. We can also add tours and activities of your choice, restaurant recommendations and any other special interests you have. Some of this might require adding extra time to the trip.
And of course, we are always available for questions or assistance during your trip.
Additional information for your trip will be sent to you after the booking. This will include details about weather and clothing, currencies and payments, electricity system, food and water, safety, contact info, and other useful tips.