Kerala Cruise (South to North)

Detailed Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrive Cochin / Alleppey/ River Vessel

   Alappuzha

   You arrive at Cochin airport, step into the receiving area where you will be met by our representative Drive approx. two and half hour to reach Punnamada in Alleppey to board the Kerala cruise.

   The team on-board welcomes you to the boat and helps you with smooth check-in. Gather at the lounge for a safety briefing about the boat and about the cruise through Alleppey – the Granary/Rice Bowl of Kerala till Cochin. We set sail. Unwind, as the boat leaves behind the bustling township and cruises gently to the villages interspersed along the tranquil emerald green water world of rivers, lakes, lagoons, canals and coastal estuaries, expanses of paddy fields, swaying tall coconut trees, banana plantations and variety of tropical fruit bearing trees. Enjoy the traditional lunch and relax on-board.

   We talk about Alleppey – the Green Venice of the East, its geographical, cultural and social significance. We visit the village Kanjippadom for a leisurely walk. We meet the carpenters at the boat building yard and talk about the traditional method of building wooden boats (Kettuvallom), joining wooden planks using coir, cotton and natural resin. Return to boat and cruise till dusk. After dinner we retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

2. Day 2 Kanjippadom – Karumadi – Thotapally

   Alappuzha

   Today after breakfast we sail to a quaint village Karumadi. We take a walk around a small shrine preserving the ruin of a sculpture of Buddha that belongs to the early centuries of current era.

   We cruise to the coastal village, Thotapally, passing by the spillway at the southern area of Kuttanad preventing the saline water from flooding the low-lying paddy fields. We talk about indigenous practices of paddy cultivation in Kuttanad.

   We cruise to the interiors watching the indigenous practice cultivation of paddy on land below Sea level. Along the way we interact with toddy tappers, who are in to the occupation of collecting the sap of coconut palm to make the local alcoholic beverage - Toddy.

   Honouring your cruise with us, we plant sapling of coconut. Coconut tree is considered as the ‘Kalpavriksha ‘or the Divine tree of Kerala. All parts of coconut tree are useful in one way or the other: the water inside is a healthy drink; the fresh kernel and the oil extract from dried kernel are inevitable components of every cuisine; fiber from the coconut husk is used to make coir, mats and geotextile; the palm fronds are used for thatching roof; the wood suitable for making furniture and all the dried parts of coconut make good firewood. Last but not the least, the toddy – the boost for the laborers toiling in the fields.

   We take a short walk to the beach to enjoy the sunset. Return to boat and relax. After dinner, retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

3. Day 3 Excursion from Thotapally

   Changankari

   Today we will have early breakfast and take a short drive to visit an ancient sacred grove where serpents are worshipped. This is the only temple in Kerala having female priests. You can take a walk inside and see the rituals going on. We continue the journey through the midland to Konni to spend time with elephants at a shelter at the backdrop of forest.

   Proceed to Aranmula village which is home to a family of craftsmen who are skilled at making mirror out of a special combination of certain metals. The secret of the trade has been passed down through generations. These mirrors have the distinctive feature of 100% reflection, unlike the common mirror.

   Local people consider it as auspicious to keep it at home to attract prosperity and luck.

   We visit the mirror makers and watch the different stages of the work. We will have lunch at a beautiful house of the village, located on the bank of the Holy River Pampa. We listen to the story of the annual ritualistic regatta of Snake boats of the village.

   Return to Changankari, relaxing in the serenity around. After dinner retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

4. Day 4 Changankari – Champakkulam - Nedumudy – Pulinkunnu

   Pulinkunnu

   Enjoy a leisurely walk. After breakfast, we proceed to Champakkulam village. Kerala’s old spice trade used to pass through this town en route to Cochin and other ports on the west coast. Settled more than 1000 years ago by Syrian Christian traders, who later converted to Roman Catholicism under the Portuguese, the people chose to keep their syncretic cultural heritage. This can be seen in the monumental St Mary’s Church on the riverside. Built in 1550, the foundations are said to be as old as 5th century AD. Architecturally, it is a mélange of several European styles, from the Levantine altar and structure to the Dutch arches that tower overhead.

   We visit St. Mary’s church and a school and meet the local artisans (open on weekdays) who make biblical heroes.

   We can also see the Snake boat (Chundan Vallom) , the pride of the villagers, gracefully docked. These types of boats being used for races today in modern days were once, maritime war boats and their structure and design reflect the prowess of ancient Kerala architecture. Over a hundred oarsmen race the very narrow and long boat at high speeds to the beat of drums from the aft. Return to the boat and we cruise to Nedumudy. Lunch will be served while cruising. After lunch, we drive for over an hour through the quaint and scenic villages to Mannar which is famous for bell metal and brassware crafts. Interact with the artisans; inspire them, watching the indigenous method of casting of traditional lamps, utensils and ornate locks. Return to Nedumudy and cruise to Pulinkunnu village for over-night halt.

   Get closer to the life along the way, paddling along narrow canal by country boat, interacting with the villagers. Return to the boat. After dinner retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   

   St. Mary’s Church

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

5. Day 5 Pulinkunnu-Kainakari-Kavalam

   Kavalam

   This day after breakfast we cruise to Kainakari.

   Here we visit Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of Saint Kuriakose Chavara which is now preserved as a museum. Saint Chavara, the first canonized Catholic male saint of Indian origin, was the co-founder of the first congregation for men, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate – C.M.I, and of a similar one for women, Congregation of the Mother of Carmel C.M.C. While cruising lunch will be served on board. We arrive in Kavalam where river Pampa reverses its course and drain into Lake Vembanad. You may take the ferry to explore the region, walk along the dykes surrounding the expanses of paddy fields and interact with the farmers and women’s collective. We continue the cruise till dusk. Dinner on–board and retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

6. Day 6 Kavalam – Kumarakom

   Kumarakom

   After having breakfast, cruise to the expanses of lake Vembanad experiencing its wetland ecosystem. We visit a farmhouse.

   This house is located on an island which was made by the men of the house, by reclaiming land from Backwaters. A walk in the farm will be educative. The hostess will demonstrate the preparation of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine. You may also try your hand at cooking and listen to the story of her family, of three generations of hard working men, and equally strong women who supported their pioneering spirit. We will have lunch at this house. Return to our boat and relax.

   We set out by country boat to watch the migratory and endemic birds of Kumarakom, which is a cluster of lagoons of lake Vembanad, at the backdrop of mangroves, paddy fields and coconut groves. Waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck are some of the endemic species seen here. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons.

   Return to our boat and cruise to Thanneermukkom for overnight halt. The barrage at Thanneermukkom built across Vembanad, the largest lake of Kerala, divides the lake into two; one half with perennial salty water and the other with fresh water enriched by rivers.

   Relax on the boat, enjoying the gentle breeze and the beauty of the vastness and serenity of the majestic lake. After dinner retire for the night.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   

   Go bird watching at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

7. Day 7 Kumarakom - Chenganda - Vaikom

   Vaikom

   After breakfast we sail to Chenganda village. The people of this rustic village are having a laid-back and peaceful life. Spend time with the coir weavers, the shell harvesters and farmers, engaging in conversation about the riparian life and watching various indigenous techniques of fishing. Return to boat and have lunch on-board.

   By evening we arrive in the ancient village Vaikom, By tuk-tuk we proceed to the cultural centre in the locality to watch the traditional dance performance - Kathakali, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays stories from epics. It is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and make-up.

   We take a tour around the temple to get to know about its history and architecture. The architecture of temples in Kerala is based on ancient science of construction and geographical features of the land. As per the traditional architecture, the each element of temple represents an element of human body, and, a temple is not only the space for spiritual enlightenment but also the venue for harmonious social networking.

   Tonight we celebrate our sojourn over farewell dinner on board.

   Overnight on board RV Vaikundam (B, L, D)

   

   Kathakali performance closeup by Appaiah / CC BY

   Watch a Kathakali performance

   

   Vaikkom Mahadeva Temple (2) by Vinayaraj / CC BY

   Mahadeva Temple

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam

8. Day 8 Marad- Deboard and drive to Cochin

   Kochi

   After breakfast, we set sail, gently cruising by the islands interspersed along rivers, lake and coastal estuaries. We talk about Cochin, the Queen of Arabian Sea, its geographical, cultural and social significance. Arrive at Marad and disembark from boat. Drive to the nearby village Nettoor, to watch Kalaripayattu - traditional martial art of Kerala which is said to have given birth to all martial arts including Karate. Drop to either your hotel or, to the airport and the cruise program ends. Thereafter, drive to Cochin City.

   Later in the evening, check out & drive to Cochin airport to connect with your International flight.

   (B)

   

   Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts)

   Accomodation

   

   RV Vaikundam