Houseboat Cruise

6 Nights/ 7 Days

Places visited: Cochin – Varkala – Kumarakom – Periyar – Cochin

The immense advantage of the sightseer, Kerala offers you the opportunity to relish its resplendence comfortably stationed in a houseboat. The houseboats are innovative versions of its ancestor, the ‘kettuvallom’. The kettuvalloms have been popularly used as a means of transport. The construction of these are thoroughly indigenous and eco friendly to the hilt. Wooden planks are tied with ropes made of coconut husk.

The houseboats are a technical marvel. Their design incorporates the best of the old and the new. Even while retaining the strong flavour of traditionalism, they are nothing less than the standards of a star residential hotel when it comes to comforts and conveniences. Meticulously furnished and elegantly floored, these houseboats provide you the choice of single, double or triple bedrooms. The houseboats come attached with a neat, flushing WC and kitchenette. Some houseboats offer the luxury of a private balcony and sun decks with comfortable chairs.

To suit the pockets of the paying tourist, houseboats also provide dormitory services. The brilliance of the moonlit night comes alive in a time-honoured lantern, though the houseboats are equipped with modern lighting and fanning amenities by using solar energy. At your assistance would be the crew comprising of the oarsmen and the guide and the chef. The houseboats, with their separate crew quarters, are powered by a small engine.

The food is made by the master chefs and is served piping hot. The ingredients are generally purchased on the way to retain its freshness. The menu generally comprises of local mouth-watering delicacies. To heighten the feel of classicism, food is served on a banana leaf, complete with its paraphernalia.

A stay in these magnificent dwellings on water is an ideal and recommended way to unwind. By indulging in the pleasure of ‘doing nothing’, you will feel refurbished at the end of your cruise. Lazing and relaxing in the sun decks of the houseboats is one of the most popular activities. Besides this, you can explore the aquatic fauna and flora; try fishing, bird watching or just draw in the sweet-smelling air of the dawn and the dusk. Sailing on a houseboat along the backwaters is the pièce de resistance item on any excursion to Kerala.

Day 1 : Cochin – Varkala

Morning drive to Varkala (100 kms). Upon arrival in Varkala – check in at Hotel. Rest of the day free for own activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 : Varkala

Morning visit the Portuguese church of Anjengo dated to the time of occupation, which maybe the Elanchoros of the geography of Ptomempee (2nd century A.D.). Also visit the English Fort constructed in 1695 A.D. by the English ‘East India Company’. Afternoon free. Overnight at hotel

Day 3 : Varkala – Kumarakom

Morning drive to Kumarakom (100 kms), check in at hotel.

Afternoon visit the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent wooded marshland – which boasts of egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles, bee-eaters & a whole host of herons. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 : Kumarakom

Full day at leisure. (You can opt for Ayurvedic therapy on direct payment basis). Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 : Kumarakom – Periyar

Morning drive to Periyar (120 kms), check in at hotel. Afternoon boat cruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Periyar Lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of the lake for a drink. Thereafter at leisure to explore the neighbouring spice market. Overnight at hotel

Day 6: Periyar

Full day at leisure. (You can opt for Ayurvedic therapy on direct payment basis). Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 : Periyar – Cochin

Morning drive to Cochin (160 kms). Later transfer to the airport for flight back home.