5 nights, 6 days
Including Kochi, Backwaters, Kumarkom, Marari Beach
Airports Arrival Cochin, Departure Cochin
Day 01 Arrival at Cochin International Airport, drive to Kochi (1½ hours).
Pick up at the airport by your driver, travel 40 km to Kochi where you will be taken to your hotel situated within the historic Fort Kochi area. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel or to take a leisurely stroll. In the evening you will go on a sunset cruise. For this you will be driven to Kochi Harbour, where you can also check out the colourful activities of the harbour and the Chinese fishing nets. You might opt to take in the evening Kathakali dance show.
Night in Kochi.
Day 02 Full day visit of Kochi.
Kochi is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city. It is also its main trading centre for spices and seafood. Built around a salt water lagoon of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is in fact a collection of narrow islands and peninsulas. While mainland Eranakulam boasts of concrete shopping malls and glitzy apartment buildings, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi have an old-world charm, with their blend of Dutch, Portuguese and English bungalows and quaint narrow streets. The scenic location of Kochi’s natural harbour, surrounded by palm groves, green fields, inland lakes and backwaters, has enchanted visitors from across the globe for centuries.
You might choose a stroll to take in the atmosphere, to shop or to visit, for example, Jew Town and its synagogue, the Dutch Palace, Saint Francis Church and the Dutch graveyard.
Night in Kochi.
Day 03 Drive to your Kumarakom backwater houseboat (2-3 hours).
You will arrive in Kumarakom late morning to board your backwater houseboat. You will be taken through the canals, sight birds and nature, as well as plantations. You will enjoy the surprises of the colourful and friendly village life that you pass along the way. Dinner on the houseboat is always a memorable experience.
Night on your backwater houseboat.
Day 04 Full day relaxing in the backwaters.
After breakfast, the houseboat will return you to the boat jetty where your driver will be waiting for you. He will drive you to your backwater resort in Kumarakom. You can spend the rest of the day in the way you choose. After a quiet day in the backwaters area, you might opt for a Kerala Ayurveda massage.
Night in Kumarakom.
Day 05 Drive to Marari Beach (1 hour).
This is another leisure day. After a quiet morning in the backwaters area, you will drive to the world famous Marari Beach near Mararikulam, where you can spend the rest of the day in the way you choose. You can relax at the beach or at your resort.
Night at Marari Beach.
Day 06 Drive and drop off at the airport (1½ hours).
The activities for this day will depend on the time available before your flight. Most of our guests choose to relax at the hotel.
You will be driven to Cochin International Airport in time for your return flight.
