A Voyage of Discovery

A two week holiday staying at a range of delightful retreats in Southern India. It includes a three night cruise into the heart of the Keralan Backwaters aboard a custom built luxury boat. "Discovery" has a virtually silent engine and is pollutant free ensuring that it is a completely eco-friendly vessel. Its streamlined design allows you to delve deeper into many of the hitherto inaccessible labyrinthine waterways. Drift along and experience a peaceful tranquility as you observe a way of life little changed over hundreds of years. Finish your holiday in style, relaxing in indulged comfort on a delightful beach resort.

Day

Activity

Recommended Hotels

Depart London for Cochin

Overnight Flight

Upon arrival in Cochin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

You will be met and escorted on a private sightseeing tour of Cochin.

You will be transferred from Cochin to Privacy, at Sanctuary Bay, where you will meet Discovery and her crew. In the evening the boat will arrive at Ambalapuzha, famed for its Temple, with its paintings of Lord Vishnu. You will have the opportunity to visit a local dance school and a Tharavadu (Ancestral home). Whilst here you will be able to observe the ritualistic art form known as Kalamezhuthu. Using the floor as his canvas the artist uses multicoloured powders to create images, at the end of the ritual the image is erased to the accompaniment of musical instruments. In addition you will also be able to witness the spectacular martial art dance the "Vellakalli". Once back aboard Discovery you will cruise to Thandapara where the boat will be anchored.

After breakfast you will cruise towards Mannar, where you will be able to visit a local brass manufacturer and a local market. After lunch you will cruise towards Edathuva and stop at Payipad. A road transfer will be arranged to Thiruvalla Sree Vallabhaswamy Temple where you can witness a Kathakali dance performance for which Kerala is famous.

After winding through narrow canals, you will arrive at an old ancestral house and will be shown the local granary "Arra" and the "Sarppa - Kavu" Temple where snakes are worshipped. Lunch will consist of typical Keralan fare served on a banana leaf. After lunch there is an interesting farm visit which includes rubber tapping and toddy tapping. In the evening you will be transferred back to your boat by "Tuk Tuk" (auto rickshaw). Once aboard you will cruise toward "Privacy" and halt in lake Vembanad where you will have dinner and moor for the night.

You will be met at "Privacy" jetty and transferred by road up into the Western Ghats, to Thekkady. This is a very scenic drive, as the mountains are dramatic, the road winding and the waterfalls spectacular.

An early morning start as you will be taken into Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a full day programme which includes both trekking in the forest and bamboo rafting on the lake. Lunch will be provided.

You will be met and transferred higher into the mountains to Munnar.

Free to explore Munnar and the surrounding areas.

You will be met and transferred back down to the coast, to the tiny fishing village of Mararikulam.