India Tours: Kerala Back Water Paradise Tour Itinerary

Sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic treatments, enchanting art and culture, exotic cuisine – Kerala offers a unique experience. The magnificent little state holds several attractions within its bountiful confines. A vast scope for many exciting adventures is what makes Kerala a favorite haunt!

India Tour Length: 11 days

Day 1 Arrive in Mumbai (Bombay)
On arrival, receive assistance at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Mumbai
In the morning, go for an excursion to Elephanta Island, a World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 7th century, the cave temples on Elephanta dedicated to Lord Shiva contain some of the most magnificent sculptures in the Deccan. The most spectacular is the Maheshamurti panel in which Shiva is shown as a creator, protector and destroyer. In the afternoon go for a city tour of Mumbai, visit the Gateway of India, built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Stop by the Dhobi Ghat, the Flora Fountain and the Hanging Gardens. Drive along the famed Marine Drive, the Chowpatty Beach and the Parsi 'Towers of Silence'. Also visit the Prince of Wales Museum, famous for its Indo-Saracenic architecture. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Mumbai – Cochin
In the morning, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Cochin, the city that perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala with its wealth of historical associations and its setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. On arrival in Cochin, receive assistance at the airport and to transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, go for a city tour of Cochin; visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church's cemetery but eventually his remains were taken to Portugal. In the evening, walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese fishing nets. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced the nets to the Indian subcontinent in the late 14th century. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Cochin – Periyar by surface
In the morning, transfer by road to Periyar, South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, take a boat ride on the Lake Periyar, which is set inside the wildlife sanctuary, and offers the best opportunities for game viewing. One can observe elephants, flying squirrels, stripednecked mongoose and a variety of birds including the Niligiri wood pigeon and white bellied tree pie. Even though the forests have a healthy population of leopards and tigers, one has to be lucky to spot them. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Periyar
In the morning, set off for game viewing in the National Park. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, visit the tea and spice plantations or enjoy a short trek through the forest with an escort. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Periyar – Kumarakom by surface
After breakfast, depart for Kumarakom and transfer to hotel by boat. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. In the evening, take a sunset cruise in a rice boat. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Kumarakom - Alleppey
In the morning, transfer to Alleppey, a pleasant, easy-going market town built on canals and surrounded by coconut trees. Upon arrival, check in to a traditional house boat, standing along Kerala's scenic backwaters. Enjoy the endless stretch of water running miles to nowhere; its banks lined with swaying palms fanning the lush green rice fields below dancing in rhythm with the gentle sea breeze carrying a medley of flavors of fish, coconut and spice. Stay overnight on board the houseboat.

Day 7 Alleppey – Marari by surface
After breakfast, check out from the house boat and drive to Mararikulam. On arrival, check into the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Marari
After breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Marari
After breakfast, enjoy the day at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Marari – Cochin by surface/Depart Cochin
After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, drive back to Cochin. On arrival, transfer to airport for onward travel.