Kerala Backwater Romance

Arrive at Cochin by Flight. You will be met on arrival in Cochin and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cochin for 02 nights One of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast, Kochi earlier known as Cochin, is the oldest European settlement in India. Many influences including Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese are contained within its environment. With its wealth of historical associations and beautiful setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin or Kochi, reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. Traders from the West came to Kerala as far back as the 3rd century B.C. and took back with them spices, ivory and teak. Much later, in the 15th century, the Portuguese, Dutch, French and British came to this region in the guise of merchants, some to stay on as colonial rulers. They all left their impression on the town. Modern Cochin is a splendid mosaic myriad where Portuguese architecture and British influences all blend harmoniously with the basic thread of Kerala's rich heritage. Here you can also see the oldest church in India.

Morning sight seeing tour of Cochin City. Evening attend Kathakali Dance Performance. Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin includes a visit to the Dutch Palace originally built by the Portuguese, which houses a fine collection of mural paintings. The Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 & magnificently decorated with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Visit the St. Francis Church, which is the oldest church, built by Europeans in India. See the Chinese Fishing nets that line the tip of Fort Cochin and which are the only ones of their kind in India. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. Finally visit the Hill Palace Museum (closed on Mondays), which displays articles of archeological importance. In the evening attend a Traditional Kathakali dance performance.The Dance involves the enactment of an episode from the epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata The performers convey moods, emotions and inner sensibilities by facial expressions and gestures. The costume of the Kathakali dance is a striking sight. The elaborate facial paint made from rice power treated with various colors, is an indication of the nature of the character being portrayed. The heroes have green faces; the villain’s red or black, while the holy men and female characters have yellow faces.

Disembark houseboat at Alleppey, you will be met and transferred to Kovalam, a journey of about 04 hours. Overnight stay in Kovalam for 02 nights. The internationally renowned beach, which is a strip of golden land lying side by side with the serene blue waters of Arabian sea and rich greenery of the coconut groves, has been developed into an integrated seaside resort. Kovalam consists of three consecutive crescent shaped beaches, a massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. There are numerous bars and cafes lined up on the shore side and you can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood or continental cuisine.