Cochin and a Cruise Along the Backwaters of Kerala
South India Extension: The Malabar Coast
Overview
Roam the narrow lanes of Cochin, set along the Arabian Sea and a favorite port of call in the spice trade for two thousand years. Then, in enchanting tropical Kerala, watch the pageant of traditional riverside life as you journey through tranquil waterways and overnight aboard a beautiful private houseboat (and enjoy the good life as your on-board chef serves you a selection of savory Keralan cuisine!).
Arrive: Delhi, India
Depart: Delhi, India
Highlights
- Explore by houseboat in enchanting tropical Kerala, watch the pageant of riverside life
- Visit the port city Cochin on the Arabian Sea
Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel for your overnight...Meals on your own
Morning transfer from your hotel to the Delhi Airport for your flight to Cochin (now known as Kochi), an intriguing old city set along the Arabian Sea, and an important stop along the historic spice trade attracting a mix of Arab, Christian, and Jewish settlers and traders from the Middle East. In the afternoon, enjoy a walk through the old lanes of Fort Cochin, a quiet European enclave that still contains some fine old British mansions and a few Dutch cottages, and sunset on a harbor cruise...BL
Europeans arrived in Cochin in the early 15th century and were welcomed by the Rajas of Cochin who were keen to expand the spice trade. By 1800, Cochin was part of the British Madras Presidency. In your full day of guided explorations today (with lunch at a local restaurant), visit Mattancherry Palace, locally known as the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese and given as a gift to the Rajas of Cochin, a synagogue, and the spice market, and walk along the Fort Cochin waterfront to see the traditional Chinese fishing nets and fishermen's stalls selling their fresh catch. In the evening, witness the Kathakali dance performance, the elaborate and ancient dance-drama native to Kerala, which is traditionally presented in temple courtyards...BL
Head to the romantic port town of Alleppey (known now as Alappuzha), once one of the best known seaports of the Malabar Coast (drive time: 2 hours). On arrival, board a private houseboat that is your overnight accommodation as well as your vehicle for a relaxing cruise through the tranquil “backwaters” of Kerala, a beautiful region sandwiched between the sea and the hills of Cochin. A journey through this quiet region reveals the picturesque rural life of Kerala people working their fields with water buffaloes, fishing with nets from traditional longboats, and washing their clothes at the water's edge. You may even see some school boats (no school buses here) transporting uniformed children. The natural setting ranges from brilliant green paddy fields to tropical canopies dense with banana trees and coconut palms. As you glide along the waters, you can catch a view through the trees of the small farms, homes, churches, and mosques that dot the canals and lakes. Lunch and dinner are on board, a selection of savory Keralan cuisine served by your on-board chef. Overnight on board...BLD
After breakfast, disembark at Alleppey for your transfer to Cochin Airport. After lunch at a restaurant near the airport, depart on your return flight to Delhi, connecting with your homeward-bound flights...BL
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting India. Your visa must be obtained prior to arrival.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.