Day 01 Arrival Cochin

Cochin is an ideal base to discover the rich heritage of Kerala. Once the center of the spice trade and now the principal port on the Malabar Coast. Cochin's rich and varied history bears testimony to Portuguese, Dutch and British influences over the centuries. Vasco de Gama reached its shores in 1502.

After lunch you can take an evening boat cruise around the Bolghatty Palace. You can view the picturesque Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against the horizon at sunset.

Dinner at Hotel.

Day 02 Cochin
Discover the historic town of Cochin on a sightseeing tour. The Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. St. Francis Church the oldest in the region. The Jewish Synagogue built in 1568, preserves scrolls of the Old Testament in Hebrew. The Spice Market and the old Jewish Quarter are worth a visit.

Return to hotel for Lunch. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at Hotel.

Day 03 On Board M.V. Vrinda
After breakfast at 10:30 hours you will be transferred to the Vembanad Lake Jetty approx 55 Kms & an hour and fifteen minutes drive.

1300 hours: From the Vembabad Lake Jetty, Vrinda will sail across the Vembanad Lake and enter the backwaters. Lunch will be served on board. The vessel will sail along these scenic waterways for four and half hours. Vrinda will return to the Vembanbad Lake in time for you to watch the sunset. Later in the evening you can watch a Mohiniattam /Kathakali dance. Mohiniattam the classical dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is also called the 'Dance of the Enchantress' Dancers attired in beautiful traditional costumes will perform with slow, graceful movements and highly emotive expressions. Kathakali" dance which tells stories from the ancient Hindu epics - Ramayana and Mahabarata. Performances begin with the application of elaborate makeup which is based in traditional Ayurvedic principles.

Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake Jetty. Dinner on Board.

Day 4 On board Vrinda, with a rice boat excursion
At 7 a.m., Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, towards Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on board.
The vessel will enter the waterways of the Pamba river through the Alleppey canal.
Sailing through scenic backwaters, guests can observe life along these "water highways" while passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level.
The vessel will anchor near Kanjippadam and guests will be transferred to a traditional rice boat to navigate through the narrower sections of the backwaters.
For the next few hours, guests will observe and experience a way of life unique to this region, accompanied by a guide. This section of the cruise includes a visit to the half-statue of Lord Buddha at Karumadi and a traditional Kerala tharavad (family residence).
Later in the day, guests return to Motor Vessel Vrinda where lunch will be served as the boat passes through picturesque stretches of the backwaters on the way back to Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East". Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board.

Day 05 On Board M.V. Vrinda
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. After breakfast, it will sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The vessel will anchor at Chambakulam by mid-morning and you will be transferred to a traditional rice boat. You will explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church established by St. Thomas in 1721.

Return to Vrinda for lunch. Afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters as you sail in a traditional rice boat and experience a way of life unique to this region. Visit some of the ancient temples en route. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters to Alleppey, knows as the "Venice of the East", At Alleppey you will board Vindra to return to the Vembanad Lake. Dinner on board.

Day 06 Return to Cochin
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. Breakfast will be served on board. The vessel will return to the Vembanad Lake Jetty. You will check out at 10.00 hours and you will be transported by air-conditioned vehicle back to Cochin.