Kerala Backwaters Christmas & New Year cruise

23 December, 2024 – 4 January, 2025

Cochin – Backwaters houseboat – Marari Beach – Cochin

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Cochin ( Eighth Bastion – Boutique hotel – Deluxe room )
• Backwater ( 8 day /7 night Cruise – Premier houseboat – AC Cabin )
• Marari ( CGH Marari Beach Resort & Spa – Luxury beach resort – Garden villa )

POST TOUR EXTENSION
Ayurveda Rejuvenation/ Wellness Package 
• Marari ( CGH Marari Beach Resort & Spa – Luxury beach resort – Garden villa ) *private pool villa upgrade
6 day /5 night rejuvenation package Marari Beach Resort includes 1-2 daily Ayurveda treatments as per the Doctor’s advice, all meals ( including Ayurveda diets ) and accommodation. Mindful activities including daily yoga and meditation.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Cochin  Transfer with a guide and arrive at your heritage hotel in Cochin, rich with Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. Overnight at Eighth Bastion Hotel.

Day 2

Cochin Breakfast time. Morning heritage visit of Fort Kochi and time exploring the Dutch colonial port city of Cochin, originally known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. One of the most important trading posts on the Spice Route, Cochin’s multi-cultural past is evident in Chinese fishing nets introduced by Kubla Khan’s court, Dutch palaces and Portuguese forts. Explore the back streets and spice markets to learn the history of the spice trade in India. Late afternoon visit cultural ‘Kathakli Dance’ centre to see the elaborate costumes and make up session. Welcome seafood dinner along the seaside promenade. Overnight at Eighth Bastion Hotel.

Day 3

Cochin / Houseboat Breakfast time. Drive to Alleppey where you will embark onboard the houseboat. Traditional lunch on board. Cruise along the palm tree lined backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat, as you watch local villages and lush jungle slip by. Afternoon visit to a local village and boat building yard. Dinner and overnight aboard houseboat.

Day 4

Houseboat Breakfast on board. Cruise to quaint village Karumadi and visit its small ancient shrine and sculpture of the Buddha. Lunch on board followed by an afternoon walk to see and experience life along the coast. Optional cycling expedition. Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 5

Houseboat Breakfast on board. This morning enjoy a leisurely walk in the laid back village you are anchored at. Drive to an ancient sacred grove where serpents are worshipped, and the only temple in Kerala with female priests. Continue to the ancient village of Mannar, famous for its bell metal craft. Return to houseboat in time for lunch and a relaxing afternoon cruising along the canals whilst listening to an informative lecture by a professional Ayurveda doctor. Optional cycling tour to a nearby sacred grove. Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 6

Houseboat Breakfast on board. Drive to an ancient village famous for its metal mirrors, unique to this locale which have not been replicated anywhere else in India. Visit the temple of Lord Krishna and enjoy a traditional lunch at the beautiful house of a local family, which is situated on the riverbank. After lunch return to houseboat and sail to a village, which is part of the ancient Spice Route trail. Visit St Mary’s church, one of the oldest in Kerala. Stroll around the town, interact with school children and visit local artisans. Return to houseboat and cruise to a remote village to watch a cultural local dance performance. Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 7

Houseboat Breakfast on board. Take a local country boat, cruising through the narrow canals, to get up close to the laid-back, harmonious river life along the way. Visit the ancestral home and museum of the first canonised Catholic male saint. Return to houseboat in time for lunch. Cruise to Kavalam, take a ferry to explore the region, walk along the dykes around the paddy fields and interact with the farmers and local women’s collective. Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 8

Houseboat Breakfast on board. Today explore the magnificence of Vembanad Lake and the confluence of 4 rivers. Home to a variety of flora, birds and fish, cruise past lagoons and islands. Visit the home of a Syrian Christian family for lunch and cooking demonstration class. Located on a farm and situated on a island, this is a fully immersive backwaters experience. Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 9

Houseboat Breakfast on board. Early morning local country boat to explore the migratory and endemic birds of Kumarakom, a cluster of lagoons and wetland eco-system. Sail to the village of Chenganda, known for its coir weavers and clam harvesters. Drop anchor and tuk tuk ride to visit the Cultural Centre to watch a performance Kathakali. This is the traditional dramatic dance form, which is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and elaborate costume and make up. Farewell Dinner and overnight aboard Houseboat.

Day 10

Houseboat / Marari Breakfast on board and disembark your houseboat for a drive to a local village to watch a demonstration of the traditional Martial art of Kalari. This practise will take place at the training centre. Afterwards, continue your journey to Marari beach and check into luxury resort. Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 11

Marari Breakfast at the Resort. Full day at leisure. Dinner and Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 12

Marari Breakfast at the Resort. Full day at leisure. Dinner and Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 13

Marari / Cochin / Departure Breakfast. Day at leisure until check out and transfer to Cochin International Airport for your departure home.

KERALA WELLNESS post tour EXTENSION
6 Days /5 Nights

Marari Beach Resort & Spa Meet with the resort’s Ayurvedic doctor for consultation to plan your Wellness Package for the next 5 days. You will enjoy a combination of 1-2 daily Ayurveda massages and treatments and mindful relaxation including daily yoga and meditation. You also have the option for a Ayurvedic menu to be designed for you, to fully immerse yourself in total mind body and soul rejuvenation.

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.

WHERE TO SHOP

Kerala is known for oils and essence. The best and purest forms of oils and essence are found here. Kochi’s options to shop almost rivals its obsession with food. Pick up an array of packaged spices on offer, such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, tamarind, cloves and bay leaves… let the wafting aromas guide you there.

In Cochin there are many varieties of cotton clothes and silk emporiums... you can’t leave without buying at least one traditional saree. Along with colourful bead handicrafts, brass bangles, metal mirrors, silver and gold jewellery.

Always a trade destination, from tradtional merchants to hip, young designers who create modern, fresh styles and fashion.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air-conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides and most meals. Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

13 Days /12 Nights
$5,999 ( twin share per person )*
$7,999 ( single per person )*
Private tour
( Based on 2 passengers travelling )

Upgrade Garden Villa
with private pool at
CGH Marari Beach Resort
$670 ( twin share per person )
$643 ( single supplement )

POST TOUR EXTENSION
AYURVEDA REJUVENATION/ WELLNESS PACKAGE
6 Days /5 Nights
On Request ( twin share per person )
On Request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )