Kerala Backwaters & Beaches

18 – 27 November, 2024

Cochin – Munnar – Backwaters houseboat – Kumarakom – Marari Beach – Cochin

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Cochin ( Forte Kochi – Luxury heritage hotel – Deluxe room )
• Munnar ( Windermere Estate – Estate room )
• Backwater ( Overnight Cruise – Premium houseboat – AC Cabin )
• Kumarakom (Kumarakom Lake resort (Garden cottage)
• Marari ( CGH Marari Beach Resort & Spa – Luxury beach resort – Garden villa )

Ayurveda Rejuvenation/ Wellness Package 

5 day rejuvenation package Marari Beach Resort includes Ayurveda treatments as per the Doctor’s advice (up to 9 treatments will be done), all meals (including Ayurveda diets) and accommodation. Mindful activities including daily yoga and meditation.

POST TOUR EXTENSION
• Kovalam ( Hotel Niraamaya Retreat – 5 star retreat – Heritage premium cottage )

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 Forte Kochi 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 Forte Kochi Hotel.

Day 3

Cochin / Munnar Breakfast time. Drive to Munnar, the idyllic hill station famous for its tea estates and exotic lush greenery. It serves as the commercial centre for some of the world’s largest tea estates. The rolling hills around Munnar are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations contoured, clipped and sculpted like ornamental hedges, often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to mountaintops. Check in to Windermere Estate, a boutique property set in the heart of a working coffee and cardamom plantation, surrounded by lush tea gardens, set high in the breathtaking green hills. Enjoy evening and dinner at your leisure in these tranquil surroundings. Overnight at the Windermere Estate.

Day 4

Munnar Breakfast time. Morning one hour yoga & meditation session. Followed by a tour and visit to museum and tea plantation to learn about the process of the regions tea making. After sampling tea return to the estate. Option to visit Shristi (The Charitable Trust which educates specially-abled children of the plantation community workers ). There's a cosy library to enjoy the spectacular vistas, above the country-inspired restaurant, which delivers Indian cuisine rooted in homegrown produce. Free time for dinner. Overnight at the Windermere Estate Retreat.

Day 5

Munnar / Houseboat Breakfast time. Morning one hour yoga & meditation session. Drive 5hrs to Alleppey where you will embark onboard the houseboat. Lunch on board and afternoon visit to a local village. Cruising along the palm tree-lined backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat, watching local villages and lush jungle slip by while your on-board chef cooks up a storm, is an essential South Indian experience. Enjoy dinner and special local band performance. Overnight aboard the luxury houseboat.

Day 6

Houseboat / Kumarakom Breakfast on board. Disembark back at Alleppey and drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is full of country crafts, mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals. Day at leisure to soak in the beautiful setting and tranquil environment surrounding this resort. Dinner and overnight at Kumerakom Lake Resort.

Day 7

Kumarakom Breakfast then mid-morning take a Country boat transfer to a charming local backwaters Farm, beautifully situated along the backwaters.  The organic farm grows coconut, nutmeg, bananas, cocoa, spices, and much more. Enjoy a Cooking class followed by a traditional lunch prepared in the demonstration. Transfer back to your lake resort. Rest of day and evening at leisure. Overnight at Kumerakom Lake Resort.

Day 8

Kumarakom / Marari Breakfast. Mid-morning Transfer to Marari and check in to the beach resort. Rest of day at leisure. Dinner and Overnight at the Marari Beach Resort.

Day 9

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

Day 10

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

KERALA WELLNESS post tour EXTENSION
5 Days /4 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.

A separate pre-paid mandatory tipping supplement is given to cover all general daily tipping and local driver, his assistant and accompanying local guide. To be paid at time of final payment. 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

10 Days /9 Nights
$7,145 ( twin share per person )*
$2,750 ( single supplement )*
Locally escorted small group tour
( Based on 8–12 passengers )

Upgrade Garden Villa
with private pool at
CGH Marari Beach Resort
$360 ( twin share per person )

POST TOUR EXTENSION
AYURVEDA REJUVENATION/ WELLNESS PACKAGE
5 Days /4 Nights
On Request ( twin share per person )
On Request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )