Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Namaste & welcome to incredible Republic of India - one of the friendliest countries on earth, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.

With its sumptuous mix of traditions, spiritual beliefs, festivals, architecture & landscapes, your memories of India will blaze bright long after you have left its shores.

Arrive in Cochin popularly known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, located in Kerala, on the south west coast of India & has been drawing traders, explorers & travellers to its shores for over 600 years.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Cochin International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Now known as Kochi It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and traditionally a potpourri of various Indian & international communities. It was highly influenced by historical trading partners, Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese & Japanese & was controlled by many empires over the centuries.

It was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and this resulted in a unique mix & match of traditional as well Western architecture & lifestyle. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland & an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.

Mainland Ernakulam is the hectic transport & cosmopolitan hub of Kochi, while the historical towns of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry, though popular with tourists, remain wonderfully atmospheric - thick with the smell of the past. Other adjacent islands, including Willingdon & Vypeen, are linked by a network of ferries and bridges.

But despite being ruled by so many different domains, it still maintains its cultural identity and is fiercely proud of it. Kochi is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala and has many Catholic churches & followers.

Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate.

Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity & beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'. It is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala and has many Catholic churches and followers.

Later in the afternoon, around 01.00 pm, you will be met by the Tour-guide for a 3 hour sightseeing tour of the city.

Serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years.

Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant cantilevered fishing nets from China, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries; a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses & the crumbling remains of the British Raj. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows & diverse houses of worship.

The historic district of Fort Cochin (also known as Fort Kochi) is a relaxing blend of Portuguese architecture, rural English ambiance & Dutch heritage in a tropical coastal location. Kochi’s mixed heritage is most evident in photogenic Fort Cochin. The royal family moved here in 1405, and the spice trading Portuguese, Dutch & British arrived from the 1500s onward.

Visitors come here for laidback harbor promenade strolls & island-hopping boat rides through the Kochi Backwaters. Atmospheric laneways wind inland from the boat jetties to the town’s historic European buildings, parade ground & lively spice markets

Proceed across the Cochin Harbour & wander through the Fort Kochi neighborhood as the Tour-guide explains the city’s role in the spice trade.

Visit one of the oldest European churches in the country, Saint Francis Church, built by the Portuguese in 1503, an amalgamation of outside influences on local architecture. The Church has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent & is well-known for its beautiful architecture & ambience. Admire the whitewashed exterior of the Santa Cruz Basilica & its beautifully painted ceiling. On his third visit to India, the great Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama fell ill & died and he is buried here.

Check out the adjacent Paradeshi Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 & rebuilt in 1664 with Chinese willow-patterned tiles & gold crowns and which has ancient scrolls and a large number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script. Situated in the quarter of Old Cochin known as Jew Town near to the Mattancherry Palace temple, on the land donated to the Malabari Yehudenor "Yehuden Mappila" community by the  Maharaja of Kochi, it is the only one of the seven synagogues in the area, still in active use.

Head to Mattancherry Palace (also known as the Dutch Palace) known for its beautifully detailed murals that tell stories of ancient Hindu legends, depicting scenes from the Ramayana & the Mahabharata. Also, see here the dresses & palanquins used by Cochin's erstwhile rulers.

Stop at the famous Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena vala) near the harbour's entrance of Cochin, that were gifted to local fishermen during the reign of Kublai Khan. These elaborate tools are an iconic part of the Kochi coastal life & are fixed land installations for fishing, commonly known as lift nets, common in China & Indonesia

Final stop will be the private Kerala Folklore Museum - a cultural hub to promote & preserve the culture and heritage of South India. It was started & still being managed by a local philanthropist couple Mrs & Mr. George Thaliath, with the aim to preserve the culture, heritage & folk art education for future generations.

This wooden Temple of Art was developed with the help of 62 skilled traditional carpenters working for over 7 years, culling the wood & artifacts from 25 ancient heritage structures and compiling into a single building. The displays show works from traditional architecture to ancient sculptures, wood work, terracotta, Indian bronzes, stone work, paintings, ancient jewelry, utensils, agricultural equipment, coins & all other ethnic artifacts connected with the rural & tribal life of South India. The Museum aims to provide art education to the young generation as well as providing opportunity to the tourists from around the globe to experience the unseen Kerala under one roof. It is a ‘must see’ place for tourist as well as students & researchers of Anthropology.

The sightseeing concludes & you return to the hotel.

Relax for a couple of hours.

Evening around 04.30 pm, meet our Rep who will accompany you to Cochin Cultural Centre to enjoy a performance of traditional Kathakali  Dance form of Kerala and the impressive facial expressions, hand gestures & its dance moves will leave one spellbound.

This dance is characterised by some great story telling, amazing costumes & extensive make-up. Before the performance you “may” have the opportunity to see the preparation & dressing of the artists, which is an experience in itself. You can watch the elaborate make-up session for an hour (usually these take up to 3 hours!) followed by an introductory lesson (15 minutes) when each facial & hand movement is explained (welcome, anger, love, envy, joy).

It is one of the most complex & highly stylized Indian art forms - a dance drama, noted for its heavy & attractive larger-than-life make up, elaborate costumes, detailed synchronized body, eye & hand movements, and thematic presentation of stories performed by men only. It’s popularity traditionally, was confined to palace dance halls, the courtyards of Nair noble households & temple festivals.

After the performance, you will have a unique opportunity to take photographs along with the artists in colorful costumes as a souvenir. Entire performance is supported with commentary in English.

The Show ends but your incredible India experience continues.

From here, proceed to a typical ‘southern’ home of Nimmy & Paul where Nimmy, a celebrity Chef, popular on the tourist circuit, will treat you to sumptuous & authentic Kerala meal amidst the ambience. Depending on the arrival time, you might even enjoy an impromptu cooking lesson.

Return to the hotel.

Overnight.  D 

Morning, depart for Kumarakom. 

Kumarakom, is a tiny backwater hamlet perched on the western banks of the Vembanadu Lake. The stretch of backwater, spread over 900 sq. kms is renowned for its bewitching backwaters and picturesque tropical landscapes. This naturally blessed land has loads to offer even for the most discerning traveler. The unique geographical terrain of the region dispersed with vast paddy fields, palm groves, mangrove forests, lagoons, canals and backwaters make

Kumarakom is quite distinct from any other place in Kerala. Life in this small hamlet revolves around the Vembanad Lake - the lifeline of Kumarakom & people here lead a unique water-based lifestyle quite different from rest of the state.

Check-in at the hotel.

Apart from the scenic backwaters and landscape, Kumarakom is a Mecca for Ornithologists. A vibrant mix of colorful exotic birds and migratory birds makes Kumarakom an attractive destination for bird-lovers from around the globe.

Get up early today & proceed to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary for some early morning bird watching.

A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers

The sanctuary here is teeming with vibrant multi-hued exotic tropical birds and a variety of migratory birds. It is spread across 14 acres and surrounded by lush wooded landscape & plays host to a diverse variety of avian residents. The sanctuary is a safe haven for the egrets, darters, golden backed woodpeckers, herons etc, just to name a few. It is also a favorite stop-over for thousands of migratory birds that flock from as far as the Himalayas and Siberia. The sanctuary, accessible only through water, can be best experienced by a boat. 

Return to the hotel.

Morning at leisure to explore independently (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

In time, proceed to the Jetty on the East side of Vembanad Lake to board the private Rice Boat for a totally different experience cruising along the canals in the Backwaters.

These houseboats or ‘Kettuvalloms’ are equipped with all modern amenities like plush carpets, well-appointed bedrooms & en-suite bathrooms and an on board kitchen. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins.

The boat cruise along the breathtaking backwaters of Alleppey provides a wonderful opportunity to see the lush paddy fields, scenic landscapes & traditional villages situated on the shore of backwaters.in Kuttanad (the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala) & a first-hand experience of the local life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.

These cruise boats offer a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of God's Own Country, travelling through palm-fringed backwaters, where you can see local villages located on the side of the canals. You will enjoy nature at its bountiful best as your houseboat passes by charming villages, lush green paddy fields and other scenic delights.

Get on board & after you are settled in & have enjoyed a calming sweet coconut, the Boat will take a round in the Vembanad Lake before entering the Canal system of what is called, the Kuttanad - the erstwhile rice bowl of Southern India. There is a vast arrangement of geometric rice paddies called Blocks that connect the ancient backwaters to the Lake & sea.

You will stay overnight in your houseboat besides enjoying the authentic Kerala cuisine while  you sail through the gorgeous backwaters, thinking to yourself whether this place is actually untouched by time.

The Boat will stop at one or more of the canal-side fish markets to stock up on some fresh fish for the journey, which gives you a chance to suggest your preferences to add to the menu. You can embellish the Menu with lobster, if available in the market.

The Boat will cruise for short distances & stop periodically to give you the opportunity to get off & walk around the villages. The Boat will moor beside a paddy field for lunch. .

Lunch is actually a rich affair with quite a few dishes that include meat, fish & vegetable dishes, all cooked Kerala style. You will smell the aroma of grilling & frying from the galley at the rear as you cruise.

After lunch, the Boatman raises sail again as you start exploring the canals & byways of this unusual ecosystem. Without roads, all life in the Backwaters takes place on the stage of the canal bank - whether it is washing clothes & children, gossiping or buying fish & stuff from the itinerant boatmen.

You may hear their distinctive cries as they paddle down the canals. Each type of Salesman has a different cry. Later in the afternoon, you will see the children in school uniforms, returning from their schools Alappuzha, on the water ferries. As you travel through the backwaters you will see a wide variety of birds - both wild & domestic - duck farming is popular here & you will encounter flocks of over 1000 birds quacking along the canals.

The water of the Backwater is the reason why this area is so ecologically unique & interesting: the level is below high tide line so the waters are fed from two distinct sources - the sea & the rivers from the mountains and this makes the water slightly brackish & home to species that have evolved to survive this environment.

You will obviously not see below the surface the variety of aquatic life - fish, mussels, clams & prawns. But from the amount of fishing activity that you will see during the day & night - it will be obvious that they are there & in some abundance, too.

If you want to, you may dive in to the waters to come back up with mussels. CNN sends the likes of Anthony Bourdain to sample the mussels harvested here. The trick is to cook it well unlike the gourmet dishes of curing & flash cooking. Despite this, the masalas (spices) added bring out top quality mussel dishes that are quite a revelation. Experience the whole process from fishing to cooking & enjoying a Keralan mussel delicacy.

As the sun starts to set, the Boatmen will find their regular moorings & anchor for the night (usually around 6.00 pm). The Backwater houseboats all moor at the same time to free the waters for the night time Fishermen, who now paddle past quietly on their way to set nets or fish with lights.

This is your chance to enjoy a Sundowner (non-alcoholic) & take in the late afternoon activities of the local society. While you are relaxing in the bows, watching the world go by, the crew will be cooking dinner for you. 

This would be a good time to set out along the banks to discover the world of the Backwaters (one of the crew will be happy to show you around & ensure you notice the minute details of your surroundings which you will remember after you return).

After dinner, the lights are often dimmed t enable you to simply enjoy the peace & calm of the night.

Spend the evening lying on the day bed in the bows puffing on a cigarette or a cigar. Gaze at the moon while lying peacefully on the deck as you listen to the soft splashes of water against the houseboat (which is docked for the night). When sleep hits, retire to your cool cabin & fall asleep with the gentle rocking of the boat.

Morning, get up early & enjoy breakfast aboard as the Boat cruises towards the jetty at Alleppey where the Cruise ends & you disembark around 07.30 am. 

Alappuzha (Alleppey) is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, a town with a large network of picturesque inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the East". The Palm fringed canals & shores bustling with glimpses from the day to day life in the country side, the wonderful mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides & its beautiful sandy beach has blessed the water locked district, to become one of the best  tourism destinations in God's Own Country.

These large network of canals provide Alleppey with its lifeline & it was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries, prawn farming & Kettuvalloms (Houseboats or Rice Boats).

In fact, in Alleppey, the life moves around water. Children learn to swim before they walk & learn to sail boats before they bicycle. They take their first lesson from the school of fishes.

Alleppey is an ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam & the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event. It is excitement all around as snake - boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists & the local population alike.

You will be met on arrival by a Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort provide a short orientation drive around the town.

Alas, this wonderful experience in “God’s Own Country” comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to incredible India & go home. But, we sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of this multi-ethnic kaleidoscope that 1.2 billion people call home, on your next visit.

Finally, the experience comes to an end and it is time to say good-bye.

In time, you will be transferred to Terminal? - Cochin International Airport for your onward journey hotel. B

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