Kerala Backwaters & Beaches

Prices From: $840 AUD
Local Payment: USD 200
Tour Code: GIKB
Tour Duration: 11 days
Countries Visited: India

Introduction

India is a country of massive contrasts. The peaceful lifestyle of the much of the south with its picturesque beaches and backwaters is vastly different to the hustle and bustle of the big cities and you are sure to be constantly amazed by the diversity. The influences of the British, Portuguese and Mughals can be seen everywhere. The architecture reflects the wealth of the past, but even today it is easy to observe first-hand the gap between the various classes. Very few other countries have religion so intertwined with every aspect of daily life and some of the temples we visit date back over two thousand years. Once we have experienced the history, the culture and the warm friendliness of the people of southern India, we will surely want to come back for more.

Tour Map

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Kochi

Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. Our hotel is located in Fort Cochin, the historical heart of Kochi (Cochin). If you are arriving early, please check the noticeboard in the foyer of the hotel for suggestions of things to see and do in Fort Cochin. A pre-departure meeting takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your tour leader. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting, where your tour leader will also collect your local payment. Afterwards we have the opportunity to go out for an optional group dinner.

Day 2: Kochi

Kochi is set on a cluster of peninsulas and islands in the Indian Ocean and is a fascinating blend of cultures. From time immemorial it has been the favourite destination of globe-trotters and explorers. Blessed by one of the finest natural harbours in the world, Kochi has been eulogised as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. We include a tour of the Fort Kochi peninsula where we discover the Dutch Palace, which was restored by the Dutch and presented as a gift to the King of Kochi, and St Francis Church - the oldest Christian church in India, built by Portuguese Franciscan monks in 1503. The church itself is testament to the history of historic Cochin, having been used at various stages by Roman Catholics, Dutch Protestants and Anglicans. We also visit the famous Mattancherry Jewish Synagogue, originally built of wood in 1568. The area surrounding the synagogue is full of spice shops selling cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and a host of other spices. We also take a look at the unique Chinese fishing nets, which are set up close to our hotel.

Day 3: Vaikom - Kochi

This morning we drive to Vaikom for a day visit, where we include a boat ride through the small waterways and visit various local industries such as like coir making, toddy tapping, spice producing, mat weaving and pot making. We visit a riverine village and meet the families living in this stunningly unique environment. The backwaters of Kerala have become the lifeline of the state, with a number of towns like Allapuzha, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kuttinad located amidst the maze of waterways. Late in the afternoon we drive back to Kochi for our overnight stay.

Day 4: Backwater Cruise - Alleppey

Today we catch a bus to the small market town of Alleppey (Alappuzha) that is built on a network of canals and surrounded by coconut palms. Upon arrival we board our houseboat, converted from a Kettavallum, or traditional rice barge, and sail the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. This large aquatic area is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, and the people who live in this region have created their own distinct lifestyles. From our comfortable houseboats we witness the peaceful way of life on these amazing waterways. After watching the sun go down over the backwaters we return to dock at Alleppey and transfer to our nearby backwater hotel.
Meals included: 1 lunch

Days 5-6: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Today we catch the local bus to Thekkady, on the edge of one of India’s most popular wildlife reserves. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary surrounds an artificial lake that was built by the British in 1895. It is home to gaur, wild boar, sambar deer, langur monkey, wild elephant, various antelopes and a wide variety of birds. We include an early morning cruise on the lake, which is a great way to start the day. The rest of the time is free to explore the area and perhaps take an optional jungle walk with a local guide or visit a nearby plantation.

Days 7-9: Varkala

We spend the next three days at Varkala - a beautiful beach town on the Arabian Sea about an hour's drive from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum). The main beach here is Papanasham Beach, which is long and golden with a backdrop of red laterite cliffs from which mineral water springs forth. It is a chill-out place and in the mornings and evenings we can witness fishermen pulling up their nets from the sea. Our tour leader is able to take us to various beaches in the surrounding areas and advise us on various optional activities such as witnessing an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayatt show. It is also a town famous for Ayurvedic massage centres - ideal for rejuvenation!

Days 10-11: Kochi

We take a morning day train back to Kochi and arrive back there by noon. We have a final free afternoon in Kochi, which offers a great opportunity to do some final shopping for souvenirs to take home. Our trip ends the following morning.

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.

Valid from 29 September 2007

Tour Dates

Start Date	End Date	Local_Payment	Price
08 Jul 2009	18 Jul 2009	USD 200	$840
05 Aug 2009	15 Aug 2009	USD 200	$840
02 Sep 2009	12 Sep 2009	USD 200	$840
30 Sep 2009	10 Oct 2009	USD 200	$840
28 Oct 2009	07 Nov 2009	USD 200	$840
25 Nov 2009	05 Dec 2009	USD 200	$840
23 Dec 2009	02 Jan 2010	USD 200	$840

Local Payment: USD 200

Tour Fact Finder

Included:

Experienced regional tour leader and all transportation and accommodation as indicated in detailed Trip Notes. The following sightseeing trips are included: Kochi - tour of Fort Cochin including entrance, transport and local guide fees; Vaikom - boat ride through narrow canals; Alleppey - one day backwaters' cruise with lunch on board; Periyar National Park - one boat ride plus entrance, transport and local guide fees.

Not Included:

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, local payments, visas, pre or post tour accommodation, all other meals, optional tours sightseeing or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights unless specified. Some places that we visit charge additional fees if you are entering with a camera or camcorder - your city guide will advise on these and they can be paid for locally.

Local Payment:

Your tour leader will collect US$200 from each person on Day 1. It is to be paid in cash, with new clean notes preferably in denominations of $50/$100.

The local payment is the final part of your overall tour cost. It MUST be paid in cash, in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the start of your trip.
Having a local payment helps us to pass cost savings on to you. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable.

Meals:

Allow at least US$325 for additional meals.

Fitness:

No particular level of fitness is required for this holiday. You need only to be in good health.

Pre and post accommodation

You may wish to extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask Gecko's or your travel agent for details and prices when you book your trip.

Optional extras and sightseeing

Kochi

Ferry Tour of Fort Cochin Islands R100

Important Information:

Tipping Kitty
Throughout the Indian subcontinent, tipping is a way of life. It is given for any service rendered and is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the country. Everyone gives a tip to everyone else and foreign tourists are expected to go along with this. For some, this can become very tiresome (especially if you don't have the right change) and it can often lead to irritation and frustration. To surmount this problem and to save you the obvious embarrassment if you don't have the correct change, your tour leader will collect money from you for a Tipping Kitty at the beginning of the trip. This is approximately US$3 per person per day and is IN ADDITION to your local payment. He/she will then distribute all the tips along the way on your behalf, to the local guides, drivers, porters and others who provide services for you. Please have this amount ready (in cash) at the beginning of your trip.

If you are out on your own at a restaurant, please remember to leave a small tip for your waiter.

Tipping Your Tour Leader
It is customary to tip your tour leader at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his/her service. A minimum tip of US$2-US$3 per day from each member of the group is the standard expected amount. This is an addition to the Tipping Kitty listed above.

Single travellers

Most of our travellers are single and like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. As part of Gecko's core philosophy, we do not charge a single supplement. You'll probably be sharing your accommodation with a travelling companion of the same gender, but even if you do get your own room, you won't be charged extra, unless the tour has a minimum of one person. Because many of our travellers come on their own, your tour will probably have a strong social element and you'll almost certainly come home with some great new friends.

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