Day 2: Kanjippadom – Karumadi – Pallana

After breakfast, we set sail to a quaint ancient village -Karumadi, along the bank of a river. The landscape is a charming tapestry of lush paddy fields and small canals winding through them. As we stroll along, we pass by the ancient temple of Goddess and a small shrine preserving the ruins of an ancient sculpture of Buddha, both exuding the spiritual consciousness of the local people.

Aboard our boat we will have an insightful talk by a professional Ayurveda doctor to know about this 5000-years old Science of life – Ayurveda, which is still being practiced by the local people and across the world for holistic healing and curative treatments. The interactive session offers you the chance to seek consultation as well.

Dinner on-board.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 3: Thottappalli – Changankari

Early this morning we can enjoy a leisurely walk in the laid-back village.

Honouring your cruise with us, we plant a sapling of coconut tree. Coconut tree is revered as the ‘Kalpavriksa’ or the Divine tree of Kerala since all parts of the are useful to earn a livelihood; the coconut water is a healthy drink; the fresh kernel and the oil extract from dried kernel are inevitable components of South Indian cuisine; fibre from the coconut husk is used to make coir, mats and geotextile; the palm fronds are used for thatching roof; the wood suitable for making furniture and all the dried parts of coconut make good firewood. Last, but not the least, the toddy – the boost for the labourers toiling in the fields.

After breakfast, we take for a short drive (approx. 30 min) to visit an ancient sacred grove where serpents are worshipped, the only temple in Kerala having female priests. We will walk inside to see the rituals going on. The cult of snake worship in Kerala is closely interwoven with the life of the people and is a component of its rich cultural heritage.

We then continue our drive (approx. 45 minutes) to an ancient village Mannar (45minutes) which is famous for bell metal craft to watch casting of traditional lamps, ornate locks, bells, cauldrons and various types of vessels being used in temples. Fine clay, which is easily available on the bank of the river and rivulets flowing through the region, is being used for the lost-wax method of casting of these bell metal products (The workplace remains closed on Sundays and religious holidays).

Return to the boat. After lunch, relax on the boat, enjoying the serene rural landscape.

By evening we take a walk along Thottappalli beach.

Aboard our boat we will have an informative lecture by professional Ayurveda doctor to know about this 5000-years old Science of life – Ayurveda, which is still being practiced by the local people and across the world. You may give a treat to yourself with an authentic wellness massage by experienced therapists (male or female) will be available on-board.

We drop our anchors when we reach the remote village, ‘Changankari’.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 4: Changankari – Champakkulam – Pulinkunnu

Excursion to Aranmula

After early breakfast, we drive to an ancient village, Aranmula, famous for its GI tagged metal mirrors. The technical know-how behind the making of this unique metal craft is confined to a few households of master craftsmen in Aranmula. These mirrors have the distinctive feature of 100% reflection unlike the common mirror.

Aramula village is set up around ‘Sree Parthasarthy’ Temple – a temple of Lord Krishna, considered as established by the mythological warrior, Aruna, who had received the profound advice ‘Geetha’ from is a friend – Lord Krishna – at the most cruicial time at his family’s battle with his extended family . The story goes that the temple had its idol brought here in a raft made with “Aru (six)” pieces of “Mula (bamboo)”. This is what gave the place the name – Aranmula.. The temple is situated on the banks of the Pamba River. Aranmula is famous for the ritualistic rigetta on the river, associated with the anniversary of installation of the idol of the temple (August/September). The Snake boats of Aranmula are unique in shape and are ornated.

One of the major rituals of the temple is the offering of ‘Valla Sadya’ – the elaborate tradional meal (Sadya) – to the oarsmen of the village with great honour by the devotees from different parts of Kerala. This daily offering is during August through September.

The lunch of the day is at a local house, located on the bank of the river. After relishing a sumptuous lunch and relaxing on the bank of the river for a while, we drive back to the boat.

The next halt of the cruise is at Champakkulam village, one of the spice trading centres of the past, when the spices and forest produce carried down through the rivers from the hills, were stored and traded here before transshipment from the Port of Alleppey. The St. Mary’s Church, on the bank of the lake, is documented as established in AD 427. The open-air Rock Cross at Champakkulam church is one of the most ancient ones with clear documentation of its antiquity up to AD 1151.

As you stroll along you get the chance to interact with the school children, small-scale entrepreneurs, and the local artisans (open on weekdays) who make biblical heroes. Continue cruising to the remote beautiful village –Pulinkunnu. Dinner on board.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 5: Pulinkunnu – Kainakari – Kavalam

This day after breakfast we cruise to Kainakari. We will take the country boat to cruising through the narrow canals, get closer to the laid-back, yet harmonious, life along the way.

Stop by Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Saint Chavara, the first canonized Catholic male saint of Indian origin, the co-founder of the first congregation for men, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate – C.M.I, and of Congregation of the Mother of Carmel C.M.C. He had dedicated his life for the upliftment of the poorest among the poor. Now this house is preserved as a museum.

Return to the boat. Have Lunch onboard, while cruising to Kavalam, where the river reverses its course and drain into Lake Vembanad. You may take the ferry to explore the region, walk along the dykes surrounding the expanses of paddy fields and interact with the farmers and the members of the women’s collective-‘Kudumbha shree’.

As we cruise, along the way we interact with toddy tappers and watch how they collect the sap of coconut palm and make the alcoholic beverage–Toddy! We continue the cruise till dusk, through the remote interiors of Kavalam.

Dinner on board.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 6: Kavalam – Kumarakom

By early morning, we set out by country boat to explore the migratory and endemic birds of Kumarakom, which is a cluster of lagoons of Vembanad wetland eco-system at the backdrop of mangroves, paddy fields and coconut groves. It is home to Waterfowls, Cuckoos, Owls, Egrets, Herons, Moor hens, Cormorants, Gulls, Terns, Skimmers, Storks, Vultures, Storks, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and many more.

This afternoon, we will visit the house of a Syrian Christian family for a home hosted lunch. This house is located on an island which was made by the men of the house, by reclaiming land from Backwaters. A walk in the farm will be educative. The hostess will demonstrate the preparation of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine. You may also try your hand at cooking and listen to the story of her family, the laborious work of three generations of men and equally strong women who supported their pioneering spirit.

Return to our boat and cruise to Thanneermukkom.

The barrage at Thanneermukkom built across Vembanad, the largest lake of Kerala, divides the lake into two; one half with perennial salty water and the other with fresh water enriched by rivers. Relax on the boat, enjoying the soothing breeze and the exuberance of the energy that the majestic lake is spreading around. Dinner on-board.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 7: Kumarakom – Chenganda – Vaikom

After breakfast we sail to Chenganda village. The people of this rustic village are having a laid-back and peaceful life.

We visit the village spending time with the coir weavers, the shell harvesters and farmers, engaging in conversation with them about the riparian life, and watching various indigenous techniques of fishing. Coir, one of the major exports of Kerala, is of much relevance today than ever before when plastic has become a global menace. People of Chenganda are major suppliers of this cottage industry.

We drop the anchor at the ancient village, Vaikom. We visit a cultural centre to watch Kathakali, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays stories from epics. It is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and make-up.

Experience a short tuk-tuk ride to the ancient temple of Shiva. The architecture of temples in Kerala is based on ancient science of construction and geographical features of the land. As per the traditional architecture, each element of temple represents an element of human body and, a temple is not only the space for spiritual enlightenment but also the venue for harmonious social networking.

Return to boat where we celebrate our sojourn over farewell dinner.

Meal Plan: (B, L, D)

Day 8: Vaikom – Pallippuram

The filial church of St. Thomas – 2nd AD

We disembark at the ancient village ‘Pallippuram’, at the border of Cochin city.

The 7 Nights’ cruise concludes after watching the traditional Martial art (Kalarippayattu) at the nearby village. By road we visit a Kalari – the traditional training centre for authentic Martial art (Kalarippayattu). Kalarippayattu in Kerala has its origin from the ancient Indian scripture, Dhanur Veda. This training helps to understand the 107 energy points in human body, learn the practices to maintain the normal flow of the energy and to heal ailments by Marma therapy.

These exercises help to gain stamina, flexibility, calibrated functioning of body and mind, and quick reflexes required for self-protection. The south-west corner of a Kalari houses the guardian deity of the Kalari. The seven tiers symbolise the seven abilities that each person must possess: Strength, Patience, Power to command, the posture, the expression and the Sound. Flowers, incense and water are offered to the deity every day. Before starting the day’s practice, it is the norm for practitioners to pray to the deity. There is also a Guruthara inside all Kalari, where a lamp is kept burning in reverence to all the gurus (masters) of the Kalari.

After watching the performance, you will be transferred to the hotel in the city.

Meal Plan: (B)