Day 1: Cochin, Pallippuram – Vaikom
Transfer from the hotel in Cochin to the embarkation jetty at the ancient village ‘Pallippuram’, at the southern border of Cochin. Enroute, 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. The 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 the performance, we drive to the embarkation jetty near the filial church of ST. Thomas – 2ND AD, Pallippuram. Our welcoming team on-board will help you with smooth check-in, give a briefing about the facilities on-board the safety measures to be familiar with. Relish the Sadya, the traditional freshly cooked complete meal served on clean Banana leaf. Unwind as the boat leaves behind the bustling township and cruises gently to the remote villages. By evening we arrive at the ancient pilgrim town Vaikom and drop anchor.
Take a short walk to the local cultural centre to watch Kathakali, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays stories from the epics. It is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and make-up.
Take a short tuk-tuk ride to the ancient temple. The town is centered at the ancient temple of Lord Shiva. This town made an indelible mark in the history of Casteism in Kerala, when the feudal ban on underprivileged communities from entering temples and their premises was abolished due to a massive protest of the public. This incident had set in motion the social reformation in Kerala.
The architecture of the 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. Even the devotees from far off places come all the way down to Vaikom for ritualistic ceremonies such as the first meal of babies, marriage and thanks giving offers such as meal for the poor, cultural performances and specific rituals prescribed by the Veda.
After watching the ritual by sunset, we return to boat and relax. (The pompous 12-days’ long annual festival of this temple is vibrant with ancient Vedic rituals and cultural performances of devotees.)
Return to the boat and relax.
Meal Plan: (L, D)
Day 2: Vaikom – Chenganda – Kumarakom
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.
Return to our boat and cruise to Thanneermukkom.
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. 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.
This afternoon, we 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, of three generations of laborious men, and equally strong women who supported their pioneering spirit.
We continue the cruise till evening.
Meal Plan: (B, L, D)
Day 3: Kumarakom – Kavalam
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.
Return to the boat, refresh and have breakfast.
As we cruise on the majestic Lake -Vembanad- its expanse, the calmness, the soothing breeze, the interspersed coconut groves and long stretches of vast expanses of paddy fields lying below the sea level by 2-6ft, give a treat for our eyes. Lunch will be served while cruising. We arrive in Kavalam where river Pampa 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 members of ‘Kudumbha shree’ -women’s collective for women empowerment and poverty alleviation in rural villages.
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 4: Kavalam – Kainakari – Mankompu
After breakfast cruise to Kainakari village. We will explore the narrow remote canals by country boat, cruising 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 boat. After having lunch onboard, we continue the cruise to Mankompu village, which is home to the State Rice Research centre.
While cruising, we will have an informative lecture by an Ayurveda doctor to know about this 5000-years old Science of life – Ayurveda, which is still being practiced by the local people. Cruise to Mankompu village where we will witness a cultural performance. During harvest festivals such as Onam (August/September), Thiruvathira (middle of December) and the annual festival following Vishu (middle of April), the village comes alive with various rituals and cultural performances.
Meal Plan: (B, L, D)
Day 5: Mankompu – Champakkulam – Changankari
Excursion to Aranmula
After early breakfast we drive to an ancient village ‘Aranmula’ which is famous for its metal mirrors. The technical know-how behind the making of this unique metal mirror is confined to only some households of master craftsmen in Aranmula. These mirrors have the distinctive feature of 100% reflection unlike the common mirror. These mirrors are unique to this locale and haven’t yet been replicated anywhere else in the world.We will then visit the ancient temple of Lord Krishna “Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple”. 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 Aranmula its name as well. Dedicated to the Hindu Deity Lord Krishna, the temple is situated on the banks of the Pampa River.
We will have a traditional lunch at a beautiful house of a local family, situated along the bank of Pampa River.
We drive back to board our boat and sail to Champakkulam village. Kerala’s old spice trade used to pass through this town enroute to Cochin and other ports on the west coast. Champakkulam settled more than 1000 years ago by Syrian Christian traders, who later converted to Roman Catholicism under the Portuguese. We will visit the St. Mary’s Church, one among the oldest churches in Kerala, the St. Mary’s Church or Champakkulam Church in Alappuzha is believed to be one of the seven established by St. Thomas in AD 427.
As you stroll along you get the chance to interact with the school children, local small-scale entrepreneurs and the local artisans (open on weekdays) who make biblical heroes. Continue cruising to the remote village –Changankari, passing through the serene canals.
Dinner on board.
Meal Plan: (B, L, D)
Day 6: Changankari – Thottappalli
Early this morning we can enjoy a leisurely walk in the laid-back village.
After breakfast, we will continue our sailing towards the coastal village, Thottappalli. The spillway at Thottappalli prevents the saline sea water from flooding the low-lying paddy fields during high tide and eases the flow of the flooded water from the low-lying paddy fields in to the Sea. We get to know about indigenous practices of paddy cultivation at lower altitude than the Sea.
After breakfast, we will board the vehicle 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.
Meal Plan: (B, L, D)
Day 7: Thottappalli – Karumadi – Kanjippadom
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.
Cruise restarts after breakfast.
We visit small shrine in the quaint village -Karumadi- The ancient ruin of a sculpture of Buddha, speaks of legacy of the value creating Buddhist philosophy underlying the rich cultural heritage of Kerala. Buddhism prevailed in Kerala for around 8centuries, from 3rd AD onwards. On-board our boat we will watch a presentation and discuss in detail about the cultural heritage of Kerala.
We visit the village Kanjippadom for a leisurely walk. We meet the carpenters at the boat building yard and talk about the traditional method of building wooden boats (Kettuvallom), joining wooden planks using coir, cotton and natural resin.
Meal Plan: (B, L, D)
Day 8: Kanjippadom – Punnamada & Disembark at Alleppey
After breakfast we cruise to Punnamada lake. Punnamada Lake is the venue of the annual Snake boat race which held on 2nd Saturday of August every year. People gather in large numbers to watch nearly 100 ft. long boats compete against each other to the tune of old boat songs.
We disembark by 9.30 AM at the IWAI Jetty, Punnamada, Alleppey. The cruise program concludes.
Meal Plan: (B)
