DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Embarkation at Marad, Cochin

In the morning, set out to Nettoor to visit the Kalari center - training center of Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala which is said to be the mother of all martial art forms. From here drive to Marad and get onto our boat by afternoon. Our team is here to welcome you and help you with a smooth check-in. Gather at the lounge and get the brief of cruise trip and the safety measures. We start our cruise passing by the islands, coastal estuaries and leaving behind the tireless city of Cochin. Enjoy the traditional Kerala cuisines in lunch and rest on the boat. Get mindful of knowledge about Cochin - the queen of the Arabian Sea, its geographical, cultural-traditional and social importance. By evening you will reach Vailkum from where we will proceed to an old Shiva temple. We will walk around the temple and get knowledge about the history and architecture of the temple. The temple architecture in Kerala is a piece of art based on ancient science and refined stylistic construction. The temple architecture depicts a human body and is a place for spiritual enlightenment along with social networking. After visiting the temple, we will get back to our boat. Enjoy the night meal and rest all night.

Day 2: Vaikom-Chenganda-Kumarakom

After having our breakfast, we will start our next day's journey to the cultural centre to watch Kathakali- the traditional dance of Kerala that depicts the ancient old stories of epics. This ancient dance form is a combination of dance, music, action, literature, and make-up. From here, we will get back to the cruise to sail for Chenganda, the place full of peace and calm. Here we will go spend time with the coir weavers, shell harvesters and farmers engaging in their professions. Take around to the indigenous techniques of performing work activities and then get back to the boat for lunch. We will then [orceed to Thanneermukkom barrage, where the barrage divides the lake into two - one with salty water and other with crystal clear freshwater. We will get to know about the paddy cultivation in Kunnad while talking on the cruise. In the evening, we will sail to the expanses of Lake Vembanad to explore its wetland ecosystem. We will go to see a farmhouse located on the island. This house was built reclaiming land from backwater. We can take a walk in the field and enjoy the preparation of a traditional Syrian Christian cuisine demonstrated by the hostess of the house. We will have our dinner here and will get to the back to the boat for the overnight stay and rest.

Day 3: Kumarakom- Kavalam

Having our light breakfast in the morning we left through o a country boat to watch the endemic birds of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which is spectacular with the mangroves, coconut trees and paddy fields complimenting in the backdrop of the scene. The endemic birds which can be seen here are waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and water duck and migratory birds such as parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and others are visible seasonally. Now we will get back to our boat where more elaborate breakfast will be served.

Our lunch in the afternoon will also be served on the cruise. We will reach Kavalam by afternoon (the place where River Pampa turns back its course and drains into Lake Vembanad). We have to take a ferry to explore the region around. We will have a walk in the paddy fields and exchange words with the farmers there. From here we will get back to our boat and cruise further to interiors of Veliyanad village till late evening. We will have our dinner for the night and then retire for the day.

Day 4: Kavalam-Kainakari-Pulinkunnu

After having our morning meal we will set sailing to Kainakari. Here we will visit the home of Saint Kuriakose Chavara which is renovated as a museum. Saint Chavara, the first canonized Catholic saint of Indian origin and the co-founder of the first congregation for men - Carmelites of Mary Immaculate and the same for women Congregation of the Mother of Carmel. Return to the boat for lunch and sail to Pulinkunnu village. Spend some enjoyable time exploring the village and interacting with the villagers. Get back to the boat to have dinner and retire.

Day 5: Pulinkunnu-Nedumudy-Champakkulam-Changankari

After having the morning breakfast, we will start our cruise to Nedumudi. After arriving Nedumudi we will drive through the beautiful village for almost one hour to Mannar which is famous bell metal and brassware crafts. Here we will have our time interacting with the artisans and craftsmen and watch the indigenous methods of traditional metal arts and utensils. Back to the cruise, have or lunch and relax for some time. We will cruise to Champakulam village. The old spice trade of Kerala to Cochin and other ports on the West Coast used to pass through this town. One can see the thousand years old cultural heritage of Syrian Christians who later converted to Roman Catholic under the Portuguese influence. A piece of this is the St. Mary's Church, built-in 1550 whose foundations are as old as the 5th century. The architectural outlook of this Church showcases various European styles including Levantine altar and structure to the Dutch arches support the tower. We will visit the amazing St. Mary Church and a school and will meet the local craftsmen. Also, we will see the snake boats that are being used these days for race. Earlier these boats were used for wartime. From here we will continue our sail to Changankary village till dusk. Spend leisure time in the boat. Have dinner on the cruise and retire.

Day 6: Excursion from Changankari.

Have an early breakfast and start sail to the beautiful Konni village at the backdrop of the forest. Enjoy time with the elephants (the state animal of Kerala) at the shelter camp. From here we will proceed to Aranmula village to meet a family of craftsmen who are experts in making mirrors through a special combination of certain metals that have a unique feature of 100% reflection compared to a common mirror. This family business has been carried out through generations. Local people keep it in their homes thinking of it as auspicious and lucky. After meeting the family and finding their works, we will set our lunch at a beautiful house of the village at the bank of River Pampa listening to the story of the snake boat race. From here we will sail to Thottappalli village by evening. After having an evening refreshments we will cruise to serene interiors and take a leisure walk to the beach. Return on-board, have dinner and rest.

Day 7: Thottappalli-Karumadi-Kanjippadom

After having early breakfast we will visit the old sacred grove at Harripad where serpents are worshipped. This temple is the only one in Kerala that has female priests. Go around and take a look at the ongoing rituals inside the temple. Return to Thaottappalli. We plant a coconut sapling to honor our cruise trip with you. The coconut tree is said to be the Kalpvriksha or Divine tree of Kerala as all of its parts are useful in one way or the other. The coconut water is a healthy drink, the kernel is used to extract coconut oil, fiber form the coconut husk is used to make mats, choirs, and geotextiles, palm fronds are used for thatching roof and also for making toddy. From here we will sail to Karumadi village and take a walk to the holy shrine of Buddha where the damaged statue of Buddha is preserved. In the way, we will meet the toddy tapper who used to collect the sap of the stem of coconut flower to make alcoholic beverages - toddy. We will learn the process of making toddy form them. From here we will visit Kanjippadom for a leisurely walk and meet the carpenters who make wooden boats. We will talk with them about the traditional boat making using coir and natural resin. Today we will have our farewell dinner on board.

Day 8: Kanjippadom-Punnamada & Disembark at Alleppey.

After having breakfast we will cruise to Punnamad lake which is the venue for the spectacular snake boat race that is held on the 2^nd Saturday of August month. We will disembark the boat by 9.30 a.m. After taking a walk through the market place of Alleppey, we will depart for our further journey.