Places Covered: Kochi (2nights) – Marari Beach (2nights) – Alleppey (2nights)
No. of Days: 6nights/7days

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Kochi: Arrive in Kochi and straight away transfer to your hotel in historic Fort Kochi. Settle in the room and relax a bit before setting out to explore Fort Cochin area. Best way to do so is on foot.

Take a glimpse of the 16th century built Fort Immanuel, named after a monarch of Portugal. This is a symbol of the strategic alliance which existed between the Maharaja of Cochin and the Monarch of Portugal. Walking further you will come across Dutch Cemetery consecrated in 1724. Keep on walking and you will come across old buildings like Thakur House, David Hall and finally St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Church was initially built in 1503 by the Portuguese. Vasco Da Gama was buried in this church and his tombstone can still be seen.

Walk down on Church Road and have a look at Bastion Bungalow, built initially in 1667. Close to this is the historic Cochin Club which still maintains British ambience. Relax a bit at Vasco-da Gama Square and savour on some sea food at the various stalls there. Look at the Chinese Fishing nets at work. These nets were erected here in the 14th and 15th century by the Chinese traders. You can also visit Princess Street and Loafer’s Corner. Here you will also come across the historic church Santa Cruz Basilica, built by the Portuguese in the 16th Century.

Have dinner at one of the restaurants. Return to the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Fort Cochin Area.

Day 2: Kochi: After breakfast start a full day sightseeing of Kochi City. Start with Folklore Museum, a museum with a good collection of artifacts and paintings from different regions of Kerala. If crowds do not dither you much and are willing to see faith in god, go on to visit the famous Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, one of the oldest temples in Kerala.

Visit Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town and try to assess about the beliefs and lives of the Jewish population of Kerala. These are located in close proximity to Mattancherry Palace, a museum with some artifacts and paintings showing history of Kochi.

Towards afternoon take a cruise on Kochi harbour. In the evening go out to attend a performance of the traditional Kathakali dance/drama. Have dinner at your hotel or at any one of the restaurants. Overnight at your hotel in Fort Cochin area.

Day 3: Kochi – Marari Beach: After breakfast drive to Marari Beach; a drive of around two hours. Check into your resort on arrival at Marari Beach.

Marari beach, located close to Alleppey, is regarded as one of the finest beaches in not just Kerala, but whole of India. Enjoy the beach. After a fun and frolic session at the beach, go for an Ayurvedic massage spa session at your resort. Spend the evening watching a spectacular sunset or swimming at the picturesque beach.
Have dinner at the resort. Overnight at your resort at Marari Beach.

Day 4: Marari Beach: Full day for relaxation at Marari Beach. Enjoy some in house Ayurvedic Spa massages; go for a swim in the sea; and take a walk to the nearest fishing village. Go out and explore the stunning backwaters. Enjoy the tranquility of the rural life and get your amazed again and again seeing spectacular landscape and sceneries Marari Beach has on offer.
Enjoy a nice dinner. Overnight at your Marari Beach hotel.

Day 5: Marari Beach – Alleppey: Cehck out from the hotel after breakfast and drive a short distance to the houseboat jetty. Board a private houseboat and enjoy a lunch cruise of a few hours. Disembark from the boat late in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel in Alleppey. Enjoy a nice sumptuous dinner. Overnight in Alleppey.

Day 6: Alleppey: After breakfast go for a canoe ride with a local fisherman. Crisscross multiple myriad channels of the backwaters. Take a walk in the villages around the backwaters. Have a look at how Kerala cuisines are prepared. Enjoy a nice lunch at one of the homes or restaurants.

Later, in the afternoon, go and visit St. Andrew’s Basilica Arthunkal, a 16th century built church, quite revered by the locals for its famous bleeding statue of St. Sebastian and healing powers of the church. Close to this Church is yet another fabulous beach called Andhakaranazhi Beach. Spend some time there and return to the hotel.

Enjoy a nicely cooked Kerala style dinner. Overnight in Alleppey

Day 7: Alleppey – Kochi – Onward destination: Check out from the hotel in Alleppey after breakfast. Drive to Kochi and catch flight for your own desired destination

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