TravelEscapades
BY MOUNTAIN TRAIL HOLIDAYS PVT LTD
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
A brilliant combination of a charming seaside township with a rich historical lineage and the peaceful Marari beach to relax and rejuvenate on.
Stay the first few days at Fort Kochi popular amongst travellers to Southern India for its Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial architecture and the still functioning bamboo fishing nets also known as the Chinese Fishing Nets, mounted on the Fort Kochi Water Front. Replete with upscale eateries, chic cafes, shops, art galleries, historical churches a neighbourhood full of colonial-era homes. And then move on to the pristine and serene Marari where you unwind on the soft sandy beaches, enjoy the backwaters, calm your senses with some yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic massages.
ITINERARY DETAILS
Day 1-Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included - Dinner
Arrival at Kochi International airport and get transferred to hotel at Fort Kochi. This should be a relaxing day with some neighbourhood exploration on foot.
Day2 – Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Post breakfast we take you for a guided walking tour. This is a 2Hrs walk which starts with the guide introducing you to Fort Kochi’s history and then walking you around the fish market at the water front where you also see the Chinese fishing nets and some street shops followed by the Dutch cemetery, St Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Feel free to ask questions as the guide will be happy to oblige. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day3- Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
After breakfast you have a guided tour of the Jew town Street famous for antique shops and old Jew houses, the spice street, the Jews Synagogue, the Mattancherry palace also known as the Dutch Palace. Return back to hotel for lunch and there’s time for some relaxation before we leave for a sunset cruise on the Arabian waters at about 5pm. Back at hotel after the cruise.
Day4- Stay at Fort Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
The first half is relaxed. You may like to walk around the colonial streets of Fort Kochi. Post lunch we take you to the Jain Temple and after that to enjoy Kalaripayattu – The Kerala Martial Arts and the Kathakali dance shows. Return to hotel around sunset.
Day5- Stay at Mararikulam – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
A comfortable post breakfast departure by road (1.5) for the Marari Beach. Stay at a beach resort. The first day is at leisure just to relax and enjoy the beach. Mararikulam is an enchanting beach village where you experience the vast open Arabian sea, coconut groves, slow paced life of the local fishermen, golden sands and glorious sunsets.
Day6-Stay at Mararikulam – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Day at Leisure. Good day to book and enjoy the Ayurveda massages at the resort.
Day7-Stay at Mararikulam – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Today we take you to the back waters of Kerala where you enjoy a house boat ride with lunch. You float along the palm frilled water-ways, experiencing the local village life, paddy fields, coconut groves, water lilies, rustic homes, coir villages, villagers fishing in the back waters, the bird life. It is quite an experience. Return to the resort before sunset.
Day8-Stay at Mararikulam – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
Day at Leisure. Good day to book and enjoy the Ayurveda massages at the resort.
Day9-Stay at Kochi – Meal included – Breakfast and Dinner
A comfortable departure post breakfast for a luxury hotel stay near the Kochi airport.
Day 10- Fly out. Tour ends.
KNOW MORE
Fort Kochi
State: Kerala
There aren’t many cities or towns in India which will take you back into time like Fort Kochi would. As far back as 1500s when explorers like the famed Vasco Da Gama set foot on the Malabar coast. Packed with the old world colonial charm, this peaceful little seaside town was a fishing village which became the first European township in India known for spice trade. Experience Portugese and Dutch architecture, witness the Chinese fishing nets in action, visit several synagogues and churches, the Dutch palace, walk down the Jew town street, Mattancherry and the local spice market, visit art galleries, go for a sunset cruise, eat out at some interesting cafes, local sea food restaurants, enjoy the Kathakali dance and Kalaripayattu martial arts performances. Fort Kochi is the kind of place where you just float around and soak in the heritage, culture and the colonial past.
Weather: Winters stretch from November to February with a temperature range of 20 – 32 Deg C. Summers start in March and go up till June with a high of 33 DegC. Monsoons which are quite heavy come in July and stay until September.
Closest Airport: Kochi international airport (42Kms)
Railway Station: Nearest Ernakulam South which is approx. 12 Kms away but you can also use the Ernakulam Town station which is 16 Kms away.
Best time to visit: November to February
Language: Malayalam and basic English as the literacy rate is very high and it’s a tourism destination.
Population: Although Kochi city has a population of approx.. 3 million but the For Kochi area is not very densely populated.
Altitude: Sea level
Mararikulam
State: Kerala
Just 1.5 Hrs drive from Fort Kochi is this scenic and peaceful beach village. While at Marari you can also enjoy the back waters of Kerala on houseboats which can be organized with lunch / high tea or the smaller Shikara boat rides through the back water canals. You experience the serene, laid back lives of a typical Kerala fishing village. Enjoy four days of a relaxing beach holiday with an excursion or two as per your preference.
Weather: Remains warm and humid throughout the year. During summers (March – May) the temperatures can rise up to 36 DegC. Except from late December to March, it rains a lot at Mararikulam. Winters (November – February) temperature range is 20 – 32 DegC. Rains are worst in June & July.
Closest Airport: Kochi international airport (77Kms)
Railway Station: Mararikulam Station but you can also use the Alleppey railway station (12kms) or the Kottayam railway station (46Kms)
Best time to visit: Late December to February
Language: Malayalam & English as well as the literacy rate is quite high.
Population: 32000 approx.
Altitude: Sea level