Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Welcome to idyllic Sri Lanka - with its endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea &d flavourful food.

Arrive in the dynamic & vibrant Colombo, with its ‘erstwhile’ 19^th century moniker of 'the garden city of the East'. It makes an excellent start - or finish - to your Sri Lankan adventures.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

Check-in at your centrally located hotel & relax.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has a long history as a port on ancient east-west trade routes, ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and. draws together all the colours & cultures that make up this island nation, condenses them into a patchwork of markets, gardens & buildings both humble & grand, and knocks them against a narrow slab of beachfront. Colombo like many capital cities in developing countries is fast changing. Almost overnight, skyscrapers arise from where old buildings once stood yet in some parts the old world charm is retained.

Cosmopolitan Colombo, gateway to the wonder of Sri Lanka, boasts a rich colonial heritage, featuring a melting pot of races, religions & cultures. The legacies of colonial Colombo's garden roots are still very much intact along its often-shady boulevards. That heritage is reflected in its architecture, mixing colonial buildings with high-rises & shopping malls. The imposing Colombo National Museum, dedicated to Sri Lankan history, borders sprawling Viharamahadevi Park & its giant Buddha.

A city of contrasts, it is both an eclectic mix of shiny hotels & swanky office blocks, neighbouring beautiful red-tiled colonial-era buildings. Sprawling bustling street markets brim with fragrant spices, colourful silks, cottons and fresh fruit & vegetables

This seaside city offers a plethora of exciting adventures, experiences & places to visit. Delight in an exhilarating tuk tuk ride around the city, relish high tea at a magnificent colonial style hotel overlooking the azure ocean & play a round of golf on scenic green courses. Colombo’s cosmopolitan side supports ever-more stylish eateries, galleries & exquisite boutiques feature international brands & charming shops offer colourful local art & textured fabrics. The home of the famed Ceylon tea, delve into the vast array of fragrant flavoured teas, including banana & brandy.

Surprises abound: with a little exploration you will find great local food, characterful shops & tiny, convivial cafes. Plunge into Colombo’s enticing street food scene, eat like a local, and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds & aromas of the whirling Pettah Bazaar brimming with markets & rampant commerce.

Some visitors will tire quickly of the diesel fumes & the modern buildings on Galle Road, the city’s main artery. There are plenty of cultural & historical attractions in areas such as Fort, Cinnamon Gardens & Pettah Bazaar - where one can shop for bargains. Discover Colombo’s multi-ethnic legacy with churches, mosques & temples congregating on the same streets, and delve into iconic sites including Fort Station, the Red Mosque & the Khan clock tower.

Other places of interest are a Hindu and a Buddhist temple, residential areas where you find the stately homes of the affluent, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall - a gift from the People's Republic of China.

Featuring a fascinating heritage and enticing culture, Sri Lanka‘s capital is one of Asia’s favoured travel destinations. You will appreciate Colombo’s colonial heritage, its fine dining & shopping opportunities, and the dash of urban buzz in an overwhelmingly rural country.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Morning, depart for Dambulla. Enroute stop at Pinnewala.

Spread over an area of 10 ha in Pinnawala village, this government-run elephant orphanage is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist attractions, visited daily by thousands of Sri Lankan & foreign tourists to observe the elephants bathing which is quite a spectacle.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is an orphanage, nursery & captive breeding ground for wild Asian elephants located at Pinnawala village. It’s success & fame has travelled not just within the country but throughout the world to an extent where Pinnawala synonymous with the Sri Lankan Elephant.

Prior to the invasion of the British in Sri Lanka in 1815, an estimated 30,000 elephants lived on the island. In the 1960s, following nearly a century of game hunting & jolly slaughter by the British colonialists, the elephant population was close to extinction. The tragedy of decimation of the elephant population prompted the Government of Sri Lanka to initiate the Pinnawala (Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage.

It was established in 1975 by the Sri Lanka Wildlife Department in a 25 acre coconut property adjoining the Maha Oya River to afford care and protection to the many orphaned Elephants found in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Pinnawala has the largest herd of captive elephants in the world. Since then it has never turned back an orphaned elephant & has expanded from the initial 4 orphaned elephants to a gang of no less than 109.

The primary purpose of the Orphanage has been to provide a lifeline to the orphaned baby elephants & adult elephants lost in the wilderness. In many occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephant had been killed or there have been accidents of baby elephants falling into pits & losing contact with the herd. There were also instances the mother elephant had fallen into a pit & died leaving the baby elephant lost in the jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to protect their paddy fields & crops resulting in baby elephants being orphaned.

The success story of Pinnawala has drawn the attention of animal activists & scientists from all over the world. A considerable number of books & research articles on Pinnawala have been published in several languages. The elephants of the Pinnawala herd have been filmed, videoed & photographed thousands of times by professionals & millions of times by amateurs. The message of conservation from Pinnawala has been passed on to thousands, if not millions of people, after their visit to the Orphanage.

Moreover, today, with the help of local & foreign elephant experts, the Orphanage has commenced a scientific captive-breeding programme in 1982. Since then the Orphanage has become one of the most successful captive breeding programmes for Asian elephants. The free movement of the herd within the enclosed land of the Orphanage affords the elephants opportunities to mate. In 1984, the first baby elephant of Pinnawela was born. Since the inception of the program over 20 elephants have been bred here.

The elephants at the Orphanage aren’t subjected to any form of stress, abuse or threat at all and are supported by a team of employees numbering to over 100 including a group of mahouts. Today some of these orphans enjoy the good fortune of seeing their third generation too born at the orphanage.

The aim of the Orphanage is to simulate a natural habitat to these elephants. However, there are some exceptions: the elephants are taken to the river twice a day for a bath, and all the babies less than 3 years of age are still bottle fed by the mahouts & volunteers. Each animal is also given around 76 kg of green matter a day and around 2 kg from a food bag containing rice bran & maize.

The best time to visit is during the feeding times, when one will have the opportunity of seeing the baby elephants being bottle-fed. Guests can also accompany the elephants to a river close-by & see them having their daily bath. The younger elephants are herded into the feeding sheds three times a day - 9:15 am, 1:15 pm & 5 pm- to be bottle-fed with huge quantities of milk. At 10 am & again at 2 pm, the elephants are taken across the road & down to the Ma Oya river, where they can be seen splashing around & playing for about an hour.

Spend a couple of hours before continuing for Dambulla.

Check-in at the hotel on arrival by afternoon.

The town of Dambulla is one of Sri Lanka's biggest vegetable wholesale markets. The area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia & the Iron wood forest (or Na Uyana Aranya). It is also notable for its world class Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium that was completed in just 167 days. It is in close proximity to Kandy & Sigiriya. But its major attraction is as the location of the largest & best preserved famed Cave Temple complex of Sri Lanka with its spectacular Buddha-filled interiors.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Early morning today, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & depart on a full day 6 hour excursion to visit the nearby Sigiriya Rock Fortress.

Sigiriya Rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its palace ruins on top of a massive 200 meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs & other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano.

Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times when it was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5^th century BC, with caves prepared & donated by devotees of the Buddhist Sangha.

The complex surrounding the famous rock was built by King Kasyapa (477 - 495 CE), who had seized power from the rightful heir, Moggallana, who fled to South India. Fearing an attack from Moggallana, Kashyapa moved the capital & his residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure Sigiriya. Most of the elaborate constructions on the rock summit & around it, including defensive structures, palaces & gardens, date back to this period. Kashyapa was defeated in 495 CE by Moggallana, who moved the capital again to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya was then turned back into a Buddhist monastery, which lasted until the 13^th or 14^th century.

Sigiriya Rock is rich in both legend & architecture and ascending 1200 steps to the 200m summit is well worth the effort. You can probably walk up to the top & down again in 1.5 - 2 hours. Apart from the ruins of the palace & penthouse of the Parricidal King Kashyapa, you will be rewarded with the breathtaking The site is also famous for the ancient 5^th century landscaped gardens & its ancient Frescoes of the enticing bare breasted ‘cloud maidens ‘depicting the typical dress of the palace courtesans (similar to those found at Ajanta Caves in India). It is generally agreed, however, that the Sigiriya Frescoes exhibit a uniquely Sri Lankan style.panorama of the surrounding jungles.

Understand also that, even though Sigiriya is maybe the most famous tourist attraction in Sri Lanka, and must have been a truly amazing place in the past, right now the ruins are only the two-brick-tall foundations of the palace walls; absolutely nothing remains standing.

The Sigiriya Museum shows photos of the excavation of Sigiriya, reproductions of the frescoes, examples & translations of some of the graffiti on the Mirror Wall, and artifacts excavated from the site. You might spend an additional 30 - 60 minutes exploring the various nooks & crannies in the gardens.

Located about 1 km north of the Sigiriyda Rock near the entrance, is the Pidurangala (Cave, Temple & Rock). Pidurangala rock is almost as high as its famous neighbor & provides a pleasant view onto its sibling as well as the surrounding area, which beats every postcard image you have ever seen. The trail starts to the right and going up. Further on, this will become a rocky stairway also leading to the meditation bunks of the monks.

The scenery & the view is really something & well worth the effort, and the vegetation is of a rough, almost unearthly beauty. From the summit, you can also see the mountains of Kandy, Pollonaruwa, Anuradhapura & the rain forest.

From here, proceed to Polonnaruwa.

Polonnaruwa, the best conserved medieval capital of Sri Lanka, which will take you through its rich dynastic past. Established (1015) next to the shimmering waters of the Parakrama Samudra, a man - made lake, the region was described as the ‘Granary of the Orient ’in ancient chronicles. Intricately carved lotus pillars, meditative halls, ceremonial towers, magnificent royal baths & palace ruins have been uncovered in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gal Vihara Temple presents an ensemble of imposing & inspirational Buddhas hewn out of a block of massive granite

Spend an hour exploring before driving back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Morning, Check-out, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed to visit Dambulla Caves.

The UNESCCO Heritage listed Dambulla cave temple also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla which was donated by king Walagambahu in the 1^st century BC to Buddhist monks. 

It is the largest & best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160m over the surrounding plains. There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area but the major attractions are spread over 5 caves under a vast overhanging rock, carved with a drip line to keep the interiors dry, with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls & ceiling - the largest area of paintings found in the world. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara & Buddha's first sermon.

These caves contain over 150 images & statues of the Buddha, of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock spanning 14 meters. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings & 4 statues of gods & goddesses. There are images of the Lord Buddha & bodhisattvas, as well as various gods & goddesses. The latter include Vishnu & the Ganesha.

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The temple complex dates back to the 1^st century BCE when it was already established as one of the largest & most important monasteries. King Valagamba of Anuradhapura is traditionally thought to have converted the caves into a temple. Exiled from Anuradhapura, he sought refuge here from South Indian usurpers for 15 years. After reclaiming his capital, the King built a temple in thankful worship. Many other kings added to it later & by the 11^th century, the Caves had become a major religious centre & still are. Nissanka Malla of Polonnaruwa gilded the caves & added about 70 Buddha statues in 1190. During the 18^th century, the caves were restored & painted by the Kingdom of Kandy. 

Prehistoric Sri Lankans would have lived in these cave complexes before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka as there are burial sites with human skeletons about 2700 years old in this area, at Ibbankatuwa near the Dambulla cave complex.

In 1938, the architecture was embellished with arched colonnades & gabled entrances. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images following the contours of the rock. The Dambulla cave Monastery is still functional & remains the best-preserved ancient edifice. The main Caves are accessible after 10 minutes of stone stairs climbing. Just prior to 10.30am there is a short musical ceremony in cave 1.

After spending a couple of hours, continue driving to Kandy.

Enroute, stop at a Spice Farm in in Matale, to see the different Spices, which Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed.

Arrive at the hotel in Kandy by late afternoon & Check-in.

Some say the beautiful, laidback UNESCO Heritage listed Kandy is the only other real ‘city’ in Sri Lanka, other than Colombo. A large city in central Sri Lanka, set amidst forested hills on a plateau surrounded by mountains, which are home to tea plantations & biodiverse rainforest.  Locally, Kandy is known as either Maha Nuwara (Great City) or just Nuwara (City), which is what some conductors on Kandy-bound buses call out.

The name Kandy conjures visions of splendor & magnificence. Many of the legends, traditions & folklore are still lovingly kept alive. The easy-going capital of the Hill Country has a lot to offer - history, culture, & a touch of urban buzz. Only 115 km inland from the capital, climatically it is a world away due to its 500m altitude.

Kandy served as the capital of the last Sinhalese kingdom, which fell to the British in 1815 after defying the Portuguese & Dutch for 3 centuries. It took the British 11 years to build a road linking Kandy with Colombo, a task they finally completed in 1831. The town & the countryside around it, is lush & green & there are many pleasant walks from the town & further afield. The town centre, close to Kandy’s picturesque lake set in a bowl of hills, is a delightful jumble of old shops, antique & gemstone specialists, a bustling market & a very good selection of restaurants. As night falls the city becomes eerily quiet.

History & culture are on tap. Yes, the city is renowned for the great Kandy Esala Perahera festival (held annually in July/August), but its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year. The city's heart is scenic Kandy Lake (Bogambara Lake), which is popular for strolling & its vibrant cultural life & attractions more than justify a visit at any time of year.

Some days Kandy’s skies seem perpetually bruised, with stubborn mist clinging to the hills surrounding the city’s beautiful centrepiece lake. Delicate hill-country breezes impel the mist to gently part, revealing colourful houses amid Kandy’s improbable forested halo. In the centre of town, three-wheelers careen around slippery corners, raising a soft spray that threatens the silk saris worn by local women. Here is a city that looks good even when it is raining.  And when the drizzle subsides, cobalt-blue skies reveal a city of imposing colonial-era & Kandyan architecture.

Kandy is known as a pilgrimage destination, famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of Buddhism's most sacred shrines.

Evening, accompanied by the Tour-guide, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter witness a cultural show featuring traditional Sri Lankan dancing.

Come back to the hotel.

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 09.00 am & proceeded for a short sightseeing tour of the city,

Drive around the Kandy Lake built by the last Sinhala king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1798, in a Tuk Tuk.

Stop at the Bazaar & visit the Arts & Crafts Centre where you can browse for bargains on good-quality lacquerware, brassware & other craft items. You will see some Craftspeople working on site,

The Kandyan Art Association was formed in 1882 by the British Government agent for the Central Province, to revitalise traditional Kandyan arts & crafts (such as weaving, wood carving, painting, jewelry making, music & dance) & support the traditional craftsmen by providing them a sales outlet.

Artists & craftsmen in the Kingdom of Kandy were well organised into guilds, with knowledge & skills passed down from generation to generation. Even marriages were within the same group so that the craft was closely guarded. These guilds all operated under the patronage of the king.

When the kingdom was absorbed into the British Empire as a protectorate, following the Kandyan Convention of 1815, without a royal household most of these artists & craftsmen lost their livelihood & the guilds were disbanded, with only a few families continuing their crafts.

Initially it operated from a small room in the Government Agent’s Office. In 1904 the Association moved to the building known as the Palle Vahala (Lower Palace), where the king's spouse & children resided. The building now houses the National Museum of Kandy.

In 1919 the Association was incorporated as a public trust & is now administered by the Government Agent of Kandy District and a management committee.

The Association organises a daily one hour traditional Kandyan dance & music performance showcase in the building's auditorium. These dances are performed by local families & products of the country's dancing institutions. The sales centre displays & sells handicrafts obtained from traditional crafts people who are members of the association.

You may also visit the Gem Museum & a Lapidary.

Later in the afternoon, visit the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens, the finest of its kind in Asia & the largest in Sri Lanka,

The Orchid House offers the visitor a captivating display of exotic blooms of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & their hybrids. Around the Orchid House may be seen several hardy tropical orchids including the largest orchid in the world.

The shady Spice Garden situated on the right of the Main Entrance has a representative selection including cinnamon - the main spice exported from this country, pepper - the most demanded spice in the world, cardamom & nutmeg. Some of the oldest nutmeg trees planted in 1840 are still in full bearing

There are over 200 species of palms in the Gardens. The most remarkable amongst these is the Double Coconut (Lodoicea maldivica) from the Seychelles. This palm produces the largest seed in the plant kingdom - the fruits take 5 years to mature.

There are three magnificent palm avenues, viz., the graceful Cabbage Palm Avenue (Roystonia oleracea) flank-in the River Drive - the palms in this avenue are over 21m in height; the Palmyrah Palm Avenue (Borassus flabellifer) which joins the Flower Garden with River Drive & the Royal Palm Avenue along the Main Central Drive (Roystonia regia).

The bamboo collection is along River Drive to the right of the Lake. The giant bamboo of Burma (Dendrocalamus giganteus) is the largest known in the world. The stems attain a height of 30 - 40m & up to 20 - 25 cm in diameter. The average growth rate of new shoots is about 30cm a day. Others are the yellow building bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), the feather – leaved bamboo (Dendrocalamus membranaceus), the prickly bamboo (Bambusa spinosa) & the Dwarf Chinese bamboo.

The Flower Garden, near the Orchid House, is laid out with beds of flowering annuals & perennials. The most striking feature here is the ribbon border of showy coleus varieties traversed by a path which leads into an octagonal conservatory. Here you may find a collection of shade-loving plants.

Originally built as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala king & later expanded by the British, it covers an area of 147 acres & displays an amazing variety of trees, plants & flowers. In the Mediterranean climate of Kandy, the gateway to the Central Highlands, the Gardens, at an elevation of 500m above sea-level, were tightly bounded on 3 sides by a loop of River Mahaweli (Great sandy river), the largest river of Sri Lanka.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Morning, depart for Colombo.

On arrival by noon, Check-in at the hotel & relax.

Later in the afternoon, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for a 3 hour ‘walking’ sightseeing tour of colourful Colombo.

Just off the north end of Galle Road, the main north-south artery of the city is the area known as the Fort, once a colonial stronghold but now the site of many government buildings & interesting shops. South of the Fort is Galle Face Green, a seaside expanse where informal cricket games are played out amongst city folk enjoying a pleasant stroll. At the south end of the green is the Galle Face Hotel, a beautiful colonial-era hotel.

East of the Fort is the Pettah, the traditional bazaar district - a colourful retail experience. Just beyond the centre is the affluent Cinnamon Gardens district of the city. You will walk through these districts on your tour of the city & stop at Gangarama Temple & Independence Square.

Discover Colombo - where you can experience firsthand the borrowed words from the Portuguese to the amazing architecture the Dutch / English left behind, see the vision & love the Englishman had for this land - all while learning & experiencing what being "Sri Lankan" is all about.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Namaste & welcome to incredible Republic of India - one of the friendliest countries on earth, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.

Arrive in the vibrant city of Cochin, called the soul of South India & its largest city.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal?  - Cochin International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer the Group to the hotel. Assistance will be provided during Check-in & there will be a short briefing to discuss the program for the next few days.

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in but before that you will be accorded a traditional ‘Indian’ welcome.

In India we say “Atthi Devo Bhava” which means “the guest is equivalent to God'. You will be greeted by flower garlanding & a tilak on your forehead.

Flower garlanding is generally offered as a mark of respect & honour to welcome visitors & also or in honour to the Gods &Goddesses. Tilak is a ritual mark put on the forehead as a form of blessing, greeting or auspiciousness. The Tilak is usually made out of a red vermilion paste (kumkum) which is a mixture of turmeric, alum, iodine, camphor, etc.

Ancient Civilisations| vast Landscapes |expectedly Unexpected |Soul Warming

India is a mystical land that presents the traveler with an array of unforgettable experiences. Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India's vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population. With more than one billion people, the subcontinent bristles with an eclectic mélange of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveler. The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine.

For many travellers, Kerala is South India's most serenely beautiful state. This slender coastal strip is defined by its layered landscape: almost 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast & beaches; a languid network of glistening backwaters; and the spice & tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats, dotted with fiercely protected wildlife reserves & cool hill stations such as Munnar. Just setting foot on this swathe of soul-soothing, palm-shaded green will slow your subcontinental stride to a blissed-out amble. Kerala is a world away from the frenzy of the rest of India, its long, fascinating backstory illuminated by historically evocative cities like Kochi (Cochin) and Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

Besides the famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, ayurvedic treatments & delicately spiced, taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds & the odd tiger, while vibrant traditions such as Kathakali, theyyam (a trance-induced ritual), temple festivals & snake-boat races frequently bring even the smallest villages to life.

Set on a magnificent estuary & popularly known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, serene Cochin (now known as Kochi) was traditionally a potpourri of various Indian & international communities & has been drawing traders, explorers & travellers to its shores for over 600 years. It was highly influenced by historical trading partners, Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese & Japanese & was controlled by many empires over the centuries.

Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450 year old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese & Dutch era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. Kochi is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala & has many Catholic churches & followers.

It was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and this resulted in a unique mix & match of traditional as well Western architecture & lifestyle. But despite being ruled by so many different domains, it still maintains its cultural identity & is fiercely proud of it.

The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal & Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.

Modern day Kochi may be a busy port & shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists. A delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes & relax at some of India’s finest homestays & heritage hotels. It is also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional & contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali & kalarippayat.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Morning at 09.00 am, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for a 6 hour sightseeing tour of the city.

You will pass through Mattancherry, the bustling part of Old Fort Cochin & the epicenter of the spice trade for centuries. It remains a densely populated place housing people from different ethnic groups & faiths in very close quarters.  The area is also home to a small Jewish community whose origin dates back nearly 2000 years, during the period of King Solomon, when large scale trade took place between the Middle East & the Malabar Coast resulting in Kochi’s multi-layered past - a rich brew of Arab, Portuguese, British & Dutch influences.

Begin with the Dutch Mattancherry Palace, actually built by the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in 1555.  The Dutch renovated & expanded it a century later, earning it its name. The Palace also contains some of India’s finest mythological murals on the walls depicting scenes from the great Hindu epics, the Ramayana & the Mahabharata. Also see the portraits of Cochin's erstwhile rulers and the dresses & palanquins used by them.

Proceed to visit the oldest active Jewish Synagogue in India & Commonwealth of Nations, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese & rebuilt by the Dutch a century later with Chinese willow-patterned tiles & gold crowns and with ancient scrolls & a large number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script. This Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations.

Visit St Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the oldest one to be constructed by Europeans as a testament to European colonization in India, dating back to 1503 with its Santa Cruz Basilica boasting beautifully painted frescoes on the ceiling. It is famed as the original burial site of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524 while on his 3^rd visit to India. Not immune to the turbulence of the colonial era, the originally Catholic St. Francis changed hands - & denominations - with each new power that took control of Kochi, becoming a Protestant Dutch Reformed church under the Dutch in 1663 then Anglican under the English in 1804. 

But the unofficial emblems of Kerala’s backwaters & perhaps the most photographed, are the half-dozen giant cantilevered symbolic Chinese Fishing Nets on Fort Cochin's northeastern shore, known locally as cheena vala, near the harbour's entrance. The Chinese fishing nets or Cheenvala for the locals, have attracted visitors in the Fort Kochi area for centuries. Most Tour-guides swear that the Vasco da Gama Square is the best spot to get the perfect view of these massive structures. Dawn & dusk is when one can see the Cheenvala in action.

The famous picturesque Fishing Nets are unique to Kochi & are long believed to have been introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He in the 14^th century or possibly through a legacy of traders from the AD 1400 court of Kublai Khan. But, these Netsmay actually trace their origin to Portuguese settlers from Macau.

These iconic spiderlike fishing nets combine elegance & ingenuity with their massive frames balanced by counterweights.  These Nets are 10 metre tall & 20 metre wide contraptions fixed on land, resting on teak or bamboo poles & requiring five or six people to operate their counterweights at high tide. Their unique design enables only one person pulling at the main plank to be able to drag it into the sea before the tide. Certain teak poles have lights on them that are supposed to attract fish.

Modern fishing techniques are making these labour-intensive methods less & less profitable, with nets like these slowly disappearing from Kerala's coastline. Smaller fishing nets are dotted around the shores of Vembanad & Ashtamudi lakes; some of the best are just east of Cherai Beach on Vypeen Island.

Watching these majestic nets being suspended in mid-air, row upon row, is a truly spellbinding experience.

Return to the hotel for a short relaxation & to freshen up for the next experience. The sightseeing ends but we are not finished yet with Cochin.

The sightseeing ends but we are not finished yet.

Around 04.00 pm, meet The Journeys rep again & proceed to the Cochin Cultural Centre to enjoy a 90 minute performance of traditional Kathakali Dance form of Kerala & the impressive facial expressions, hand gestures & dance moves will leave one spellbound.

A Kathakali performance, like all classical dance arts of India, is a blend of music, vocals, choreography, hand and facial gestures to tell familiar stories in Indian culture. Kathakali performances tell stories in an artistic manner. It is one of the most complex and highly stylized Indian art forms.

The story in ‘Kathakali’ is communicated to the audience through amazing footwork & impressive gestures of face and hands complimented with music and vocal performance

It is basically a dance drama, noted for its heavy & attractive larger-than-life make up, elaborate costumes, detailed body movements synchronized movements, synchronized eye-hand movements & thematic presentation of stories.

Traditionally performed by male dancers, the art developed in courts & palace dance halls of Nair noble households & temple festivals, contrary to other Indian classical dances which predominantly developed in Hindu temples & monastic schools.

The dancers wear intricate & vivid makeup, unique face masks & costumes that reflect the age-old martial arts and athletic conventions prevalent in Kerala and surrounding regions.

Before the performance (if we are able to reach there early enough by 4.30 pm) you will have the opportunity to see the preparation & dressing of the artists, which is an experience in itself. You can watch the elaborate make-up session for an hour (usually these sessions can take up to 3 hours!) followed by an introductory lesson (15 minutes) when each facial & hand movement is explained (welcome, anger, love, envy, joy).

Return to the hotel by 07.00 pm

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make arrangements for optional activities).

Morning after an early breakfast, meet the Rep at around 08.00 am, Check-out & depart for the Marad.

But on the way, stop at an interesting place - a Kalari Centre in the village of Nettoor.

ENS Kalari Centre was established in 1954 at Nettoor & gives training in both Northern & the Southern systems of Kalarippayat. Kalarippayat is one of the oldest living traditions in Kerala of Martial training, physical culture & self- defence method in the world. The Kalarippayat is derived from two words in Malayalam, Kalari & Payatt. Kalari means the place, where any particular art form is taught. Payatt literally means practice or exercise.

Here, training is given in a Kalari constructed according to the time honored principles of the Kalari traditions & according to accepted methods of worshipping the Kalari Gods & Guru, and performing the necessary rituals. More and more foreigners have started visiting ENS Kalari for studying & observing Kalarippayat.

Every day there is a demonstration from 7.00 pm - 8.00pm. Any special request for a private viewing is allowed only between 3.00 pm - 7.00 pm every Sunday evening.  For regular watching, guests can come in any time.

Then, a short drive will bring you to the Marad village, to embark on the Rice Boat - RV Vaikundam.

You are welcomed aboard by the Team & Check-in formalities are completed. Then, you are shown to your Cabin, which would be your abode for the next 6 nights.

Came back to the Reception Lounge area for a Safety briefing & to meet the Team.

It is a tranquil experience floating through historic or idyllic destinations while sampling local flavours & staying in a deluxe Houseboat.

 RV Vaikundam has 9 well-appointed cabins with attached washrooms on the lower deck, a well-functional kitchen, air-conditioned & exquisitely set dining hall & a Bar lounge on its upper deck.

The Boat aptly named after the Hindu god Vishnu’s abode in heaven, has been around for nearly 20 years, doing shorter cruise trips including the one that former Prime Minister of India,  Atal Bihari Vajpayee spent a day on, during his famous vacation when he came out with his musings in verse.

Vaikundam is a boat whose hull was modelled on the traditional Kettuvallom or rice barges of the past. The rooms are made using wooden panels with wall papering, wood panelling, sparkling wooden flooring and the upper deck has some bamboo matting with bamboo poles for roof, following some of the traditional practices but contain all modern amenities.

The wooden hull of the boat on the upper segment is made by joining planks of local wood ‘Aanjili,’ using strong coir rope on the segments above the waterline. The wood is coated with a caustic black resin made by boiling cashew kernel & fish oil. The wood is periodically treated with the Neem oil & Fish oil. This is the traditional style called Kettuvallum.

The boat has two decks. The upper deck offers the open sun deck with a 360 degree view, an air-conditioned bar with lounge and an air-conditioned restaurant seating 22 guests. There is an Ayurvedic massage room on the upper deck too with male & female masseuses available. There is a small onboard library & Indian & international cuisine is offered on board in the restaurant.

The lower deck has 9 air-conditioned Cabins with en-suite washroom & toilet facilities. Each cabin has large windows, have twin beds with only one cabin offering double beds, a cupboard & side tables. There is 24 / 7 electricity and running hot & cold water is always available.

Additionally to ensure impeccable service, there is an on-board Destination Manager, Cruise Director & Chef along with one of the highest ratios in the industry, of a crew of 12 to service 18 Guests.

Indian River Cruising & this particular Cruise has been covered in international media & trade magazines. It has been showcased in the Nat Geo People Channel, National Geographic Channel and Master Chef's program of Channel Nine Australia.

Our partner - Far Horizons & the journey you are about to undertake, has been acclaimed in the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, National Geographic, World of Cruising, CruiseCritic.com, Australian News, New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, El Pais, Voyage DeLuxe, Vivere Zen, Travel Weekly & many more.

You will be following in the footsteps of tony travellers from  reputed institutions like the Smithsonian including its Board of Directors, National Geographic Society including its Directors & Trustees as part of the CRE & Nat Geo Expeditions, Geographical Society of Australia, Alumni of various universities like Harvard including the Owners, Presidents & Managing Directors Club, Yale, UCLA, University of Arizona, etc.

Although they have not travelled on the Boat, our partner is regularly trusted by famous personalities like Goldie Hawn, Russell Brand, Uma Thurman's father Robert Thurman & many more.

To get to really know Kerala, one must first understand her waterways – the lifeline of the entire region. There is no better way to enrich oneself than to truly comprehend the life of the people of the land. And what better way to visit them at close quarters than in awe-inspiring river cruise boats – it is like having a moving home on the water!

Alleppey is gifted with a unique crisscrossing network of canals that runs throughout the town which allows you to access & explore the entire area while you are relaxing on your houseboat.

Set sail, gently cruising by the islands interspersed along rivers, lake, coastal estuaries & lagoons, leaving the skyscraper lined horizon of the city of Cochin behind.

Enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch & relax on-board as the Cruise Director talks about Cochin, the Queen of the Arabian Sea and its geographical, cultural & social significance.

Leisurely glide on the 120 feet long Rice Barge turned cruise boat, through the placid Backwaters, seeing the village life of these waterways based culture where everything is done onboard their wooden canoes. Catch the stunning view of endless paddy fields & swaying coconut trees as they surround you on all sides & lean over the waters as if they are admiring their own reflection. The proximity of the lakes in this town & the dense greenery creates a perfect ambience for relaxing over a languorous cup of hot coffee.

By evening, arrive in the ancient village, Vaikom.

Walk ashore & enjoy a tuk-tuk ride to the ancient impressive Temple of Shiva. Get to know about its history & architecture.

The architecture of temples in Kerala is based on ancient science of construction & geographical features of the land. Based on traditions, 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 & relax as you enjoy a sumptuous dinner.

After breakfast on the boat, proceed by tuk-tuk or by foot, to the cultural centre in the village to watch Kathakali, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays stories from epics, with its unique blend of dance, music, action, literature & make-up (a shorter less elaborate local version of the Dance that you saw in Cochin yesterday).

Return to the Boat & sail for rustic Chenganda village.

The people here enjoy a laid-back & peaceful life-style, away from the vagaries of the big cities. Spend time with the coir weavers, the shell harvesters & farmers, engaging in conversation about the riparian life & watching various indigenous techniques of fishing.

Return to the boat in time for lunch as you cruise through Thanneermukkom barrage.

The barrage built across Vembanad, the largest lake of Kerala, divides the lake into two, one half with perennial salty water & the other with fresh water enriched by 5 rivers flowing from the hills.

Hear the Destination Manager talk about indigenous practices of paddy cultivation in Kuttanad.

Cruise through the expanses of lake Vembanad experiencing its wetland ecosystem.

Stop by at Farmhouse located on an artificial island made by the men of the house, by reclaiming land from the Backwaters.

The hostess will demonstrate the preparation of traditional Syrian Christian cuisine. You may also try your hand at cooking & listen to the story of her family, the three generations of men & equally strong women, who supported their pioneering spirit.

Enjoy the lunch which you have ‘partially’ helped prepare.

Return to the boat & continue cruising till evening as you reach Kumarakom where the Boat moors.

Wake up at dawn & set out by a country boat for a guided visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a cluster of lagoons of lake Vembanad, amidst the backdrop of mangroves, paddy fields & coconut groves.

Situated in the Kottayam district of Kerala, Kumarakom, or the 'Venice of the East' is a veritable paradise in the lush backwaters of the vast, beautiful Vembanad Lake, laced with canals, where Houseboats & traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) ply the waters. It is an unhurried backwater village with a smattering of dazzling top-end resorts & the renowned bird sanctuary.

The name Kumarakom was derived from the deity of its oldest temple Kumaran. Kumaran's Akam or place became Kumarakom. It was part of Vadakkancore kingdom. But in 1750 Marthanda Varma the King of Travacore conquered & annexed it to Travancore. The first Christian Church was built here in the year 1769 in the land granted by the King of Travancore.

You are greeted by lush mangrove forests & massive coconut trees lining up on the shores with the wind dictating their course - a perfect tropical touch to the landscape. National Geographic listed it among the select destinations in the world that one must visit at least once in their lifetime.

The landscape basically consists of a cluster of island villages in & around the large "Vembanad Kayal", Kerala’s heartland of lagoons, palm fringed lakes, inter-linked with hundreds of narrow canals, with the typical low slung country boats that carry everything from people to fish, rice & coconuts to the milkman & newspaper boy, local politicians & priests to wedding parties, winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields & the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals.

The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna & flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) & many more. 

There are quite a few ways to relax here - cruising on a Houseboat or one of the Rice Barges or fishing in the backwaters canals amidst panoramic coconut groves. 

The adventurous could indulge in water sports such as windsailing & waterskiing. You could even take a canoe out into the quite lakes & armed with a fishing rod, catch your own supper. Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy, the favourite fresh water food and the local wine.

The legendary Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary spread over 14 acres, is an Ornithologist's paradise & a favourite haunt of migratory birds.

Watch some of the endemic species like darters, herons, egret, waterfowls, cuckoos & water duck. And Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle & many other birds can be seen here during their respective migratory seasons.

Return to the Boat in time for an elaborate breakfast, as the Boat moves on.

Pass by expanses of the oldest paddy cultivating regions reclaimed from the bed of the Lake Vembanad. These paddy fields are below sea level.

Enjoy a sumptuous lunch as you cruise.

Arrive in Kavalam where river Pampa reverses its course & drains into Lake Vembanad.

You may take the “optional” ferry to explore the region or walk along the dykes surrounding the paddy fields & interact with the farmers & members of a women’s collective.

Along the way, interact with Toddy tappers, who collect the sap of the stem of blossoming coconut flower & concoct an alcoholic beverage - Toddy, a favorite of the locals.  Learn the process of preparation & you also take a sip from his pot!

Com e back to the Boat & continue cruising  through the narrow picturesque canals, watching the life at close quarters, as you reach the mooring point in Veliyanad village .

After breakfast, cruise to Kainakari.

Walk ashore & visit Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Catholic Saint Kuriakose Chavara, which is now preserved as a Museum. Framed accounts provided by faithful attributing deeds to the intercession by St Kuriakose Chavara outside his room.

Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, one of the founding fathers and the first Superior General of the first congregation of the Catholic Church for men, the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI)  & a  similar one for women, Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC). He built a Syro-Malabar Catholic St. Joseph's Church in nearby Mannanam on top of a hill & his mortal remains are interred in the church.

St. Kuriakose also started the first Printing Press in Kottayam in the church complex in 1846 which was used to bring out the first Malayalam daily Nasrani Deepika.

The church is an important pilgrimage center for his followers. The church compound also houses the residential unit used by the saint. In 2014, when he was canonized as a saint, 60,000 people attended the Thanksgiving Mass which was celebrated by 100 priests.

He died in 1871, leaving behind him the high reputation of a very holy monk. He was declared blessed on February 8, 1986 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the first canonized Catholic male saint of Indian origin.

Because of his sanctity and his showering of blessings upon those who seek the intercession of him, Mannanam has become a pilgrim centre. Thousands of people come to the tomb of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara on every Saturday for the Holy Mass and Novena. The feast of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara is celebrated with great devotion and solemnity every year from December 26^th - 03^rd January.

Get closer to the laid-back, yet harmonious, life along the way, paddling along narrow canal by country boat, interacting with the villagers.

Return to boat.

After having Lunch on-board, continue cruising to Mankompu village, where the Boat moors for the night.

Relax & enjoy a cultural performance on board as you enjoy Dinner.

After Breakfast, drive to the ancient exotic village, Aranmula, famous for the genius of its craftsmen & the ancient vibe one experiences the moment one enters.

The village enjoys a special place in the local folklore.

Aranmula is famous for its Aranmula Kannadi (metal mirrors), the centuries’ old Sri Krishna Temple, the unique ritualistic feast of `Vallasadya,’ & the famed Aranmula Boat Race & the list goes on.

It gets its name from the centuries-old Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple (dedicated to Sri Krishna) on the banks of the holy River Pamba, a virtual hotbed of devotees. The murals, carvings & paintings here have inspired much awe & interest.

It is also the venue for the Aranmula Vallasadya, a ritual offering to the deity Lord Parthasarathy in which the oarsmen of the snake boats are offered a feast. With over 70 dishes it is probably one of the largest vegetarian feasts in India.

Its legendary Vijnana Kalavedi houses some of the finest classes & teachers for a variety of art forms like Kathakali, classical dances, classical music & Kalaripayattu. Visitors can stay here for an extended period & observe the ancient crafts being passed on diligently to the next generation.

And then there are the families of craftsmen who still preserve their generational skill in making Mirror out of a special combination of metals. The secret of the trade has been passed down through generations. These Mirrors have the distinctive feature of 100% reflection unlike the common mirror. Local people consider it as auspicious to keep one at home to attract prosperity & luck.

A trip here is never complete without obtaining one of its special metal Mirrors- the beautiful Aranmula Kannadi. From being gorgeous souvenirs to exquisite wedding gifts, these are unique to this locale & till today, have not been replicated anywhere else in the world.

Take a walk in the village, interact with the Mirror makers engaged in different stages of their work & visit the ancient Krishna Temple.

Enjoy a traditional Lunch in a house along the bank of river Pampa. Here, explore the garden of flowers, fruits & spices.    

The ritualistic regatta of the divine vessels (Snake Boats) - Palliyodom of Aranmula - & in its neighbouring villages, on the Pampa River, is a visual delight during the harvest festival season of August-September.

Return to the Boat in Changankari.

Continue cruising as you relax on the deck & watch the laid-back village life-styles of farmers.

Stop at ancient Champakulam village, part of Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala & resplendent in green paddy fields, coconut groves & water fowl. Kerala’s old spice trade used to pass through this town enroute to Cochin & other ports on the west coast. Settled more than 1000 years ago by Syrian Christian traders, who later converted to Roman Catholicism under the Portuguese, the people chose to keep their syncretic cultural heritage.

This can be seen in the monumental St Mary’s Church on the riverside.

Champakulam Kalloorkadu St. Mary's Forane Church (also called Champakulam Valia Palli) is one of the oldest Christian churches in India & the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey District.

Believed to be established in AD 427 & rebuilt many times since, the many rock inscriptions found around the church tell us about the history of the church. Architecturally, it is a melange of several European styles, from the Levantine altar & structure to the Dutch arches that tower overhead.

The open air Rock Cross at the Church is one of the most ancient ones with clear documentation of its antiquity up to AD 1151. There are many archaeological artifacts discovered around the Church. The Church had very friendly relations with the Jacobite Syrian group & had a pivotal role in many ecumenical efforts in the 18^th century.

Visit the old Church, a school & the local artisans who skilfully & passionately craft biblical heroes.   

Champakulam is also famous for the Moolam ‘snake boat’ Race. The river Pampa flows through the village, splitting it into two parts.

Take a look at the narrow & long Snake boat (Chundan Vallom) of the villagers, gracefully docked on the shore.

Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is the oldest and one of the most popular vallam kali (snake boat race) in Kerala, held on river Pampa on the moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam, the day of the installation of the deity at the Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple.

These types of boats, which are being used for races today in modern days, were once maritime war boats and their structure & design reflect the prowess of ancient Kerala architecture & are one of the icons of Kerala culture. These Chundans (Snake Boats) were supposed to be Navy boats of the erstwhile Chempakasserry rulers. Now they are used for the Races, an internationally famous tourist event for the locals as well as foreigners.

Traditionally each boat belongs to a particular village & the villagers worship that boat like a deity.

Only men are allowed to touch the boat & to show respect they should be barefooted. To make the boat slippery while in the water, it is oiled with a mixture of fish oil, coconut shell carbon & eggs.

Maintenance & repair work is done annually by the village carpenter. Constructed according to specifications taken from the Sthapathya Veda, an ancient treatise for the building of wooden boats, Champakulam chundan has a length of 130 ft length & breadth of 69 inches & a depth of 22 inches with the rear portion towering to a height of about 11 feet, & a long tapering front portion, it resembles a snake with its hood raised. .

Its hull is built of planks precisely 83 feet in length & 6 inches wide. It can accommodate 105 oarsmen. This chundan can cover a distance of 1.4 km in about 5 minutes. In the centre of the chundan vallom, which was earlier the place of the canon, stand 2 people who beat the odithatta (fire platforms) with poles & sing the vanchippattu (songs of the boatmen) to maintain the rowing rhythm. While the strongest oarsmen sit at the front to set the pace, the back is managed by six hefty amarackars (helmsmen) who stand & help steer the boat. The person at the highest point of the boat is the chief oarsman. Champakulam Chundan has been the winner of several boat races including winning the famous Nehru Trophy boat race during 1989,1990 &1991.

In 2013, the Boat was sold to UST Global, a California-based IT services company by the owners Chambakulam Boat Club at a gala ceremony & the UST Global Trivandrum Campus is the new home for Chambakulam Chundan..

The new Champakulam chundan was sculptured by Uma Maheswaran, in around 180 days with an approximate cost of 56 Lakhs & can accommodate 104 oarsmen. It was the winner of 2014 Nehru Trophy Boat race.

Get back on the Boat & cruise through the serene canals to the remote Changankari village where you dock for the night.

Get up at dawn & enjoy a walk in the village before enjoying Breakfast on board.

Later, walk ashore to the village again.   

Honouring your cruise with us, we plant a Sapling of coconut. Coconut tree is considered as the ‘Kalpavriksha ‘or the Divine tree of Kerala. All parts of coconut tree are useful in one way or the other: the water inside is a healthy drink; the fresh kernel & the oil extract from dried kernel are inevitable components of every cuisine; fiber from the coconut husk is used to make coir, mats & geotextile; the palm fronds are used for roof thatching; the wood is suitable for making furniture & all the dried parts of coconut make good firewood. Last but not the least, used in the preparation for making Toddy - the local alcoholic beverage boost for the labourers toiling in the fields.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax on the Boat or spend time in the village.

Cruise to Thottapalli, where the Boat moors for the night.

Passing by low-lying paddy fields & tiny hamlets, you may see country boats loaded with paddy or local produces or duck farmers herding schools of ducks, or local people criss-crossing by canoes.

Lunch & Dinner on board.

After breakfast, drive (30 minutes) to visit an ancient Temple where serpents are worshipped.

The famous Nagaraja Temple "Mannarasala" is nestled in a forest glade, like most snake temples. It is the largest such temple in Kerala & has over 30,000 images of snakes along the paths & among the trees.

The Temple is a very ancient & internationally known centre of pilgrimage for the devotees of serpent gods (Nagaraja). Women seeking fertility come to worship here & upon the birth of their child come again to hold thanksgiving ceremonies here, often bringing new snake images as offerings. This is the only temple in Kerala having female priests.  A special turmeric paste which is available at the temple is credited with curative powers.

Though the legends related to the origin of a place cannot be deemed as its history, the story on the evolution of Mannarasala as one of the foremost places of worship of the Serpent Gods is associated with Lord Parashurama who is widely believed to be the creator of Kerala.

You can take a walk inside & see the rituals going on.

Mannarasala Aayilyam is the main Temple Festival. On the day of Aayilyam asterism in the months of Kanni & Thulam (September & October), all the serpent idols in the grove & the Temple are taken in procession to the illam (family connected with the temple) where the offerings of Nurum Palum (rice flour & milk), Kuruthi (a red liquid made of turmeric & lime) &  cooked rice are made. The oldest female member of the family carries the idol of the Nagaraja & the procession is conducted with great pomp & rejoicing.

After spending time at the Temple, continue driving (45 minutes) to Mannar village to meet the metal smiths engaged in making traditional lamps, ornate locks, bells and various types of vessels being used in temples.

Mannar is well known for its bronze industry, as well as other metals. While the rest of Kerala is known for its natural beauty, Mannar earned its name due to its beautiful creations in brass, bronze, silver & other metals. The craftsmanship on display is magnificent & in demand across the world.

There are hundreds of traditional 'ALA'S' (kilns or furnaces) in Mannar. There are many small-scale manufacturing establishments engaged in this business, employing traditional workers, where prospective buyers can visit, observe the making & then purchase the artefacts produced.

The world’s biggest church lamp at Kuravilangad & the world’s largest temple lamp at Chettikulangara Devi Temple, trace their origin to tiny Mannar in Alappuzha.

The most important household utensil they used to make are kinnan (plates for taking foods like kanji & boiled rice), nilavilakk, urui, chempi (for par boiling paddy), kindi (a vessel for taking water for washing hands & feet).

The most famous utensil makers were Chinkili Achari & Kollan Neelakantan Achari. There was an expert craftman Kurattiyil Neelakantan Achari, who made the minutest gold ornaments.

One can visit these in person to watch the metal workers at work. From temples in Shimla to the Cathedral in New Delhi, artefacts from Mannar adorn them to this day.

Later, the industry shifted to manufacturing big size artefacts & Craftsmen from this town created many well-known artefacts, such as a Varpu displayed at Delhi Museum, the lamp at Kuravilangad Church, the lamp of Chettikulangara Devi Temple, the bell at Simla Temple, the bell at Cathedral Church, New Delhi & a replica of famous tree of life & knowledge..

Mannar also has many unique religious sites. The Perumala Church Festival draws in huge crowds. The annual Vishnu festival at Panayannar Kavu Temple is another colourful event.

You may choose to visit one of the 7 churches built by St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, who arrived in Kerala during AD50.

It is also famous for its Sarpa Kavu (sacred grove for serpent gods) and the mural paintings. The Thrikkuratti Mahadeva Temple regularly attracts people of all faiths and they have made offerings at its entrance for a long time. It is a fine symbol of the communal bonhomie prevalent in the place.

Return to the boat.

The spillway at the river mouth at Thottappalli prevents the saline water from flooding the low-lying paddy fields. Get to know about indigenous practices of paddy cultivation on reclaimed land at lower altitude that the Sea.

After a leisurely sail we arrive in a quaint village of Karumadi.

We take a walk around a small shrine preserving the ruin of a sculpture of Buddha that belongs to the early centuries of current era. Along the way, interact with Toddy Tappers, who collect the sap of the stem of blossoming coconut flower & learn the process of making alcoholic beverage.  You may take a sip if you want to.

From here, proceed to Kanjippadom village, known for its Boat builders.

Take a leisurely walk & visit a dock for building or repairing of traditional wooden boats & meet the Carpenters at the boat building yard & talk about the traditional method of building wooden boats (Kettuvallom), joining wooden planks using coir, cotton & natural resin. It will be enjoyable to see how the coir rope tying process is used to lash the wooden planks of the boats together.

Return to the Boat & cruise till the fishermen lay their nets.

Tonight, we celebrate the end of the cruise, with a sumptuous farewell Dinner.

The experience coms to an end.

Morning, cruise through Punnamada lake to Alleppey as you enjoy a hearty Breakfast.

This lake is the venue of the annual spectacular annual race of Snake boats of different villages of the region, on the 2^nd Saturday in the month of August.

Reach Alleppey Pier & disembark at 09.30 am.

You will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep who will ensure your comfort. Stroll around the town before being transferred to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey.

*if the departure flight is in the evening, please let us know & we will offer suggestions on how best to spend your time in Cochin.

* Please note that to familiarize you with the destination, we will arrange to showcase, based on the available time & Logistics, multiple attractions & visits to hotels of different classification / categories, including, Heritage & Modern, that will make you more confident in promoting enchanting Sri Lanka & incredible India.

Meet the friendly people & join the tourism boom into Sri Lanka & India (average trips like this Itinerary are selling for US$ 4000 – 5000 +).

Final personalized Program will have more details about ‘site inspections’. However, please be aware that the changes, if any, may be advised the night before failing, before leaving the hotel in the morning. However inspite, we reserve the right to change the sightseeing components, without any prior intimation, if required, at the discretion of the Tour-guide for logistical reasons & there may not be much ‘free’ time available (even though mentioned in the Itinerary).

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