CRUISING THE BACKWATERS 24 FEBRUARY - 7 MARCH 2021

YOUR TOUR LEADERS

FROM £2,580 PER PERSON

Tour Leaders: Malcolm and Jane Wallace AN ENCHANTING JOURNEY ALONG EMERALD WATERS

Join Malcolm and Jane Wallace on a pioneering cruise through Kerala, from the modern port city Cochin () to the ancient port town of Alleppey () passing through , land of rubber and spices. Travel aboard a traditional nine-cabin wooden rice barge on what promises be an enlightening as well as an extremely relaxing holiday.

Kerala has an extensive network of water ways that lace its interior coastline, stretching along almost its entire length of around 600kms. It is a land of copious rainfall which flows from the hills and mountain passes in freshwater canals and streams to join the 40 odd rivers in the state. This labyrinthine network of canals, streams and rivers, which converge to form lagoons, make up the Backwaters and give rise to an unique eco system which is a haven for nature.

The area has been named by National Geographic as the ‘Green Venice of the East’ due to the green coconut trees which turn the backwaters a vibrant emerald green, with the setting sun adding splashes of red, all contributing to the serenity of this tropical destination. The water-ways teem with life as wooden boats are the only way of travelling between villages. Along the way we will visit temples, churches, marketplaces, paddy fields, beaches and boat building yards. We will learn about and experience the vibrant culture of the region including handloom weaving, snake boat regattas, traditional toddy tapping, local dances, martial arts and festivals.

Alleppey Traditional dance

12-DAY ITINERARY, DEPARTING 24 FEBRUARY 2021 24 February London / Cochin Lunch under own arrangements. and prawns and their indigenous Afternoon at leisure. Welcome dinner methods of fishing and coconut Depart London (international flight not at the Rice Boat Restaurant. farming. included in the cost of the tour). Return to the boat for lunch. Cruise through the Barrage 27 February Cochin / RV Vaikundam / 25 February Cochin which divides the lake into two: one Arrive in Cochin. Transfer to the half with perennial saltwater and the After breakfast, check out and Taj Malabar Resort & Spa where other with freshwater enriched by the proceed to witness a performance of two nights are spent. Situated on rivers. Arrive in Vechoor village and Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of with a magnificent take a walk or relax on board. Evening Kerala and integral to the view of Cochin harbour, the Taj visit to a farmhouse located on an culture. Transfer to Jetty in Malabar Hotel combines old- island which was made by the men (the urban area of Cochin) world elegance with modern day of the house, by reclaiming land from to embark on the river cruise boat RV convenience. The Heritage Wing of the Backwaters. Take a walk on the Vaikundam. the hotel was built in 1935 and houses farm and enjoy a demonstration of graceful Victorian interiors whilst the After a traditional lunch on board, set traditional Syrian Christian cuisine by Tower Wing rooms mix the classic sail to explore the magnificent network a mother and her daughter-in-law. with the contemporary. With varied of waterways formed along the coastal restaurants and a fantastic swimming belt by the rivers from the Western pool this is an excellent hotel in Ghats before draining into the Arabian 1 March Lake / which to relax. Dinner under own Sea. Amidst the rapid development After an early and light breakfast, set arrangements. in the city, the Backwaters of Cochin out for escorted canoe ride to watch remain placid, giving life to many the migratory as well as endemic birds island villages. By evening, arrive at of Bird Sanctuary, which 26 February Cochin the old town of Vaikom in Kottayam, is made up of a cluster of lagoons of Walking tour of , the the land of natural rubber latex and Vembanad Lake with a backdrop of bustling part of Old Fort Cochin and spices. Visit the temple of Lord Shiva, mangroves, paddy fields and coconut the epicentre of the spice trade for one of the largest in Kerala, where groves. Waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, centuries. The tour reveals Cochin’s following Keralan tradition each heron and the water duck are some multi-layered past, a rich brew of element of the temple represents an of the endemic species seen here. Arab, Portuguese, British, and Dutch element of the human body. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood influences. Begin at the Dutch Palace Dinner on board. beetle, and other birds are seen here built by the Portuguese as a gift for the during their respective migratory Raja of Cochin in 1555. See St. Francis seasons. Return to the boat for Church, ’s first European church 28 February Vaikom / Vechoor breakfast. Cruise on to the interior of famed as the original burial site of After breakfast on the boat, visit the with its vast stretches of Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama. cultural centre in Vaikom to watch a paddy fields, dykes and narrow canals. Next visit the picturesque Chinese performance of the traditional dance Watch a folk-dance performance fishing nets, unique to Cochin, Kathakali. Cruise to Chenganda (Kaikotti kali) by the girls of the village. introduced by the Chinese explorer village and see the locals making coir, Zheng He in the 14th century. demonstrating how to collect mussels Lunch on board. Return to the boat

020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK Snake boat

St. Francis Church, Cochin

and cruise further inland until dusk to for races, were once maritime war taking a walk through this quiet and Veliyanad village. Dinner on board. boats. Cruise on until dusk, passing rustic village, cruise to Kanjippadom through the serene canals and arrive village to visit a boat yard where in Changankari village. Relax on board traditional wooden boats are built and 2 March Kainakari / Chavara Bhawan or take a visit a local temple, watching repaired. You might be able to see Cruise to Kainakari, another vibrant the evening rituals and interacting the art of traditional Kettuvallum or village in the interior. En route we with the devotees. Dinner on board. coir rope lashed wooden plank boat visit a traditional Ayurveda centre building. to learn about this ancient form of After lunch, cruise through treatment and holistic way of life and 4 March Konni / Thottappalli Pallathuruthy village and arrive at a try a massage. Cruise on to Chavara After breakfast, proceed to small lake (Vattakkayal) amidst paddy Bhavan, the ancestral home of Saint village which is home to a family of fields. Take a relaxing walk and watch Kuriakose Chavara, the first canonised craftsmen who are skilled at making toddy tapping. Return to the boat after Catholic male saint of Indian origin. mirror out of a special combination the beautiful sunset. Toddy will be The ancestral home of the Saint has of certain metals. The secret of the served during the farewell dinner. now been preserved as a museum. trade has been passed down through generations. Visit the mirror makers, After lunch, cruise to Pulinkunnu see the ancient temple of Krishna, see village. Get closer to the laid-back, 6 March Alleppey / Cochin the mural art of the local artists and yet harmonious, life, paddling along Cruise to Alleppey, the ancient port meet a snake boat builder. the narrow canals by country boat, town, criss-crossed by rivers, lakes, interacting with the villagers. Lunch at a local house with beautiful canals, lagoons and paddy fields, Dinner on board. architecture, located on the banks of named as the Venice of the East. the Pampa, the holy river of natives. Disembark and take a guided tour Drive to Thottappalli with a visit en of the old part of the town. Visit the 3 March Mannar / Champakkalam / route to a temple where serpents are markets, temples, churches and Changankari worshipped. Re-board the boat in mosques and the beach. Transfer to Morning excursion by road to Mannar Thottappalli for tea/coffee with snacks Cochin. village, famous for ornate locks, lamps and a short cruise to a tiny settlement. Lunch at the Courtyard by Marriott and vessels used in temples. Take a walk to the beach and visit a Hotel. Day use rooms will be reserved Return to the boat for lunch. Cruise toddy shop. Toddy is a local alcoholic at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel to Champakkulam village, settled beverage made from the sap of the (one room to be shared between four more than 1000 years ago by Syrian flower of coconut palm and usually guests) or one additional night’s Christian traders, who later converted consumed accompanied by tapioca. accommodation (for those departing to Roman Catholicism under the the following morning). Dinner under own arrangements. Portuguese. Their cultural heritage 5 March Karumadi / Kanjippadom / can be seen in the monumental St. Pallathuruthy Mary’s Church on the riverside, built Plant a coconut sampling for the 7 March Cochin / London in 1550. Visit the church, a school and village. Arrive in Karumadi village. Transfer to Cochin Airport for your the local artisans and see the village’s Here an 11th-century statue of Buddha flight to London (international flight Snake Boat. These boats, decorated is preserved in a small shrine. After not included in the cost of the tour). in Keralan style and used nowadays

020 3411 4595 | [email protected] | THEULTIMATETRAVELCOMPANY.CO.UK RV VAIKUNDAM (ABODE OF GODS) TOUR PRICES PER PERSON

Tour Price £2,580 Single Supplement £1,135 Supplement for Cabin 1 £150

PRICE INCLUDES • Accommodation throughout as shown in the itinerary • Breakfast daily; 8 lunches; 8 dinners • All entrance fees, visits and excursions • Transportation as per the itinerary • Gratuities in restaurants for included meals • Gratuities to guide/s; gratuities to driver/s • Porterage • Local English-speaking guide/s The river boats of today are modified versions of the traditional Kettuvallom or rice • The services of your tour barges, which in past years were used for transporting produce from farms in the leaders throughout interior of Kerala to the markets. Today they are comfortable cruising homes allowing guests to unwind, relax and immerse themselves in the pristine nature and captivating local activity along the meandering network of the Backwaters. PRICE EXCLUDES

RV Vaikundam has nine well-appointed cabins, with en suite bathrooms, on its lower • International flights deck and a well-appointed kitchen, an air-conditioned and exquisitely furnished • Travel insurance dining room and an open-air lounge on its upper deck. The wooden hull of the boat • Visas has been fashioned by joining planks of local ‘Aanjili’ wood, using strong coir rope on • Items of personal expenditure (e.g. the sections above the waterline while, below the waterline, copper tacks are used for telephone calls / laundry etc.) added strength in keeping with traditional methods. The wood is coated with caustic black resin made by boiling cashew kernel and fish oil and is periodically treated with • Government levies or taxes neem oil and fish oil. The rooms are made using wooden panels, bamboo poles and introduced after costing and bamboo mats, following the traditional practices. publication of this programme on 01/02/20

Please note we have not included the cost of the flights in the tour price. Please contact us for prices should you wish to book them through us.

Upper Deck

Main Deck

Chinese Fishing Nets, Cochin 24 FEBRUARY - 7 MARCH 2021

YOUR TOUR LEADERS

MALCOLM & JANE WALLACE

Malcolm, a former CO of the Kings Troop RHA, has lived a life surrounded by horses. Eventing, racing, polo, Director General of the Equestrian Federation, Director of the Jockey Club and Chairman of Burghley Horse Trials. There are few aspects of the equestrian world in which Malcolm has not been involved. Jane is no less experienced. As a child, she rode top show ponies, then enjoyed success in show jumping and point to pointing, was placed at Badminton, won Windsor, Bramham and Burghley Three Day Events, was individual European silver medallist and reserve for the Seoul Olympics. Jane is also an accomplished equestrian author and has recently completed a biography of Mike Tucker.

Apart from their huge equestrian knowledge and skills, they are widely travelled, have previously ridden in Rajasthan but most importantly are enthusiastic, amusing and entertaining travelling companions who will ensure the trip will not only go smoothly but that it will also be the greatest of fun.

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