Captivating Kerala 7 Days | Starts/Ends: Kochi

TRIP NOTES

Captivating Kerala 7 days | Starts/Ends: Kochi

Uncover the delights of tropical • Traditional Kathakali Dance Show in Kochi colony in Kochi in the 16th century, then Kerala in India's deep south. Visit (entrance fee excluded) the Dutch quickly followed and eventually, • historic Fort Kochi, the picturesque Houseboat cruise along the Keralan the British. The cosmopolitan mix of cultures backwaters makes the city truly captivating. Meet your hill station of Munnar with its • Escorted by an English-speaking Indian guide and the rest of the group at your verdant tea plantations and spend tour guide (for groups of 6 or more) hotel at 14:00 for a welcome meeting and a night aboard a houseboat, gliding • Services of English-speaking Indian enjoy some time at leisure before we watch along the tranquil, palm fringed specialist guides at some sites a Kathakali performance. Kathakali is the backwaters. • Airport arrival and departure transfer on fascinating traditional dance form of Kerala. days 1 and 7 Overnight - Kochi • All relevant transfers and transportation in HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS private A/C vehicles Days 2-3 : Kochi sightseeing & Munnar Trip Highlights What's Not Included • Kerala Backwaters – Cruise along the • Tipping Kitty: USD$25-35pp, paid in local famous backwaters on a deluxe rice boat, currency past lush forests and local villages • Entrance Fees: USD$15-25pp, paid in • Kumarakom – Enjoy two days relaxing local currency at leisure and visit the biodiverse • International flights and visa Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary • Tip for your tour guide. We recommend • Kochi – Tour the winding streets of the you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Fort Kochi neighbourhood and watch a Tipping your guide is an entirely personal Kathakali dance show gesture • Munnar – Stroll through a tea plantation Kochi - Munnar - breakfast. On the morning of on a guided walk and explore the day 2 we enjoy a guided tour of historic Fort DETAILED ITINERARY beautiful surroundings independently Kochi. We see the elegant Chinese fishing nets and explore the winding streets of the What's Included Day 1 : Kochi old town, visiting St Francis’ Church, Parsi Saturday. Welcome to India. You'll be met • Synagogue (exterior only) and a Dutch palace. Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 2 dinners at Kochi airport and transferred to your • 5 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels and 1 hotel. Long famed in the history books, After our sightseeing in Kochi we drive east night deluxe houseboat Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) offered to Munnar - a picturesque hill station nestled • Guided sightseeing - Kochi, Fort Kochi refuge to Jews more than 2,500 years ago. on the verdant slopes of tea plantations. and Munnar tea plantation The Portuguese founded the first European Located at a lofty height of 1600m, Munnar

Captivating Kerala - 7 days updated on 01-10-2021 12:45:52 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Captivating Kerala in South India offers breathtaking views Keralan Backwaters - Kumarakom. After of the surrounding hills carpeted with tea breakfast on day 5 we disembark plantations. From many locations in Munnar, the houseboat at Kumarakom. Perched one can view Anamudi (2695m), South India’s sleepily among a tangle of lush tropical highest peak. The rest of the afternoon is free waterways known as the Keralan backwaters, to relax or explore the area. Kumarakom is technically a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad - one of Asia’s largest On day 3 we'll take a stroll through one of the freshwater lakes. This is an ideal place to Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel many tea plantations with our guide, who will relax for the next two days and enjoy the Set in the valley of the Kennan Devan give us a brief explanation about the different beautiful scenery. There is also a wonderful Hills, the Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel is a varieties of tea and how they are processed. bird sanctuary spread across 14 acres, which contemporary accommodation. Guest rooms Then we'll visit a local market before heading is a favoured haunt of migratory birds are bright and spacious with beautiful views back to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for and provides an opportunity to see the of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are you to spend at your own leisure. Overnight - endangered Siberian Crane. Overnight - also all en suite, have modern amenities Munnar (B:2, D:2) Kumarakom (B:2) and comfortable beds. The hotel benefits Day 4 : Kerala backwaters from an onsite restaurant that serves up Day 7 : Kochi a tasty selection of both Indian and South Alleppey - Kochi - Today marks the end of our Indian food as well as Chinese and European memorable journey. After breakfast we travel dishes. back to Kochi and transfer to the airport.

Please Note: Your flight from Kochi on day 7 should not depart any earlier than 2pm. If your flight leaves late afternoon/evening, a day room at a hotel in Kochi can be arranged for an additional fee (payable locally). (B)

Munnar - Alleppey - Keralan backwaters. Early HOTELS Deluxe Houseboat this morning we set off on a scenic 4-5 hour There are few things as serene and tranquil drive to Alleppey. Upon arrival, we board Highlighted below are some of the hotels as floating along the Keralan backwaters in a simply furnished private rice-boat for a which we frequently use on this tour, though the comfort of a luxurious houseboat. Deluxe journey through the lush backwaters. Our rice- we reserve the right to substitute these houseboats are elegantly furnished, with up boat carries us sedately along the enchanting hotels to ones of a similar standard. to four bedrooms, equipped with modern en palm-fringed backwaters, covering a distance Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your suites, an open lounge, dining area and a of some 20 kms past local villages full of confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival deck to relax and admire the beautiful views fascinating scenes of everyday rural life. information. of the lush green palms and rice paddies. Watch a beautiful sunset over the backwaters Air conditioning operates in the bedrooms and enjoy tasty meals (starting with lunch) Casino Hotel between 9pm to 6am only. The cruises are prepared by the on-board chef using fresh Casino Hotel is a modern hotel located on full board, with tasty meals freshly prepared local produce. Willingdon island, set in tropical gardens it by the onboard chef. is a beautiful blend of art deco and colonial Overnight - Deluxe rice boat (B, L, D) Indian architectural styles. With a large pool Days 5-6 : Kumarakom and and spacious comfortable rooms this hotel offers a fantastic experience when in Kochi. Casino Hotel boasts 2 restaurants, a 24-hour health club as well as free wifi in public areas. Eastend Lakesong Nestled among the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, Eastend Lakesong comprises of 8 acres of facility packed leisure land. Guests sleep in villas and cottages, which are all

Captivating Kerala well furnished with colourful interiors and Ayurvedic medicine Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must comfortable beds. The onsite restaurants Kochi is the place to shop for Ayurvedic be provided to us no less than offer an excellent selection of local and medicines as the plants used are grown in the 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept international cuisine. Why not treat yourself Western Ghats region. Over 2000 plants are COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid to a relaxing massage at the Ayurveda on described in Ayurveda and the most common Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- site Spa? It is the perfect way to unwind after and frequently used of these are readily mailed to [email protected] or you a long day of exploring in the fierce Indian available. You could also pamper yourself and can upload your vaccination history heat. have an Ayurvedic massage. yourself via our traveller login. https:// www.onthegotours.com/Login Sightseeing The information you will need to upload Please note the following for your free time: includes: Administering national authority or Kochi sites are closed on the following days, government, document No, name of Vaccine, Parsi Synagogue - closed Friday afternoon date/s of vaccination. from 1pm and closed all day Saturday, Dutch Palace - closed Friday. This in no Confirming your trip way affects our tour, should you wish to At time of booking please provide us with: Kerala houseboats visit independently please plan your time - YOUR FULL NAME and DOB, 120 days prior Our itinerary includes one night on board accordingly. to departure to secure train tickets a deluxe house boat in Kerala. Deluxe - A SCANNED COPY OF YOUR PASSPORT, houseboats have a lounge and dining area in KNOW BEFORE YOU GO 90 days prior to departure to book your safari addition to comfortable en suite cabins. Air by canter vehicle in Ranthambore National Conditioning is available from 9pm until 6am. COVID-19 Vaccination Park. If you wish to stay on a boat with air Requirements If booking less than 120/90 days, every effort conditioning 24 hours a day there is the option As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of will be made to secure seats in the same to upgrade to a premium houseboat for a travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions carriage and canter as the others in your tour small supplement. Contact our reservations that all travellers over 18 years provide proof group, though this may not be possible. team for details. of COVID-19 vaccination. Alcohol in Kerala We recognise any vaccine that has been Entrance fees authorised for use in the country where On our group tours, select entry fees are If you fancy a tipple after a great day of the vaccine was administered. This includes included with in the tour costs, however all sightseeing, you may wish to purchase duty vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, other entrance fees must be budgeted for by free alcohol prior to your arrival as many Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- you. The total cost of these entrance fees, as of the hotels in Southern India do not sell BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. noted under 'Exclusions' on the first page of alcohol. Below is a list of hotels frequently this document are required to be paid locally used on your tour and the beverages they In all instances, you must be fully immunised. by each traveller at the Welcome Meeting. serve: Casino Hotel, Kochi – serves alcohol, This means you must receive the full dosage Entrance fee amounts are subject to change House boats - serve wine, beer and soft of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum and as such upon arrival to India your tour drinks, Travancore Court and Eastend Munnar of 14 days before travelling in order for leader will highlight the exact total entrance - do not serve alcohol, Eastend Lake Song immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 fee cost for your tour. PLEASE NOTE: Entrance - serves wine and beer, Backwater Ripples - vaccine has different dosages and timeframes fees are to be paid in INDIAN RUPEES (INR) sells beer only. for immunisation, so please check the related and they will be collected on day 2 of your medical advice associated with your vaccine. tour. Kathakali performance Children under 18 years are not required to Kathakali is a stage drama of the region provide evidence of vaccination to travel at If travelling on our Railways of the Raj tour, that dates from the 17th century and is very this time. entrance fees will not be collected and are entertaining to watch. Singers and musicians payable by you at each site. If travelling to Sri tell the story whilst the Kathakali performers If you are unable to be vaccinated due Lanka on our Delhi to Colombo tour, entrance portray good and evil, courage and weakness, to medical reasons, you may apply for an fees for the Sri Lanka section of your tour will prosperity and poverty, all part of the classic exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on be collected by your guide in Sri Lanka and 30 odd stories that have survived through the a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must payable in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). years. provide supporting documentation from a medical professional.

Captivating Kerala

Tipping kitty tour. As such on your holiday you may have • Sporting equipment – cricket bat, tennis Tipping is not a natural part of many Western travellers join you part way through your tour balls, soft balls, skipping ropes, elastics cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or end their holiday when you continue on. • Toothbrushes, toothpaste, liquid soap for or unsure about when or how much to Whenever there is 6 persons of more on your washrooms tip. However, in India tipping makes up a holiday you will have a tour guide escorting/ significant part of many people’s wages so it’s travelling with you. Your guide will conduct India Country Guide important that we get it right. For this reason, the sightseeing arrangements, or accompany we’ve developed a very simple system to take you where the local law dictates that a local Welcome to India - Arrival all the hassle out of tipping. guide must conduct the sightseeing in this transfer region. Where the group number is less than If your holiday includes a complimentary With our ‘tipping made easy’ policy, a nominal 6 persons you will travel from place to place airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the pre-determined amount is collected from all with a driver and meet a local guide at 'Inclusions' section of these Trip Notes group tour participants to cover tips during each new destination, who will conduct your on page 1) from Delhi's Indira Gandhi your tour. This then saves you the hassle of sightseeing arrangements in this location. International Airport, our arrival procedure is when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage as follows: handlers, local guides and other support Change for children staff. The tipping kitty amount is noted under On many of our Group Tours we stop at one Arrive to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International 'Exclusions' on the first page of this document. of two Village Schools where we operate our Airport, where after you have attended to PLEASE NOTE: The tipping kitty is to be paid in ‘Change for Children’ programme. If travelling customs and immigration formalities, please INDIAN RUPEES (INR) and it will be collected via Karauli you will meet the children at proceed to the arrival hall. Please have your on day 2 of your tour. Nishabd local school (supporting deaf and tour voucher handy and make it available to blind children), and if via Bharatpur, Adarsh our representative who will be waiting for you If travelling onto Sri Lanka on our Delhi to Vidya Mandir local school. If you have bought in the arrivals hall, holding a prominent On The Colombo tour, the tipping kitty for that section any educational items with you to hand out to Go Tours logo signboard, ready to escort you of your tour will be collected by your guide in children, this would be the time to do so. You to our awaiting transportation and onward to Sri Lanka and is payable in Sri Lankan Rupees can also make a donation to the school if you your start hotel. (SLR). If travelling on our Railways of the Raj choose via our Change For Children Project. tour, a tip kitty will not be collected and we ask If, for any reason you have trouble locating Your guide will hand out envelopes to those that you independently manage tipping along our representative (after waiting 20 minutes interested. the way. in the arrival hall) or your flight is delayed, All schools are closed from mid-May through please call or send a text message (standard Our ‘Tip Kitty’ doesn’t include a tip for your till the start of July for the Summer Vacation text message, not Messenger or WhatsApp) to group tour guide, where we suggest an and then in December for Winter Vacation. the emergency contact number as stated on amount of approx USD$4-7 per day multiplied Additionally, they may be closed throughout your Tour Voucher. Please do not leave the by the duration of your tour. Naturally though, the year during festival weeks such as Holi, airport or go to the hotel on your own. Call the amount is up to you. The tip for your guide Diwali and others - including teacher training our emergency contact number and follow the is an entirely personal gesture. days which only tend to be announced a day advice given by our local team. If travelling on a group tour with less than 6 or two prior. Accordingly, it is not be possible If travelling on our other India holidays that participants, in place of ‘tipping made easy’ to visit the schools during these times and don't arrive into Delhi Airport (with arrival we recommend the following amounts per should you have bought along items for the via Kochi, Cochin, Goa, Mumbai, Chennai, person per day be allocated to cover tips school, your guide will be happy to pass them Trivandrum, Kolkata and Dimapur Airport), the paid directly by you to - bellhops, luggage on when it re-opens, on your behalf. procedure for meeting you at the airport is the handlers, your driver and local guides - The schools have made the following same as those detailed above. USD$9 per travellers if the day includes a suggesting's to support onward education: local guide and sightseeing and USD$4 per Pre and post tour accommodation can be • Wall charts – map of the world, numbers, traveller, if the day excludes a local guide and arranged upon request, please contact us for letters, multiplication tables sightseeing. rates. If you are arriving early and book pre • Any visual teaching resources, coloured tour accommodation with us then you will still cardboard, junior scissors, rulers, sharpeners, Guides & groups qualify for our complimentary airport arrival lead pencils Our longest group tour in India is our Highway transfer. • Reading books – suitable for any age to Himalayas – 16 day tour and our Passage between 4 – 12 years of age to India – 14 day tour tour. All other group If arriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially tours that we offer are sectors of a longer on a flight that arrives very, very early in the

Captivating Kerala morning) consider purchasing a night of pre- Domestic flights - Baggage indicated at a higher level). 2nd class sleeper tour accommodation to save you waiting until allowance air-conditioned cabins consist of 2 upper and hotel check in time, which is generally 2pm. 2 lower bunks, plus a double-decker set of If your holiday includes a domestic flight or bunk beds on the opposite side of the cabin you have independently booked domestic Visas & passports shared by you and other Indian travellers. You flights separate to that of your international Visa requirements are subject to change and can sit up on your bench seat during the day flights, please be mindful that that free visa procurement is the responsibility of the and simply lie down once you are ready to go baggage allowance for Economy class travel traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also to sleep. on flights within India is near always 15kg, ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 with 5-7kg allowance for hand luggage. months from your planned date of departure All cabins are mixed sex. Your cabin is not Additional weight is charged per kilo and is from India. self-contained as such. ‘Cabins’ are separated payable by you directly to the airline at check- from the carriage corridor by curtains, serving After booking your holiday, please provide us in. If travelling with more than 15kg on a flight as an artificial barrier that can be drawn with your passport details as soon as possible included within your holiday, please contact at night. Luggage, including hand luggage so that we can proceed to book all services. us so we can confirm the exact luggage should be locked (as you would do when Please be advised visa requirements are allowance for your flight and give you the travelling on any overnight train anywhere in subject to change, therefore it is essential that current per kilo cost for additional weight. the world) and can be stored underneath the you check current visa requirements with the lower bunks or on the floor. The carriage is embassy before travel. For information about What to expect manned by an attendant who will distribute Please visit www.onthegotours.com/India/ visas, head to www.onthegotours.com/India/ linen, free of charge. Dependent upon the Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, Visas service, a variety of snacks and drinks or full currency, WiFi and other helpful information to dinner service can be ordered at an additional prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. Health requirements cost (except for the Shatabdi Express and You should seek medical advice for Train travel in India Rajdhani Express where meals are included vaccinations and about medications before within your fare). Food aboard the Shatabdi Travelling by train in India is an unforgettable travelling. Express train is most often exceptionally local experience where you will get to meet good, though on many other train services Water Indian people and experience daily life as they it is probably best to buy snacks, fresh fruit As tap water is not safe to drink in India, only do. The Indian Railway system is the world’s that can be peeled or meals prior to the start drink bottled mineral water which is readily second largest, with over 108,706 km of track, of your journey. In addition, there are WC available in hotels, shops and restaurants. connecting more than 7000 stations. Every facilities (European and ‘squat-style’) at each You should also avoid salads which may be day, more than 7000 trains run, carrying some end of the carriage. Cleanliness varies, so washed in unhygienic water. 14 million passengers, including us. Several be prepared and take your own anti-bacterial our holidays include train journeys, some by hand wipes and toilet paper. Essential packing day and others overnight. If your holiday does Please check local temperatures so include train travel, we have noted within the 1st AC COACH/ SLEEPER you can pack accordingly. Visit itinerary the coach/class of travel that will be All Indian trains offer 2nd and 3rd AC coaches, www.worldclimate.com booked. Below is some further information but only a handful of trains offer 1st AC that may assist you in planning for your coaches, which can accommodate a tiny total • A small daypack for your day-to-day needs journey. of 18 people. 1st AC coach/ sleepers only have • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel berths on one side of the train hence making insurance policy, spare passport photos and a AC CHAIR CAR the cabin more spacious. The cabin may have photocopy of your passport If travelling on a daytime journey, you will 2 berths or 4 which seat/sleep 2 or 4 persons. • Universal travel adaptor travel in an air-conditioned seated carriage You can sit up a on bench seat during the • Insect repellent to guard against mosquitos (called AC chair car), similar to that of a day, which is folded into bunk beds at night. • Spare camera batteries and memory cards standard city trains in most western countries. The 1st AC coach also has a door making it • Consider packing some pencils, pens or When travelling to loftier destinations where fully closed and lockable for 2 or 4 persons. modest educational supplies that can be the weather is cooler, air-conditioning may not Beds are a tad wider and mattresses more given to village schools or street children be provided. cushioned. Each cabin has a 'bell' switch, • Buy some Indian Rupees at the airport on which when pressed summons the attendant arrival and keep a supply of small notes for 2nd AC COACH/SLEEPER of the coach. local transactions If travelling overnight, we accommodate passengers in the 2nd class sleeper 3rd AC COACH/ SLEEPER air-conditioned category (unless otherwise

Captivating Kerala

We do not include 3rd AC coach travel will seem almost too much to bear. Yet, it’s This can become an issue when clients feel within any of our tours, though if you were all worthwhile! While India is far from the obliged to purchase goods. We do our best considering it for personal arrangements a easiest country in the world to travel around, to avoid this by monitoring all shopping description can be given as follows. 3rd AC On The Go will try their upmost to make experiences offered. coach is very similar to 2nd AC coach with the your holiday as seamless as possible. Our only difference being that there is a middle holidays combine comfortable transportation, All shopping experiences on your tour berth ie not just a 2 bunk bed but a triple bunk comprehensive sightseeing and good hotels, have been noted in the itinerary and they bed, hence making it possible for 6 people allowing you to concentrate on getting the been carefully selected based upon positive to be accommodated within the space. Like most out of your stay. feedback from On The Go travellers. You the 2nd AC coach there is also another set are under no obligation to partake in a India is a country of unparalleled contrasts, listed shopping experience and you are of bunk beds on the opposite side - running parallel with the length of the train. Like 2nd a destination where you’ll be afforded plenty most welcome to wait inside or outside the AC, there’s no door just curtains and again you of unique encounters, and if you can travel premises. with an open mind you will have a wonderful sit up on your bunk bed during the day and lie Although we only visit reputable retailers, down to sleep. time here. In return, please remember to demonstrate sensitivity and respect for local please note that we cannot explicitly Travel Operators for Tigers customs. guarantee the quality of their products. All purchases made whilst on holiday with us are Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT), is a Begging at your own discretion. Please make sure that UK based campaign, set up to encourage With more than 350 million people in India you are completely happy with your purchase. sustainable wildlife tourism in tiger reserves living on less than USD$2 per day, inevitably On The Go cannot be held responsible for and national parks. Funds generated through you will come across many people begging any items that you buy if they fail to meet TOFT will be used to fund tiger conservation for money. Begging has a legitimate place expectation, or any shipping arrangements. initiatives and local community development, in Indian society. Even poor people give to Proceed with caution. through their two partner conservation beggars or charities to earn religious merit. organisations - Global Tiger Patrol and the The Indian government, however, would like Environmental Investigation Agency. On The to regulate begging more stringently. Though Go Tours are members of TOFT and we begging is common, you are not under happily pledge a USD$20 contribution to obligation to give money. If you choose to TOFT for each of our clients that choose to give money to beggars, we advise you to do travel on a wildlife tour to India with us. this from the vehicle and not on the street. Not like home... & begging Alternatively, consider donating pencils, pens or modest educational supplies to village Travelling to far–flung corners of the earth schools. often involves encountering lifestyles and conditions that are very different from what you are used to back home. As Shopping such it is important to come prepared for India is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. At the many unusual situations, local inadequacies and bazaars known as ‘chowks’, the cardinal rule unpredictable events as and when they occur. is to bargain hard. State run craft emporiums Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for that stock the best of what a state has people who expect or demand everything to to offer can give you a reasonable idea go exactly as planned, as things can and do of what is acceptable in terms of price change in foreign countries. and quality. You'll find carpets of quality equal to those of Persian origin, Rajasthani The people, customs, creed, food and pottery and metalwork, embellished slippers languages of India are different from one known as jootis, jewellery in breathtaking region to the next. It is as vast as it is designs. Likewise, leatherwork, silks and saris crowded, and as opulent as it is squalid. in spectacularly colourful designs, paintings India is exciting, intense and diverse - an and clothing make excellent souvenirs. all-embracing experience, a veritable assault on the senses. Sometimes the poverty will In the tourism industry it’s common practice get you down, Indian bureaucracy can test for commission to be offered in exchange for your patience and facing another traffic jam recommending particular shops or suppliers.