Beaches and Backwaters
11 days / 10 nights
Start anticipating your Indian adventure with a short summary of what you can expect each day to bring.
This adventure begins and ends at Mumbai International Airport.
Day 1 - 2: Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a member of the &Beyond India team, who will chauffeur you to your hotel.
A hive of activity, Mumbai fascinates with its grand colonial architecture, bustling bazaars, trendy boutiques and exclusive restaurants, all offset with a special sense of history. Stately Victorian British buildings rub shoulders with rich Indian tradition. Elephanta Island, with its ancient caves and temples, lies in the middle of the city harbour.
Spend two nights in a deluxe ensuite room at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis.
On the second day, you will enjoy a guided tour of Mumbai.
Day 3 - 4: Kochi
After breakfast, you will be met and chauffeured to Mumbai Domestic Airport, where you will board a flight to Kochi. On arrival, you will be met and chauffeured to your hotel.
A colourful blend of influences, Kochi formed the centre of the Indian spice trade for centuries, taking on the food, architecture and traditions of the many nations that visited its shores. From giant Chinese fishing nets to Dutch palaces and Portuguese churches, an ancient synagogue and the white sails of Arab dhows, Kochi offers a fascinating jumble of cultures.
Relax for two nights in a standard sea facing room at The Brunton Boatyard.
Day 5: Kumarakom
This morning, after breakfast, you will be met and chauffeured to Kumarakom (approx 4 hrs drive).
Set on a charming emerald peninsula jutting into the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is the gateway into the heart of the scenic lake, with its traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The waters of the lake disperse into a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways known as the backwaters.
Spend the night at the Kumarakom Lake Resort.
Day 6: Houseboat adventure
This morning you will board the traditional houseboat Kettuvallam and cruise the Kerala backwaters.
Timelessly tranquil, the backwaters are a maze of rivers, lakes and canals that meander between a patchwork of green rice paddies, coconut groves and rustic villages. The relaxed backwater lifestyle is best experienced from the deck of a slowly drifting houseboat.
Relax for the night on board the ensuite, air-conditioned Kettuvallam houseboat. Your stay is on full board basis.
Day 7 - 9: Mararikulam
After breakfast, you will disembark at Alleppey, from where you will be driven to Mararikulam.
Originally a local fishing village, Mararikulam offers endless miles of sandy beaches offset by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience local charm and traditional hospitality at it's best.
Spend three nights in an ensuite garden villa at Marari Beach Resort.
Day 10: Mumbai
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be met and chauffeured to Kochi Airport (approximately 2 hours), where you will catch a flight to Mumbai. On arrival at Mumbai, a member of the &Beyond team will be waiting to drive you to your hotel.
Enjoy a day room at The Oberoi Mumbai to freshen up and prepare for your journey home.
Day 11: Departure
In the early hours of the morning you will be chauffeured to Mumbai International Airport for your flight back home.
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