Kerala with Lakshdweep

Duration: 09 Nights & 10 Days
Routing: Cochin – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin – Lakshdweep - Cochin

Tour Highlights
Cochin	St. Francis Church, Dutch Palace (Built by Portuguese), Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, Spice market, Chinese fishing nets & Kathakali Dance Show
Kumarakom	Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary
Alleppey	House Boat
Lakshdweep	Beaches and Water Sports

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin, after a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer to hotel for check in. Cochin always had a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe & Dutch. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world.
Half Day Tour
Later we visit Jew Town, synagogue, built in the year 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. Also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices & history that brought the world to its doorstep. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here.
Evening see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali
Overnight Hotel – Cochin (B)

Day 02: Cochin-Kumarakom (120 km - 03 hr)
Today we drive to Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands, on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Kuttanad, the 'Wonder Land' believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receded later. The land of lakes, canals & paddy fields, Kumarakom transports you to sheer ecstasy. Holiday on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvallam, are an out-of-this-world experience. Furthermore Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) & Konju (Tiger Prawns).
Later we visit Kumarakom Bird sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen, tree pie etc.
Overnight Hotel – Kumarakom (B)

Day 03: Kumarakom – Alleppey (25 km – Overnight)
Today we board the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, cruise around backwaters of Kumarakom to Alleppey to observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.
Overnight Houseboat (B, L, D)

Day 04: Alleppey – Cochin (70 km - 02 hr)
Cochin - Agatti (Flight)
In the morning disembark the houseboat & Drive to Cochin to take a flight to Agatti, coral islands of Lakshdweep a total of 36 & of which 10 are inhabited Isles in the Indian Ocean. It’s surrounded by lagoons & is known for their pristine beauty. Coconut trees abound, the beaches are silver crescents, & the sea is a crystal clear endless blueness.
Upon arrival assistance & transfer to the hotel by boat.
Overnight Hotel – Agatti (B, L, D)

Day 05 - Day 08: Lakshdweep
Days at leisure & free to explore the destination on own
Overnight Hotel – Agatti or Bangaram Island (B, L, D)

Day 09: Agatti – Cochin (Flight)
Morning post breakfast, transfer to the airport by boat to board the flight for Cochin. Upon arrival assistance & check-in hotel
Overnight Hotel – Cochin (B)

Day 10: Depart Cochin - Transfer

Our tour concludes: Caper thanks you for your patronage & look forward serve you again in near future.

Package includes:

• 09 Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis.
• Buffet breakfast
• All meals in Bangaram Island
• Boat transfer from Agatti – Bangaram-Agatti
• A/C transportation as per the itinerary (No transportation on leisure days).
• English speaking Guide for the Tour
• Kathakali dance show in Cochin.

Package does not include:

• Any airfare or airport tax.
• Any Monument entry fee & camera fee.
• All presently applicable taxes.
• Optional Tours
• Any expense of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
• Any other expense not mentioned in the “Package includes”.

List of activities at the Resort in Lakshdweep:

Kayaking - Boating - Kayaking is an excellent way to have fun on water. It’s not only an exercise but is also fun racing with your friends or family. Traditionally Kayaks are used for short distance transportation. Kayak is propelled by a double bladed paddle & its paddle is made of fiber.

Snorkeling - Snorkeling is the best way to explore under water life without the hassles of Scuba Diving. Discover diversity of marine life of these beautiful islands. Explore underwater world, enjoy the sublime seascapes. The lagoons here are huge & shallow, leaving lot of space for a good swim.

What is Snorkeling? - Snorkeling is a common form of diving on the surface or just below on the surface of water. A snorkel is a tube that allows the diver to breathe while floating on the water surface. One end fits in the divers mouth & the other end extends above the water to get the air for breathing. You are provided with a mask to see clearly in the water. Make sure to add this in your list of activities during your stay in the Resort.

Sailing - A gentle & relaxing activity where the only noise is of the wind, the sails & the water lapping against the hull. It can also be a fast active sport where a gust of wind will catch the sail driving you forward with an acceleration which you wouldn’t have expected.

Scuba Diving - Scuba Diving is for those who want to explore the world beneath the sea, hidden to naked eyes. The islands offer a wealth of relatively new, untouched diving sites in the world. There are opportunities for divers of all levels of experience, & most dive locations are within an easy boat trip from the shore. Diving is very enjoyable & is the only sport where you feel that you are in a zero gravity environment. A must do activity.

Fishing - Waters of these islands are abound with sport fish like Tuna, Kingfish, Barracuda, Shark, Snappers, Stonefish to name a few. We have a unique method of fishing called the Pole & Line system available at Lakshdweep only. Guests are offered options according to their interests: Hardcore fishing fans can take the boats for deep sea fishing, where as those looking for leisure fishing will enjoy Lagoon fishing. & the best part is you can barbecue what you catch.

Excursions - Resort offers many options for sea excursions. Trips to neighboring uninhabited islands of Bangaram, Thinnakara & Parali are offered. There are innumerable facilities for sightseeing & water sports. Kalpitty is a tiny island surrounded by a clear water lagoon. Island is uninhabited & has been developed into a beach. Bangaram is a tiny teardrop shaped island, which lies very close to Agatti Island. Two small islands of Thinnakara & Parali also lie close to Bangaram inside the same lagoon. During the nights, phosphorescent plankton washed ashore on the coral sands imparts a blue glow to the beach which is totally enchanting.

Water Skiing - The calm Lagoons of Resort are an ideal location for Water skiing. Facilities & locations are perfect for both beginners & advanced skiers.