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Toll-Free 1-855-952-6526
U.K : +44 1753 201 201
Canada : 1-416-619-7795
Australia : 61-2-86078986
WhatsApp : + 44 ( 0 ) 7739 716978
7 Nights South to North Cruise (Alleppey to Kochi)
7 Nights / 8 Days
Embark on a serene 7-night, 8-day journey aboard MV Vaikundam, cruising through Kerala’s enchanting backwaters from Alleppey to Cochin. This leisurely voyage blends natural beauty with cultural discovery, sailing past emerald canals, paddy fields, and coconut groves while pausing at charming villages such as Karumadi, Mannar, Aranmula, and Kainakari. Guests experience authentic Kerala life through visits to ancient temples, local craft workshops, and home-hosted meals, along with traditional art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Kalaripayattu. The cruise also features a talk on Ayurveda, a canoe ride through narrow canals, and a cooking demonstration of regional cuisine. As you glide across the tranquil expanse of Vembanad Lake, every moment reflects Kerala’s harmony between nature and tradition. With personalized service, comfortable accommodations, and immersive experiences, the MV Vaikundam offers a graceful passage through the heart of Kerala’s waterways and culture.
Sail across tranquil canals, lagoons, and the vast Vembanad Lake aboard the elegant MV Vaikundam.
Explore traditional villages like Karumadi, Aranmula, and Kainakari to witness local crafts, rituals, and daily
life.
Enjoy classical performances of Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, and learn about Ayurveda and Kerala’s martial art, Kalaripayattu.
Relish home-hosted meals, local cooking demonstrations, and interactions with artisans and farmers.
Discover ancient temples, sacred groves, and historic churches reflecting Kerala’s spiritual and artistic
legacy.
Witness Kerala’s largest lake teeming with birdlife, lush islands, and breathtaking sunsets during your cruise.
Board the elegant MV Vaikundam this afternoon at Punnamada Village, Alleppey — the famed venue of Kerala’s annual Snake Boat Race held every August. After a warm welcome and smooth check-in, settle in as the boat glides past the lively town into tranquil backwaters dotted with emerald canals, lakes, lagoons, and paddy fields framed by swaying palms and banana groves.
Savour a traditional Kerala lunch on board.
By evening, the boat anchors at Kanjippadom, where a gentle village walk reveals the rhythms of local life — paddy cultivators tending fields and flocks of ducks gliding across still waters.
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
After breakfast, the cruise continues to the serene village of Karumadi, surrounded by rice fields and meandering canals. A stroll through the village brings you to an ancient shrine dedicated to the Goddess and a small temple preserving a centuries-old statue of Buddha.
Back on board, attend an engaging talk by an Ayurveda doctor, introducing you to India’s 5,000-year-old science of holistic wellness.
As the boat sails through the merging rivers toward the sea, arrive at Pallana, the hometown of Kerala’s beloved poet and reformer Kumaran Asan. Visit his memorial and hear one of his poems recited by locals, followed by a visit to a village school.
Watch the sunset over the harbour before returning to the boat.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Begin your morning with a refreshing village walk, followed by a symbolic coconut tree planting ceremony — honouring Kerala’s revered ‘Kalpavriksha’ or Divine Tree.
Later, drive to a sacred serpent grove where rituals are led by female priests — an ancient tradition still alive in Kerala’s cultural fabric. Continue to Mannar Village, renowned for its bell metal craft, to watch artisans cast intricate lamps, vessels, and temple bells using the lost-wax technique.
Return to the boat for lunch and relax as you sail to the peaceful village of Changankari, surrounded by shimmering paddy fields.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
After an early breakfast, drive to the ancient village of Aranmula, famous for its exceptional metal mirrors, made only by a few hereditary craftsmen. Visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, and learn about the village’s legendary Snake Boat races.
Enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch hosted by a local family on the banks of the Pampa River.
Later, return to the boat and sail to Champakkulam, one of Kerala’s oldest spice trade centres. Visit the St. Mary’s Forane Church, dating back to 427 AD, and stroll through the village to meet artisans who create biblical figurines. Continue cruising to Pulinkunnu.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Take an early morning village walk before sailing toward Kainakari. Here, glide through narrow canals on a country canoe ride, offering close encounters with daily life along the waterways.
Visit Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, now a museum dedicated to his legacy.
After lunch, cruise to Kavalam, where you can meet members of the local women’s collective, Kudumbashree, and interact with paddy farmers. As dusk falls, enjoy a graceful performance of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam on board.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Today, the cruise explores the vast Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest and most scenic inland waterway. Watch as fishermen cast their nets and migratory birds skim the surface.
Enjoy a home-hosted lunch at a traditional Syrian Christian family home on a private island, where the hostess demonstrates age-old recipes and shares her family’s story of land reclamation and backwater life.
In the afternoon, the boat sails to Thanneermukkom, where a barrage divides the lake’s saline and freshwater regions. Relax on the deck as gentle breezes drift across the lake.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Begin the day with a country boat ride through the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, home to herons, kingfishers, storks, and seasonal migratory birds.
After breakfast, cruise to Chenganda Village, known for coir weaving and clam harvesting. Witness how villagers spin fibre from coconut husks into strong ropes used in eco-friendly products.
By evening, reach Vaikom, where you’ll watch a captivating Kathakali dance performance and visit the nearby Vaikom Shiva Temple, admired for its architectural harmony and spiritual serenity.
Return to the boat for a festive farewell dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
This morning, disembark at Pallippuram, on the outskirts of Cochin.
Before concluding your journey, witness an exhilarating performance of Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art form. Learn about its origins in the Dhanur Veda, its healing techniques through Marma therapy, and the discipline that unites body, mind, and energy.
After the show, you’ll be transferred by road to your hotel in Cochin or Cochin Airport to board Flight for Onward Journey.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Note: At Present 5 % GST is levied by Government of India EXTRA ON TOP OF THE Fares / Prices.
Fares
| Price in US Dollars ($) | Price in Sterling Pounds (£) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Price for Single Cabin | Price for Twin / Double Cabin | Price for Single Cabin | Price for Twin / Double Cabin |
| Deluxe Double | $ 4160 | $ 4160 | £ 3165 | £ 3165 |
| Superior Twin | $ 3235 | $ 3695 | £ 2465 | £ 2820 |
Entrances: Entrance Fees
Naturalist/Destination Manager: English speaking
Assisted Transfers: At Kochi
Land Transport: By Air-conditioned Vehicles and Local Tuk-tuk
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
Internet: Available with Wifi Dongle
Airfares: International or Domestic Airfares
Taxes: 5% Government Tax. Or any other tax levied in the future.
Evacuation Charges: For medical emergencies or any other reasons
Personal Expense: Laundry, calls, extra liquor, camera fee, medical, spa etc
Insurance: Any travel insurance or personal insurance.
Force Majeure
Assisted Transfers: At Alleppey
25 Grangewood, Wexham,
Slough, South Bucks,
SL3 6LP, United Kingdom
