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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
North to South Cruise (Kochi to Alleppey)
7 Nights / 8 Days
Set sail on an unforgettable 7-night, 8-day journey aboard MV Vaikundam, discovering the timeless charm of Kerala’s backwaters from Cochin to Alleppey. This elegant cruise reveals a living canvas of emerald canals, coconut groves, paddy fields, and vibrant village life along the tranquil waterways. Each day unfolds new experiences — from witnessing Kerala’s ancient martial art Kalaripayattu and enjoying classical dance performances like Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, to visiting sacred temples, historic churches, and serene bird sanctuaries. Guests explore traditional crafts such as coir weaving, bell metal casting, and the famed Aranmula metal mirrors, while learning about Ayurveda and local customs. Highlights include home-hosted meals with Syrian Christian families, canoe rides through narrow canals, and walks through villages where artisans, farmers, and fishermen share their way of life. Cruising across the majestic Vembanad Lake, you’ll experience the essence of Kerala’s cultural soul — its spirituality, artistry, and harmony with nature. Concluding at Alleppey, this voyage blends comfort, heritage, and authenticity, offering a rare window into Kerala’s backwaters — where every bend of the river tells a story of tradition, resilience, and gentle beauty.
Enjoy home-hosted Kerala meals, traditional Sadya feasts, and local cooking demonstrations.
Witness classical art forms such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Kerala’s martial art, Kalaripayattu.
Discover ancient temples, churches, and sacred groves reflecting Kerala’s spiritual and artistic heritage.
Sail across serene canals, lagoons, and the vast Vembanad Lake aboard the elegant MV Vaikundam.
Glide through Kumarakom’s bird sanctuary and witness diverse migratory and endemic
species.
Explore traditional hamlets like Aranmula, Mannar, and Kainakari, known for crafts, rituals, and warm hospitality.
Your journey begins with a scenic drive from your hotel in Cochin to the ancient village of Pallippuram, the embarkation point of your cruise. En route, visit a Kalari, the traditional training arena of Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art form rooted in the Dhanur Veda. Observe the fluid movements, disciplined strength, and spiritual rituals that make this practice both a physical and meditative art.
Continue to the jetty near the historic St. Thomas Church (2nd Century AD), where the crew of MV Vaikundam warmly welcomes you onboard. After a safety briefing, enjoy a delicious Sadya — Kerala’s traditional feast served on banana leaves.
As the boat leaves the harbour, the backwaters unfold in calm rhythm — emerald canals, swaying palms, and quiet village scenes. By evening, arrive at the sacred town of Vaikom, known for its centuries-old Shiva Temple and for pioneering Kerala’s social reform movements.
Take a tuk-tuk ride to the temple and later visit a nearby cultural centre to witness a captivating Kathakali performance, an ancient art form blending dance, theatre, and music. Return to the boat and relax under the starlit sky.
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Enjoy breakfast as the boat cruises toward Chenganda, a tranquil village known for its coir spinners, weavers, and clam harvesters. Learn about Kerala’s famed coir industry, where coconut husk fibre is skillfully transformed into ropes, mats, and eco-friendly geotextiles — a sustainable craft that sustains thousands of rural households.
Aboard, attend an enlightening Ayurveda talk by a traditional physician, offering insight into this 5,000-year-old science of natural healing.
In the afternoon, visit a charming Syrian Christian family home for a home-hosted lunch. Located on a reclaimed island in Thanneermukkom, the hostess shares her family’s legacy, cooking traditions, and stories of life amid the waterways. After the meal, enjoy a gentle walk through the gardens and fish farms before resuming your cruise.
Relax on deck as the boat glides across Vembanad Lake, the largest in Kerala, bathed in the hues of sunset.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
At dawn, set out on a country boat excursion through the lagoons and mangroves of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a haven for migratory and endemic birds — herons, egrets, bee-eaters, cormorants, and even ospreys.
Return to the cruise for breakfast and a relaxed sail across the majestic Vembanad Lake, where four rivers converge before meeting the Arabian Sea.
By evening, arrive at Kavalam, a serene village where the River Pampa flows in reverse to join the lake. Take a ferry ride through narrow canals, walk along lush paddy fields, and meet members of Kudumbashree, Kerala’s women’s collective known for empowering rural communities.
As night falls, enjoy graceful performances of Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, classical dance forms that reflect Kerala’s refined artistic heritage.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
This morning, the cruise drifts deeper into Kuttanad, Kerala’s famed below-sea-level region. Visit Kainakari, a scenic hamlet accessible only by boat, and glide through narrow canals by country canoe, offering close encounters with village life.
Stop at Chavara Bhavan, the ancestral home of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, now a museum dedicated to his life and work among the poor. Return to the cruise and continue toward Pulinkunnu, a picturesque village surrounded by lush green fields and winding waterways.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
After an early breakfast, drive to the historic village of Aranmula, famed for its rare metal mirrors — handcrafted with a secret technique passed down through generations. Visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, and learn the legend behind the village’s name.
Enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family on the banks of the Pampa River before returning to the boat.
En route, stop at Champakkulam, one of Kerala’s oldest spice trade ports. Visit the St. Mary’s Forane Church (AD 427), renowned for its ancient open-air rock cross and vibrant annual festivals. Interact with local artisans and observe traditional biblical woodcraft before the cruise continues to Changankari, a peaceful agrarian village where we anchor for the night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Begin the day with a walk through Changankari’s quiet lanes, observing rural life and lush paddy fields. After breakfast, drive to a sacred serpent grove — a mystical site where rituals are performed by female priests, preserving ancient beliefs in nature worship.
Continue to Mannar Village, known for its traditional bell metal craft. Watch artisans skillfully casting lamps, cauldrons, and temple bells using the age-old lost-wax technique.
Later, the cruise sails to Pallana, the hometown of Kerala’s revered poet and reformer Kumaran Asan. Visit his memorial, enjoy a local poem recital, and glimpse into the evolution of Kerala’s social and literary consciousness. As the sun sets, stroll along the coast before returning to the comfort of your floating home.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
After breakfast, take part in a symbolic coconut tree planting ceremony, honouring Kerala’s “Tree of Life,” where every part of the plant serves a purpose — from food to craft and livelihood.
Continue cruising to Karumadi, a quaint riverside village famed for its ancient black granite statue of Buddha, symbolizing harmony and enlightenment.
By afternoon, reach Kanjippadom, a quiet village of boatbuilders, fishermen, and duck farmers. Take a leisurely walk through the fields and coconut groves, engaging with the locals and witnessing their daily routines.
Tonight, celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner on board, reflecting on the days spent amidst Kerala’s tranquil waterways and timeless traditions.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board MV Vaikundam.
Wake up early for a gentle morning walk along the riverbank, watching life unfold — temple flower vendors, newspaper boys, and children heading to school. Sail across Punnamada Lake, the vibrant venue of Kerala’s iconic Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held every August.
After breakfast, bid farewell to the crew as you disembark at Alleppey by 9:30 AM, carrying with you memories of Kerala’s backwaters — a journey of nature, culture, and quiet beauty.
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
