Boat Race

boat Race

Kerala , popularly knows as the Gods Own Country , is ultimate Incentive Destination with sprawling mansions set in lovely locales-exotic islands, luxuriant Wildlife Reserves, Hill Stations, Golden Sandy beaches, Backwaters, Ayurveda - the natural way of healing, etc. It is voted one of the 10 must visit destinations in the world by National Geographical Traveller!

With an array of prime properties set in the finest spots of Kerala's theme destinations, Royal Indian Voyages presents exotic ways to experience Kerala for your next Incentive or Conference. Designed to give you a feel of the heritage hospitality, this land is renowned for. Offering you a spectacular view of its natural splendour. And a taste of its spicy richness. With a subtle blend of the traditional and the luxurious, the hotels envisaged in the programme are destinations by themselves.

DAY 01   ARRIVE MUMBAI-COCHIN

Special Welcome and assistance on arrival at Mumbai International airport and transfer to the domestic airport.
Depart Mumbai by flight to Cochin. Assistance and special welcome on arrival and transfer to your hotel Brunton boatyard, a heritage Hotel situated in Fort Cochin situated on the banks of the backwaters, where there will be a Traditional Kerala Welcome. The warmth of Indian Hospitality and the custom of welcoming guests are as old as time itself. As you step into the hotel, ladies in traditional local costumes greet you with garlands of flowers and perform the "Aarti" ceremony. After having your forehead anointed with the traditional red "tikka", relax with a non-alcoholic welcome drink.
After lunch at the hotel, half day sightseeing tour of Kochi (Cochin) - an important port city with a famous Jewish settlement and Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, the Chinese Nets, the Church of St, Francis and the Tomb of Vasco da Gama.
Evening Sunset Cruise with cocktails on the backwaters of Cochin. Followed by a performance of Kathakali, a popular Dance Drama performance of Kerala, which is referred to as first theatre of imagination of the world owing to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-ups.
Followed by Red & White Dinner - The tables and chairs will be arranged in the lobby and each table will have 08 covers. Since the theme is red and white, the tablecloth, napkin and chair covers will be a mixture of red and white. The service will be a pre-plated silver service in the Raj style. The stewards will be in the old Raj style. The tables will be decorated with different spices. The guests can also opt to dress up in red and white attire. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart by surface to Alleppey (63 kms/2 hours approx.) from where you can board a boat and cruise through the backwaters (the inland water routes of Kerala) sailing through colourful flowering water plants, transparent jelly-fish glitter in the water and bathing children wave from the shores. The palm front huts fit easily into the coconut palm forests and paradise conditions seen to prevail for the passing boat passengers. The cruise will take approx. 2 & ½ hrs to reach the Kottayam, where your vehicle would be waiting for your drive to Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary (approx. 130 kms/3 hours drive) and upon arrival check-in at the Spice Village. Lunch at the hotel.
Periyar, lying to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. Amongst the animals spotted here are wild elephants, which can be seen and photographed at close quarters, wild boar, Sambar, tier, leopard, wild dog and languor monkeys. Later take a guided Spice Plantation tour in Thekkady.
Evening dinner with Live Classical Dance Performance: India is famous for its rich and diverse classical dance forms. There are many different modes of classical dance besides a host of folk dance forms. You can chose from Bharatanatyam or Mohiniyattam, which are originating from the South India. Followed by a Bar-be-que Dinner with Bon Fire at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 03     PERIYAR-KUMARKOM

Early morning take game viewing boat ride on the Periyar Lake. After breakfast, depart by surface to the Kavanathingara boat Jetty in Kottayam, where your boats will be waiting for you to transfer you the ultimate Backwater resort of Kerala - Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom. Lunch at the Resort. Rest of the day free to relax or get an Ayurveda Rejuvenation Massage. Ayurveda - The Healing Touch: Coconut Lagoon has An Ayurvedic Centre offering various Ayurvedic Therapies and rejuvenation massages under the guidance of an expert physician. Evening cocktails at the sunset Point.

Evening Local Martial Arts - Kalaripayutu Performance. The martial arts are believed to have originated in South India. Kalaripayutu is the local traditional martial arts form. Kalaripayutu derives its name from Kalari (gymnasia) in which this martial arts form was first practiced. The performance will include various authentic forms of armed and unarmed combat.
Evening special Bar-be-Cue dinner, where cooking demonstration will also take place. Enjoy rest of your evening at the Bar, which is converted to a Disco at night, which will play some foot tapping music. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04   KUMARKOM

Early morning take a boat Cruise for Bird Watching - one the southern bank of the Kavanar River, immediately opposite Coconut Lagoon, is a small bird sanctuary, where numerous species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost.
Sunset Cruise - Evening at sunset boat Cruise on the Vembanad Lake with Cocktails on board. There can be few better ways to adjust to the pace of backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the late afternoon just watching the sun go down whilst cruising on a boat on the Vembanad Lake and having a cocktail.
Kerala Village Theme - Amongst country boats with fishing nets, the local toddy shop, fruit vendors and people working in paddy fields, we transport you to a traditional Kerala village. Dine on traditional cuisine served in clay pots, under thatched coconut leaf roofs. Hurricane lanterns and traditionally attired attendants add to the ambience. Followed by special Kerala Dinner served on the Banana Leaf (plantain leaf).
Today again, you may spend rest of your evening at the Bar, which is converted to a Disco at night and will play some foot tapping music. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Rest of the morning at leisure. After early drive by surface to Cochin airport (3 hours) to board flight to Mumbai. Assistance on arrival at the airport and transfer to a Hotel for Dinner (optionally 2 rooms can be taken for wash & change). Later departure transfer to the airport to board your flight back home.

Depart Mumbai by flight