Tranquillity in Kerala

Day 1:  Arrive in Kochi

Welcome to India! Arrive at Kochi’s International Airport. You will be met by our Sky Vacations ambassador in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Depart for your hotel where you will check in for your stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure to get some much needed rest. 

Day 2:  Kochi

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a city tour of Kochi. The first stop is the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. Constructed in 1568, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and the literal meaning of the term is “foreigners”, applied to the synagogue because it was historically used by the typical Jews, a mixture from the Cranganore, the Middle East, and European exiles. After lunch, visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill.  Also pay a visit to the amazing Chinese fishing nets operating on principles of physics advanced for their times. Cochin’s Chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. In evening proceed to a local theatre where you will learn about Kerala’s fascinating art from, Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime.  Here you will enjoy a dance performance. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day – 3:  Kochi – Kumarakom 

Early morning yoga at the hotel followed by breakfast and checkout. Drive to Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors.  The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. Today lunch is at the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure or choose from one of the suggested optional activities. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom

Optional Activities:

Enjoy the magic of Ayurveda

Ayurveda evolved around 600 BC in India. During the 500-600 B.C., knowledgeable philosophers such as Agasthya, Charaka, Sushrutha, and Kashyapa churned from the Vedas the references to all illness, diseases, drug-medicines and compiled the samhitas. It is from this samhitas that the physicians later absorbed the knowledge of Ayurveda and applied them for curing illness. Ayurveda is not only the ancient Indian science of preventative health and healing but also a philosophy of living. This new system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practiced ever since. Today, it’s a unique, indispensable branch of medicine – a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body’s humours – vata, pitta and kapha – to achieve the right balance.

Sunset Cruise on the backwaters

Early evening enjoy a Sunset cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 kms of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Before trucks became popular, the main cargo transportation was through backwaters by ‘Kettuvalloms’. Kettuvallom means, ‘stitched boat’. Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters

Day  4:  Kumarakom

The day begins with morning yoga at the hotel followed by breakfast. An exciting day lined up with a visit to Vaikom village. Vaikom lies on the western side of the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is a quaint village just an hour’s drive from the Kumarakom and offers a traditional welcome and a chance to witness the unhurried lifestyle of the villagers. See their simple homes and small workshops. On a walk through the village, you will stop briefly at the Khadi Weaving Centre to see villagers produce hand-spun and hand-woven cloth out of cotton, silk or wool yarns. In the village center, you will also see how the local people earn their livelihoods. Ladies weave coir ropes from dried coconut husks, and you’ll see straw mats being woven out of wild pineapple leaves. Watch the local potter create a range of pots and vases, depicting ethnic designs in clay. Traditional Kerala lunch will be served banana leaf. Consists of rice, a variety of curries, pappad and followed by Payasam (Sweet Dessert). Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom

Day 5:  Kumarakom – Marari – Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort 

After a morning yoga session to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul, today we are off to Carnoustie – Ayurveda & Wellness Resort for a 4-night stay. All meals are included during your stay along with morning yoga sessions at the property.

Set on the shores of the Marari Beach, just 8 kms away from the world-famous backwaters of Alappuzha. The luxurious Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort offers the best of the ‘God’s own country’ experience and is meticulously designed to be a perfect restful and rejuvenating escape.  Carnoustie’s Arya Vaidyasala is an award-winning Spa that offers holistic treatments, combining practices of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy treatments. The treatments focus on strengthening and rejuvenating the body, mind and soul and uses natural methods and ingredients to combine modern science with traditional, age-old practices to rejuvenate and re-energize the mind and body. The diet at Carnoustie is an important aspect in its approach to wellness

Day 6:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Today, it’s an experience like no other with the Abhyangam synchronized treatment – a traditional energising treatment using medicated oils according to the body constitution where the therapist applies brisk, long and flowing movements. This relaxing treatment not only enhances the blood circulation, but balances the nervous system and doshas also.

Day 7:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Experience herbal body scrub and wash away your stresses. Polish your body with the essence of herbs like Vetiver, cardamom & cane sugar to exfoliate and nourish the skin with sesame oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, almond oil, cane sugar, vetiver and cardamom.

Day 8:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Today energise yourself by removing the soreness and fatigue of muscles after your workout with a deep tissue therapy. The accumulated toxins are been moved away and enhances its expulsion from the body.

Day – 9: Depart Kochi

Its time to say goodbye. Upon checkout, transfer to Kochi airport for your onward journey.

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.

Day 1:  Arrive in Kochi

Welcome to India! Arrive at Kochi’s International Airport. You will be met by our Sky Vacations ambassador in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Depart for your hotel where you will check in for your stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure to get some much needed rest. 

Day 2:  Kochi

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a city tour of Kochi. The first stop is the Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations, located in Kochi, Kerala, in South India. Constructed in 1568, it is one of seven synagogues of the Malabar Yehudan people or Cochin Jewish community in the Kingdom of Cochin. Paradesi is a word used in several Indian languages, and the literal meaning of the term is “foreigners”, applied to the synagogue because it was historically used by the typical Jews, a mixture from the Cranganore, the Middle East, and European exiles. After lunch, visit the ancient Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557. This palace was presented to the ruler of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill.  Also pay a visit to the amazing Chinese fishing nets operating on principles of physics advanced for their times. Cochin’s Chinese fishing nets found here are the only ones of its kind in India. In evening proceed to a local theatre where you will learn about Kerala’s fascinating art from, Kathakali. The Kathakali performers begin to train for their art at a young age, and their study continues for a lifetime.  Here you will enjoy a dance performance. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day – 3:  Kochi – Kumarakom 

Early morning yoga at the hotel followed by breakfast and checkout. Drive to Kumarakom, a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors.  The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. Today lunch is at the hotel. Remainder of the day is at leisure or choose from one of the suggested optional activities. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom

Optional Activities:

Enjoy the magic of Ayurveda

Ayurveda evolved around 600 BC in India. During the 500-600 B.C., knowledgeable philosophers such as Agasthya, Charaka, Sushrutha, and Kashyapa churned from the Vedas the references to all illness, diseases, drug-medicines and compiled the samhitas. It is from this samhitas that the physicians later absorbed the knowledge of Ayurveda and applied them for curing illness. Ayurveda is not only the ancient Indian science of preventative health and healing but also a philosophy of living. This new system of medicine stressed on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been practiced ever since. Today, it’s a unique, indispensable branch of medicine – a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body’s humours – vata, pitta and kapha – to achieve the right balance.

Sunset Cruise on the backwaters

Early evening enjoy a Sunset cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 kms of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Before trucks became popular, the main cargo transportation was through backwaters by ‘Kettuvalloms’. Kettuvallom means, ‘stitched boat’. Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters

Day  4:  Kumarakom

The day begins with morning yoga at the hotel followed by breakfast. An exciting day lined up with a visit to Vaikom village. Vaikom lies on the western side of the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is a quaint village just an hour’s drive from the Kumarakom and offers a traditional welcome and a chance to witness the unhurried lifestyle of the villagers. See their simple homes and small workshops. On a walk through the village, you will stop briefly at the Khadi Weaving Centre to see villagers produce hand-spun and hand-woven cloth out of cotton, silk or wool yarns. In the village center, you will also see how the local people earn their livelihoods. Ladies weave coir ropes from dried coconut husks, and you’ll see straw mats being woven out of wild pineapple leaves. Watch the local potter create a range of pots and vases, depicting ethnic designs in clay. Traditional Kerala lunch will be served banana leaf. Consists of rice, a variety of curries, pappad and followed by Payasam (Sweet Dessert). Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom

Day 5:  Kumarakom – Marari – Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort 

After a morning yoga session to rejuvenate your body, mind and soul, today we are off to Carnoustie – Ayurveda & Wellness Resort for a 4-night stay. All meals are included during your stay along with morning yoga sessions at the property.

Set on the shores of the Marari Beach, just 8 kms away from the world-famous backwaters of Alappuzha. The luxurious Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort offers the best of the ‘God’s own country’ experience and is meticulously designed to be a perfect restful and rejuvenating escape.  Carnoustie’s Arya Vaidyasala is an award-winning Spa that offers holistic treatments, combining practices of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy treatments. The treatments focus on strengthening and rejuvenating the body, mind and soul and uses natural methods and ingredients to combine modern science with traditional, age-old practices to rejuvenate and re-energize the mind and body. The diet at Carnoustie is an important aspect in its approach to wellness

Day 6:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Today, it’s an experience like no other with the Abhyangam synchronized treatment – a traditional energising treatment using medicated oils according to the body constitution where the therapist applies brisk, long and flowing movements. This relaxing treatment not only enhances the blood circulation, but balances the nervous system and doshas also.

Day 7:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Experience herbal body scrub and wash away your stresses. Polish your body with the essence of herbs like Vetiver, cardamom & cane sugar to exfoliate and nourish the skin with sesame oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, almond oil, cane sugar, vetiver and cardamom.

Day 8:  Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Today energise yourself by removing the soreness and fatigue of muscles after your workout with a deep tissue therapy. The accumulated toxins are been moved away and enhances its expulsion from the body.

Day – 9: Depart Kochi

Its time to say goodbye. Upon checkout, transfer to Kochi airport for your onward journey.

Prices are land only per person based on double occupancy. Restrictions apply. For our complete terms and conditions, click here.