Vembanad Village Tours | Tribal Tours

Arrive Cochin from your home country by morning. Garland welcome, assistance and transfer to Gramam, the backwater hideaway set amidst a fishing village. Afternoon visit of Kochi (Coachin), one of South India’s most interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings. Most of the historic buildings listed here are in Fort Kochi. We start our sightseeing with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights; the new occupants, the Dutch, largely rebuilt it. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjascent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), wareshouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal; St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names. Evening we watch the dance drama of Kerala – the Kathakali in a local theatre in Kochi. O/n Home

Today we explore the local village & villagers go about their business of fishing farming. The local islands make an ideal getaway in the kettuvallms (wooden canoes held together by coir ropes) by the local boatman.

Activities includes –

•        Boating on the backwaters in a country boat & fishing with the local fishermen

•        Cycling through the surrounding countryside

•        Visit the Chinese fishing nets (maybe try your hand also at fishing along with the local fisher men)

•        Watch the toddy-tappers at work (maybe try out the toddy)

•        Learn about prawns farming.

Rest of the day is free to relax. O/n Home stay

After breakfast drive to Alleppey check into Emerald Isle Heritage home - an ancestral Country House set in 7 acres of secluded grounds near Alleppey. Afternoon is free to relax or make a short visit to the ancient local temples or the old church along the backwaters. Vinod & Lismy - the delightful young couple who stay at this villa will be your hosts. If you are in the mood to learn a little of Keralan cooking, you have come to the right place. O/n Home.

After breakfast enjoy the experience of travelling in Country Boats through the small village canals watching the life of village pass by you. Mingle with the people of the village as you visit the ancient temple, the famous Snake Boat, the ancient Bhagawati temple and the 1000 year-old Saint Mary's Church … all just a row away! At the end of the day watch a glorious sunset over the paddy fields. O/n Home

After breakfast excursion to nearby Aranmula declared as an heritage village of India by Indian National Trust of Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Aranmula is world famous for its mirrors, “Aranmula Kannady”, unique for its alloy and its ancient method ‘lost wax’ and polishing techniques. The proportion of the alloy is secret, known only to the manufacturers, i.e. only to the members of a family who had been passing on this secret from generations to generations. There is only 04 or 05 family is doing this work, visit the workshop to see the method of working. Lateron visit to Vijnana Kala Vedi, cultural centre which you will get a close up view of Indian arts, not just watching them, you can touch and learn them under the supervision of professional Indian artists. The centre has been introducing foreign visitors into Indian arts since 1977, where it was created by Ms. Louba Schild, an European artist living in Kerala since 1968, studying performing Kathakali. The objective of the Centre has been throughout to contribute to the preservation of traditional arts, not in creating a museum of the past, but in keeping alive the atmosphere, which gave birth and maintained their vitality.

After having a traditional Keralan lunch, we drive back to our home, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Home.

• Mattancherry Dutch Palace is closed on Friday’s & Jewish Synagogue closed on Friday’s & Saturday’s.