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Day 1: Arrival
At 1 p.m., once all guests are
on board, Vrinda sets sail along the main waterway on Vembanad
Lake and enters the Alleppey canal.
Lunch will be served on board.
The cruiser sails along the
scenic waterways for four hours and returns to the Vembanad
Lake in time to watch the sunset.
Later in the evening, guests enjoy a performance of the highly
ritualized “Kathakali” dance which tells stories from the
ancient Hindu epics - Ramayana and Mahabarata. Performances
begin with the application of elaborate makeup which is based
in traditional Ayurvedic principles.
The vessel will anchor for the
night at the Vembanad Lake jetty.
Dinner on board.
Day 2: On board Vrinda, with a
rice boat excursion
At 7 a.m., Motor Vessel Vrinda
will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, towards
Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on board.
The vessel will enter the waterways of the Pamba river through
the Alleppey canal.
Sailing through scenic backwaters, guests can observe life
along these “water highways” while passing through one of
the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea
level.
The vessel will anchor near Kanjippadam and guests will be
transferred to a traditional rice boat to navigate through the
narrower sections of the backwaters.
For the next few hours, guests will observe and experience a
way of life unique to this region, accompanied by a guide.
This section of the cruise includes a visit to the half-statue
of Lord Buddha at Karumadi and a traditional Kerala tharavad
(family residence).
Later in the day, guests return to Motor Vessel Vrinda where
lunch will be served as the boat passes through picturesque
stretches of the backwaters on the way back to Alleppey, known
as the “Venice of the East”.
Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad
Lake jetty.
Dinner on board.
Day 3: On board Vrinda, with a
rice boat excursion
At 7 a.m. Motor Vessel Vrinda
will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, past
Kanjippadam.
Vrinda will anchor near Chambakulam where guests will transfer
onto the rice boat once again for a pre-lunch sightseeing
excursion.
Guests will visit St. Mary’s Church, established by St.
Thomas in 1721 and Sree Bhagavathy Kshetram – a 100-year old
Hindu temple to Mother Goddess - at Nedumudy.
Guests can also explore the Chambakulam snake boat yard, which
displays one of the traditional long snake boats used in
races.
To further the understanding and appreciation of this
experience, a qualified guide will be present on board for the
full day
After cruising through the backwaters in the afternoon, Motor
Vessel Vrinda will return to Vembanad Lake, where guests can
enjoy a “Mohiniattam” recital on board. This classical
dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is also called the 'Dance
of the Enchantress'. Dancers attired in beautiful traditional
costumes perform with slow, graceful movements and highly
emotive expressions.
Dinner on board.
Day 4: Departure
At 8 a.m. Motor Vessel Vrinda
will sail North along the main waterway channel on the
Vembanad Lake.
Breakfast will be served on board following which the vessel
will return to the Vembanad Lake jetty.
Guests will check out at 10.00 hours and will be transported
by air-conditioned vehicle back to Cochin.
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