Day 05 – On a houseboat through the backwaters. Cruise through the Kumarakom lagoon towards Alleppey. The people along the narrow banks of the backwaters engage in fishing, duck rearing or even shell collection by diving into the waters for extended periods . Magnificent houses and churches dot the banks of the backwaters.
Day 06-07 – At Alleppey. Stay at a heritage villa. Visit to ancient temple and church. Visit to coir making village commune. But the specialty here is the cuisine of this region (known as Kuttanad) notably fish and ducks. A special cookery class will also be conducted where the correct usage of Kerala spices will be explained. The extensive rice farms and the toddy extraction is also special to this location. Also this place will give a chance to see the famous snake boats which are used for boat races through the backwaters. Ayurvedic massages can be arranged on request.

Theekoy: On the foothills of the cardamom hills of Central Kerala, has been famed for its contribution to the spice trade of Kerala. The plantations that exist here are some of the best anywhere in India. Pepper, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric etc.. are grown here as well as plantation crops like rubber. The hills here reverberate with e fury of the monsoons in June-September and the rive Meenachil is the lifeline of the plantation sector here giving rise to a very industrious population of farming community notably the Syrian Christians who trace their arrival to the 1st Century AD. The churches here are ancient and have a greatly contributed to the growth of the farming community here.

Kumarakom & Kottayam: The centers of trade and commerce in this part of central Travencore (the erstwhile kingdom of Kerala). Of note is the old principality of the Raja of Poonjar on the banks of the Meenachil, who had large areas under his control, notably present day Munnar. Kottayam was the last extremity of the land journey to the old port at Alleppey. Beyond this, journey was through the boats like the rice barges, which have now been turned into the houseboats. Kumarakom is one of the largest lagoons of the backwaters of Kerala. These lagoons and canals were the lifeline of commerce in the old days. The river Meenachil empties into this backwaters and flows out into the sea thereafter.

Alleppey: Alleppey was the ancient port of Central Travencore (ancient Kerala). All spices from the hills and hinterland were ferried by carts or boats along the Meenachil and shipped to Alleppey. The vast network of natural waterways helped in evolving a community with district social ethos and more importantly fabulous culinary expertise. This area collectively is called Kuttanad which was also the rice bowl of Kerala.