The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda
OVERVIEW
The picturesque backwaters of Kerala are one of India’s most enchanting holiday destinations – and The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda Backwater Cruiser is the perfect way to experience it. The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda takes guests on a 3-night and 4-day journey through the tranquil waterways of ‘God’s own country – Kerala.
Contact us for a detailed itinerary & cost proposal to include luxury river cruises experiences in your client’s itinerary.
ITINERARY
Day 1
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 Vembanad Lake in time to watch the sunset. Later in the evening, guests enjoy a performance of the highly ritualised “Kathakali” dance which tells stories from the ancient Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata. Performances begin with the application of elaborate makeup based on traditional Ayurvedic principles. The vessel will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board.
Day 2
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 Kanjippadom, 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 excursion includes a visit to the half-statue of Lord Buddha at Karumadi and a traditional Kerala tharavadu (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
At 7 a.m. Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, past Kanjippadom. Vrinda will anchor near Champakulam, 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 Champakulam snake boat yard, which displays one of the traditional long snake boats used in races. For a better understanding 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 “Mohiniyattam” recital on board. This classical dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is called the ‘Dance of the Enchantress’. Dancers in beautiful traditional costumes perform with slow, graceful movements and highly emotive expressions. Dinner on board.
Day 4
At 8 a.m., Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail North along the main waterway channel on 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.