Day 1 Arrival
Once all guests are on board, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala sets sail along the main waterway on Vembanad Lake and enters the Alleppey canal. Guest can actively participate with the local fishermen and understand the life cycle of “karimeen” also known as “pearl spot”. Lunch will be served on board.
Later in the evening, guests can 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 on traditional Ayurvedic principles.The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board.
Day 2 On board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, with a rice boat excursion
The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head south, towards Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on board.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.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 The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala 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 return to Vembanad Lake, where guests can enjoy Vrinda Vadiyam a musical fusion of classical instruments. Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board OR
On board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, with a rice boat excursion
The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, 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 be able to 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, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, 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 3 Departure
The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala will sail north/south along the main waterway channel on the Vembanad Lake and head South, past Pallathurathy.Breakfast will be served on board; following which guests will check out at 10 am and will be transported by air-conditioned vehicle back to Cochin.
Embarkation / Disembarkation The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala allows flexibility of embarkation and disembarkation. Guests can check-in on any day of the three day cycle for the cruise excursions on the famed backwaters of Kerala.
Embarkation/Arrivals
Day 1 – Guests will board from Vrinda Jetty, Kaipuram at 12.00 noon Days 2 & 3 – Guests arriving on Day 2 and Day 3 can choose to board from three different embarkation points on the cruise route depending upon the time that suits them the most.Rajiv Jetty at 09.00 am
Palathruthi at 10.00 am
Kanjipadam at 11.30 am
Disembarkation/Departure
Day 1 – Guests will disembark at Vrinda Jetty, Kaipuram before 12.00 noon Days 2 & 3 – Guests departing on Day 2 and Day 3 can choose to disembark at three different disembarkation points on the cruise route depending upon the time that suits them the most.
Vrinda Jetty before 07.30 am
Rajiv Jetty at 09.00 am
Palathruthi at 10.00 am
Kanjipadam at 11.30 am