Cochin to Goa – The Malabar Coast (9 Days)

Arrive Cochin

On arrival at Cochin airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Later city tour of Cochin ​historical city monument. Prime monuments include St. Francis Church (the first European church built in India), The Paradeshi Synagogue (the oldest of the commonwealth), the Mattancherry Palace (built by Portuguese and gifted to Kochi Maharaja). Activities include harbor cruises through the backwaters, Kathakali (A classic Kerala Drama) and Kalaripayattu shows (Keralan Martial Art) at local theaters.

Overnight at hotel.

Cochin - Day Cruise in the Backwaters Canals at Alleppey (60km/ 1hr one way)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey a backwater town. The backwaters here are serene and beautiful. Alleppey is referred to as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here. You can see a lot of boats around, Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Alleppey leads in coconut fiber production and makes different products out of coconut fiber like that of floor mats, coir ropes, handicrafts and a lot more.

Board a houseboat from here and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. Houseboat comprises double/ twin bed room, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Start sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level.

After 4hr cruise and lunch on board enjoy 1hr shikara ride (kanoy boat) in the narrow backwaters.

Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Cochin - Guruvayoor - Kozhikode (190km/ 4hr)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Kozhikode en-route visit Guruvayoor Temple a pilgrimage town. It’s known for centuries-old, red-roofed Guruvayur Temple, where Hindu devotees make offerings of fruit, spices or coins, often equivalent to their own weight. Nearby, Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple contains shrines to the deities Vishnu and Shiva. South of town, St. Thomas Church is believed to have been established by the apostle St. Thomas in 52 AD.

Arrive Kozhikode (Calicut) the land of Zamorins, a prominent city in the Malabar and check in at hotel. Kozhikode is a coastal city, it was a significant spice trade center and is close to Kappad Beach, where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. The central Kozhikode Beach, overlooked by an old lighthouse, is a popular spot for watching the sunset. Inland, tree-lined Mananchira Square, with its musical fountain, surrounds the massive Mananchira Tank, an artificial pond. The city has some of the known martial art houses where you can witness an authentic form of Kalaripayattu (Martial art from Kerala). A few km away from the town is Beypore, where Arabian Dhows are still made of wood for the sheiks of the Arabian world. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Kozhikode - Thalassery - Kannur - Bekal - Mangalore (250km/ 5hr)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Mangalore enroute visit Thalassery, Kannur & Bekal.

Thalassery one of the strategic centers of the British India, there have been several Anglo-Indian wars fought at Thalassery. The Thalassery Fort that overlooks the sea stands as a mute witness to all these wars fought.

Further drive to Kannur and visit 16th-century St. Angelo Fort, once occupied by European colonial forces, show the city’s significant role in the spice trade. Housed in a former palace, the Arakkal Museum highlights Kerala's one Muslim royal family.

The Historic Bekal fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. Bekal fort was not an administrative centre and doesn't include any palace or mansion. An important feature is the water-tank, magazine and the flight of steps leading to an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan. Standing at the centre of the fort, this offers views of the coastline and the towns of Kanhangad, Pallikkara, Bekal, Kottikkulam, and Uduma. Its solid construction resembles the Thalassery Fort and the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by the Dutch.

Continue drive to Mangalore check in at hotel. Visit the Marvel of Mangalore St. Aloysius Chapel located at the St. Aloysius College. The interior of the chapel is completely hand painted by Italian Jesuit Antonio Moscheni in 1899. The doors and windows of the chapel are closed as part of preserving the paintings, and photography is prohibited. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Mangalore - Udupi - Gokarna (235km/ 5hr)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Gokarna en-route visit Udupi.

Udupi known for its Hindu temples, including the huge, 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple, which houses a statue of Lord Krishna and attracts many pilgrims. Nearby, the ancient Anantheshwara Temple is dedicated to the god Shiva. The Corporation Bank Heritage Museum features coins dating from 400 BC, plus stamps and displays about India’s banking industry.

Continue drive to Gokarna the holy temple town on the west coast of India and check in at hotel. The Mahabaleshwar temple is a pilgrim center and visiting Gokarna is considered holy for Hindus. Gokarna beach is a hippy paradise. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Gokarna - Karwar - Goa (235km/ 5hr)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Goa en-route visit Karwar a port city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It’s known for beaches like Rabindranath Tagore Beach, with dive spots, and black-sand Tilmati Beach to the north. The INS Chapal (K94) Warship Museum, in a former missile boat, has artifacts and videos on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The hilltop Sadashivgad Fort has a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, plus views of the Kali River and Arabian Sea.

Continue drive to Goa a popular tropical beach destination in India on the Arabian sea coast. The whole of the Konkan coast has almost the same weather and climate. The monsoons are torrential in Goa and the shores are filled with coconut groves and sandy beaches. Until 1961, Goa was a colony of Portugal and an Indo-Portuguese cultural element is very much evident here.

On one side you see a lot of crowded beaches, bars, discotheque, pubs and restaurants, which is the most happening part of Goa. But on the other side, South Goa is pristine, calms, rustic, agrarian, and nature oriented. Food is awesome in Goa, the Vindaloos, Cafreals, are some of the lipsmacking masalas in which meat and vegetables are cooked. Goan pork sausages are like hanging beads, you can see them if you get a chance to visit the markets. Goan fish curry rice, Rava fried fish, Kaju Feni & Limca, Kokum & Bibinca are all authentic to Goa. There is much more in Goa than sun, sand and sea.

Overnight at hotel.

Goa

Breakfast at hotel full day city tour of Goa. Visit Basilica of Bom Jesus A World Heritage Site. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous for the preserved mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Se Cathedral dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria is largest church in Asia with giant bells and exquisite architecture. Church of St. Francis of Assisi built during [ ] AD a stunning and charming building, architecture has a combination of Hindu and Christian elements. Church of St Augustine Ruins 46 meter high tower, built in 1602 with the combined efforts of 12 Augustinians. They also built a convent besides the church. Church of Marry Immaculate Conception one of the most famous landmarks of Goa. This church is supposed to be one of the earliest churches to be constructed in Goa.

A Colorful Portuguese Colony for an eccentric experience. The state was once a Portuguese colony and still has many beautiful reminiscent of the Portuguese era. One of such places is located in the capital city of Panjim. Fontainhas area, near Ourem Creek in Panjim, has the Latin quarters of the Portuguese colonists. The Hindu Brahmins of Mala area co-exist here with the Indian Christians. Though most of these colorful houses in this Portuguese Colony are converted into heritage hotels and cafes, many houses can still be seen inhabited by the Goan Christians. You can enjoy the view of the colourful quarters from the beautiful terrace café of the hotel. The heritage hotel has also preserved some of the rosewood furniture of the bygone era and some of the century-old whisky bottles. The heritage building is thus a must-see place for any heritage lover.

Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.

Overnight at hotel.

Goa

Visit South Goa temples and drive through few famous beaches.

Sri Bhagawati Temple supposed to be over 500 years old and is dedicated to Goddess Ashtabhuja. The temple is constructed in a grand style and the entrance is flanked by two statues of elephants. Shri Shantadurga Temple dedicated to the Goddess known as Shantadurga who is known to be a peaceful form of Goddess Durga. The temple is constructed beautifully and is located amidst scenic landscapes. Shri Mangesh Temple this beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The lovely temple attracts lots of devotees and the architecture of the temple follows every norm of the traditional Hindu architectural style.

After sightseeing hopp of to some beautiful beaches. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.