Kaleidoscope of Kerala Incentive
Programme Overview
Duration: 6 days
A six day programme taking in the highlights of Kochi, Kumarakom and Alleppey. A variety of special incentive events are included that will "wow" the most seasoned corporate groups.
Highlights: Kochi, Kumarakom and Alleppey
Arrive Kochi
Arrive early morning at Kochi International airport. You will be met by our representative and guide outside the customs gate and transferred to your hotel. Rooms will be booked from the previous day for immediate occupancy upon arrival.
Upon arrival at the hotel, a traditional Indian welcome awaits. Girls dressed in traditional saris will shower rose petals and a red-powdered dot will be anointed on the forehead as a mark of respect. A welcome non-alcoholic cocktail will be served in a private section.
Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is a fascinating city on the north Kerala coast. With its wealth of historical associations and its beautiful setting, the fascinating city of Cochin perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. It boasts of one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian Sea coast and has been a port of call for foreign traders from very early times. Now it is one of India’s largest ports and an important naval base.
After lunch at the restaurant or one of the banquet venues of your hotel, enjoy an orientation tour of Kochi. Begin your exploration with a walking tour that takes you around Fort Kochi, the city’s most historic part. Begin with the church of St Francis, the oldest European-built church in India. Continue to the Jewish Quarter where you visit the historic synagogue, built over 400 years ago. It contains beautiful Belgian glass chandeliers and is paved with hand painted tiles from China. Also visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. Built in 1555, its coronation hall and painted murals are noteworthy features.
Your next stop will be the Chinese Fishing Nets, cantilevered nets strung out along the tip of the peninsula by local fisherman for catching fish.
Exclusive dinner on the lawns of the hotel with Kathakali dance performance
This evening enjoy an exclusive Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the classical dance drama of Kerala with origins going back 500 years. The impressive, graceful and rhythmic movements, pleasing choreography and delightful imagery makes it one of the most intricate dance forms in India. Themes are taken from Hindu Mythology, often summed up with a lesson. Kathakali constitutes the three fine arts of acting, dancing and singing. No dialogue is spoken, but with the eloquence of expression the epic is narrated and a dream world of sheer fantasy is brought to life. After the performance, a buffet dinner will be served.
Overnight: Hotel TBC
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Kochi - Kumarakom
This morning leave for Kumarakom in a convoy of air-conditioned Toyota Innova cars (3 guests per vehicle) covering a distance of 85kms in approximately 1½ hours (The baggage will be transferred in a separate luggage van).
Kumarakom is an enchanting backwater destination located on the picturesque Vembanad Lake. The blue backwaters and the surface of the lake reflect the azure sky, contrasting with the amazing shades of green of the mangroves, coconut palms and paddy fields that cover the verdant countryside.
Arrive at the hotel and check-in to your room.
On arrival enjoy a special Kerala welcome. Temple drummers and girls in traditional Kerala saree perform the “Thalipoli Ceremony” with oil lamps and flowers. A welcome drink of coconut water will be served.
Lunch will be served at the hotel. Remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure. You can enjoy Ayurvedic/spa therapies or choose from different activities available at the hotel.
Option for the evening - Special Kerala Theme Dinner.
Amongst country boats with fishing nets, the local toddy shop, fruit vendors and people working in paddy fields, we transport you to a traditional Kerala village. The area will be covered with cut outs of tall coconut trees, human size pictures of coconut plunger (taingavettukaram) and boats with fishing nets and fishermen. Dine on traditional cuisine served in clay pots, under thatched coconut leaf roofs. Hurricane lanterns and traditionally attired attendants ad to the ambience.
Overnight: Hotel TBC
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Kumarakom
This morning enjoy a guest lecture on Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means “the science of life.” It is an ancient art of healing that has been practiced continuously throughout Kerala for over 5,000 years. Ayurveda is probably the oldest authentically recorded healing science in existence today and includes yoga philosophy and integration of the body, mind and consciousness. Ayurveda looks at every person as a unique individual and seeks to understand, correct imbalances and restore the innate intelligence and harmony of the person. A specialist will speak about the healing science of Ayurveda, and century’s old herbal remedies.
The guest lecture will be followed by a massage session.
Those not wanting to experience an Ayurveda massage can visit the nearby bird sanctuary which houses numerous species of birds, including darters, bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh harries, teals and several varieties of Herons roost.
Today’s lunch will be organised with a local family at their spice farm, a 20 minute boat ride away. Enjoy Syrian Christian Cuisine including seafood and duck. Your host will be happy to arrange a walk around the farm to tell you more about the local spices.
This evening experience a Kalaripayatu performance at an exclusive venue followed by a seafood dinner.
Kalaripayatu is a form of local traditional martial arts, one of the oldest martial art forms in the world. The performance will include various types of authentic armed and unarmed combat.
Overnight: Hotel TBC
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Kumarakom - Alleppey
This morning will be at leisure.
Late in the morning embark on a “Kettuvallam”, the traditional trading vessel of this beautiful coastal region (4 guests per boat) and cruise on the backwaters. Beautifully decorated with tender coconut palms and flowers, the rice boat has been specially converted for on-board living. Guests will enjoy air-conditioned, private accommodation, including shower room and open lounge. The boatman will motor or punt the Kettuvallam through unforgettable and tranquil palm-fringed landscapes. Lunch will be served on board.
Option for the evening: Special Black Theme Dinner with live band at a special venue
In the evening, get together for a very memorable dinner. We encourage guests to dress in black, women will be offered flowers to be tied and used as headgear. Music provided by a live band make this evening special.
Overnight: On board boat
Meal Plan: B,L
Alleppey - Kochi
This morning after breakfast disembark from your house boat and transfer to Kochi. Arrive in Kochi and transfer to hotel where lunch will be served.
Afternoon is at leisure.
Today’s farewell evening is a Gala dinner with a fisherman theme on a private Island - Gundu Island
Set amidst the lush green coconut grove is an island where dinner will be served. Gundu is surrounded on all sides by the extremely scenic backwaters of Kochi and majestically placed at a vantage point which is about fifteen minutes by boat from the jetty. The uninhabited island is tucked away in the luxury of uninterrupted cool breezes from the Arabian Sea and is naturally air-conditioned.
Overnight: Hotel TBC
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Depart Kochi
This morning transfer back to Kochi International airport for your onward flight. You will be assisted by our representative at the airport with check-in formalities.