Agora Voyages

Kochi to Goa - The Malabar Coast

Package price per person sharing twin

Product Code : AGORA149

The Southern part of the coast from Goa to Kanya Kumari is called Malabar Coast. This part of the coast is not as rocky as the Konkan Coast. All along the coast sand bars have been formed by the sea-waves. The sea waves bring sand with them and deposit it along the coast. These sand bars prevent the water of the small streams from going to the sea. As a result backwaters or lagoons have been formed along this shore. This picturesque strip of coast is peppered with picture-postcard beaches, fishing villages, magnificent ruined forts and temples.

Day 1: Arrival Cochin

On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel check in (hotel check in/ out time 12pm).
Later city tour of Cochin the lovely seaside city flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. You will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Visit Fort Cochin a charming seaside area known for its Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries. Also visit Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry Dutch`s Palace. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Cochin (60kms one way)

Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. Pass through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Alleppey is referred as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here, you can see Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver.
Lunch on board then enjoy canoe ride for 1hr. Thereafter drive back to Cochin, Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Cochin - Kozhikode (190kms) (B)

Drive to Kozhikode enroute visit Guruvayoor Temple, one of the most sacred pilgrim hubs where deity Lord Vishnu is worshipped in Balkrishna Avtar. The idol of Lord is made out of a rare mixture called Padala Anjanam, instead of stone or metal. Lord idol is adorned with four hands each carrying a conch, a mace, a discus and a lotus and garlanded with the Basil and pearl necklace. Only Hindu can enter the sanctum of temple. And Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, famous for its large murals, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva was the original owner of Guruvayur temple and decided to relocate to the current site to place the Vishnu idol in Guruvayur temple. Hence, every pilgrim completes their pilgrimage by visiting this temple located just 500 meter from Guruvayoor temple housing the shrines of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Arrive Kozhikode & check in at hotel. Later visit Kappad Beach, famous for being the destination of Vasco Da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer to reach India by sea in 1498. It is lined with palm trees and sedimentary rocks that decorate the shore and give any visitor a serene feeling. Mishkal Palli Mosque, believed to be constructed around 700 years ago by an Arab merchant Nakhooda Mishkal it doesn`t have any minarets making it unique. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Kozhikode - Mangalore (250kms) (B)

Drive to Mangalore enroute visit Thalassery Fort, built in 1703 by the East India Company as a testimony to show the power and ability of the imperial rulers, it played a prominent role in the military as well as commercial activities of the English during their colonial rule in India. The fort has a square shape, massive walls and doors which are artistically carved. It has laterite blocks and walls with holes of loops which are aided by strong supporters. The fort comprises of a large gateway as well as a lighthouse. Near the fort lies the bungalow of the sub-collector, St. Rosary Church and Brennen cemetery.
Further drive to Kannur & visit St Angelos Fort, famous for the gripping history and the intriguing tales it has to tell. This fort was a point of interest for many dynasties of domestic as well as the international origin and has seen many bitter battles in the quest to conquer it. Walking around the walls of this majestic fort, you can almost picture the battles that this fortress has seen. There are tombstones of the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the fort, barracks and an old chapel here that you can explore. Kannur`s first ever lighthouse also stands next to the fort.
Next stop to visit the Bekal Fort, built in 1650 by Shivappa Nayaka, it is one of the largest and most preserved forts in Kerala. Nestled in the lap of nature, Bekal Fort is surrounded by a beautiful beach offering an enchanting view of Arabian Sea from its high observation tower where once the cannons were placed. Bekal Fort is a keyhole-shaped lofty structure that stands still against the rocky shores of sea. The beautiful walkway, illuminated beach and the grand architecture of the Bekal Fort amuse its visitors with its finesse.
Continue drive to Mangalore, check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Mangalore - Gokarna (235kms) (B)

City tour of Mangalore visit Kadri Manjunath Temple, built in 1068 AD, this temple has the typical Hindu architectural style on the basic Vijaynagri style. The temple has many caves around it as it is located on hillocks. These caves have depictions that go back to prehistoric times. Mangaladevi Temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti, it is the oldest temple in Mangalore built in 900 AD. The grand temple spacious complex allows devotees to sit and meditate or chant after offering their prayers to feel rejuvenated and at peace.
Also visit St Aloysius Chapel, a Catholic Church and a famous attraction set atop the Lighthouse Hill and has a regal look which is breathtaking right from the entrance. The unique wall paintings of St. Aloysius Chapel are stunning. The view of the Arabian Sea from the campus is worth the trip if one wishes to capture a part of the history and the natural landscape of this part of the city. Rosario Cathedral, a 16th-century Roman Catholic church, a magnificent structure with a beautiful interior. The cross and the dome on the Cathedral are easily visible to the ships approaching the Mangalore Harbour. The Cross is lit every evening and serves as guiding light for fishermen and seamen.
Drive to Gokarna enroute visit 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple, adorned with jewels and a golden chariot. What makes the temple unique, is its worshipping pattern. The prayers and process of the whole worship take place only through a silver-plated window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. A temple known as Udupi Anantheshwara Temple surrounds the Shree Krishna Matha. This temple traces back to 1,000 years. The temple bears a resemblance to a living ashram, fostering daily life and devotion.
Arrive Gokarna check in at hotel. City tour of Gokarna a town on the Arabian Sea, and a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus, known for sacred sites Mahabaleshwar Temple, which has a shrine dedicated to the deity Shiva. A 6 feet tall Shiva Linga here built using white granite is a classic example of the beauty of Dravidian architecture. A 1500 years old carved stone Lord Shiva idol in the standing position represents the main deity. The temple has been mentioned in the Hindu Mythics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and it is said to be as significant as Kashi. Nearby, Koti Teertha is a temple tank where devotees wash in the holy waters. The town is also home to beaches such as palm-lined Gokarna, Kudle and Om beach, a hippy paradise. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Gokarna - Goa (235kms) (B)

Drive to Goa enroute stop at Karwar to visit INS Chapal (K94) Warship Museum, situated in Rabindranath Tagore beach. INS Chapal is a missile warship and was used in the 1971 Indo - Pak war. In 2006, the ship was converted into a museum to display sea-artefacts, a video of the ship being converted into this museum among other collectibles. And Sadashivgad Fort, built atop a hill on the north bank of the Kali river. It is mostly in ruins, having been pulled apart by the British, after multiple change of hands. A Durga temple is situated in this fort, the Shantadurga deity being installed by Shivaji for the locals to worship. Arrive Goa check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Goa (B)

City tour of Goa. Visit Old Goa monument the Basilica of Bom Jesus a 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of our Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort built by the Portuguese on the mouth of the Mondovi River and a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse oldest of its kind in Asia. In South Goa visit Mangueshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple & Margao the headquarters of South Goa. Drive Pass the charming beaches such as Calangute, Dona Paula, Miramar and Baga Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Goa (B)

Day free and easy to relax on the beach and explore the city with your driver. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Goa - Departure (B)

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Assistance on arrival at airport.

8 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.

Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)

Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.

English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.

Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.

Bottled drinking water in car.

Government taxes.