ered beauties from close. The magical tranquility here is disturbed only by the lapping of oars and chirping of birds. Visitors can enjoy a one day cruise in coracle - the basket boats through Poyka-Kuttampuzha-Thattekkad route. Jeep safari, adventure trekking, mountain biking and traditional Kerala food etc are attracting more travellers to Thattekkad. Conducted Tours KTDC: Boat cruise: From Kochi harbour to Willington Island, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi & Bolgatty Island Sunset cruise (daily two trips:0900 - 1230 hrs & 1400 - 1730 hrs). Backwater cruises: Three hours backwater village cruises which include visits to coir villages and coconut plantations (daily). Periyar Wildlife tour: Two days Periyar Wildlife tour covers Kadamattom Church, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary & Idukki Dam (Departure : every Saturday 0730 hrs - Return : Sunday 2000 hrs). For more details: KTDC Tourist Reception Centre, Shanmugham Road, Ernakulam682 011, Ph: 0484 2353234, 2382199. Info Kerala Communications: 2nd Floor, PC Chambers, Ashirbhavan Lane, Kacheripady, Kochi - 682 018, Ph: +91 484 4051532, 2391023, Email: mail@infokerala.in, Web: www.infokerala.in, www.easykerala.com India Tourist Land: Daily half day village Backwater Cruise with Kalaripayattu demo 1400 hrs - 1900 hrs Rs. 650 per person. Daily Full day tour in House Boat – 0009 hrs to 1900 hrs, Full day back2village conducted tour includes three hours Rice boat, Kerala traditional lunch, V illage activities, Country boat ride, swimming facility, Ayurvedic treatments (Panchakarma & Kalari Marma),Up and down journey by A/c cab Rs. 999 per person. Every Tuesdays & Fridays conducted tour-4 nights 5 days. For more details: India Tourist land, Corporation bus stand building, south railway station road, Cochin – 682 016,Ph: 0484 2377880,9447291601,9567860871-76,Web: www.a1kerala holidays.com, www.touristland.in
House Boat Operators Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd (KSINC): Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd (KSINC) is a Government of Kerala undertaking. Since 1975, KSINC has hauled millions of tons of cargo and carried hundreds of thousands of passengers through the Inland waters of Kerala. Now KSINC is in the forefront of luxurious and quality backwater tourism at Kochi. A trip in ‘Sagararani’ is an in memorable experience to the tourists. ‘Sagararani’ of KSINC is the only vessel in Kochi with approval for taking tourist in to Sea which goes up to 10 KM from shore . View of the Dolphins and the sunset in the sea are main attractions of the trip. The vessel can carry up to 100 passengers. The Luxury cruise vessel Sagararani is also available for conducting events like conferences, meetings, product launch, board meetings, get-togethers, Birthday parties etc. Sagararani has an open air upper deck where all the entertainment happens. It has a good sound system and musical lights. The cool Sea breeze and the endless 294
ERNAKULAM | TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS