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From Kerala to Sri Lanka, amid pristine nature
3 stops
7 nights
431 miles
Kerala, in the southwest of India, and Sri Lanka, may be two different worlds separated by an ocean. However, this Route du Bonheur itinerary, leading from Fort Cochin to Weligama, via Thiruvananthapuram, offers glimpses of continuity between the cultures and landscapes of the Indian subcontinent. Cruise along its backwaters, take a tuk-tuk ride, enjoy Ayurvedic treatments or tea-tasting, and walk along beaches lined with coconut palms: this trip will immerse you in its many facets of unspoiled nature.
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Departure
Recommended duration : 2 nights
Fort Cochin
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Admire the Chinese nets of Fort Cochin
A sort of ballet takes place every day along the banks of Fort Cochin. At high tide, each Chinese fishing net, 10m high, needs four men to act as counterweights. This fishing technique, all along the coast of the Sea of Oman, dates back to the merchants of the court of Kublai Khan, at the turn of the 15th Century. Today it enthrals those who love photography as well as fish…
During your stay
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Kathakali makeup and acting, Kochi
Kerala's typical theatrical art, Kathakali, means ‘play telling a story'. Inspired by the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, its plays only depict male characters. In Kochi, different sites including the Kerala Kathakali Centre offer short versions where you can watch the actors putting on their makeup beforehand. A magical start to the performance…
On the road
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Be a supporter at the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Alleppey
On the second Saturday in August, every year since 1952, the whole population of Alleppey and its environs meets around the Punnamada lake to the north east of the town to challenge each other in a unique race: 16 snake-like boats, almost 45 metres long, carrying around 100 rowers, speed by as fast as they can in a frenetic race over 1,400m. Each of the boats represents one of the villages of the Kuttanad region…
On the road
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Journey along the currents of the Backwaters
Travelling to Kerala means first and foremost sailing on its canals through luxurious vegetation. This network of almost 900km between lakes, lagoons and rivers allows you to go deep into the land itself. We sail slowly, so slowly, from one village to another between the delicious perfumes of copra and cashew nut. If all roads lead to Rome, all the canals of Kerala seem to lead to Alleppey… Purity has its own houseboat, <strong>discovery</strong>, operating from the resort and exploring the backwaters. An unusual looking Kerala houseboat, with the hull of a wooden rice barge and a contemporary tropical superstructure hosting an air conditioned suite.
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1hPlane
Recommended duration : 2 nights
Thiruvananthapuram
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Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is an incredibly verdant city_a reflection of the lush greenery of the wider region. As its gentle hills meet the coast, palm trees give way to sandy beaches. Yet even at the center of this large, bustling destination, the pace of life somehow seems a little slower. Stroll among its religious temples (the city is dedicated to the serpent god Ananta) and encounter prime examples of Victorian architecture. It is also home to the country's main Ayurvedic institutes, so you're sure to find the best traditional massages.
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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Visit the Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram
Built in the 19th Century, the Napier museum is a strange architectural mix with influences from Kerala, China and Italy. Known for its incredible carnivalesque décor, the museum offers visitors a beautiful collection of archaeological objects, bronzes and other Buddhist sculptures. Nearby, the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo is also worth a visit.
During your stay
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Towards the wooden Padmanabhapuram Palace
This splendid palace evokes the past splendour of Travancore, the old capital of the realm. All in worked wood, decorated with sculpted ceilings and painted murals, the palace is fully surrounded by a magnificent outer wall of teak and granite. Each staircase, each room, evokes with nostalgia and refinement the prestigious maharajas of the past. Here, the patina enhances the wood and the history of Kerala itself…
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3hPlane
Recommended duration : 3 nights
Weligama
Things to do, see, and discover
During your stay
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A whale encounter, Weligama
The seas off Weligama are well known as home to a large colony of blue whales. Enjoy particularly amazing whale watching in calm seas between November and April. The abundance of food in this part of the Indian Ocean also attracts sperm whales and dolphins. Extend your outing by taking an optional diving trip along island's southern coasts.
During your stay
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Discovering the city of Galle
Built by the Portuguese in 1589 to protect the city of Galle, the fort was expanded by the Dutch and in later centuries by the British. The perfectly restored old city and its fortifications have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The architecture and urbanisation here is a wonderful example of the interaction between the old European engineers and the local traditions.
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