The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda
Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala in Luxury
The Oberoi MV Vrinda
Imagine a luxurious cruise through the picturesque and lush backwaters of Kerala. Picture a relaxing sunset viewed from a roof top deck amidst gentle lapping of water and a balmy breeze. Visualise elegant cabins with serene views of rice boats, village life and tropical greens.
The Motor Vessel Vrinda
Kerala, commonly known as “God’s own country” is one of India’s most enchanting destinations. Its picturesque backwaters, meandering through a series of canals and lakes, are a unique feature.
Welcome onboard luxury cruiser The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, the only way to experience “God’s own country” in complete grandeur and style.
As the cruise meanders through canals and lakes, unwind and rejuvenate in the peace and tranquillity of this photographer’s heaven.
Backwaters of Kerala
Experience a way of life unique to this region with this vessel’s expert sightseeing guides. Absorb the rich tradition of Kerala while classical dancers in beautiful costumes provide enchanting performances on board.
Prepare your palette for a range of exotic international and south Indian delicacies while the chef creates a completely personalised menu. This coupled with an exceptionally caring crew makes this intimate boat an unforgettable experience.
MV Vrinda Suites
Day 01 / Singapore - Cochin
Arrive in Cochin on Silkair and transfer to Trident Hilton. Overnight in Trident Hilton.
Day 02 / Embark The MV Vrinda
The morning is free and leisure. Transfer to Vrinda and once all guests are on board, Vrinda sets sail along the main waterway on Vembanad Lake and enters the Alleppey canal.
Lunch will be served on board.
The cruiser sails along the scenic waterways for 4 hours and returns to the Vembanad Lake in time to watch the sunset.
Later in the evening, guests enjoy a performance of the highly ritualised Kathakali dance which tells stories from the ancient Hindu epics - Ramayana and Mahabarata. Performances begin with the application of elaborate makeup which is based in traditional Ayurvedic principles.
The vessel will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty.
Dinner on board.
Day 03 / On board Vrinda, with a rice boat excursion
At 7 a.m., Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, towards Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on board.
The vessel will enter the waterways of the Pamba river through the Alleppey canal.
Sailing through scenic backwaters, guests can observe life along these “water highways” while passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level.
The vessel will anchor near Kanjippadam and guests will be transferred to a traditional rice boat to navigate through the narrower sections of the backwaters.
For the next few hours, guests will observe and experience a way of life unique to this region, accompanied by a guide.
This section of the cruise includes a visit to the half-statue of Lord Buddha at Karumadi and a traditional Kerala tharavad (family residence).
Later in the day, guests return to Motor Vessel Vrinda where lunch will be served as the boat passes through picturesque stretches of the backwaters on the way back to Alleppey, known as the “Venice of the East”.
Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty.
Dinner on board.
Dining on the MV Vrinda
Day 04 / On board Vrinda, with a rice boat excursion
At 7 a.m. Motor Vessel Vrinda will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, past Kanjippadam.
MV Vrinda will anchor near Chambakulam where guests will transfer onto the rice boat once again for a pre-lunch sightseeing excursion.
Guests will visit St. Mary’s Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721 and Sree Bhagavathy Kshetram - a 100-year old Hindu temple to Mother Goddess - at Nedumudy.
Guests can also explore the Chambakulam snake boat yard, which displays one of the traditional long snake boats used in races.
To further the understanding and appreciation of this experience, a qualified guide will be present on board for the full day.
After cruising through the backwaters in the afternoon, MV Vrinda will return to Vembanad Lake, where guests can enjoy a Mohiniattam recital on board. This classical dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is also called the ‘Dance of the Enchantress’. Dancers attired in beautiful traditional costumes perform with slow, graceful movements and highly emotive expressions.
Dinner on board.
Day 05 / Disembark MV Vrinda - Cochin - Singapore (B/-/-)
At 08.00 hours MV Vrinda will sail North along the main waterway channel on the Vembanad Lake.
Breakfast will be served on board following which the vessel will return to the Vembanad Lake jetty.
Guests will check out at 10.00 hours and will be transported by air-conditioned vehicle back to Cochin.
Half-day city tour before returning to Trident Hilton where a day-room is available for you to rest and to freshen up. Evening transfer to Cochin airport for your departure flight.
Lunch and dinner on your own account.
Waterway channel on the Vembanad Lake
Tour Cost Per Person for 3-night cruise
- US$ **** Double
- US$ **** Single
Tour Cost of Whole Boat Charter for 3-night cruise
- US$ TBA
Tour Cost Includes
- Return airfare on Silkair “Q” Class: SIN/COC/SIN
- Airport transfers
- 01 night in Trident Hilton on Day 01 and day-room on Day 05
- 03 nights on board MV Vrinda including excursions
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day on board Vrinda
- Transfers between Cochin airport to the Vembanad Lake jetty
- Evening entertainment on board Vrinda on Days 01 and 02 of the cruise
- Guided tours of the region on Days 02 and 03 of the cruise
- Kathakali dance performance on Day 01 of the cruise
- 02 traditional rice boat tours to navigate through the narrower sections of the backwaters on Days 02 and 03 of the cruise
- Mohiniattam dance show on Day 03 of the cruise
- All applicable taxes
Tour Cost Excludes
- Indian Visa and application fee
- All airport taxes
- Insurance
- Silkair high-season surcharges
- Personal expenditure like soft/hard beverages, spa treatments, tipping, etc.
Other Terms & Conditions
- A maximum of 02 persons can be accommodated in a cabin on board MV Vrinda
- Children below 12 years are not allowed. Separate cabins will be required for accompanying children over 12 years old
- The itinerary, schedule and timings of the cruise to change without prior notice
- If any itinerary has to be omitted or any change is required, owing to unavoidable circumstances, this will not entitle guests to any claim
- Accommodation is subject to availability
- Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Backwaters
cforms contact form by delicious:days
2008 Sailing Dates of MV Vrinda
- October 01-04, 03-07, 07-10, 10-13, 13-16, 16-19, 19-22, 22-25, 25-28, 28-31
- November 03-06, -6-09, 09-12, 12-15, 15-18, 18-21, 21-24, 24-27, 27-30
- December 03-06, -6-09, 09-12, 12-15, 15-18, 18-21, 21-24, 24-27, 27-30
2009 Sailing Dates of MV Vrinda
- January 02-05, 05-08, 08-11, 11-14, 14-17, 17-20, 20-23, 23-26, 26-29
- February 01-04, 04-07, 07-10, 10-13, 13-16, 16-19, 19-22, 22-25, 25-28
- March 03-06, -6-09, 09-12, 12-15, 15-18, 18-21, 21-24, 24-27, 27-30
- April 02-05, 05-08, 08-11, 11-14, 14-17, 17-20, 20-23, 23-26, 26-29
