Deluxe Oberoi Mumbai Stay with Romantic All-Inclusive Kerala Backwaters Cruise 7 Nights from AUD$3,899 /room

Discover the height of Indian opulence with a luxurious South India holiday package, experiencing three nights at the five-star The Oberoi, Mumbai, followed by one night in a suite at the luxe Trident Hotel Cochin and a three-night, all-inclusive Kerala backwaters cruise on The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda. Included in this once-in-a-lifetime trip are return flights between Mumbai and Cochin, Kerala, private airport transfers, daily buffet breakfast at both hotels, one nightly cocktail per person at The Oberoi, Mumbai, plus all meals onboard the boat, nightly evening entertainment and a sightseeing excursion with a guide. Southern India and the beautiful backwaters of Kerala beckon on this unforgettable holiday. Explore iconic sights such as the Taj Mahal, Elephanta Caves and the Gateway of India in Mumbai, before taking an included flight to Cochin, Kerala, from where you’ll embark on an unforgettable cruise experience. Stay in luxury throughout your trip, with three nights at The Oberoi, Mumbai – the world’s most opulent hotel brand – one night in a suite at the five-star Trident Hotel Cochin and three nights in a Deluxe Cabin aboard the majestic The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda. What You’ll Love… The Hotels – Stay in the iconic The Oberoi, Mumbai and in a suite at the five-star Trident Hotel Cochin Upon arrival in Mumbai you’ll be met by your private driver, ready to whisk you away to The Oberoi – rated the city’s number one hotel on TripAdvisor. Reminiscent of grand royal palaces, the Oberoi’s exquisite collection of five-star properties have appeared on an astounding number of world’s best hotels lists and have won numerous awards for both excellence and luxury – with the Mumbai branch most recently named number two Best City Hotel Asia at the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2018. Be stunned by the hotel’s atrium lobby, abundant with natural light, flowing through the tremendous skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows. Dining options are made up of Ziya, serving contemporary Indian; Italian restaurant Vetro with its attached wine library; international dining venue Enoteca; sunlit champagne lounge Fenix; and the chic Eau Bar. Start each morning with a full Oberoi buffet breakfast, featuring a generous spread of hot and cold dishes, and finish with one evening cocktail per person. You’ll be staying in a Deluxe Room, furnished with a queen bed and silk armchair and decorated in shades of ivory and jade. You’ll also find a bathroom with separate tub and shower, TV, free Wi-Fi, mini bar and desk. You’ll also spend one night at Trident Hotel Cochin, blending five-star facilities with the classic charm of Kerala. The Trident Spa offers rejuvenating treatments, while a choice of three restaurants and one bar provide a place to sit back and relax ahead of your cruise. Stay in a Deluxe Suite, located on the hotel’s topmost floor for peaceful views of the landscaped gardens and pool, with features including free Wi-Fi, a personal bar, LCD TV and tea and coffee. The Boat – All-inclusive Oberoi opulence on the tranquil Kerala backwaters Step aboard The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, a one-of-a-kind cruise luxury boat with just eight Deluxe Cabins onboard, ensuring utmost privacy for its distinguished guests. You’ll enjoy access to Wi-Fi throughout and the services of a 24-hour personal butler, ensuring a comfortable stay. A wide range of International and local delicacies are served on board and with all-inclusive dining, you can truly make the most of the first-class food. The elegant onboard restaurant is an all-day dining space where you’ll enjoy a daily breakfast of fresh fruit, freshly brewed tea and coffee and fluffy idli rice pancakes. Meanwhile, lunch and dinner dishes include coconut-infused prawns, sweet bananas and local red rice. Stay in a 12sqm Deluxe Cabin, including a king bed, armchair, vari-pressure shower and luxe plant-based toiletries. For cosy evenings, there’s a 42-inch LCD TV. Guests can enjoy onboard entertainment, including an exclusive on-board performance of the Mohinattam: "Dance of the Enchantress" and Kathakali dance, which dramatises ancient stories from the Hindu epics: The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. The Sights – Explore Mumbai and enjoy the beautiful backwaters of Kerala on a four-day cruise Begin your journey in Mumbai, home of iconic points of interest such as the extravagantly gothic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Iskcon Temple and Elephanta Island. Eat in some of the city’s incredible restaurants and simply soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant place. Next up is Cochin, Kerala – named one of 50 must-see lifetime destinations by National Geographic Magazine. A transfer from the hotel to Vembanad Lake jetty is included, ensuring a smooth start to your cruise. Taking you along the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda sets sail along the main waterway on Vembanad Lake and enters the Alleppey canal. Watch local fishermen at work, observe life along the ‘water highways’ and pass through this unique area where farming is done below sea level. The boat will anchor near Chambakulam for a sightseeing excursion, visiting the 1721 St. Mary’s Church and Sree Bhagavathy Kshetram, a 100-year old Hindu temple to Mother Goddess. A guide will talk you through the sights, helping you get the most out of the experience. Want longer on Kerala’s peaceful backwaters? Upgrade to a six-night cruise, which allows you to experience the itinerary twice over. Perfect for… Seeing South India in five-star style Experience the crème de la crème of Indian hospitality, staying at five-star hotels – including The Oberoi, Mumbai’s number one hotel on Trip Advisor – before embarking on the only luxury cruise along the Kerala backwaters. CRUISE ITINERARY: Day 1 - Arrival Once all guests are on board, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, sets sail along the main waterway on Vembanad Lake and enters the Alleppey canal. Guest can actively participate with the local fisherman and understand the life cycle of "karimeen" also called as "pearl spot" . Lunch will be served on board. The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, sails along the scenic waterways for four hours and returns to the Vembanad Lake in time to watch the sunset. Later in the evening, guests enjoy a performance of the highly ritualized "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 Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board. Day 2 - Onboard On board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, with a rice boat excursion The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head south, towards Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on board. 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. 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. Later in the day, guests return to The Oberoi 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". The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, will return to Vembanad Lake, where guests can enjoy Vrinda Vadiyam a musical fusion of classical instruments. Motor Vessel Vrinda will anchor for the night at the Vembanad Lake jetty. Dinner on board. Day 3 - Excursion On board The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala, with a rice boat excursion The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala will sail from the Vembanad Lake jetty and head South, past Kanjippadam. 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, The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala 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 4 - Disembark Your cruise ends and you'll be transferred to Cochin airport for your included flight back to Mumbai. SIX-NIGHT UPGRADE: You will repeat the above itinerary. Embarkation/Disembarkation: The Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda, Kerala allows flexibility of embarkation and disembarkation. Guests can check-in on any day of the three day cycle for the cruise excursions on the famed backwaters of Kerala. Embarkation/Arrivals: Day 1 - Guests will board from Vrinda Jetty, Kaipuram at 12.00 noon Days 2 & 3 - Guests arriving on Day 2 and Day 3 can choose to board from three different embarkation points on the cruise route depending upon the time that suits them the most. Rajiv Jetty at 09.00 am Palathruthi at 10.00 am Kanjipadam at 11.30 am Disembarkation/Departure Day 1 - Guests will disembark at Vrinda Jetty, Kaipuram before 12.00 noon Days 2 & 3 - Guests departing on Day 2 and Day 3 can choose to disembark at three different disembarkation points on the cruise route depending upon the time that suits them the most. Vrinda Jetty before 07.30 am Rajiv Jetty at 09.00 am Palathruthi at 10.00 am Kanjipadam at 11.30 am