Pre Conference Tour
Tour Code: NTW 09
Departing on: Wednesday, 01 November 2006
Arrival on: Saturday, 04 November 2006
Duration: 3 nights/ 4 days

Post Conference Tour
Tour Code: NTW 10
Departing on: Friday , 10 November 2006
Arrival on: Monday, 13 November 2006
Duration: 3 nights/ 4 days

Cochin was born in a storm, nurtured in rivalry, and established as the Crossroads of the Battling Empires of Europe: Portuguese, Dutch and British.

In the 1340's torrential rains filled the Periyar River , which broke through to the Arabian Sea and formed Cochin 's protected harbour. Trading ships soon sailed in: and out. The much-photographed Chinese fishing nets at the harbour-mouth, best seen at sunset, testify to Cochin 's pre-European association with China .

Visit the St Francis Church , built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the oldest church in India . The building was originally constructed out of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry during the 16 th century. Vasco Da Gama who died in Cochin in 1524 was buried here before his remains were returned to Portugal 14 years later.

Visit the Synagogue - built in 1568 AD. It contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. Many Jewish families have now migrated but their beautiful four-century-old Synagogue still has the Scrolls of the Law. Gold crowns gifted by dignitaries down the ages, chandeliers and a brass-railed pulpit. Jewish brides, here still wear their richly embellished traditional costumes. Unique Willow Pattern tiles in this place of worship speak the Cochin Jew's once thriving trade links with China.

Overlooking the Jewish Synagogue, protectively, is the Mattancherry Palace of the former rajas of Cochin . Today it holds royal palanquins, weapons, robes and beautiful murals of ancient Hindu epics painted in vegetable dyes. But, when the Dutch ousted the Portuguese on January 7, 1663, the people of Cochin renamed the Mattancherry Palace as the “ Dutch Palace ” to honour the Netherlanders.

Backwater Cruise by House Boat
A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.

Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwaters mainly cover four districts of the State – Kollam, Alappzha, Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ). The largest backwater body, the Vembanad Lake flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.

Kumarakom

A voyage north of Alleppey takes you to the rich green, sleepy village of Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake . An enchanting spot, Kumarakom provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. An exclusive attraction of this much sought after back water resort is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctury.

Hotel accommodation in the hotels mentioned or similar based on sharing a double or a twin-bedded room with attached bath for a total of 04 nights based on Room & Breakfast, as per the itinerary. This includes presently applicable Government taxes, which are subject to change. Check in and check out time at all hotels is 12 noon unless otherwise specified

Inter-city transportation by air-conditioned vehicle , as per the itinerary

Items of a personal nature such as cost of telephone calls and telegrams, table drinks, laundry, tips etc

Domestic airfare for the sector Varanasi - Delhi in Economy Class

Visitors are advised to wear conservative clothing at religious places. Sleeved vests/shirts, skirts/trousers that go below the knees. Bare shoulders and mid-riffs are not permitted and should be covered with shawls