SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

The Lotus Houseboat Cruise

One of the best ways to gain a real picture of rural life.

THE LOTUS HOUSEBOAT CRUISE

‘TIGER OF MYSORE’

One of the best ways to gain a real picture of rural life – and see some of the country’s most elusive and interesting wildlife – is by boat.

But the Lotus is not just any old boat. It is one of Kerala’s traditional rice barges that have been a feature of the area’s waterways for decades; now converted to carry you along the region’s remote backwaters and beautiful rivers in idiosyncratic style and relaxed comfort.

The two rooms are brightly decorated and beautifully furnished, complete with ipod docking stations, private balcony decks and luxurious en suite bathrooms. A lower sitting room and an upper sun deck provide comfortable areas for guests to relax, as well as the perfect setting for enjoying a delicious personally cooked supper.

Make a cruise on the Lotus part of your luxury, tailor-made holiday to India and you experience the gentle tranquillity of exploring by boat. A typical cruise will take you along seldom-reached and beautiful Malabar backwaters or to Valiyaparamba a hauntingly picturesque inland lake, or the 18^th century Sultan Canal, built by the ‘Tiger of Mysore’. And along the way you’re likely to see unspoiled villages, hidden temples and shrines and birds like egrets and orange-breasted kingfishers with iridescent wings.

OVERVIEW

THE LOTUS HOUSEBOAT CRUISE

At a glance

Just two traditionally syled suites with teak floors
Large observation windows and veranda’s
Generous en suites
Ethnic furniture and temple-style murals
Wide observation sun deck
Indoor lounge and dining
Bar
Ayurvedic massage and yoga lessons
Super quiet engines and efficient air conditioning

For leisure and pleasure

One night/two day cruise through the languid backwaters of Malabar, a mystical region of northern Kerala. From The Lotus Point near Neeleshwar Hermitage, past Snake Temple, Valiyaparamba village to Monkey Island. The second day takes you to the Shiva Temple at Payyannur and onwards to the Sultan Canal
Two night/three day cruise also includes the Shri Mutthappan Temple to witness an important evening ceremony. Return to Neeleshwar

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“BEAUTIFULLY ORGANISED AND PERFECT RECOMMENDATIONS. ”

“What a fantastic trip organised by Ultimate. They listened to what we wanted and set up perfect destinations for us. Everyone was friendly and professional from the office in London through to on-the-ground support. The organisation of pick-ups, connecting flights and so on, went like clockwork.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“MY FIRST PORT OF CALL FROM NOW ON. ”

“Efficient, friendly and helpful throughout. made everything a million times easier, Ultimate Travel Company will by my first port of call from now on.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“FANTASTIC!”

“Sophie went above and beyond to ensure we had a fantastic honeymoon. We had 0 stress relating to planning and everything was taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane. Sophie anticipated what we wanted when we didn’t even know ourselves. We will certainly be booking with Ultimate again.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“PROBLEM FREE EXCELLENCE.”

“Efficiently organised, everything went like clockwork. This is all the more remarkable since the tour involved considerable complexity.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE COMPANY.”

“We have continued to ask Ultimate Travel to make our distant overseas travel arrangements for many years and they have always given us great service.”