LAKSHADWEEP SAMUDRAM PACKAGE

Lakshadweep is an archipelago of 36 islands, 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks, which is the tinest unioun territory of India. Ten of the islands are inhabited which are Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. The islands are restricted area and permit from the Administration is required to visit the islands. However permit formalities of bonofied tourist are taken care by the SPORTS.

Day 01
This tour Lakshadweep Samudram package is a four night five days cruise to Kavaratti, Kalpeni, and Minicoy islands in the brand new all-weather liner-M V Kavaratti. For all tourist purposes Kochi is the gate way to Lakshadweep. All the tourist has to report at Lakshadweep Wharf, Wellington island at 930 hrs of the departure time. Wellington island is easily approachable by road from Ernakulam south railway station (8Kms) and Cochin International airport (40 Kms). Uber cabs and Ola cabs are available in Ernakulam city for easy and comfortable transportation.

LAKSHADWEEP WHARF

As a first procedure, all the tourist guest has to collect boarding pass from the SPORTS office located in the first floor of the . A welcome kit will be given by the SPORTS which contains a Tshirt, a cap, a Calender, Pocket diary, Identity card and boarding pass. After collecting this all has to get security check-in (luggage and body) and get the security check-in pass. Tourist has to put their luggage tag with room no mentioned in it. All the luggages will reach your respective rooms. After security check-in tourist will be transferred to embarkation point by buses. All the tourist will reach ship by 1130 hrs. By 12 pm announcement done for Lunch, for all the tourist to report to 1st class Cafeteria.

The ship offer different classes of accommodation: A/C First Class with two berth cabins, A/C Second Class with four berth cabins and A/C Bunk Class. Also the ship has a cafeteria, snack bar, entertainment lounge and upper deck promenade for the tourists. A doctor is available on call on board Ship

DIAMOND CLASS CABIN

By 3pm announcement came that ship has got all security and saftey certificates for saling and ready for the departure. The ship started by 0315 hrs. By 04 pm again announcement came for tea and all are requested to assemble at the recreational saloon for tour briefing. Almost all the tourist were in the upper deck to enjoy the ride and natural beauty of Queen of Arabian Sea. Even after dinner at 8 pm, passengers were flocking in the upper deck to enjoy the beauty of night in the moving vessel.

The policy of the Administration for the promotion of Tourism in the islands is designed on the basis of the recommendation of Island Development Authority. Since the carrying capacity of these tiny islands has to be kept in mind, any activities related with Tourism has to be carried out with utmost care. This has stressed the necessity of preventing environmental imbalance arising out Tourism and has recommended sea based Tourism so as to ensure that land resources are not over taxed. Therefore the domestic tourists are brought by ship and the night halt of tourists are arranged in such way that they are boarded from the islands before night taking in to account carrying capacity of the islands and shortage of essential items including drinking water

ENTERTAINMENT ROOM

Day 02
The passage directly from Cochin takes approximately 16 to 18 hours depending on the climate condition. Morning announcement came at 0600 for tourist for morning tea and snacks and also for breakfast at 07 am. By 0715 hrs Ship reached near the shore of Kavarathi island. All the tourist were transferred to small boats and then to land platform. All tourist should stictly wear life jacket as a saftey measure. It takes 4 to 5 minutes to reach the island

ISLAND

Second day program (Kavaratti)
Once we reached the land, all the tourist are guided to a sea side resort where water sports activities are taking place
0800 hrs to 0900 hrs – Reception and serving of welcome drinks (Cocunut water)
0900 hrs to 1300 hrs – Cruise in the glass bottomed boat (Complimentary) and sea bath
1300 hrs to 1430 hrs – Lunch
1430 hrs to 1600 hrs – Visit to Marine Museum
1600 hrs to 1700 hrs – Evening Tea and Local Folk dance
1700 hrs – Departure to Ship
Night dinner at 2000 hrs. After dinner one can enjoy the cool air in the upper deck of the vessel by watching stars.

Third Day Program (Kalpeni)
We reached Kalpeni island at 0710 hrs. First preference for disembarkation is for normal passengers and then only tourist will be transferred to the island by small boats. It took ten minutes to reach the island .
0800 hrs to 0900 hrs – Reception and serving of welcome drinks (Cocunut water) at Koomel Beach Resort
0900 hrs to 1300 hrs – snorkelling (Complimentary), Kayaking (Complimentary and sea bath
1300 hrs to 1400 hrs – Lunch
1400 hrs to 15 00 hrs – Folk dance
1500 hrs to 1600 hrs – Visit to DCP unit by small vehicles, where you will get good cocunut oil and cocunt related food materials.. From their we were taken to hosiery factory, where Tshirts and other clothing materials prepared by the islanders. After hosiery factory all tourist were dropped to North beach.
1600 hrs to 1700 hrs – Evening Tea
1700 hrs – Departure to Ship
Night dinner at 2000 hrs

Fourth Day Program (Minicoy)
Minicoy, the southernmost Island in the union territorry of Lakshadweep, is different from all other Islands in the UT. The Island has a unique culture and the people speak ‘Mahal’ a dialect of ‘Dhivehi’ the national language of the Republic of Maldives. Minicoy is famous of boat building and seafares tradition
The ship reached Minicoy island by 0630 hrs. After breakfast tourist disembarked by 0730 hrs. Due to shallow water in the sea big vessels will not come close to Minicoy island. It takes 40 minutes from the vessel to reach main island of Minicoy in small boat. All the guests were transferred to the light house where Welcome drinks were offered.

The 162 feet height light house built in brick masonry and has a lantern and gallery has a 216 winding steps to reach its top. The awesome view from its top is an unforgetable experience.

After the lighthouse visit tourist were transferred to beach side resort for water sports activities. One can avail all water sports activities in this island such as Kayaking, snorkelling, Knee boat riding, speed boat riding, glass bottommed boat ride, wind surfing, and scuba diving. These water sports activities are availing in almost all the islands.
After lunch, visit to a village. In Minicoy there were total ten villages. They are Kendifarty, Fallessery, Kudehi, Funhilol, Aloodi, Sedivalu, Rammedu, Boduathiri, Aoumagu and Bada. We were taken to Fallessery village. The peculiarities of these villages is each village of Minicoy selected an elderly person who has given the power of controlling people unofficially. All villages here has a “Jahadhoni” a kind of racing boat representing their village in Mincoy festival.

Tourist Season:
October – May. In February, normally there will be no sailing dates as it is time for dockyard maintainance.

Things to do:
These are basically leisure tours and Sea/Lagoon based tours.There are plenty of opportunities for Scuba diving, Yachting, Pedal boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, Snorkeling and sunbathing. One may also visit local houses, Marine museum, LightHouse and a few local industries

Things not to do:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all islands.
Picking up Corals is a punishable crime.
permission from nearest customs office in Kochi, which is 260 nautical miles (300 mi; 480 km) from these islands

Package include

1. First class AC cabin accommodation
2. All 3 time meals [Breakfast Lunch and Dinner] morning and evening tea or coffee
3. Welcome drink at the island.
4. All 3 island sightseeing – Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kadmat Island
5. Water Sports such as Kayaking Snorkeling and Glass boat ride (1 time)
6. Entry permit
7. Compliment T Shirts and Caps.
8. Government taxes.
9. personal assistance on the ship and Island

Things to take care while going to Lakshadweep Samudram Package.

1. Dont carry Liquor or tobacco products. It is illegal.
2. Please carry sunscreen lotion, big round hat and sunglasses to protect you from sun.
3. Please carry a small bag other than your luggage to carry changing clothes and other utensils.
4. Please carry liquid soap and a sanitizer.
5. It is recommend to carry a swim wear to enjoy water activities on the island. Starting from scuba diving to snorkeling, parasailing to kayaking etc
6. There is no communication network available while on ship.
7. Most of the islands have only BSNL network coverage. So better carry a BSNL sim card with you.
8. For catching the beauty of natureat its best, please make sure your camera has enough memory plus your battery charger.
9. Hot and cold water facility is available in the ship
10. Consider bringing fishing gear.