House boat destinations

In and around Allepey & Kollam

A boat ride into the countryside is an occasion for you to have a close look at rustic village life of Kerala- skiff-fishermen launching their cockleshell boats...large flocks of domesticated ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses on the banks...Women, neck-deep in water, with their waist-length hair, catching fish...Herds of cattle grazing in lush pastures...white lotuses filled shallow bodies ponds and more to see. Short cruise on backwaters are available on the smaller boat for a time period of 3 to 6 hours. Houseboats for groups can be also arranged for the short cruise.

Short Cruise from Kollam and around Alleppey will take you through the legendary Punnamada lake. Highlights are the visit to the 400 years old church and the viewing of a Kerala race boat, the snake boat.

Overnight cruise from Alleppey

Alleppey to Kumarakom

Cruise through the Punnamada lake will take you to the venue of the famous Nehru trophy snake boat race. Enter the enchanting waters of the Vembanad lake… enjoy the panoramic views and the glimpses of life along the banks. Visit verdant areas where paddy is cultivated much below the water level. Stop by the Pathiramanal island. You can visit Chavara Bhavan. Here you find the old wooden house where the blessed Kuriakose aka Chavara was born. Make your night stay at Kumarakom.


This is a cruise that links two district headquarters. Glide across the Punnamada lake… location of the famous boat races, take in the fascinating life along the banks. Observe how paddy is cultivated by the help of dykes several feet below the sea level. Have a long, enjoyable break from the routine. You can night stay on boat at Kottayam.

Alleppey to Thottappally

Move ahead from Alleppey through Punnamada lake. Do admire the old traditional houses on the banks, visit the Chavara bhavan, you can admire duck farming, halt at Triveni, visit the ancient Ambalapuzha temple, the church at Champakkulam, the 11th century Buddha image or Karumadikkuttan. Night stay, you can have on house boat at Thottappally.

 
Nights Cruise

Alleppey - Alumkadavu

From Alleppey to Alumkadavu, the most enjoyable route is available. Cruise through the Punnamada lake, see the old Chavara Bhavan, traditional Nalukettu houses, enjoy picturesque view of paddy fields, visit the ancient Champakkulam church, view the snake boats, visit the historical temple of Ambalappuzha and the ancient Buddhist image of Karumadikkutan. At Kumarakody memorial you get the memories of the celebrated Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan who got drowned there. You can enjoy the view of Chinese fishing nets at Kayamkulam pozhy. Cruise through Alumkadavu lake, visit India's most famous living woman saint Matha Amrithanandamayi. You can also drop in at the coir village.

General information on other backwater destinations

VELI

The tourist village, situated 8 kms from Trivandrum city is bordered by Veli lagoon and the Arabian sea. Water sports, a floating restaurant, an estuary, amusement park, speed boats and other entertainment facilities make this a tourist attraction.

AAKULAM

A popular picnic spot with children's park, swimming pool, Indoor musical fountain etc...

ALUMKADAVU

One of the entry exit point to the backwaters of Kerala. 23 kms from Quilon en route Alleppey, is a quiet little backwater tours where you can have house boat sail. Quilon is one of the oldest ports of Malabar coast and was once the center of international spice trade. This historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi lake.

PATHIRAMANAL

It is a small island filled with flora & fauna on the backwaters. The enchanting island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world.

 

COCHIN

This is a beautiful tourist spot with the Chinese nets all over and its the mouth entrance of ports. A conducted cruise through the winding water ways will take you to several quaint spots including Jew town, where the Jews arrived as early as 52 AD from Yemen & Babylon. Local ferries are also available for cruise.

BOLGHATTY ISLAND

This Island is especially known for the palace built by the Dutch in 1944 and later taken over by British & now it is a hotel run by KTDC.


WILLINGTON ISLAND

The Island surrounded by beautiful backwater, is a man made one. The Island is named after Lord Willington, the erstwhile British viceroy of India. This is now the HQ of the Port Trust & Naval Southern Command and is also used as the customs & trade center.

KARUNAGAPALLY

A quiet spot just outside the town 23 kms north of Quilon. Here it is possible to watch the constructions of traditional kettuvallams.

KUTTANAD

Backwater sandwiched between sea and hills is a beautiful sight. The shimmering water ways composed of lakes, canals, rivers & rivulets is lined with dense tropical greenery and preserves Kerala's rural life style.

VALIYAPARAMBA

The most scenic backwater stretch near Kasargode, 30 kms from Bekal.

CHANDRAGIRI

An ancient fort with a chain of many forts built by a ruler in 17th century. You can have a luxury of backwater resorts and picnic spots.