Kerala offers a unique mini - canvas to the traveller; the backwaters, which consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes & canals. Life on the backwaters is entirely different; water being the key to everything. There are no roads here, only waterways. On the banks one can see lush green rice fields spreading away into the distance and coconut groves with the occasional temple or church.
These canals or waterways, vary in dimension from being wide enough to be dubbed lakes, rich with marine bounty. To being nothing but snaking silvers of freshwater. And are mainly concentrated around the townships of allepey, kumarakom, kottayam, quilon and cochin.
The backwaters are best experienced while slowly punting down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'kettuvallam'. An experience you will savour for a long time.
The houseboats are renovated cargo boats… kettuvallams… and are provided with all modern conveniences and comforts to make your stay a pleasant experience. To complement the traditional way of rowing using large poles, outboard engines are also provided. The boats are designed to facilitate a most eco-friently functioning.
A wide selection of beautiful routes are available for the cruises and you can choose one that suits your budget and time frame. Each route is comprehensive, serene and enjoyable in itself, extending to you a complete experience of kuttand.. The unique waterland of kerala.
A boat ride into the countryside offers a close look at rustic village life- 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 heaped in a crown, catching fish with their feet, aimless cattle grazing in lush pastures, white lotuses floating here and there in small, shallow ponds.
Short curise on backwaters are also available on the smaller boat If you don't want to stay overnight or longer in the houseboats. The duration of these cruises are depends on the routing & can be covered In 3 to 6 hrs of time period.
Houseboats for groups can be also arranged for the short cruise.
Alleppey Round :Take you through the legendary punnamada lake. High points of the ruise are the visit to the 400 year old church and the viewing of a kerala race boat… the snake boat.
Alleppey to Kumarakom :Cruise through the punnamada lake … 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 r-block, c-block where paddy is cultivated much below the water level. Stop by the pathiramanal island. Visit chavara bhavan… the old wooden house where the blessed kuriakose elias chavara was born. Night stay at kumaramom. Early morning leave the houseboat.
Alleppey to Kottayam :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. Pass by r-block, observe how paddy is cultivated by the help of dykes several feet below the sea level. Have a long, enjoyable break from the routine. Night stay on boat at kottayam. Early morning leave the houseboat.
Alleppey to Thottappally :Glide along from alleppey through punnamada lake… admire the old traditional houses on the banks…visit the chavara bhavan… admire duck farming… stop by at triveni … visit the ancient ambalapuzha temple… the church at champakkulam… the 11th century buddha image or karumadikkuttan… have the time of your life… serene, quiet and easy. Night stay on house boat at thottappally. Early morning leave the houseboat.
2 Nights Cruise Alleppey - Alumkadavu :The most fascinating and enjoyable route available. Cruise through the punnamada lake… admire the old chavara bhavan…traditional nalukettu houses… enjoy panoramic 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 recall the celebrated malayalam poet kumaran asan who drowned there. Enjoy the view of chinese fishing nets at kayamkulam pozhy. Cruise through alumkadavu lake…visit india's most famous living woman saint matha amrithanandamayi. Drop by at the coir village…observe the processes that go into making coir.