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Kerala Backwater Tours
| Kerala backwater tours are most commonly associated with houseboats - huge converted rice barges famous on the backwater tourism scene. However, this is only one of the many types of craft on the lakes, rivers and canals that make up the Keralan backwaters. Plenty of other options for travel exist, all of which are substantially cheaper and possibly more environmentally friendly. If you want to see the backwaters, but do not want to blow your budget, read on to find out some good alternatives to the houseboat packages. |
Canoe Tours of the Backwaters
Hotels, tour operaters and tourist information centres usually offer Kerala backwater tours by canoe / small boat as a cheaper alternative to houseboats. Arrangements are very flexible, you can often choose the length of your trip (from 1 hour to 1 day) and the number of people per boat. Many include village stops or lunch on longer trips Some options...Alappuzha/Alleppey Rent a canoe for as long as you want for groups of 1-4. Prices vary, but R.600 should get you at least a half day trip. Pop into the tourist information centre next to the main Boat Jetty (VCSB/Boat Jetty Road) for advice, or cross over the bridge to enquire at hotels or tour operaters.Kollam/Quilon Visit the DTCP Information Centre by the Jetty on Jetty Road to organise tours in a group of 5 or 6. Half and full day trips available with knowledgeable guides.
Tourist Cruise Boats
Accommodating up to 30 passengers these large boats take tourists between popular backwater destinations. Smaller motorized cruise boats are available to hire, while set services run everyday during the high season. A popular route: |
Kollam to Alappuzha One of the most popular Kerala backwater tours is the cruise between Kollam and Alaphuzha which is an eight hour, scenic trip. It leaves at 10:30 a.m. Tickets can be bought from the DTCP Information Centre, or from the nearby tour operater, and shoud cost between R.350 - R.400. If you decide on this trip, take some bottled water, sun cream and get there early for a good seat - there is a little covered area at the back of the boat downstairs that is nice to sit in. The boat stops for a traditional Keralan lunch and tea, and also at Amma's ashram, where you can disenbark and break up your trip. If you do not have accommodation at Alappuzha, there will be no shortage of offers when you arrive. Check the price and distance before you decide to follow any of the touts.
Public FerriesPublic ferries (just like the buses and trains) are absurdly cheap ways to travel, and if you are in the backwater regions, can be a great way to see the wonderful scenery without spending a lot. Some scenic routes: Alappuzha to Kottayam This 2 and a half hour trip takes you across some vast lakes, past small traditional villages ad along narrow canals, stopping a handful of times along the way to pick up/drop off passengers.Kollam Return journeys across Ashtamudi Lake leave from the main jetty, last 1 or 2 hours and cost under R.20.
Ask in tourist info centres or at the jettys. Look out for kingfishers en route!
If you want to see what else Kerala has to offer (and there is plenty!) have a look a our pages about Kerala's idyllic beaches or 2000m high hill stations.
More travel information on the beautiful region of backwater_kerala.
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