A Cruise on the Backwaters in Kerala can be best enjoyed in a Kettuvallam, the traditional boat of Kerala. You can either just relax on the cruise and watch the rural life of Kerala and spend the whole time sailing on the Backwaters, or stop the boat at certain points to see the architectural wonders in the internal part of the land.

Boarding points:

Choose your routes according to your budget, itinerary and the time available to you. You can board the houseboats from Alleppey, Kumarakom, Thottappally and Alumkadave.

ALLEPPEY: Board at Alleppey and take a cruise on the serene Backwaters of Kerala. As you sail along the backwaters you can see unusual sights like the rice bowl in Kuttanad – a region which is not only rich in its growth of paddy fields but a place famous for the farming being done at below sea level.

Location:
2 ½ hours drive from Cochin International Airport

KUMARAKOM: Technically an Island, it has a network of rivers and lakes which converge with the Vembanad Lake, giving it an appearance of being a cluster of Islands. A cruise from KumaraKom on its backwaters gives a bird lover the perfect oppurtunity to see many kinds of water birds.

Location:
4 hours drive from Periyar and 10 km from Kottayam.

THOTTAPPALLY: Take a cruise from Thottappally and as you gently sail along aboard the Kettuvallams, you can see and experience the serenity of rural life. The villagers lead a life which seems untouched by time and urbanization. The backwaters are a treasure box of wonders.

Location:
5 ½ hours drive from Periyar and 3 ½ hours from Kovalam Beach.

ALUMKADAVE: Board the kettuvallams from the place of their origin and take a cruise on the backwaters surrounding it – the waters where these magnificent boats were first sailed upon.

Location:
2 ½ hours from Kovalam Beach..