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Travelling through the backwaters of Kerala is a marvellous experience with the simple,
unique pleasures it offers. Life on your houseboat will be interrupted by delightful surprises.
Flocks of graceful ducks; small restaurants on the banks which offer delicious kapa (boiled tapioca)
and fried karimeen (a kind of fresh water fish); women in little canoes selling tender coconuts; the song of the
cuckoo; the heady fragrance of rich green paddy fields..... A journey with no traffic jam! An experience to breathe
life back into your engine!
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| Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. These backwaters represent a unique geological formation and are the basis of a distinct lifestyle.
Travelling through the backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to Kerala. |
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The larger
boats are motorized but there are numerous smaller boats propelled by
pushing with a long
bamboo pole. The boats cross shallow, palm - fringed
lakes studded with cauklevered Chinese fishing nets, and travel along narrow, shady canals
where coir, copra and cashew are loaded into boats.
Along the way are small settlements where people live on narrow spits of reclaimed land
only a few metres wide. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to
keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens. Prawns and
fish, including the prized Karimeen, are also farmed
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The most popular backwater cruise is the eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha. There are virtually identical daily cruises operated between Kollam and Alappuzha, by the Alleppey Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and the state government District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).
Many hotels in Alappuzha/Kollam take bookings for one or other of their services. Cruises depart at 10.30 am and arrive at their destination at 6.30 pm. Generally only two stops are made along the way--Ayiramthengu and Lekshmithuruth. Lekshmithuruth is the lunch stop. Here you can witness a demonstration of Kathakali expressions and gestures.
The cruise between Alappuzha and Kottayam is about 41/2 hours. The trip to Kottayam crosses Vembanad Lake and then runs along a fascinating canal.
A popular, but at times overpriced, option is to hire a houseboat, converted from a Kettuvallam, or traditional rice barge. Boats can also be chartered through the DTPC in Kollam and Alappuzha. Houseboats cater for groups (up to eight bunks) or couples (one or two double bedrooms). They can be hired either on a day basis (Rs. 3500 per boat) or overnight (Rs. 5000), allowing you to make the Kollam - Alappuzha trip over two days, mooring in the backwaters overnight. Food can be provided (including a cook) for an extra Rs. 400 per person.
These usually involve small groups of less than 10 people, a knowledgeable guide and an open work boat or covered kettuvallam. The tours last from 21/2 to six hours. You are taken to villages to watch coir making, boat building, toddy tapping and fish farming, and on the longer trips a traditional Kerala lunch is provided.
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Kollam - Alappuzha Cruise
Departure: 10.30 am from the boat jetty.
Fare: Rs.150 per person.
Half way journey from Kollam to Alumkadavu
Fare: Rs.100 per person
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Backwater Village Cruise On Country Boat
Timings : 9.00 am - 1.30 pm
2.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Fare: Rs. 250 per person
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Exotic Bluewater House Boat Cruises. Roundtrip Cruise
Departure: 11.00 am from Kollam
Arrival: 5.00 pm at Kollam.
Tariff: Single bedroom: Rs. 3000
Double bedroom : Rs. 4000
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See & Sleep Cruise (Day cruise with overnight stay in the houseboat)
Departure: 2.00 pm from Kollam
Overnight stay: 6.00 pm to 6.30 am.
Arrival: 8.00 am (2nd day) at Kollam.
Tariff: Single bedroom: Rs. 2000
Double bedroom: Rs. 3500
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ouseboat Cruise & Resort Stay Package. Majestic Cruise (2 days)
Departure: 10.00 am from Kollam
Arrival: 5.00 pm at Ashtamudi Backwater Resort with A/C suite room.
Departure from Ashtamudi Resort : 8.00 am
Arrival: 9.30 am (2nd day) at Kollam.
Tariff: Single family: Rs. 5500
Double family: Rs. 9000.
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Elegant Cruise
Departure: 10.00 am from Kollam
Arrival: 5.00 pm at Palm Lagoon, Backwater Resort, with natural cottage accommodation and special seafood cuisine.
Departure: 8.00 am from Palm Lagoon.
Arrival: 9.30 am (2nd day) at Kollam.
Tariff: Single Family: Rs.3000
Double family: Rs. 6000
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Houseboat Cruise with Kathakali Performance Package
Departure: 1.00 pm from Kollam
Performance of Kathakali at Thourythikara Performing Art Centre: 4.00 pm - 6.30 am.
Arrival: 10.00 am (2nd day) at Kollam.
Tariff: Single bedroom: Rs. 5500
Double bedroom: Rs. 7000
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Royal Gateway City Packages(Covers all backwater towns in Kerala such as Kollam, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Kottayam and Kochi).
Kollam - Alumkadav - Kollam (Full day)
Tariff: Single: Rs.3750
Double: Rs. 4350
Kollam - Kayamkulam - Kollam (Full day and night stay)
Tariff : Single : Rs. 6500
Double : Rs. 8200
Kollam - Alappuzha (one way) [Full day cruise and night stay].
Single : Rs. 8175
Double : Rs. 10,125
Kollam- Alappuzha - Kumarakom - Kottayam
(Two day cruise and one night stay).
Single: Rs. 12.300
Double: Rs. 14,420
Kollam - Alappuzha - Kochi
(Three days cruise and two nights stay).
Single : Rs. 16,350
Double: Rs. 17,750
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