A cruise through the canals of Alappuzha
If you are cherishing the idea of spending some good time, amidst the sights and sounds of the hydrosphere, then step into a country boat and wind through the labyrinth of canals in Alappuzha. While cruising through these canals, one would come across many interesting aspects of day-to-day life on the land as well as on water.
Here, at Alappuzha, one can easily find boats according to one’s requirement, starting from small country boats to luxury houseboats and small speedboats to big passenger motorboats. Small boats are preferred for cruise through the canals. Once you have the transport ready, pick one of the canal systems in and around Alappuzha for your cruise.
Let the canal network be at any part of the Vembanad Lake, the chances of one coming across some of the inspiring and interesting vistas on and along the canals are very high. This could come in the form of panoramic paddy fields; coconut lagoons; pied King Fishers hurtling down to catch fish etc. Among other common sights that one would come across during the cruise are isolated islands; men on country boats engaged in fishing and shepherding their ducks to new pastures, cargo being moved in huge boats called rice barges or Kettu Vallams and school children being ferried across the canal.
During the cruise, one would also be able to drop in at some villages to check out the techniques and procedure involved in coir making. Also, if interested, one may try any of the wayside eateries serving ethnic food, especially fish delicacies, and also toddy, the natural beverage produced from coconut trees.
So get set for a memorable cruise through the canals of Alappuzha. Because this could be just the beginning of your many cruises on the canals and backwaters of Kerala. Boats can be hired from the jetty, close to the KSRTC bus station.
Getting there:
Telephone access code: +91 477
Air:
Nearest international airports: Thiruvananthapuram(150 km); Nedumbassery, Kochi (85 km)
Rail:
Railway enquiry Ph: 2253965 Road: KSRTC enquiry: Ph: 2252501
Ferry services:
Enquiries: Ph: 2252015 SWTD (public boat service enquiry): Ph: 2252510
Tourist information offices:
District Tourism Promotion Council Ph: 2251796/ 2253308 Fax: 2252720 Email: alp_dtpcalpy@sancharnet.in
Tourist Information Office, Dept. of Tourism Ph: 2260722
The mechanised and motorised tour section of DTPC has a wide range of luxury boats and speed boats for backwater cruises on the Vembanad Lake.
Rajakesavadas (Luxury cruiser) Capacity: 100 pax Rs. 500 per hour; Rs. 4,500 per day
Karumadikuttan (Luxury cruiser) Capacity: 60 pax Rs. 400 per hour; Rs. 3,750 per day
Kaliyodam (luxury cruiser): Capacity: 50 pax Rs. 350 per hour Rs. 3,000 per day.
Pamba (luxury cruiser): Capacity: 15 pax Rs. 200 per hour Rs. 1,500 per day.
Raja Hamsam (speedboat): Capacity: 4 pax Rs. 700 per hour.
For more information contact: The Administrative Office, DTPC, Near Boat Jetty, Alappuzha.
Ph: 2253308 Fax: 2251720 Email: alp_dtpcalpy@sancharnet.in www.alappuzhatourism.com
Tourist Reception Centre (DTPC), Near KSRTC Bus Station, Alappuzha Ph: 2251796
Sea View Park and Picnic spot (A project of DTPC Alappuzha): Park with boating facilities.
Boat rentals (for 10 minutes): 4 seater round boat : Rs. 10 2 seater pedalboat: Rs. 15 4 seater pedalboat: Rs. 25 Photography permit: Rs. 15
Videography permit: Rs. 100
Round the Venice: Alappuzha town sight seeing by vehicle. Departure: 1500 hrs Fare: Rs. 100 per head (Required minimum 10 persons)
Sightseeing vessels/vehicles: Speed boat (4 seater) Luxury boat (25 seater) Qualis vehicle (10 seater)
Houseboat Operators
Travel Agents/Tour Operators
- Associated Air Travels Ph: 2251707
- Anu Travels Ph: 2253637
- Blue Lagoons, West of Zilla Court Bridge Telefax: 2260103 Email: alleppeytour@vsnl.com
- Canon Tours & Travels, Jetty
- Road Ph: 2260216 Email: canontours@hotmail.com
- C V Travels Ph: 2260351
- DTPC Ph: 2251796/2253308 Email: alp_dtpcalpy@sancharnet.in
- Emu Tours & Travels Ph: 2252392 Email: emutravels@yahoo.co.in
- Gulf India Travels, Civil Station Rd. Ph: 2251043
- Garuda Air Travels Ph: 2263035 Fax: 2251601
- Indira Travels Ph: 2251159
- Jai Hind Travels Ph: 2242190
- Karavel Travels Ph: 2253033 Fax: 2251033
- Kuttanad Air Travels Ph: 2272182
- MGM Tours & Travels Ph: 2245289 Fax: 2253737 Email: cocopalm@sancharnet.in
- Panicker's Travels Ph: 2272190 Fax: 2271290 Email: panickers@vsnl.net.in
- Pooja Tours & Travels, Mullackal Ph: 2238857 Email: poojatours@yahoo.com
- R M Travel Corporation Ph: 273930 Fax: 273056 Email: rameshpniar123@hotmail.com
- Season Travel and Tourism Telefax: 2251248 Email:seasonstr@sify.com
- Venice of the East Travel Corp Ph: 2233862 Fax: 238884 Email: info@venicekerala.com
- Vinod Travels Ph: 2262138 Email:vidya111@satyam.net.in
- VIP Travels Ph: 2253164 Fax: 2261346
Posts
