KERALA HOUSEBOATS AND CRUISES

Natural beauty is sheer poetry and nature's sound is sweet. Kerala is the land to experience such a paradise, where natural beauty is abounding and astonishing. Hills, forests, lakes, rivers, streams, sea shores, lush green paddy fields and coconut groves, it is just like listing tantalizing dishes to a hungry customer. No tourist would like to forgo this land, aptly termed in the tourist jargon as God's Own Country. This fig - leaf shaped land on the south - west tip of the Indian subcontinent is indeed a marvelous canvas of God's creation. This fertile land though small is rich in tradition, rituals and cultural heritage. Every form of art especially the folk art is a veneration of God's hand in creation, symbolizing ecology conservation. Kerala is also a land of myth, magic and occult practices. Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam have deep roots here - probably an offshoot of the pristine natural abundance. Visit Kerala - the ultimate paradise on earth to replenish and rejuvenate yourself.
Alappuzha (Alleppey), the coastal township is unique in that, that canals meander through the town and its vast stretch of beach on the Arabian sea provides comfort to the soul. Mariners over centuries have known the Alappuzha beach as a safe anchorage area even when the sea is rough. The coastal belt is like a sandy sea shore which has extended inland. The beach is also known for its mud bank phenomena. Geologists ascribe this formation to subterranean passages that link the sea to the rivers and back water inland and that the accumulating silt in them finds its way into the littoral currents. Beaches provide a panoramic view of the coconut tree dotted coastline, a truly marveling sight. Alappuzha can be accessed via road, rail and water from Cochin, Kottayam and Trivandrum.
Backwater cruises and boat rides through the winding canals is an unforgettable experience. Combined with a filling of typically Kerala food, especially the fish laced spicy menu of Alappuzha will leave an everlasting craving for more and more of the Alappuzha experience.

(Kerala Houseboat)

The Houseboats of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether. Once they ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the kettuvalloms have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay. It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.
The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms (houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - usually a cook, guide and oarsman.
Alleppey - Alleppey :
Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit 400 year old Champakulam church - view the 110 feet long snake boat. Night stay will be in the middle of the Lake.
Alleppey - Kumarakom :
Check in Alleppey- cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit the R'Block, C'Block - visit Pathiramanal Island - night stay at Kumarakom Lake.
Alleppey - Kottayam :
Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit the R & C Block - night stay at middle of the Lake.
Alleppey - Thottappally :
Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karumadikuttan, only Buddhist temple in Kerala.
Alleppey - Alumkadavu :

(Kerala Houseboat)

Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit R'Block, C' Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan , olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see the sun set and sun rise, Chinese fishing net in operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram,Amrithannadamayi, most famous sanyasini .Visit the coir village. Check out at Alumkadavu.
Kumarakkom - Alumkadavu :
Check in Kumarkkom - visit bird sanctuary - visit R & C Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan , olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only one Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see the sun set and sun rise, Chinese fishing net in operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram, most famous sanyasini - visit the coir village. Check out at Alumkadavu.
Alleppey - Quilon (Kollam) :
Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit R'Block, C' Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see thesun set and sun rise, Chinese fishing net in operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram, most sanyasini - visit the coir village. Check out at Quilon (Kollam).
Kumarakom - Quilon (Kollam) :
Check in Kumarkkom - visit bird sanctuary - visit R'Block, C' Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of Paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only one Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see the Sun set and Sun rise, Chinese fish net operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram, most famous woman guru of Hindu - visit the coir village. Check out at Qulion (Kollam)

(Houseboat)

Alleppey - Kochi (Thevara) :
Check in Alleppey - cruise through Punnamada Lake - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic views of paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons - visit R' Block, C' Block - visit the Kumarakom birds sanctuary - cruise through Lake, you can see the Chinese fish nets and coir making process - night stay middle of the Lake.
Kochi - Alumkadavu :
Check in Kochi - visit Kumarakkom bird sanctuary - visit R & C Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of Paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only one Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see the Sun set and Sun rise, Chinese fish net operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram, most famous woman guru of Hindu - visit the coir village. Check out at Alumkadavu.
Kochi - Quilon (Kollam) :
Check in Kochi - visit Kumarakkom bird sanctuary - visit R'Block, C' Block - visit the Chavara Bhavan, olden wooden house - enjoy the panoramic view of Paddy fields, narrow canals and coconut lagoons -Night halt at Vattakayal - visit the 400 year old ancient church - view the 110 feet long snake boat - visit the ancient Buddhist image of Karrumadikuttan, only one Buddhist temple in Kerala - night halt at Kayyamkulam Pozhy, you can see the Sun set and Sun rise, Chinese fish net operation. Cruise through Kayyamkulam Lake - visit Vallicavu Amrithanadhamayi Ashram, most famous woman guru of Hindu - visit the coir village. Check out at Qulion (Kollam).

One Night Cruises :

Tour Route	Two persons in US$	Four persons in US$
Alleppey - Alleppey	140	240
Alleppey - Kumarakom	165	230
Alleppey - Kottayam	165	230
Alleppey - Thottapally	175	240
Alleppey - Alumkadavu	240	300
Alleppey - Cochin	210	300
Kumarakom - Alumkadavu	245	330

Two Night Cruises :

Tour Route	Two persons in US$	Four persons in US$
Alleppey - Alleppey	230	380
Alleppey - Kumarakom	270	400
Alleppey - Kottayam	250	400
Alleppey - Thottapally	290	390
Alleppey - Alumkadavu	370	500
Alleppey - Cochin	410	550
Kumarakom - Alumkadavu	450	600

NOTES :
1. All rates are inclusive of all meals.
2. Mineral Water complimentary on cruise.
3. Fruit basket and two bottles of beer on the house.
4. Additional person with extra bed will be charged 20% extra.
5. Check in will be at 12 noon and check out 10 AM.
6. Note that on an average cruising time is six to seven hours.
7. All taxes are included.
8. Transfer charges from the nearest airport or railway station included in price.


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