Alleppey

Kerala, God’s own country, with its beauty and bounty never fails to astound visitors from all over the world. One such enchantress of the state is Alleppey. The beautiful lakes and lagoons make Alleppey no less than ‘The Venice of the East’, a title quite rightly ascribed to this place. On these backwaters, thousands of houseboats called the Kettuvalam cruise in tranquillity all day long, with visitors on board.

Best time to visit Alleppey:

Alleppey is open round the year but the best time to visit this paradise is during winters between November – February due to favourable weather conditions and houseboat rides. The summers are generally hot here, but the preparations for the famous Annual Boat Race commences in June.

Places to see in Alleppey:

Although the serenity of the backwaters, the peaceful houseboat rides, and the beautiful beaches mainly attract tourists, there is more to see in Alleppey.

Kuttanad

Staying in Kuttanad and enjoying the quaint village life, is a real deal for a true nature lover. In Kuttanad, one can see the traditional method of how farming is done 4 to 10 ft below the sea level, the green luscious coconut farmlands, and the spellbinding canals and waterways.

Lighthouse

There is an old lighthouse standing alone along the beach line, so capturing the most spectacular view of the setting sun won’t be a big deal for the nature enthusiasts.

Ancient temples and churches

Beholding two different religions co-existing in harmony provides eternal peace. The temples and churches of Nagaraja, Ambalapuzha Krishna, Chettikulangara Devi, St Mary’s Church, Latin Catholic Church, and St. Andrew’s Basilica at Arthunkal can be visited for a wholesome spiritual experience.

Boat race

Every year during the month of June, one can witness the practice session of the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race. One gets ample time and scope to capture lovely photographs of this magnificent backwater sport.

Krishnapuram Palace

The Krishnapuram Palace and museum is yet another interesting place to explore, situated in Kayamkulam, at around 47 km from Alleppey.

Kumarakom Sanctuary

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is truly a bird lovers’ heaven, which houses many rare, native and migratory bird species. It is located at 45 minutes’ drive from Alleppey

Things to do in Alleppey:

Bird watching

There can be nothing more interesting than watching birds in a canoe or a kayak, one gets the pleasure of both at the same time.

Ayurvedic massage

As you cruise the backwaters, don’t miss the small massage parlors on the small islands. Step out of your boat for a relaxing massage.

Collecting local artefacts

Shopping for indigenous articles sold in the local markets are worth buying and facilitates the development of the community.

How to reach Alleppey?

You can reach Alleppey by road or by train.

Closest railway station/bus stop to Alleppey:

Frequent bus services connect Alleppey to the nearest cities like Kochi, Chennai, Trivandrum, and Mysore.

There are regular train services connecting Alleppey with most trains travelling to and from Kerala.Train service directly connects Alleppey to Kochi and Trivandrum. The nearest railway station is Alappuzha Railway Station, which is located within the city.

Closest airport to Alleppey:

The nearest airport to Alleppey is Cochin International Airport. It is located 83.2kms away connected via NH-66.