Kerala Backwaters, Alleppey

Visitor Information

  • Famous For: Nature, Photography, Adventure.
  • Entry Fee: Entry is free of cost.
  • Visiting Time: From dawn to dusk.
  • Visiting Duration: Almost an entire day and night if you are not in a hurry.

Whenever we hear of the state of Kerala, the photograph of the boats sailing across the backwaters instantly crosses our mind. These backwaters have got a unique quality where the salty sea water of the Arabian Sea mixes with the fresh water of the southern rivers. The intermixing of the two types of water have resulted in the habitation of a wide variety of flora and fauna in that region which makes the backwaters an even better and an interesting place to visit. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, the Kerala Backwaters in the region of Alleppey can be explored best by boating or opting for a houseboat cruise. The green landscape soothing the eyes is so pure and serene that tourists from all over the world are attracted to this place and, hence, visit the Kerala Backwaters almost throughout the year.

Kerala Backwaters
Photo by Henrik Jagels, CC BY 2.0

Traveller Tips

  • If you intend on spending an entire day and night on a houseboat cruise, book your package in advance so that you do not get disappointed due to the rush later.
  • Carry a first aid kit for safety especially if you are planning to spend the night in a house boat.

Things to Do There

  • Enjoy a quiet walk down the banks of the interconnected canals and waterways.
  • Try out some adventure sports like boating and cruising.
  • Take a look at the wide variety of flora and fauna.

Availability of Guide

You can never think of visiting the place without a proper guide. And, guides are available in plenty to see to the fact that you traverse safely down the backwaters.

Best Time to Visit

Always check the calendar for the date of celebration of Onam in Kerala. You must try to visit the Kerala Backwaters at that time because the festive mood will swing you off your feet.

How to Reach

The Kerala Backwaters is located at a mere distance of 6 km from the centre of Alleppey. So, you can hop into an auto rickshaw or hire a cab to reach the concerned destination. If you are looking for some extra adventure, you can even opt for hiking to the backwaters.

Interesting Facts About the Kerala Backwaters

  • The Kerala Backwaters stretch over a 900-km long waterway comprising of interconnected canals, lagoons and lakes.
  • Due to the extensive stretch of backwaters, this place is known as the ‘Venice of the East’.
  • The backwaters in Kerala are a home to a rich variety of flora and fauna that the botanists and the zoologists take interest in.
  • The backwaters can be best explored by opting for a houseboat cruise.
  • There are the boating facilities organized at the place for those people who are on a pocket pinch or who do not have sufficient time to stay in the houseboats.
Kerala Backwaters Alleppey
Photo by ravishahi,  CC0 1.0

Nearby Attractions

  • Alappuzha Beach
  • Vembanad Canal
  • Krishnapuram Palace
  • Karumadikkuttan
  • Pathiramanal
  • Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
  • Chettikulangara Devi Temple
  • Vijay Beach Park
  • Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  • Sea Lap Shimmers

Nearby Restaurants

  • Thaff Restaurant
  • Halais Restaurant
  • Avocado Garden Restaurant
  • Dreamers’ Restaurant Alleppey
  • Mushroom
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken
  • Cassia Beach Restaurant
  • Hassan’s Family Restaurant
  • Indian Coffee House

The Kerala Backwaters in the region of Alleppey is one of the most visited places in India due to the presence of a breathtaking scenario. The serenity and the comfort that the backwaters provide to the tourists leave them with a craving to get back to visit this place again and again in order to escape from the hectic schedule of their city lives. Thus, the Kerala Backwaters in Alleppey is a must visit for all.

About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

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