Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers and remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala because of backwaters. Alleppey or Allappuzha is also known as the "Venice of the east" and famous for Aranmula Snake Boat Race in the town of Aranmula. This snake boat races held on the second Saturday of August, every year.Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, is perhaps the only place in the world where the farming is done below sea level. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give one first hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.
Backwaters - The main transport for the Kerala people was the backwaters, for the transports of goods, transportation and link between villages. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey which forms the main part of this network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.
Kettuvallam @ Houseboats A glide in a "Kettuvallam" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. A house boat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The main wood used in it is "Anjili" and the materials used are bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. which are all the Eco friendly materials. The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavour with the local specialities; delicious fish and prawns. The Static Houseboat is for four persons with two bedrooms. The main feature in this houseboat is the sundeck for sunbaths.
How to get there
Air: The nearest airport is Cochin, 64km to the north; Trivandrum International Airport is 159km to the south.
Rail: Alleppey has recently been linked to Cochin by rail. The Alleppey Railway Station is 5km from the Central bus stand and the boat jetty.
Road: Alleppey is on the NH 47 highway and is connected to all important towns in south India by public state transport buses.
Houseboat / Motorboat: Alleppey is linked by boat services through the backwaters to Quilong and Changanassery, Kottayam, cochin, Kumarakom, Kavalam and Chengannur, Kuttanad places.
When to go
Best Time to travel Alleppey is between March and August.
Places of Interest - Ambalapuzha, Karumadikkuttan, Champakulam, Arthinkal, Punnapra and Mannarasala.
Climate: The temperature varies between 22o Celsius to 35o Celsius in summers and 18o Celsius to 30o Celsius in winters.