Tours - India

CRUISE:

A popular boat-cruise is the one between the town of "Kollam" and "Alleppey" which leaves every day and takes about 8 hours. The cruise sails during the period from August to March. Lunch is served and the boat is fully equipped. The disadvantage is that the (large) cruise only goes over the wide and deep waterways. So you miss the "real" Indian life in the narrow rivers and canals.

LIVING BOAT:

This is THE experience to sail the channels of "Kerala" but also the most expensive. Luxury houseboats executed in a style of an authentic "rice transport boat" ("kettuvalam") sails in a few days through a mix of canals, rivers and lakes so you get a total picture of the "backwaters". Local dishes are served on board made by an Indian cook. Prices go from 24 hours for two people 4000 Rupees p.p.

CANOE:

This is the best option for people with a smaller wallet; 3 tourists with a paddle costs about 500 Rupee p.p..This includes a lunch and 6 hours of bobbing. The advantage is that with a canoe you can enter the small side arms of the rivers and canals and are not tied to the larger ones. Over the boat a sail is stretched against the sun and rain. You sail through narrow and shallow channels and you can see and stop the lives of the local residents whenever you want. A visit to a beer brewery ("toddy", palm beer), a boat building factory and a fish farm is planned.

FERRY:

Finally, there is the super cheap ferry for real budget travelers. Every day about 5 boats sail from half past eight in the morning to half past five from "Alleppey" to "Kottayam". Costs p.p are 12 Rupee and the time on the boat is about 2.5 hours. Of course, there is no stopping and the boat sails directly (not through the smaller side branches) to its destination.But you get an idea what the backwaters is all about.