Places to visit in Alleppey, houseboats included
By Ganesh ·
The best things to do in Alleppey (Alappuzha). A houseboat night, canoe rides through the village canals, Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad, Marari beach and the Nehru Trophy boat race, with houseboat prices and the best time to go.
The short answer: the best things to do in Alleppey (Alappuzha) are an overnight houseboat cruise on the backwaters, a small canoe or shikara ride through the narrow village canals, Vembanad Lake and Pathiramanal island, the rice fields of Kuttanad, Alappuzha and Marari beaches, the Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple, and (if you are there in August) the Nehru Trophy snake-boat race. One night on a houseboat plus one night on land is ideal.
Prices and rules below are approximate. Check before you go.
Alleppey at a glance
Alleppey sits between the Arabian Sea and the huge Vembanad Lake, criss-crossed by canals, lagoons and paddy fields, the heart of Kerala's backwaters. Life here still runs on the water: ferries, school boats and floating shops. It is about 1.5 hours by road from Kochi.
Top things to do in Alleppey
1. A houseboat (kettuvallam) cruise
Converted rice barges with bedrooms, a deck and a crew who cook Kerala meals on board. Most cruises board around noon, sail through the afternoon, moor for the night by early evening (night sailing isn't allowed) and return after breakfast. Choose a licensed operator, check the boat in person or on video, and confirm whether the AC runs all night or only at certain hours.
2. Canoe or shikara ride through the small canals
Big houseboats can't enter the narrow village canals; a two- to three-hour country-boat or canoe ride can, past homes, churches, toddy shops and duck farms. Many travellers enjoy this more than the houseboat.
3. Vembanad Lake and Pathiramanal island
Kerala's largest lake. Pathiramanal, a small island in it, is a quiet stop for birdwatching in the cooler months.
4. Kuttanad's rice fields
Kuttanad is one of the few places in the world where rice is farmed below sea level, in fields protected by dykes. Cycle or walk along the bunds in the early morning.
5. Alappuzha beach and Marari beach
Alappuzha beach has an old pier and a lighthouse; Marari, about 30 minutes north, is quieter, with fishing villages and resorts.
6. Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple
Famous for its sweet palpayasam offering. Non-Hindus may not be allowed inside; dress traditionally.
7. Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Held on Punnamada Lake usually on the second Saturday of August, with long snake boats rowed by more than a hundred oarsmen each. Book tickets and stays early.
8. Kumarakom across the lake
On the eastern shore of Vembanad, Kumarakom has upmarket lake resorts and a bird sanctuary, an alternative base for a quieter stay.
A sample 2-day plan
- Day 1: Drive from Kochi; board the houseboat around noon; lunch on board while cruising Vembanad and the main canals; moor for the night in a village.
- Day 2: Disembark after breakfast; a canoe ride through the small canals; Ambalappuzha temple; sunset at Alappuzha or Marari beach.
From Alleppey, Varkala is about 3 hours south and Thekkady about 4 hours east.
What it costs (approximate)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range / premium |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight houseboat, 1 bedroom, all meals | ₹7,000–10,000 | ₹12,000–25,000 |
| Day cruise on a shared or small houseboat | ₹1,000–1,500 per person (shared) to ₹5,000+ (private) | |
| Canoe / country-boat ride (2–3 hours) | ₹1,000–2,500 per boat | |
| Stay on land per night | ₹1,500–3,000 | ₹5,000–15,000 (lake resorts) |
| Kochi–Alleppey taxi (one way) | ₹1,800–2,500 | |
Houseboat prices jump in December–January and on long weekends; weekday bookings in the monsoon are much cheaper.
How to reach Alleppey
- By air: Cochin International Airport, about 80 km (2 hours).
- By train: Alappuzha station is on the coastal line between Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram.
- By boat: the state water-transport ferry between Alappuzha and Kottayam is a cheap backwater cruise in itself.
Best time to visit Alleppey
November to February is cool and dry, the best and busiest season. March to May is hot. June to September is the monsoon: dramatic skies, green fields and lower prices; August brings the boat races. Indian searches for Kerala trips are highest around May and November.
Practical tips
- Tell the houseboat crew about food preferences in advance; vegetarian and Jain menus are common.
- Carry mosquito repellent for the evening on the boat.
- Avoid the busiest jetties at noon on peak days. Start from a quieter point if your operator offers it.
- Add the houseboat to your Sancharees trip as a stay so the boarding time and contact sit on the day's timeline.
FAQ
Is one night on a houseboat enough?
Yes for most people. A second night mostly repeats the same stretch of water.
Alleppey or Kumarakom for a houseboat?
Alleppey has more boats and canals; Kumarakom is quieter, with upscale lake resorts.
Can we do Alleppey as a day trip from Kochi?
Yes, a day cruise or a canoe ride, back in Kochi by evening.
Photo: HouseBoat from Alappuzha Vembanad Kayal by Edukeralam, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: अलेप्पी में घूमने की जगहें: हाउसबोट, बैकवॉटर्स और 2 दिन का प्लान · ആലപ്പുഴയിൽ കാണേണ്ട സ്ഥലങ്ങൾ: ഹൗസ്ബോട്ട്, കായൽ, രണ്ടു ദിവസത്തെ പ്ലാൻ