Alappuzha Backwaters, India

ᴮᵃᶜᵏʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ ᴬˡᵃᵖᵖᵘᶻʰᵃ

After a long serving careerin corporate world, it's time to pack my travel kit and set out to see the world's diverse colors. I wish to travel freely, without worrying about any constraints or routine. The purpose of my travels isn't just to change places but to experience the untold stories, cultural heritage, and natural beauty that enrich life and even go back in the past.

Taking my travel kit, camera, and laptop, I want to start my journey in Alleppey, now called Alappuzha. It's known as the "Venice of the East." I last visited there in 2015, and it's a major hub for houseboat tourism and a vibrant backwater region.

ᴮᵃᶜᵏʷᵃᵗᵉʳˢ ᶜʳᵘᶦˢᵉ ᴬˡᵃᵖᵖᵘᶻʰᵃ

Alappuzha is a beautiful city located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Its name comes from its geographical location, meaning "land between the sea and the network of rivers flowing into it." The city is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea and surrounded by a network of numerous ponds, rivers, and lakes, making it famous for its backwaters.

The Alappuzha Backwaters are a popular tourist destination in Kerala, India, famous for their houseboat cruises, canals, lakes, and rural life. The Alappuzha Backwaters include areas like the Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater region in India. It is a complex network of canals, lakes, and lagoons stretching parallel to the Arabian Sea.

ˢᶦᵗᵗᶦⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᶦⁿᵍ ᶦⁿ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉᵇᵒᵃᵗ
The musical backwaters and houseboat journeys of Alappuzha are truly a unique experience. The calm rivers, greenery, and rural life here create a pleasant atmosphere. Enjoying this natural beauty while sitting in a houseboat and watching the local villages, fields, and birds is a refreshing experience. This place is a paradise not only for tourists but also for nature lovers.

My visit to Alappuzha was a truly special experience, with nature's unique charms visible at every turn. I'll be documenting my trip this time too, both on my camera and on my laptop, and sharing it on my blog. This place holds a special place in my travel memories, and revisiting it will be a truly soul-refreshing experience. Alappuzha's beauty and cultural richness inspire every travel enthusiast to visit.

My experience visiting Alappuzha was truly unique and memorable. As soon as I set foot in the town, the calm streams and greenery of the backwaters immediately soothed my mind. Traveling through the rivers on a houseboat felt like enjoying the slow pace of life in the lap of nature. The post-rain freshness, coconut trees, and views of small villages made the trip even more special.

ᵀʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ ᶦⁿ ʰᵒᵘˢᵉᵇᵒᵃᵗ

The hospitality and simplicity of the locals made me feel connected to this place. Sitting on a houseboat at night under the stars while listening to the sound of the waves on the backwaters was a unique experience. They provide extremely delicious food, especially the fresh fish curry and coconut milk sweets. Unfortunately I have been a vegetarian for decades, so I requested them to serve us vegetarian food only.

Like every journey, this one too had its challenges, sometimes the vagaries of weather and sometimes language barriers. But these challenges only fueled my courage and confidence. These experiences taught me that embracing change in life is growth. Every day, I wrote stories and took photographs of my journey.

A trip to Alappuzha, taking in the natural scenery of the rivers, lakes, and channels from a kayak on the backwaters, is a unique experience. Cultural and religious sites like the Ambalapuzha Sri Krishna Temple and St. Mary's Forane Church are also worth visiting. The region is also renowned for its Ayurvedic clinics, natural massage centers, and spas, which offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Alappuzha's history dates back to the 18th century, when it was developed by Raja Keshav Das. The region was an important center of maritime trade. The main attraction here is its houseboats, traditionally used to transport spices, which have now become luxury houseboats for modern tourism.

ᴬˡᵃᵖᵖᵘᶻʰᵃ ᴮᵉᵃᶜʰ

Additionally, Alappuzha's serpentine boat race, "Vallomakali," is an ancient tradition and a major tourist attraction. This beach town boasts soft golden sands and calm seas.

In short, Alappuzha is a natural and cultural treasure, ideal for nature lovers, heritage enthusiasts, and those seeking relaxation. It offers a sense of peace and joy, a break from the stresses of life.

Tourist Attractions

Houseboat cruises, traditional rural life, and natural beauty are the main attractions. Vembanad Lake is a complex network of tree-lined lagoons, picturesque lakes, and river systems. Located on the Arabian Sea, Kerala's oldest planned backwaters are located on the Malabar Coast.

• Backwater Houseboat Cruise

• Alappuzha Beach

• Alappuzha Lighthouse

• Ambalapuzha Krishna Temple

• Krishnapuram Palace

ˢᶦᵗ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰ

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Alappuzha is between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and warm. This time is ideal for houseboat cruises and outdoor activities. The monsoon season is between April and September, so tourists should be cautious when traveling during this time.

Alappuzha is suitable for any time of year due to its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and marine attractions, but the season from October to March is particularly considered the best.

Alappuzha has several well-known houseboat operators that provide excellent service and a comfortable experience to travelers.

Some of these are

• Book My Houseboats, approved by the local government

• Coco Houseboats, a renowned houseboat rental company in Kerala

• Abad Luxury Houseboats, a large and luxury houseboat operator

• Angel Queen Houseboat, another popular operator

• Lake Queen, another popular operator

• Tharangini Houseboats, another popular operator

These operators offer houseboats in various categories, such as luxury, premium, family, and sharing, allowing travelers to choose according to their needs and budget. The houseboats they operate usually have bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and other amenities.

Houseboat Rentals	Backwaters Alappuzha 7 ₹ (INR) = 1 STEEM Apx.
Deluxe Category	1 Bedroom Approximately ₹8,000 to ₹9,500 per night, 2 Bedrooms ₹10,500 to ₹13,500 per night, 3 Bedrooms: ₹12,500 to ₹20,000 per night
Premium Category	1 Bedroom: ₹12,000 to ₹14,000 per night, 2 Bedrooms: ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 per night, 3 Bedrooms: ₹15,500 to ₹24,500 per night
Luxury Category	1 Bedroom: ₹17,000 to ₹36,000 per night, 2 Bedrooms: ₹21,000 to ₹40,000 per night, 3-bedroom: ₹23,000 to ₹33,000 per night, 4-bedroom: ₹24,000 to ₹38,000 per night

*** Special packages, such as honeymoon specials, are also available, which include a welcome drink, food and beverages, and decorations. Check-in for houseboat bookings is typically between 11 and 12 noon, and check-out is at 9 am.

*** Fares depend on the season, houseboat size, amenities, and current offers. October to March are peak periods.

*** The duration of houseboat cruises depends on the tourist's preferences

Alleppey Backwaters	G99J+2PF, Meenappally, Kuttamangalam, Kuppapuram, Kainakary North, Kerala 688011
Google Maps	Google
Alappuzha Backwaters websites	Boating also Kerala Backwaters
Facilities	All
Major attractions open	From 9 am. to 6 pm.
Religious sites and beaches	Open throughout the day
Nearest airport	Cochin International Airport
Nearest rail station	Alappuzha Railway Station
Visited	December, 2015
Images	All mine
Steem Atlas PIN	//:# (!steematlas 9.52501024 lat 76.35686874 long Alappuzha Backwaters, India d3scr)

Beneficiary @steem-atlas