Alleppey

About Alleppey

Alappuzha — Alleppey to almost everyone — is the centre of the Kuttanad backwaters, a lattice of canals, lakes and rice fields farmed below sea level. The houseboat night is the headline: a converted kettuvallam moored in the middle of Vembanad lake with a cook on board and nothing to do after dark but watch fireflies. Group trips usually split a houseboat between eight, add a shikara or kayak morning through the narrow canals where the boats can't go, and finish on Alleppey beach at the old pier. **Getting there.** Overnight train or bus from Bengaluru (10–12 hours) to Alappuzha; commonly combined with Varkala or Kochi on a four-day itinerary. **Where to stay.** Houseboats for the night on the water, plus homestays and hostels in Alappuzha town.

Things to do

• • Overnight houseboat on Vembanad lake
• • Sunrise kayaking through village canals
• • Alleppey beach and the 1862 pier
• • Kuttanad paddy field cycling
• • Karumadikuttan and Ambalappuzha temple
• • Toddy shop lunch with karimeen

Best time to visit

October to March. The Nehru Trophy snake boat race falls in August and is worth planning around if you don't mind rain.

How to reach

Overnight train or bus from Bengaluru (10–12 hours) to Alappuzha; commonly combined with Varkala or Kochi on a four-day itinerary.

Where to stay

Houseboats for the night on the water, plus homestays and hostels in Alappuzha town.

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