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The district of Alappuzha [1], also known as Alleppey, is in Kerala. This district headquarters is also known as Alappuzha and is located 70 kilometres south of Cochin. It is often called the Venice of the East due to the canals that connect it to Kerala's famous snaking backwaters.

[edit] Understand

Alleppey has a wonderful past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classical LiteratureThe best thing about Alappuzha and Kerala in general is the weather. Due to its proximity to the ocean it is more temperate than central India. The temperature rarely goes above 35 degrees Celsius and never below 20 degrees. The best time to visit is from August to March. Monsoon is always heavy.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. Expect to pay about 450rp for a taxi to get from Cochin airport to Cochin, then Bus or train to Alleppey. Alternatively come to airports at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut), Chennai, Bangalore and catch a train to Alappuzha.

[edit] By train

You can also reach Alappuzha from other cities like Kochi(Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bengalooru(Bangalore), Coimbatore, Mumbai(Bombay), New Delhi, and Kolkata by train.

[edit] By bus

There are bus services operating from cities like Cochin (1:15 hours, Rs 33), Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore (overnight luxury Rs 650), Mysore, Coimbatore (overnight Rs.220) to Alappuzha.

[edit] By car

Alappuzha district is well-connected by NH 47, which is part of the North-South East-West corridor. It goes via the Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha and Cherthala cities. Alappuzha is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore by road.

Tourist taxis are the most convenient way to travel around attractions, especially while travelling in a group. Most airports and railway stations have tourist taxi services that would take you anywhere you would want to go.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Alappuzha has an excellent local bus service system and it is cheap.

[edit] By autorickshaw

This is cheap way of transportation between attractions.

[edit] By taxi

Local taxis are also available at cheap rates. There are many Car rental companies offering cars with drivers or self drive. Rates are around Rs 7 per km but there are all sorts of extras.

[edit] By boat

When you are visiting places like Kuttanad, it's better to opt for boats, as many places in Kuttanad are inaccessible by road.

There are also good ferry services between places that are widely used by the locals, a cheap and scenic way of getting around.

[edit] By foot

Many of Alappuzha's attractions are easily accessible by foot.

[edit][add listing] See

• Alleppey is known for its snake-boat race - the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race [2], held on the second Saturday of August. It is named after Jawaharlal Nehru, who inaugurated it in 1952. The race is very popular with the locals. Traditional snake boats, each manned by over a hundred local people compete for the Cup. Tourists could rent a houseboat and watch the race close up from those boats.
• If you are visiting Alappuzha, enquire about the schedule of temple festivals. Alappuzha is one of the few towns in Kerala where non-Hindus are generally allowed enter the temple premises. Most of the famous Kerala temples do not allow such thing, and if you are a foreigner you are immediately branded as non-Hindu and prevented from entering. Alappuzha temples are generally not that narrow-minded, though there might be a few areas inside the temples where the entry is restricted. The Ambalapuzha temple festival is particularly impressive. Five elephants carry the Krishna idol for quite a long distance with a music accompaniment. The temple is 14 kilometres away from Alappuzha. It is famous for its rose palpayasam. The temple makes this traditional very sweet milk-based dish as an offering. Because of long boiling the milk condenses turning light pink colour.
• Alleppey has a high percentage of Christians. St. Mary’s Church (Champakulam) is believed to be one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas.

• Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha.  edit
• Karimadi Kuttan (Karimadi, Near Ambalapuzha). 9th century black granite statue of the Buddha, locally known as Karimadi Kuttan. This statue is protected by the Archeological survey of India.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Houseboat cruises Alappuzha is inlaid with channels that support its thriving backwater tourism. Many tourists that come to Alappuzha take a houseboat cruise along the backwaters. Houseboats can be rented for 12 Hrs to few days and there is a new hop-on, hop-off service through remote backwaters in a shared-houseboat. They come equipped with well furnished bedroom, sit-outs, kitchen and modern bath and toilet facilities. Some of the house boats even sport an air-conditioner, though most people prefer a calm cruise with lanterns which add to the rustic feel. The houseboats are manned by drivers and a cook. From the boat one can observe the everyday village life of people, stop for toddy (traditional mildly alcoholic drink made from coconut sap) with grilled prawns, watch birds, and relax in the middle of the lake. It is nice to go towards Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala, where rice farming is done below sea level.

• It's advisable to book a houseboat through houseboat operator rather than depending on touts. Touts take commissions between Rs 500 to 2000. Booking on the internet can be a good option, rather than waiting for last-minute booking during the high season. You may get a better price if you book on internet and most operators have good service. As of the 20th October 2009, prices at the Jetty "Finishing Point" were: 8,000Rs overnight (21 hours) for standard, non-a/c... 10,000Rs for standard a/c and 12,000Rs for Premium. Lucky tourists can try last minute bargain with a houseboat operator whose boat does not have business on a particular day and can get a 2 a/c bedroom houseboat for one night even for 7,000.

Some contacts for houseboat booking are:

• Gwyns Holidays[3]: They have been giving excellent service to its clients. You can write to them in English or French.

• Eco Trails Kerala Houseboat Cruise operator with good reputation among European tourists. They are operating Houseboats from Kumarakom and from Alleppey too. All the contact details can are in their web site [www.thehouseboatskerala.com]

• Lake King Cruise: As of April 2009, these folks could be reached at +91-986938488 or +91-477-2234344. They charged 4000Rs for a 12 hour day trip for two people on an air-conditioned houseboat with an upper deck. Although the staff were lovely, the manager Sebin Philip is a businessman and may disconnect some lights as you look at the boat and then charge you premium price rather than standard. He is also absent in the morning when you arrive back and cannot be reached.

• Activities Overnight canoe trips, bamboo furniture making classes, music lessons, yoga, painting classes etc are organised daily at the Bamboostix Island Resort. Ayurvedic Massage & courses at Sreekrishna and Keraleeyam. Anil at Seashore restaurant organises boating on small foam boat used by Kerala fishermen and even fishing expeditions

• Alleppey beach is another nice place to hang out. However, it is not a place for swimming. The water is very deep and the current is very strong. Sun tanning might not be a good idea unless you are in a private place. (Personal note: I often go swimming from the Seashore Restaurant owned by Anil who is a lifeguard at the beach and his small hideaway is further north from the main beach. I have never experienced strong currents in non-monsoon periods)

• Main industry in Alleppey is coir manufacturing. Coir is made of coconut husk. Some of bigger producers organize tours of their facilities
• A bicycle can be rented to tour the town and surrounding areas although travelers are advised to be alert and cautious of unpredictable traffic.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Kreamkorner: This place has two locations (Mullackal Road and Cullan Road) with a relaxed atmosphere and is popular with Indian and foreign families. There's a multicuisine menu with tandoori choices, and the cold coffee with ice-cream beats a frappuchino any day.
• Chakara Restaurant: The restaurant at Raheem Residency is the most expensive, and best, place in town. The menu is creative and combines elements of traditional Keralan and European cuisine. Wine is available. Beach Road, Alappuzha (Phone: 2230767)
• Arcadia Regency, a 4 star hotel has just opened in 2006, but has priced meals at really low prices to attract customers.
• Vembanad Restaurant: At the Alleppey Prince Hotel, it's well worth making the trip out here. One of the better eating options around, you can dine poolside to live music (nightly from 18:30 )
• Halai's Fried Chicken: This is a small restaurant near Alleppey South Police Station and serves the best biryani in town. (Highly Recommended)

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Orient Venice Inn Independent Cottages in Alappuzha. Chungam , Orient venice inn is situvated in chungam, alappuzha. Cottage is well furnished with a/c and nice vast greenary around with water front which leads to punnamada lake. See Orient Venice Inn for More Details
• Arcadia Regency: See Arcadia Regency website for more details. As of April 2009, it is a decent and hygienic city hotel.

• Bamboostix Island Resort claims to have been 'built by backpackers, for backpackers" is a new eco-resort on an island. Very unique construction with bamboo, thatch and coconut with unique activities like bamboo furniture making, music lessons, overnight canoe trips and shared houseboat cruises
• Raheem Residency, classic Indian colonial villa refurbished in a grand style by European owners;now a recognised Heritage Hotel of India; swimming pool imported from France; rooftop restaurant overlooking the Arabian Sea; Ayurveda. Described by Lonley Planet 2005 as "the only top-end place worth considering".

• Hotel Royale Park, a three star category hotel[4] located in the heart of Alappuzha Town, it is located just opposite to Seemati Theater and Vireyya Theater. The hotel having 35 rooms, you can have A/C, Non A/c, Deluxe Rooms, there are Marvelous Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Executive Bar. Foods are just tongue melting, you can arrange Board Meetings, Business Meetings for more than 100 Pax.

• A travel help page to Alapuzha[5]

• Malayalam Resort is a small (4 rooms) place must be the most photographed (but amazingly least stayed at!) along the edge of the backwater. It is run by a friendly family who cook the best meals in candlelight. Next to the bigger, more popular Keraleeyam which has ayurvedic massages.

• Punnamada Lake Resort - a beautiful resorts on the bank of Punnamada Kayal [Lake], has its own house boats "http://www.punnamada.com/"
• KALYANI KUNJUMON TATTUKADA, LALARCODE. eat mouthwatering beef fry and tapioca from here  edit
• Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort, Alleppey, Kerala, Jana Sakthi Road, Kayippuram, Muhamma, Alleppey 688525, Kerala (resort situated on the Western shore of Kumarakom, at the very edge of Vembanad Lake with a magnificent view of the calm backwaters.), [6]. checkin: 1300; checkout: 1100. The resort offers 27 luxury rooms and suites; and a premium two bedroom airconditioned house boat with an upper deck jacuzzi (The Cruising Villa) anchored at the resort’s private jetty.  edit

• Hotel Royale Park, a three star hotel, located in town centre [7], having 35 rooms with A/C, Non A/C, Deluxe, Super Deluxe categories. There are restaurants, coffee shops, board rooms, banquet hall with more than 200 pax capacity.
• Bamboostix island resort (punnamada lakeside), Punnamada Lake (Alleppey), ☎ +91(0)9995821015 or 14, [8]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 11.00. www.istay.in bamboostix@istay.in Ring Us!!!! +91(0)9995821015 or 14 – Bamboostix island Resort, is the best place With a sense of fun and adventure.Built by BACKPACKER, FOR BACKPACKERS. “REAL - HUG – WITH NATURE” Waking up to 400 acre views of lush Green Rice fields on one side and India’s biggest Lake on the other side ( Kerala backwater) No pollution and no road access. And here comes the best part…..super low Price! Travelers best choice in alleppey Backwater.Highly recommend place. PHOTO SESSION Take the picture of Birds(kingfisher, Parrets, crane, eagle etc), Fisherman, Farmers, Sunset, Sunrise, Rice field, Lake, Snake boat, Narrow Cannels, Coconut trees Mango tress, Old house etc…………. FACILITES & THINGS TO DO: *KERALA SPECIAL COOKING CLASS *CANOEING TRIPS *OPEN AIR LAKE VIEW RESTAURANT *LAKE VIEW ROOMS *MASSAGING *FISHING AND SWIMMING IN LAKE *ROOF-TOP SUNBATHING *LOTS OF CHILL-OUT AREAS *LOTS OF BOOKS & GAMES REGARDS SARATH +91 (0) 9995821014 400. (2000,3 km) edit
• Keralahouseboats.in (Premium houseboats in Kerala), Punamada Jetty, Alleppey, Kerala (Near Alleppey town), ☎ 91 9312163396, [9]. checkin: 12h00; checkout: 10h00. Located at Punammada jetty, we have state of the art one bedroom houseboats and 2 bedroom houseboats for cruising between Alleppey and Kumarakom or for overnight Alleppey round or Kumarakom round cruising. 5500. (1 bedroom ac houseboat,) edit
• Palmy Residency, North of DPTC Ladder Bridge, Alleppey 688013 (Walk back along the road from the bus station, and cross the river over the first footbridge you come to. Take the small lane opposite the footbridge steps, and walk for about five minutes. It's on your right.), ☎ (0)477 2235938, [10]. is fairly central in Alappuzha. The rooms are relatively spacious, very clean and well maintained. The staff are very friendly, and can also arrange highly backwater barge trips which come highly recommended, both for their comfort and relative inexpensiveness. budget.  edit

[edit] Get out

• Sree Nagaraja Temple in Mannarasala is 32 kilometers south of Alappuzha near Harippad. It is a Brahman family owned snake temple featuring beautiful stone carvings of snakes throughout its territory. It is headed by a priestess. The temple deity is credited with restoring fertility in women. The turmeric paste available there supposedly cures many diseases.
• 18th century Krishnapuram Palace is located 47 kilometers south of Alappuzha on the way to Kollam. Its two-story building is typical of Kerala architecture. It contains impressive murals worth watching. The palace also housed a museum of antique sculptures and artefacts.

• Sree Subrahmonia Swamy temple : Sree Subrahmonia Swamy temple, at Haripad, is one of the oldest and most important temples devoted to Lord Subrahmonia. It is situated at the 53rd Kilometre on the Kollam-Alapuzha highway. Annually three festivals are celebrated in this temple, of which the Chithira festival is the most important. It takes place in Medom (April-May). The procession with the golden peacock throne is quite attractive. The beautiful peacock in the temple is a great feast for your eyes (More.... http://www.haripad.com/)
• Edathua

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