Excursion Backwaters houseboat with lunch tour at Cochin

Embrace the spectacular natural beauty of Alappuzha in a unique new way during this scenic houseboat ride along the Kerala backwaters, with lunch at the Marari Beach Resort.

Scenic Drive to Alappuzha

Depart Cochin for the scenic, approximately 1.45-hour drive to Alappuzha. En route pass through a rural riverine expanse of verdant coconut groves and rice paddies, one of India's most beautiful and serene landscapes. In Malayalam, the language of Kerala, this region is known as Kuttanad, the land of the short people. This reference is attributed to the fact that the farmers are often seen working knee-deep in the paddy fields.

Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Ride

Alappuzha, previously called Alleppey, is nestled amidst a thick tangle of lush tropical waterways. Upon arrival, embark a houseboat and begin your idyllic journey through majestic forests and palm-shaded backwaters of the city and surroundings. This extensive network of rivers, lakes, canals and lagoons lace together the coast and interior south of Cochin. For centuries, these canals have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the heartland and the port towns along the coast.

As you glide along shimmering waterways lined with dense tropical vegetation, observe rural Kerala lifestyles you would never see from the road. Your surroundings range from narrow canals lined with thick greenery to open vistas of brilliant green paddy fields. Papaya, mango, jackfruit and cassava grow along palm-lined banks. Along the way, see coconut harvesting and 'coir' factories, along with churches, mosques, temples and native bird species. Villagers bathe and wash their clothes, and sometimes their buffaloes, at the water's edge.

After your cruise you will return to Cochin by road, stopping along the way at Marari Beach Resort en route for lunch and some leisure time in the tropics. The resort is property built in the style of a traditional fishing village, with thatched villas that fit perfectly into the surroundings. Twenty-five acres of coconut palm groves lead down to a vast and unspoiled expanse of white sand beach.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Cochin, Alleppey, Coconut Groves, Rice Paddies, Fruit Trees, Houseboat Cruise, Backwaters, Forests, Churches, Mosques, Temples, Wildlife, Bird Species

Note

Please note: This tour requires a moderate amount of walking, with a short walk to the jetty on uneven ground, and a few steps required to get on/off the coach and embark/disembark the boat. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair.