‘Venice of the East’, Sure Its in India

Located in the South Indian state of Gods own Country Kerala, Alleppey (Alappuzha) is a popular backwater destinations visited by numerous travelers from across the globe. Popularly known as the ‘Venice of the east’ the backwaters of Alleppey are the magical combination of natural and
manmade canals and waterways. Many of the backwater voyages that are being organized in Kerala begin or end in this place. The magnificent natural location of Alleppey situated on the convergence of the Vembanad Lake (Kerala's biggest backwaters) and the azure Arabian Sea offers a background like nowhere else in the world.

In Kerala, the total span of backwater widens over 1500 km with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. The backwater of this place connects Kumarakom and Cochin towards north and Quilon to the South. The backwater of Alleppey is also one of the venues for the famed Nehru Boat Race which takes place on second Saturday of August every year.  

The beauty of Alleppey is not in its backwaters but in the manmade islands that you will found amidst the backwaters. Alleppey forms the key part of the backwaters system in Kerala and has the unusual biological attribute of having the water in height with the land which gives the benefit of receiving a nearer look at the village life on shoreline while on a backwater voyage.

The voyage of the house boat tour of the enchanting Alleppey backwaters in rice boats (Kettuvalloms) is one of the must do things while on your visit to Kerala. A sail in a houseboat through the captivating backwaters of Alleppey is sure to give you the most memorable time of your life. The palm fringed thin canals snaking through the huge stretch of paddy arenas and the tidy small hamlets wizened up along both sides of the canals are amazing sights that you can never forget in your entire life. The radiant water and the stroking chilly wind is an enticement too strong to oppose. The groups of duck dipping in and around the slopes along with the small birds soaring transversely the sky, remains as a permanent images that mirrors the appeal of this exotic land.

One can come across various house boats zigzagging the paths with travelers varying from newspaper boy to local politician, wedding parties and priests to fisherman. It is an exceptional practice as you can get close to the lively lifestyle of Kerala. Formerly these house boats served as the only means of transportation in almost all regions of Kerala through these backwaters and now, it has grown up as one of the attractive tourist things.

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Alleppey is from September to March as it remains humid all year round.

How to Reach: The nearest airport is at Kochi at about 64 km. Major nearby cities like; Howrah, Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore are well connected by roadways. The NH 47 which goes through Alleppey connects it to almost all the closely places of South India.