Travel and transport agencies Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Awarded a medal by the Kerala Ministry of Tourism, this company has a fleet of over 23eco-friendly boats in various categories: from one to four bedrooms, some of them premium. Each boat is equipped with all modern conveniences. The cuisine served on board is traditional and made with organically grown food. Each houseboat has a crew of 3: skipper, cook and cabin assistant. Cruises can last one or two nights. A dream cruise organized by true professionals.

Gold medal for its luxury boats and Green Leaf medal for its environmental protection, this company excels for its high-end cruises and the quality of its services (air-conditioned rooms, waxed wood floors). The upper deck will allow you to watch the sunrise or sunset. Excellent cuisine is offered. For a stay of one or more nights, with the good care of an experienced staff who will explain you the route, the local fauna and flora, here is an address not to be missed. Reservation recommended!

A wide choice of cruises and boats! Our boats range from one to six bedrooms, ideal for large families or groups of friends. All are regularly maintained and offer outstanding comfort. The delicious cuisine offered on board is prepared on site with fresh produce by the crew. An unforgettable experience in the heart of the backwaters. Small boat cruises are also available, to discover villages nestled in the mangroves. An agency renowned for its reliability.

These wooden and wicker riverboats offer the opportunity to explore the vast lakes and wetlands of the region and to share many aspects of the daily life of the local people who live on the banks of the backwaters. The houseboats are equipped with all modern comforts as well as a restaurant service that serves local and international specialties on board. Overnight cruises usually start at noon and end the next day at around 9am. Fishing is available along the canals.

KCTC is an agency specialized in holidays on backwaters. The headquarters are in Alappuzha, but there are also offices in Kochi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Their services are recommended for their good value for money. Tours throughout Kerala and South India are available.

The train station is 5 km from the city center, 100 meters from the sea. The computerized reservation office is located in the building before the entrance to the station, on the^first floor. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm and from 8am to 2pm on Sundays.

Ernakulam Junction (Kochi). Many trains connect the two cities, count between one and two hours depending on the train.

Trivandrum. Regular trains, but often late... Allow about three hours for the trip.

Located on the NH 47 motorway, Alleppey is connected to all major cities in southern India. The bus station is opposite the main pier.

Kochi: every half-hour (1:45 a. m.).

Kottayam (1:15 a. m., departure every 45 minutes).

Thiruvananthapuram: frequent bus (3:30 a. m.).

Kollam: bus to Thiruvananthapuram via Kollam (2 hours ride, 65 Rs) and via Kallamballam (if you want to go to Varkala: 2:30 a. m., 80 Rs).

Bangalore (about 15 hours drive).

Coimbatore (7 hours).

The station is located near the Bus Stand. The service is suspended during the monsoon season (from June to September). For those with a small budget, but not only, the ferry represents an interesting and inexpensive alternative to discover the backwaters. For the locals, it is the common means of transportation to move through the backwaters.

Kottayam: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm (2.5 hours trip).

Changanassery (near Kottayam): 10:00 am, 1:45 pm and 5:30 pm (3 hours of travel).

Kollam: only from November to March; departure at 10:30 am, arrival at 6:30 pm.

This boat company, part of the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group, offers high quality services. Some of the houseboats have multiple pontoons to enjoy the scenery along the water. All rooms with bathroom are air-conditioned. They can accommodate 2 to 4 people. Different tours are proposed, around Alleppey, or from Alleppey to Kumarakom. Possibility of a cruise of several nights. The traditional Kerala meals prepared on the boats are excellent, and concocted with products of the day.

This small agency is located near Old Foot Bridge, behind the DTPC office. Houseboat cruises, canoeing, two-wheeler rentals... Antony, who knows the area like the back of his hand, can find everything for you at very attractive rates. The best part is the ecological walks along the canals where all the services are included. If you want to stay in the heart of the backwaters, he has a guesthouse isolated from the tourist circuits. You can also find him at Cafe Paradiso, his nice establishment very popular with tourists.

Modern boat moored at the Privacy Hotel. This 20m long boat is the first of the legendary houseboats to be totally ecological and therefore non-polluting. The traditional hull of this houseboat is blended with contemporary architecture, creating space for a fully air-conditioned suite with a double bedroom and a spacious dining room and bathroom. The rooftop of this boat will give you a front row seat to the surrounding area. Discovery has its own chef who will prepare delicious dishes for you. Exceptional.