Backwaters in Kerala

ladyjane56 · Jun 21st, 2003, 21:06

Hi all...just found this site...wonderful! Have been on LP for the past few years!
I will be arriving in India on July 25th and expect to be in Kerala, with a very loose itinerary about 1 month later, for an indefinite amount of time-depends on how I feel and enjoy myself there. I am traveling alone and do not want to miss a backwaters boat trip, but am looking to share costs ...if you would like to hook up for such a trip, or any other part of Kerala, let me know. I am a 56 year old female, this is my second trip to India so I am not a novice, I am young at heart, in body and in spirit and love meeting new people...age is no problem...

Looking forward!

-m2- · Jun 22nd, 2003, 03:59

Not sure how things work during monsoon season, but there are public boats touring the backwaters -- you show up, buy a ticket, and away you go. There's an 8 hr trip between Kollam and Alappuza or shorter trips between Kottayam and Alappuza (and reverse of course). The short trip by public ferry is only around 6 rp, the longer one run by the tourist department is around 250rp in the monsoon season. If you are thinking of chartering a tourist faux rice barge overnight trip, you will probably have to round up quite a few others to make it feasible as I believe the price is several thousand rp -- probably best to see who's around and try to link up if that is what you want, but an interesting, economical trip is there for the taking.

and welcome to the forums, all the best for your trip!

ladyjane56 · Jun 22nd, 2003, 12:07

Thanks so much...I know there are these less expensive trips and will
probably be making one of those....but just thought how wonderful it
would be if I COULD afford one of those luxury overnight things!

Where would be the best place to check out the longer trip you mention
for 250 rps...Do I need a travel agent to do this? Thanks again...

This forum is really pleasant...after 3 years of LP it is a different
pace...or different type people...don't really know yet...but I am
really enjoying it

Jane

steven_ber · Jun 22nd, 2003, 12:34

Just a thought....

Do Indian couples/families do this kind of thing at weekends?

If so, arriving Friday/Saturday evening may offer more possibilities of sharing the cost.

There will not be many foreign tourists around but there should be many Indian tourists.

You are travelling in the Indian holiday season so all transport needs to be booked well in advance (or make use of the foreign tourist quota system).

Quote:

in Kerala with a very loose itinerary about 1 month later

Loose itinerary is good, loose morals bad, loose bowels almost guaranteed.

-m2- · Jun 22nd, 2003, 15:11

the lack of foreign tourists at this time of year makes me wonder if the tourist boats will be operating full-schedule, but you can find out more when you get there, probably right in your hotel. I took the public ferry some time ago and really enjoyed the experience. There is some more info on the Kerala tourism website:

http://www.keralatourism.org/index.j...54&view=second

steven's no doubt correct that the weekend will be your best bet for joining a group to share costs with. anyway, it's good to flexible, if not loose.

these things work out, don't worry.

cyberhippie · Jun 22nd, 2003, 15:15

The rice barge "tourist boats" can be had for as little as 2500, meals and a cook extra!!
You'll have to do a fair bit of research and haggling to get this price though!!

Good luck!

Jun 21st, 2003, 21:06	#1
ladyjane56 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Israel Posts: 3	Backwaters in Kerala Hi all...just found this site...wonderful! Have been on LP for the past few years! I will be arriving in India on July 25th and expect to be in Kerala, with a very loose itinerary about 1 month later, for an indefinite amount of time-depends on how I feel and enjoy myself there. I am traveling alone and do not want to miss a backwaters boat trip, but am looking to share costs ...if you would like to hook up for such a trip, or any other part of Kerala, let me know. I am a 56 year old female, this is my second trip to India so I am not a novice, I am young at heart, in body and in spirit and love meeting new people...age is no problem... Looking forward! __________________ Most smiles are started by another smile.

Jun 22nd, 2003, 12:07	#3
ladyjane56 Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Israel Posts: 3	Backwaters Thanks so much...I know there are these less expensive trips and will probably be making one of those....but just thought how wonderful it would be if I COULD afford one of those luxury overnight things! Where would be the best place to check out the longer trip you mention for 250 rps...Do I need a travel agent to do this? Thanks again... This forum is really pleasant...after 3 years of LP it is a different pace...or different type people...don't really know yet...but I am really enjoying it Jane

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets!	beach	Kerala	69	May 26th, 2008 09:12
Backwaters of Kerala - please advise	Tiny Bubbles	Kerala	10	Sep 4th, 2005 20:42
kerala backwaters -house boats -Noisy??	dan37_123	Kerala	3	Jun 6th, 2005 03:51
backwaters cruise operators--help!	fotowallah	Kerala	0	Dec 11th, 2004 12:20
Luxury Cruiser on the Backwaters of Kerala	steven_ber	Kerala	6	Sep 12th, 2003 01:25

Jun 22nd, 2003, 03:59	#2
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,578	Not sure how things work during monsoon season, but there are public boats touring the backwaters -- you show up, buy a ticket, and away you go. There's an 8 hr trip between Kollam and Alappuza or shorter trips between Kottayam and Alappuza (and reverse of course). The short trip by public ferry is only around 6 rp, the longer one run by the tourist department is around 250rp in the monsoon season. If you are thinking of chartering a tourist faux rice barge overnight trip, you will probably have to round up quite a few others to make it feasible as I believe the price is several thousand rp -- probably best to see who's around and try to link up if that is what you want, but an interesting, economical trip is there for the taking. and welcome to the forums, all the best for your trip!

Jun 22nd, 2003, 15:11	#5
-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,578	the lack of foreign tourists at this time of year makes me wonder if the tourist boats will be operating full-schedule, but you can find out more when you get there, probably right in your hotel. I took the public ferry some time ago and really enjoyed the experience. There is some more info on the Kerala tourism website: http://www.keralatourism.org/index.j...54&view=second steven's no doubt correct that the weekend will be your best bet for joining a group to share costs with. anyway, it's good to flexible, if not loose. these things work out, don't worry.

Jun 22nd, 2003, 15:15	#6
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	The rice barge "tourist boats" can be had for as little as 2500, meals and a cook extra!! You'll have to do a fair bit of research and haggling to get this price though!! Good luck!

User Name		Remember Me?
Password