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!

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!

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

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

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.

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!

Hey my friend and I are thinking of going to Kerala for Christams this year (2009) and will be arriving on the 20th of December. Where in kerala is a good place to stay for Christmas? and do i need to make any bookings before hand? for the hostel (budget) and the backwaters cruise?

regards
jack

Hi,

Not sure whether you have already done with your trip.Anyway i thought, i could have check with you the details

thelonetravellar,

You are replying to a thread from 2003! There's a fair chance that "Jane" will have finished her trip by now.

Oooopz, i ddnt notice the year, , anyway thank you . BTW, is there any specific reasons for opting the name 'THEYYAMDANCER',am curious bcoz i am from the same place where you might have seen the THEYYAM, i mean from MALABAR