Backwaters without motor

Hello!

First time here, planning to go to Kerala in the end of the year, and would like to go to backwaters without motor-boat. Just simple canoe or some small boat, and going in some quiet areas, with beautiful green landscapes... I already found out that it's possible, but where exactly it would work, don't know yet.

Ideal area would be somewhere north of Ernakulam / Kerala (because we don't have plans to go more to south - but if it's only option, then we can think about it). Thrissur maybe?

Also really would like to know the price for this type of trip (no-one is speaking about that)...

Nice forum this; thanks for sharing infos - hopefully someone has something to say for my questions too.

Three years ago we did this in Alleppey and payed 2500 rs for a great 6 hours trip.
You can find more details in our Kochi-Delhi journal in the link of my signature.

Thanks for the info Vonkla! Sounds good, and it looks like Alleppey is the place where to go. Price 2500 rs sounds quite high - maybe possible to find cheaper options too(?)

We did a short 3 hour trip an hour south of Kochi. The place was close to Vaikom and not exactly the lakes, but on the Muvvatupuzha River. The guide was talking about the option of a 6 hour cruise, which included a Kerala veggie thali as well. We loved that trip as it was so silent most of the cruise. I have photos, but will take a week to upload due to tech. reasons with my laptop

Other, and cheaper, options are the backwater trips from Cochin, organized by the KTDC, see this link.

We did the full daytrip and liked it.

I assume Shiva is mentioning about cruise at Murijnapuzha , on the way to vaikom

canoe trip in Alleppey or Kumarakom side of the backwaters is approx INR 300 per hour

Then you have punting houseboats that cost approx INR 5500 for a cruise and overnight stay for 2 people in Alleppey backwaters

hello!

thanks again for the infos. sorry about not answering earlier - didn't now that here was answers waiting (I trusted the automatic mail for my email, but it was not working after all)... 300 rupees/hour sounds good. (Not interested of houseboats at all)

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The best thing would be to hire a small boat that usually comes at Rs.300 an hour (during peak december time) & just wander into the canals without any predecided route. Believe me its magical.

thank you vinaysinha!

in which city this happened? is it easy to find a place to get the boat?
300 rupees - just boat + you (and your mate)?

please let me know, a bit more information. it already sounds good.

This was the normal rate at Alleppey. The boat was a beautifully done one with a boatman with an oar. Lovele experience I must say.