Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets!

2cents · Oct 10th, 2008, 21:56

HannaB, there are plenty of previous posts/threads that answer your questions. For instance the links that appear at the bottom of this page under "Similar Threads"; one of them being :-

Kerala backawater cruise questions

The distance from Kottayam to Kumily/Periyar is 110 kms and takes about 4 - 4 1/2 hours by road

ksk · Nov 3rd, 2008, 04:43

Hi everyone! umm im going to India at end end of the year and im very excited! i was told that appelley to kollam backwater boat ride doesnt operate anymore. And i really want to experience a backwaters ride coz i have heard its v v good! i was hoping someone here would know the closest place to do that in regards to my plan.
Day 1: land in cochin at night
day 2: sight seeing in cochi
day 3: cochin to alleppey
day 4: alleppey to kollam backwaters....not anymore!!
day 5: kollam to tenkasi

or a better itinery!thanks alot in advance!

vandy · Nov 3rd, 2008, 08:58

Hello ksk,

I have just recently returned from Kerala and can confirm you
CAN take a backwater ferry from Allepey to Kollam.

The District Tourism Corporation has a Boat once a week and on
the other days private operators provide the same service.

The ferry departs Allepey at 10:30am and reaches Kollam at 16:30
It is a 6hr journey and I recently saw off a friend on this service, the cost is the same from both the District and Private
Operators, 400rps.The ferry is not the same as the Local ferries which operate for the locals in the backwater area.

It's the Houseboat cruises from Allepey to Kollam which have ceased operating for some time now.

Whilst in Allepey I once again reccomend the Country Boat cruise
which is just amazing, 300rps per hour and a Photographers Paradise.

Posted a couple of pics for you, the bigger boat is quite
similar to the Ferry Boat used for Allepey to Kollam journey.
The other boat is the Country Boat which takes you into the
smaller canals where you can see how the locals live on the backwaters.

Rgds

vandy

ksk · Nov 5th, 2008, 08:36

Hey vandy! thanks alot for all that information!!!phew thats one less thing to worry about then!! just cant wait to go there...should b amazing..the whole trip!!!thanks once again!

regards,
ksk

PS- wud anyone know how frequent train or bus service from kollam to tenkasi is?

pmvelu · Nov 10th, 2008, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksk

PS- wud anyone know how frequent train or bus service from kollam to tenkasi is?

It's hourly once from Kollam Bus stand and Travelling time is 3 Hours [ Nearer to 100 kms]. Train service in that circuit is Stopped for Broadgauge Conversion and only bus is the available option.

Hope this helps
Velu

rebeccam · Nov 11th, 2008, 17:22

"Whilst in Allepey I once again reccomend the Country Boat cruise
which is just amazing, 300rps per hour and a Photographers Paradise."

Welcome back, Vandy!!! Turst you had another wonderful trip to Kerala.
I leave for there in a month.re: your above statement: ist here a particulatr company you used? or do you jsut go to the cock in Alleppey and look for any country boat trip through backwaters?

Thanks!

vandy · Nov 12th, 2008, 05:28

Thanks becky,

Yes another interesting adventure to Kerala.

I have used a chap named Praveen from;

www.naturevisionkerala.com

Take into account during Peak Season the 300rps per hour may jump a little bit,still worth the
experience though. You'll find 4hrs is usually
ample.If you are staying in accom with canal access you can request they pick you up from there.

All the best

vandy

Damonik · Nov 12th, 2008, 08:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandy

Thanks becky,

Yes another interesting adventure to Kerala.

I have used a chap named Praveen from;

www.naturevisionkerala.com

Take into account during Peak Season the 300rps per hour may jump a little bit,still worth the
experience though. You'll find 4hrs is usually
ample.If you are staying in accom with canal access you can request they pick you up from there.

All the best

vandy

Hi Vandy,
That link doesn't work for me, can you double check it?

Sounds like something I'd like to do when we're in Kerala next year.

Cheers,
Damo

rebeccam · Nov 12th, 2008, 09:42

Hi Paul, That website doesnt work.

I've also "googled" naturevision kerala without success.

I'm sure there are other companies that do the country boat trips through the narrower canals, but it would be nice to track down the fellow that captained your "ship" !

Becky

vandy · Nov 12th, 2008, 11:17

I'll check it out and get back to ya.

vandy

vandy · Nov 12th, 2008, 14:52

Have sent him an email to see whats going on with his site.

Stay Tuned.

In the meantime, I've posted a few pics from my recent visit.

rgds

vandy

Rin · Nov 21st, 2008, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by CliveG

Hi Htid,
Is it a houseboat or a backwater cruise you have booked. From Cochin I think it is the one day backwater cruise. They take you by minibus to a boat and you cruise the backwaters in the morning, have lunch and then transfer to smaller canoes to travel along the narrow waterways. On the way you stop at various places including coir workers homes, a spice garden and possibly a slaked lime producer. The cost is about Rs475 and is an excellent price (lunch included) for a very good day out.

Hello,

I've been searching all over this wonderful forum for information about backwater tours in Cochin and this one sounds like the perfect fit! How and where can I book this? Is there a website?

block306 · Nov 24th, 2008, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rin

Hello,

I've been searching all over this wonderful forum for information about backwater tours in Cochin and this one sounds like the perfect fit! How and where can I book this? Is there a website?

Planning to head over there over X'mas. Love to know this as well. Thanks.

vandy · Nov 24th, 2008, 12:57

Hi there,

For Daytime backwater tours around Cochin area I think there's a Operator called Indo World Tours &
Travel or Travel & Tours.

Pretty sure They have got a web site.

rgds

vandy

VJRD · Nov 24th, 2008, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccam

Hi Paul, That website doesnt work.

I've also "googled" naturevision kerala without success.

I'm sure there are other companies that do the country boat trips through the narrower canals, but it would be nice to track down the fellow that captained your "ship" !

Becky

There is some problem with this website, But as Vandy said try contacting Mr praveen of alleppy he will arraange for cruise. I am just back from my kerala trip. I have taken house boat from him and its really worth going.

Nov 3rd, 2008, 04:43	#77
ksk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 8	a lil lost Hi everyone! umm im going to India at end end of the year and im very excited! i was told that appelley to kollam backwater boat ride doesnt operate anymore. And i really want to experience a backwaters ride coz i have heard its v v good! i was hoping someone here would know the closest place to do that in regards to my plan. Day 1: land in cochin at night day 2: sight seeing in cochi day 3: cochin to alleppey day 4: alleppey to kollam backwaters....not anymore!! day 5: kollam to tenkasi or a better itinery!thanks alot in advance!

Nov 3rd, 2008, 08:58	#78
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,144	Hello ksk, I have just recently returned from Kerala and can confirm you CAN take a backwater ferry from Allepey to Kollam. The District Tourism Corporation has a Boat once a week and on the other days private operators provide the same service. The ferry departs Allepey at 10:30am and reaches Kollam at 16:30 It is a 6hr journey and I recently saw off a friend on this service, the cost is the same from both the District and Private Operators, 400rps.The ferry is not the same as the Local ferries which operate for the locals in the backwater area. It's the Houseboat cruises from Allepey to Kollam which have ceased operating for some time now. Whilst in Allepey I once again reccomend the Country Boat cruise which is just amazing, 300rps per hour and a Photographers Paradise. Posted a couple of pics for you, the bigger boat is quite similar to the Ferry Boat used for Allepey to Kollam journey. The other boat is the Country Boat which takes you into the smaller canals where you can see how the locals live on the backwaters. Rgds vandy Last edited by vandy : Feb 23rd, 2009 at 07:09.

Nov 12th, 2008, 09:42	#84
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	check website address, Vandy Hi Paul, That website doesnt work. I've also "googled" naturevision kerala without success. I'm sure there are other companies that do the country boat trips through the narrower canals, but it would be nice to track down the fellow that captained your "ship" ! Becky

Nov 12th, 2008, 14:52	#86
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,144	Have sent him an email to see whats going on with his site. Stay Tuned. In the meantime, I've posted a few pics from my recent visit. rgds vandy Last edited by vandy : Feb 23rd, 2009 at 07:10.

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Oct 10th, 2008, 21:56	#76
2cents Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kerala Posts: 382	HannaB, there are plenty of previous posts/threads that answer your questions. For instance the links that appear at the bottom of this page under "Similar Threads"; one of them being :- Kerala backawater cruise questions The distance from Kottayam to Kumily/Periyar is 110 kms and takes about 4 - 4 1/2 hours by road

Nov 5th, 2008, 08:36	#79
ksk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 8	Hey vandy! thanks alot for all that information!!!phew thats one less thing to worry about then!! just cant wait to go there...should b amazing..the whole trip!!!thanks once again! regards, ksk PS- wud anyone know how frequent train or bus service from kollam to tenkasi is?

Nov 11th, 2008, 17:22	#81
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	"Whilst in Allepey I once again reccomend the Country Boat cruise which is just amazing, 300rps per hour and a Photographers Paradise." Welcome back, Vandy!!! Turst you had another wonderful trip to Kerala. I leave for there in a month.re: your above statement: ist here a particulatr company you used? or do you jsut go to the cock in Alleppey and look for any country boat trip through backwaters? Thanks!

Nov 12th, 2008, 05:28	#82
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,144	Thanks becky, Yes another interesting adventure to Kerala. I have used a chap named Praveen from; www.naturevisionkerala.com Take into account during Peak Season the 300rps per hour may jump a little bit,still worth the experience though. You'll find 4hrs is usually ample.If you are staying in accom with canal access you can request they pick you up from there. All the best vandy

Nov 12th, 2008, 11:17	#85
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,144	I'll check it out and get back to ya. vandy

Nov 24th, 2008, 12:57	#89
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,144	Hi there, For Daytime backwater tours around Cochin area I think there's a Operator called Indo World Tours & Travel or Travel & Tours. Pretty sure They have got a web site. rgds vandy

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