South India Temple Tours

Location	Alappuzha District, Kerala
Significance	Ideal backwater destination; also called 'the city of coir & carpets'
Must Visit	Backwaters, Houseboats, Boat Races and Ancient Hindu Temples
Best Time To Go	August to March
Temperature	22°C to 35°C in summers, 18°C to 30°C in winters

Adventure, natural beauty, historical significance, and trade – Alleppey is one such destination in Kerala that has a lot to offer to all kinds of tourists. This enchanting destination is often known as 'the Venice of the East' because of its countless waterways. A wide network of lagoons, canals and lakes serves as the lifeline of Alleppey.

Background

Founded in 1762 by Raja Keshawadasan, the Deewan of Travancore, the city was a busy trade centre. It was a hub of traders coming from across the world in search of souvenirs and black gold. Later the entire region was captured by the British.

Even today, Alleppey is a renowned center for prawn farming and Coir carpet industries.

Diversity

Located on a narrow land spit between Arabian Sea and Vembanad Lake, the beautiful city of Alleppey is a perfect destination for honeymoon, business vacations or family holidays. It is a paradise for wildlife lovers as they can spot a variety of animals and colourful birds in the dense greens alongside the waterways. Apart from that, several exotic sites of religious and historic importance draw millions of pilgrims and history buffs from all over the world. The picturesque beaches, houseboats and boat races in Alleppey are the favourites of all the tourists.

Attractions

Backwaters
An ideal way to explore the slow moving life of Kerala, the calm and placid backwaters are surrounded by lush green coconut trees. Apart from activities like angling and fishing, they offer a unique experience of living on waters in a houseboat (traditional Kettuvallom). Tourists visit these backwaters in the charm of Snake Boat Races that are organized on the major festivals like Onam.

Houseboats
Traditional long boats – Kettuvalloms – which were earlier used for transporting spices and other items, have now been converted into luxurious houseboats. These have proper bedrooms, living area, attached washrooms, kitchen and all the basic & modern facilities that one can think of in a hotel. The houseboats offer a wonderful opportunity for living on waters while spending your holidays in the lap of mother nature.

Shopping
Alleppey still serves as a major trading centre in the state of Kerala. The markets here are loaded with good quality Coir products and Carpets.

Where To Stay
Alappuzha is a popular destination in Kerala and therefore has no dearth of good stay options. Ranging from the star rated luxurious hotels to the wonderful houseboats, the city offers ample opportunities of accommodation.

How To Reach

By Air: Cochin (80 km) is the nearest airport to Alleppey, which operates regular flights to various important cities in India.

By Rail: The Alleppey railway station is well connected to almost all the major cities in India and trains are operated at a frequent basis.

By Road: The Venice of the east is easily accessible by bus or taxi from almost all the cities in south India.