1. Cruising on a houseboat on the placid backwaters
Best things that you must not miss in Alappuzha or Alleppey: A houseboat cruise is one of the most popular attractions in Alleppey and a charm for visitors of all ages. It allows you to enjoy plenty of activities while sailing, a must for everyone visiting Kerala. There are different routes from here to Kottayam or Kumarakom, either overnight or a day cruise. Initially, these backwaters were a way to carry heavy goods but over time changed.
Not less than a floating resort, the houseboat is locally known as the kettuvallam. A chef, a rower, and an assistant are with you. During the tour, you can enjoy a variety of activities, such as touring paddy fields, bird watching, savoring a quiet atmosphere, treating the eyes to lush greenery, looking at local people busy in their daily tasks… etc. Each frame here is a perfect picture.
2. The Exciting Boat Race Nehru Trophy
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is also a spectacular fascination with music, songs, and snake boats and is popular with photography enthusiasts. August (second Saturday) and the river Punnamada Lake flocks every year, thousands of visitors including local people and tourists. This boat race is an eagerly awaited event named after India’s first PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is a major part of the history of the state.
The race preparedness begins one month in advance. The snake boat or Chundane Vallam, decorated with silk sunshades and flags and with high spirits (Vanchipattu) and beats of drum cross the waters of the lake accompanied by religious and mythological songs. Each boat during the course has 95 boats, five controllers, ten cheerleaders, ten singers, and nilakkars. Other boat races are Churulan, Iruttukuthy, and Vaipu, along with snake boats.
3. Unforgettable sunset on the pristine beach of Alleppey
The beach of Alleppey is an ideal destination for those seeking serenity, nature lovers and enthusiasts for photography. This beach has a left alone lighthouse, which is about 2 kilometers west of the city, with magnificent views from the top of the surrounding. The beach has more than 137 years of a pier extending into a sea, and one of the most scenic places in Alleppey. In the maritime history of India, the beach is emblematic.
The clean white sand on its shore is located on Allepy Beach. Pleasantly enjoy the sun, turning the sky coral, across the horizon. Due to strong currents, the sea waters are not ideal to swim. Fortunately, during boat trips, people can spot dolphins. Some of the attractions are Vijay Beach Park, Bishop’s House, and Sea View Park. During sunset between 17 p.m and 19 p.m. camel rides are also available.
4. Playa de Marari – a paradise for peace seekers
Marari Beach is 11 km north of Alleppey with its luxury beach resorts and centres in Ayurveda. The beach is well-known. It can be visited all year round, one of the most popular beaches in Kerala. Here you can enjoy some intimate moments for peace seekers and lunches. Outside the regular hectic activity of tourism, it is the perfect beach to relax.
This beach is a quiet escape after a backwater cruise in Alappuzha. The beach of Marari is named after the nearby fishing village of Mararikulam. The Alleppey backwaters, local industry, and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary are some of the popular attractions near the beach.
5. Bird watching on the placid lake of Vembanad
Only an hour by car from Vembanad Lake is Kerala’s largest lake, India’s longest. It is known as the Punnamada Lake in Alleppey, with a total surface area of 2033.02 km2. There are many bird and sea species in the lake because they are very rich in biodiversity. The annual snake boat race is also held.
Watching birds at Alleppey is one of the best things you can make to take a day trip or boat hourly to watch birds. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Patharimanal Island are popular places. The astonishing lush banks of the lake make up for a peaceful view are another highlight of that cruise. Serenity is a bonus added. Another popular activity here is fishing.
6. The magnificent Krishnapuram Palace
The Krishnapuram Palace was erected by one of the Kayakulam rulers, a wonderful example of Kerala architectural style, but later was restored in the eighteenth century by Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the then Travancore ruler. It also extends over an area of 1.5 acres and is one of the most popular attractions around Alleppey. Originally, this building had 22 rooms. The building has a swimming pool too. The highlights are sleeping windows, narrow corridors, the low ceiling on a gabled roof, patios, windows of the balcony and meandering steps.
Krishnapuram Palace also has a museum of archaeology, whose walls feature the largest mural of Kerala with Gajendramoksham mural painting. This wall extends 49 m2, and depicts a saving elephant (moksha) by greeting Lord Vishnu when the other gods and goddess look at them. The painting is known to link the Travancore rulers historically and religiously. Kayamkulam Vaal, a double-edged sword, 4 B are other possessions here.
