A shikara boat is the best and most economical way to explore the pristine backwaters of Kerala.
Best Suited For – Small Groups, Couples, and Families looking for an economic backwater experience.
Quick Info
Alleppey is a beautiful backwater destination in Kerala surrounded by the Vembanad Lake. Lush with eye-catching greenery, this scenic village is famous for backwater tourism. Backwater cruising in a charming shikara boat can be a wonderful experience for travelers. In fact, it is a budget-friendly way to explore the sparkling backwaters of Alappuzha. You will be able to discover the scenic beauty of the region that lined with rich coconut palms, mangroves, and green paddy fields while enjoying the cool breeze in a shikara boat.
Editor’s Review
A shikara boat is the best and most economical way to explore the pristine backwaters of Kerala. Backwaters are not only panoramic but serve as the backbone of the social life of the state. Hiring a shikara boat is an efficient way to explore the charm of backwaters for many reasons. There are many small and narrow criss-cross canals in Alappuzha. Sometimes, large houseboats cannot go through such narrow canals. So, many people choose small boats like shikara in order to explore the innermost backwater regions.
PROS
- Backwater cruising in a shikara boat is economical.
- The duration of the cruise is relatively short compared to houseboats.
- Shikara boats are small and they can easily pass through narrow canals.
- It is a fantastic way to explore the backwaters and enjoy the village life more closely.
CONS
- Shikara boats are small without any rooms or toilets.
- Its small size doesn’t make it suitable for rainy seasons.
- No meals served on board
- Even if shikara boats are equipped with life jackets, you might not feel safe due to their small size.
Detailed Info
With stunning beaches, sparkling backwaters, and excellent marine and coir products, Alappuzha offers a lot to holidaymakers and honeymoon couples. People who visit this scenic village in Kerala do not forget to enjoy a bit of houseboat cruising through its sparkling backwaters. There is no better way to revel in the charm of the striking Vembanad Lake than choosing a houseboat cruise. Since the water from this lake passes through the mainland, it creates many narrow inland waterways and canals.
The backwater of Alappuzha is rich in exotic flora and fauna. This region is blessed with various types of marine products such as pearl spotted fish and tiger prawns. So, people who visit this destination can enjoy a wide variety of fish and seafood dishes. If you love rain, visit this tourist spot during monsoon when the rains bring a lot of water to the backwaters and lake. The heavy monsoon certainly gives a lot of memorable experiences for each traveler to Alappuzha.
If you have plans to visit Kumarakom, one of the must-visit activities that you can enjoy here is exploring its backwaters. There is no better way to enjoy it than hiring a Shikara boat. Fitted with a roof and bamboo seats, cruising in this traditional open boat makes your trip to Alappuzha an unforgettable experience. Remember, there are no toilets in these boats but they can easily traverse through the canals and narrow waterways. Large houseboats cannot pass through such narrow inland waterways. By hiring a Shikara boat to explore the backwaters, you will be able to familiarize the village life of Alappuzha more closely.
Each traveler to Alappuzha loves the idea of navigating through the narrow waterways to visit the village on the banks of Vemband Lake. They can watch the lovely banks that are lined with coconut palms. You will also relish the view of rich green paddy fields in this backwater destination. Shikara boat cruise is an amazing way to experience the different walks of rural life. Travelers to Alappuzha are also delighted to see how the villagers extract the local intoxication drink, toddy, from the coconut tree or make mats by weaving coconut leaves.
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