Alleppey, the hub of Kerala backwaters was rightly proclaimed as the Venice of the East by Lord Curzon.
It is also one of oldest planned cities in the country along with the distinction of being judged the cleanest town in the country by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in the year 2016.
Teeming with hundreds of canals, lagoons, lakes and the backwaters, Alleppey ( Alappuzha ) is one of the most visited tourist destinations not only in the state but also the country.
The uniqueness of the Backwaters is that they run parallel to the Arabian sea coast and its unparalleled and unmatched natural beauty lures millions of visitors every year.
The Backwaters are what intice the visitors to partake in leisurely glides in a variety of houseboats ranging from the budget friendly ones to those having top class amenities that include beautiful and stately air conditioned bedrooms, living rooms, rooftops, kitchens for self cooking the local seafood fare, if so inclined. The tourism built around this place is mind boggling and includes every luxury imaginable and that too in what can rightly be described as nature's gift to a state that is already bursting with beauty in spades.
Here is some more information to help the visitor while choosing Alleppey for a visit -
District - Alappuzha
State - Kerala
When to visit - Winter months from October onwards till the month of February
How to reach -
1. By road -
National Highway, both NH 47 and NH 66 which connect Panvel - Kanyakumari passes through the city.
8 State Highways connect it to the rest of the state and the country.
2. By Railways -
Ernakulam - Kayamkulam Coastal Railway Line connects Alleppey Railway Station to major cities in the state and the country such as Amritsar,Bangalore, Bokaro, Coimbatore, Cochin, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Kollam, Mangalore, Mumbai, Trivandrum among others
3. By Airways -
Cochin International Airport, at a distance of 78 kms
Thiruvananthapuram Airport, at a distance of 159 kms
Calicut Airport, at a distance of 236 kms
4. By Waterways
SWTD boat jetty which connects the village to places that include Chengannur,
Changanassery, Kochi, Kolla m, Kumarakom, Kottayam
Alleppey is Famous for -
Alleppey Lighthouse and Museum
Backwater Cruises
Houseboat Cruises
137 year old pier
Alleppey Beach
Marine products and Seafood
Largest lake in the country, Vembanad
Snake Boat Races that include the prestigious Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Places to stay -
House boats, village home stays, budget hotels, high end resorts and hotels
Things To Do -
Cycling,Trekking and Walking along the Marari Beach and the Backwaters
River Rafting
Beach Combing
Watching the Scenic Sunsets
Photography
Climbing the 105 steps of the Lighthouse
Visiting the Alleppey Museum
Going for a One - day tour of the town
Ferry rides to the nearby places
Houseboat Cruises
Ocean view meals
Savor the village home lunches that include non veg, veg and fresh seafood options
Drink Toddy, Coconut - Rum
Cook seafood in the guest house and houseboat kitchens
Leisurely walk to the village market and the village center
Partake in adventure sports like Kayaking, Canoeing, Camping, Boating
Get the very famous Ayurvedic treatments for a number of ailments
Relax and rejuvenate with authentic kerala massages
Picture sources - wikipedia
