Alappuzha district
Alappuzha
The heart of Kerala's backwaters, where canals, paddy and village life meet.
Photo: Varghesepunnamada · CC BY 4.0Introduction
Alappuzha (also known as Alleppey) is the gateway to Kerala's backwaters, a web of lakes, canals and rivers running parallel to the coast. Much of the surrounding Kuttanad region is farmed below sea level, so paddy fields sit beside the water. The famous houseboats leave from here, but the narrower canals, best explored by canoe, show the daily life of the villages.
Best known for
- Backwater cruises on traditional kettuvallam houseboats
- The Nehru Trophy snake boat race, held each August
- Alappuzha beach and its old pier
- The paddy landscapes of Kuttanad
Beyond the usual
- Take a small canoe into canals that houseboats cannot enter
- Visit a coir-making cooperative to see rope spun by hand
- Travel by the public water-transport ferries alongside commuters
Experiences in Alappuzha
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