A cruising Sojourn in Alleppey

You will transfer to the boat jetty and embark on an enchanting journey across sun-dappled backwaters on a kettuvallom - fully furnished traditional rice boats. Rightly called the"Venice of the East", this verdant area surrounded by coconut plantations is famous for its narrow maze of canals and backwaters. Float through the placid waters passing palm fringed canals, lakes and villages. Treat yourself to a sumptuous lunch of local delicacies prepared by your very own personal chef. The area stretching from Alleppey to Alleppey is known as the backwaters. This cruise explores these picturesque waterways, revealing boats carrying loads of coir, copra and cashews and, along the water's edge, numerous churches and marketplaces. In local language, the word `kettuvallam' means a sewn or stitched canoe. Traditionally they were built of planks sewn together with coir cordage, threaded through with a `needle' carved from a palm frond. The seams, caulked with coir plugs soaked in sardine or cashew oil made the boats waterproof. These `kettuvallam', were designed to carry heavy cargo, such as coconuts and spices, and to provide living accommodation for the boatmen. Preserving their historic character and style, craftsmen have created a unique atmosphere on board, a luxurious, self-contained world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing gently by.