Kayaking in the Keralan Backwaters
| country: | India |
| location: | Kerala |
| departures: | This trip can be tailor-made to suit your budget and requirements. In addition there will departures 2009: 12 Jan, 26 Jan, 09 Feb and 23 Feb |
| price: | From £400 (5 days) ex flights, based on min 2 people travelling. River kayaking, rice boat cruise & beach stay extensions also available. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Backwaters, a large garland of lagoons, lakes, rivers & canals are exclusive to Kerala. The most elaborate and spectacular stretch are near the ancient port city of Alleppey.
As you kayak down these narrow rivulets, lakes and lagoons, what you see will give you a ringside view of life along the backwaters – unhurried and unspoiled, friendly and welcoming.
Accommodation is arranged at well-appointed Heritage Villas, country homes and small family-owned resorts. Ethnic food, unseen stretches of backwaters and genuine small world hospitality makes this experience stand out.
As you kayak down these narrow rivulets, lakes and lagoons, what you see will give you a ringside view of life along the backwaters – unhurried and unspoiled, friendly and welcoming.
Accommodation is arranged at well-appointed Heritage Villas, country homes and small family-owned resorts. Ethnic food, unseen stretches of backwaters and genuine small world hospitality makes this experience stand out.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | We meet up with our guides at Alleppey. We commence paddling through the palm fringed water ways and countryside into the interiors. The only company is the peaceful villages, smiling children and farmers hard at work. We will paddle to a small family owned resort – Akkarakalam |
| Day 2: | We leave Akkarakalam after breakfast and are headed for Emerald Isle a century old house which is today a home stay. We will kayak through the narrow canals of Pulinkunnu to island of Kavalam – an erstwhile headquarters of affluent agrarian families - the majestic homes standing testimony to grandeur past. An excellent opportunity to see village life at close quarters - local people engaged in fishing, duck rearing, shell and mud collection for the farms. You may also see the traditional toddy tappers at their work on coconut palms. Toddy 'shops' (bars), traditional meeting places for men after a grueling day at work dot the landscape. We will stop for lunch at a beautiful coconut grove on a 'bund' on the lakeshore. We will continue our kayaking till we cruise into the beautiful heritage home "Emerald Isle" on the banks of the river Manimala to enjoy a delicious Kuttanadan dinner and a well-deserved rest. |
| Day 3: | Depart from Emerald Isle after breakfast and continue paddling. Morning is an opportunity to see the village life go by – stop over at the local tea shop or the spice garden bordering the backwaters. Picnic lunch on the banks of the Vattakayal lake. After a post lunch break, kayak through to a small locally owned backwater heritage villa - an enchanting homestay overlooking the beautiful backwaters. |
| Day 4: | Today we set course after breakfast to Kovilakom, a small but beautiful "Tharavadu" ancestral home again on the backwaters. Paddling along these backwaters, you'll realize why it has become world famous and endeared itself to millions of tourists visiting this area. Lunch along the way and you paddle on to reach Kovilakom. Ask for an ayurvedic massage on arrival (to be booked in advance) or just relax and enjoy the serenity of this stately Tharavadu. |
| Day 5: | Depart for Kochi after breakfast. |
travellers' tales
There were many highlights, but the most vivid memory is of arriving at the Spice Plantation after a tough ride up the mountains through monsoon rain. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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Kayaking is the best way to explore the backwaters of Kerala, impacting minimally on the environment. The expedition presents an opportunity to meet up with the villagers, understanding their culture and enjoying their hospitality – all essential ingredients for a responsible traveler.
By staying at home stays, heritage villas and small family-owned resorts, you will be supporting small ventures & positively impacting the livelihood of the local villagers who are employed there. The kayaking guides are from the backwater villages and this activity provides them with a decent livelihood. Moreover, the guides at the home stays and villas are also local communities, giving them employment and respectability. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |