Vembanad Lake

1. Bird Watching

The wetland of Vembanad creates an environment suitable for flora and fauna found in the region. Tourists frequently visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the coast of the lake for an exciting bird-watching experience. One can find a large population of Waterfowl along with other birds like the Cuckoo, the Owl, the Egret, Heron, Brahminy Kite, Parrot, Flycatcher, Lark, Teal, the Siberian Crane etc.

2. Enjoy the Ride Through the Brackish Lagoons on a Boat

With a vast expanse covered by the lake waters, boating is but an apparent activity to indulge in when visiting the lake. Sailing in the tranquil waters and exploring the surroundings will put everyone at peace and making them live in the moment without a worry about the world. Tourists can choose from Day Boat Tours of Night Boat Tours according to their convenience.

These tours include exploring the nearby markets, freshly prepared local food on the boat as you sail through the serene waters of Lake Vembanad. The Night Tours, in particular, include a fabulous sunset boat ride that continues into the night when the lights are dimmed, and tourists are allowed to soak in the cool breeze under the starlit skies.

3. Stay in Houseboats

Staying on a houseboat is the best way to explore the lake waters. One may choose to stay in either the Kettuvellam Houseboats or the Punting houseboats. These are the boats that tourists will find in plenty here. They are made logs from the wood of jackfruit trees and tied together with coconut fibre. There are houseboats with 1/ 2/ 3/ 4 bedrooms to suit the tourist's requirements and have a variety of amenities like air-conditioning, sun-decks, massages services, spa treatments etc.

Houseboats are a perfect way to unwind on a family vacation or on a corporate outing. There are many vendors to choose from that charge anything between INR 4000 to INR 21000 per person/ per night depending on the amenities provided. The tours also include scrumptious local cuisine, market trips, fishing in the lake and sight-seeing in some of the neighbouring villages.

1. Kerala Houseboats

The Best part about Kerala Backwaters is that they make you feel the comfort of home yet taking you around the calm backwaters. Houseboats are available at Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Thrissur, and Ernakulam. An average houseboat can host around 4-5 people, and the cost depends on the packages and the seasons. The cost can range anywhere between INR 6000 to INR 45000.

2. Canoe Boats (Kettavulam)

You can also opt for Canoe Boats or Kettuvalam (a boat that looks like a rice barge) and go for Village Tours. This is one of the best ways to experience local life at a slow pace. It usually has a capacity of 5-6 people and takes around 3 to 6 hours and costs around 400 - 1000 per person. The tours start from Alleppey, Kochi and Kollam.

3. Public Ferries by SWTD

State Water Transport Department runs ferries at regular intervals from boat jetty and VCSB (Boat Jetty). The cost of the ferry is as low as INR 5. You can check the schedule on their official website. The ferry will take you through this network of brackish lagoons at a very low cost.

Vembanad Lake is easily reachable by road from any part of Alleppey. Tourists can hire auto-rickshaws or rent taxis or cabs to reach the lake.