Kerala Kayaking

Tour Overview

Southern India presents a much more peaceful experience when compared with the hectic cities further north and there's no activity that epitomises laid back relaxation more than kayaking on the Keralan backwaters which is why this five day trip is such a joy for all the senses. The backwaters of Kerala have long been the preserve of traders and farmers with the historic port of Alleppey providing, perhaps, the perfect setting for kayaking on the Keralan backwaters on some of the region's most revered lagoons, lakes and picturesque canals and river systems. From friendly riverside villages and delicious Keralan cuisine to staying overnight in heritage villages and smaller locally-owned family resorts, this kayaking on the Keralan backwaters holiday has all you need to experience life afloat on some of the most tranquil waterways in the whole of southern India. This tour can be arranged on any day of the year and starts and ends near the backwaters town of Alleppey. The price is based on minimum of 2 people travelling and sharing a room

Kerala Kayaking

Day 1: Backwater Kayaking: You arrive at the houseboat landing area in backwaters off a short distance from the town of Alappuzha, better known by its angelized name Alleppey. Your guide will meet you on the bank of the river and after a short briefing, you set out on the kayaks for a fascinating introduction to this slice of heaven. You pass by coconut palm fringed villages with quaint names ending in suffixes like ‘kery’- a nod to the chieftan of area many centuries ago, or ‘kulam’ a homage to the fresh water ponds families depended on. You will be heading to Champakulam on the banks of the river Pamba which was an important stop on the river route from Kollam to the Muziris. Famous for the St Mary’s Basilica which count as one of the oldest churches in India and an offshoot the church established by Thomas the apostle at Niranam. The structure built in the 1100s, still retains decorative elements like lotus’ a very Indian motif, the original rock cross (AD452)– testament to this being a “Nasrani Christian” church and is a prime example of the East Syriac architectural scheme. In the evening you explore this area with a lot of interesting history. You visit Karumadi Kuttan, a renowned Buddhist pilgrim centre, wherein lies a special Buddha statue that dates back to the 11th century. Made of solid black granite, the entire site is today under the protection of Kerala Archaeology Department. You will be staying at a homestay and your hosts will be happy to share their home and Syrian Christian traditions and more importantly you will indulge in the home cooked delectable cuisine of the region. .
Day 2: Explore the Backwater Villages: We start kayaking in the morning and the onslaught of amazing sights continue today with glimpses of emerald green fields or large expanses of water filled paddy fields, children skipping over narrow ‘palams’ or bridges on canals on their way to school, a boatsman herding a flock of ducks in an impossibly narrow wooden canoe, Cormorants on their perches on the river. You may have opportunities to interact with children, women doing their washing on the shore, or even encounter the fishmonger and grocer who sells his wares off his small wooden canoe - calling out to the ladies of the house he knows by name. You will be able to observe at close quarters homes, schools, whitewashed churches, wood worked ambalams or temples with notches for oil lamps that are lit at sunset, the thick foliage of overhanging trees. You break for refreshments along a bund/ dyke at the mouth of the river Pamba as it flows into the ‘kayal’ or lake. The narrow bund separates the paddy fields and the water, between growing seasons the fields are flooded with water to replenish the soil. The coconut palms that frame the narrow strip of land against the reflective waters on either side is the most endearing and iconic sight of the backwaters. You head to a 100 year old traditional home, complete with it original teak ‘arra’ or the granary of the home, around which the home was built. You will also get to wander around the village, interact with the locals as they fish, toddy tap, drink tea at the local chai kada and discuss the latest news with them as they devour the local Malayalam newspaper.
Day 3: Depart: Today marks the end of your Kerala Kayaking tour. You will be transferred to the nearby town of Alleppey, leaving with fond memories of your exciting adventure in Kerala.

Inclusions

Prijon Kayaks (Single / Tandem)
Accompanying Guide
Accommodation in Home stays
Motor Boat Backup
Refreshment & Bottled Water
All meals

Holiday Feedback

We did a trip in Kerala, where Kalypso arranged the backwater tour by kayak. We stayed for 2 days in a very good homestay. Vineeth, our guide is a very nice guy with a lot of humor and knows a lot about all kinds of birds. So if you go to India book at least a few days with Kalypso.Olaf 2024-10-15