Shikara Boat Cruise
Shikkara Boats is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style. Shikkara boats are mainly used for sightseeing. It is available in limited budget and mainly used for sightseeing in per hour basis in much cheaper rate than Houseboats and Motorboats. Shikkara boats are comparatively smaller than the other ones. Its seating arrangement is very comfortable for the travelers as they are using cushion chairs. It’s the best way to travel in the backwaters cheaply. Its seats are arranged with bamboo and shades were made of bamboo canopy. It has a four stroke outboard petrol engine. All the sides of a Shikkara boat is open for best view for sightseeing and therefore the travel will be much relaxing even in the afternoon. No food is served in a shikkara boat and we cannot move freely inside a shikkara boat.
It is advisable to start your journey in early morning so that you can enjoy from the sunrise to the birds singing, the cool breeze and the backwaters. You can have a very close view in the backwaters than you can even dip your hands in the chilling water. Shikkara boats can accommodate about 4-15 people. Only day cruises are allowed in motorboats and they don’t provide any overnight stays and is not available during the night. The cruise time will be from 8:00 am to 6.30 pm. The best feature of Shikkara boats is that it can travel to very small canals where Houseboats and Motor boats cannot reach.
Canoe Boat cruise
The boat has a natural beauty. From here you will be floating in a typical traditional country craft which is built in Artocarpus wood (Anjili in Malayalam) about 32 feet long and 3.9 feet wide seating capaticy 4 people. It is canal license permitted boat approved by DTPC Alappuzha.
Canoes are made of light wood in a vessel sort of shape. They are the most classic and traditional boats in Kerala. It’s usually manned by a single person with a paddling row. And that person is going to be your captain/guide.
Motorboat Cruise
Motorboats are quite different from Houseboats and Shikkara boats.Motorboats are mainly used for Transportation in Kerala Backwaters. It’s more economical to enjoy a backwater cruise in Alleppey and Kumarakom than Houseboats. For small groups, motorboats will be more preferable and cheaper than any other ones. The speed of the motorboats can be can be up to 50km/hr which is more than the Houseboat. A motorboat is comparatively smaller than the Houseboats but bigger than the Shikkara boats. It is powered with inboard engines and outboard motors. It is mostly used for sightseeing and travelling from one place to another for tourists having limited time to spend in travelling. No food or any other facilities like Toilets, wash rooms etc., are not available in a motorboat. It is available in different shapes and sizes. It is completely engraved in wood. One can hire a motorboat at any time and its maximum capacity is 5-70 seats and can weigh about 500-5000 kg and their power is about 40-50 hp. It can be hired by hourly and day basis not by per head basis. It’s the best option for sightseeing. Only day cruises are allowed in motorboats and they don’t provide any overnight stays and is not available during the night.
The cruise time will be from 6:30 am to 6.30 pm. We can move freely inside a motorboat. It can travel through narrow canals where a houseboat cannot reach. No a/c facility is available. It makes more noise than the Houseboats and Shikkara boats. Motorboats are fully covered boats and it’s safer than shikkara boats. It’s 100% safe with lifejackets and lifeguards. Motor boats have separate cabins for engines and there is one guest cabin and some motorboats provide 2 guest cabins and one engine cabin.
Kayaking Cruise
Beyond sports, Kayaking has become one of the most favorite water based recreation today for those who appreciate adventures. Not only that it is exhilarating and fun to travel across water in a very light vessel, but this also improves their stamina and overall health. Kayaking became very popular in the recent years and there are numerous worldwide destinations where you can try this water sport. Kayaking in the backwaters of Alleppey is not just adventurous but also fascinating as it provides the greatest opportunity to get close with the nature and people so deeply. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look to the history of kayaks and kayaking.
