Shikara rides in Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Alappuzha's backwaters reveal themselves from a shikara, these wooden boats with thatched roofs so typical of Kerala. Gliding across canals between rice fields and fishing villages, the journey offers an intimate glimpse into daily life along the waterways—far removed from the bustle of houseboats. It is one of the most direct ways to understand why this network of lagoons and canals shapes the entire social and economic fabric of the region.

Practical information at a glance

• Access: departures from the main dock (Finishing Point) or Vembanad Lake ghats in Alappuzha.
• Recommended duration: 1 to 2 hours for a classic loop; half-day to reach Kuttanad.
• Dress code: no restrictions; bring a hat and sunscreen—sun exposure on the water is total.
• Best time: early morning (before 9 a.m.) for light and cool temperatures; avoid peak heat hours in summer.
• Accessibility: boarding can be challenging at traditional docks; verify directly with operators.

What you'll see

The shikara passes canals lined with coconut palms, stilt houses, and Chinese fishing nets. You'll encounter women washing clothes, children returning from school by boat, fishermen casting lines at dawn. Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, occasionally opens into wide expanses where water birds—herons, kingfishers, cormorants—are ubiquitous.

History and context

The shikara is a type of boat widespread across the subcontinent, from Kashmir to Kerala. In Alappuzha, it long served to transport goods—coconuts, rice, fish—across a canal network that here replaces roads. With the development of backwater tourism in the 1990s and 2000s, shikaras gradually became part of the tourist offering, yet without disappearing from daily local use.

Highlights of the experience

The canals of Kuttanad

Kuttanad, nicknamed "Kerala's granary,