Alappuzha, now Alleppey has a huge network of canals, lagoons, river, lakes and other waterways. Alleppey backwaters are one of the chief centers for backwaters houseboat cruises or boat trips. The lush paddy fields, mango, banana and topicana cultivation, coconut grooves make Alleppey an enchanting town. A major attraction of cultivation of this region is that it is done 4-6 feet below the sea level. A boat or a canoe is an essential part of the life of the local villagers.
Although tribal life is very little in Alappuzha but most of its villages are fishermen villages with a touch of difference mainly because of pearl spot fish, mussels, prawns and other kind of fishes. All this makes Village tourism in Alleppey, a major highlight. You embark on a backwaters cruise on Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s biggest freshwater lake, sailing through` its several canals and river while enjoying the surrounding natural scenic beauty. Admire the coconut and paddy fields, toddy tapers at their work, fishing nets, groups of ducks swimming alongside the banks. If you love bird watching, you get a chance to spot various tiny migratory and resident birds flying from here and there.
A trip to the typical villages of Kerala while cruising through the backwaters is simply an amazing experience. Along with sightseeing, you get a chance to explore a number of fishermen and other villages including coir industry villages of Aleppey. Interact with the villagers, observe their daily activities, treat your eyes to the nature’s beauty and more. Following are the popular villages of Alapppuzha:
Kuttanad
Kuttanad, famous as ‘Rice bowl of Kerala’, is spread in an area of around 75 km. Quite known for its expansive green paddy fields, it is located in the heart of the scenic backwaters. A vast stretch of water, gives this village a picture-postcard kind of a look. Your backwaters takes you to this beautiful village so that can enjoy yourself and breathe some fresh air. Cruise along the charming Vembanad backwaters, to arrive at the famous coir with a number of households spread around.
Karumadi
Village Karumadi is another beautiful village, which is located near Ambalappuzha. This village is quite famous for being home to a 9th or 10th century black-colored granite figure of Buddha, called Karumadi Kuttan.
Punnapra
The scenic village of Punnapra, situated at a small distance from Alleppey, is a popular village. In the past, the village had been through a bad phase because of bad fight between the communists and Travancore State Police in the Punnapra Vayalar Communist unrest in 1946.
Pathiramanal, an Island
During your village tour in Alleppey, you are also taken to Pathiramanal. It is small mesmerizing island in the Vembanad Lake, accessible only by boat from Muhamma and Kumarakom.
