Village backwater cruise – An unforgettable journey in a country boat into the pristine backwater villages of Kerala.... zigzagging through narrow canals and paddy fields fringed with coconut palms.....watch rare birds....country boat making....a natural fish farm where you can go fishing…You will witness coir making, toddy tapping and enjoy a typical Kerala lunch at a farmhouse.

Cochin Sightseeing - St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. The Jewish Synagogue was built in 1568, Chinese hand-painted tiles are one of the attractions. This, the only Synagogue in India, has a nostalgic past of a Jewish Diaspora. The "Dutch Palace" was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble.

What is truly magical about a houseboat is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers. The houseboats have all the comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen where are cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad locals, on board.

Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race - Alappuzha Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada
Nehru Trophy Boat race is one of the most significant and colourful boat races in Kerala. It is a world-renowned event, held annually on the second Saturday of the month of August in the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha. Boats of all sizes compete in different events in the boat race and the most prestigious and interesting event among the races is the competition of the "Chundan Vallam" or the snake boats. These majestic boats measuring a length of 30 to 60 metres (over 100 ft) with a raised prow are quite impressive and can accommodate around 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders. The boats are decorated with colourful trimmings and umbrellas during the race. Champakulam, Kavalam, Karichal, Jawahar Thayangari, Kallooparamban, Pacha, Pulincunnu, Nedubhagam, Cheruthana, Kandangari and Paippad are the chief competitors for the trophy. The huge boats racing through the blue backwaters are a spectacular sight. The venue is 5kms from Alappuzha railway station and a walkable distance from the Alappuzha bus stand.
This race became a regular annual event after the visit of India's 1st prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to Alappuzha in 1952. He was so impressed with the impromptu race conducted on his behalf that he donated a Silver Trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus, with the words "To the winner of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore - Cochin" inscribed on it. From the next year onwards the race came to be conducted on a regular basis in commemoration of his visit.