Kollam, also known as Quilon, is one of the 14 districts of the state of Kerala. The city is known as the gateway of the Kerala backwaters, that’s why a lot of tourists with Indian visas opt to experience the cruise from Kollam to Alleppey or Alappuzha.
The one-day cruise from Kollam to Alleppey is the favorite amongst tourists holding a visa for India. The cruise departs at 10 am, and ends at 6:30 pm. There are two stops: the 1 pm lunch break, and the 4 pm tea break.
You can join an 80-seater cruise boat, or you can go for a lavish experience by renting a houseboat. A Deluxe, air-conditioned room for two costs roughly 11,000 rupees during the low season, and can go as high as 16,000 rupees on peak season. The price might be steep, but the over-all experience makes it worth the money.
Beautiful cruise views
Indian visa holders who take part in the cruise between Kollam and Alleppey can marvel at the sights of the Ashtamudi Lake, Kayamkulam Lake, Alumkadavu, Amrithapuri, Thrikkunnappuzha, Pampa River, Thottappally, and the Kuttanad region.
Apart from the beautiful views, tourists holding a visa for India can enjoy way side attractions such as lush green paddy fields, coconut plantations, narrow water canals, and villages set up by the waterways. You can also witness the residents’ ways of life, which include the traditional fishing process using Chinese fishing nets, the retting of coconut husks, farming of ducks, and the producing of coir, a famous Kollam export.
Make the most out of your visa for India by signing up for a two-day or three-day cruise. For a two-day cruise, you can also marvel at the views of the Chambakulam, Thakazhy, and Nedumudi, apart from the waterways covered by the one-day cruise.
Add to that, you can also visit the Amrithapuri Ashram, which is the birthplace of Amrithanandamayi. Also known as “Amma,” this spiritual leader is touted as the “Hugging Saint.” Along the way, you can also see the Champakulam church, one of the oldest Catholic Churches in the country.
As for the three-day cruise, those with a visa for India can enjoy three days of Kollam sights, with the addition of the Vembanad Lake and the Kainakari.
Village tour
Another Kollam cruise many Indian visa tourists enjoy is the village tour, which has schedules in both the morning and the afternoon. The first stop of the tour is the Munroe Island, a small village surrounded by the Kallada River and the Ashtamudi Lake.
After the exploring Munroe island, you can embark on a 3-hour backwater cruise where you can enjoy diverse fauna, including the Egret, Woodpecker, King Fisher, Paddy bird, and Crow Pheasant. This half-day tour only costs 300 rupees.
If you are a nature lover, then a cruise between Kollam and Alleppey is definitely for you. Kerala, also known as “God’s country,” is truly beautiful, so don’t forget to use your India Visa now so you can enjoy the attractions of this city.
