When you book one of those renowned Kerala houseboat packages, one of the most common questions that you have in your mind is regarding the choice between Alleppey or Kumarakom and a question about the best backwaters in Kerala.
Where are Alleppey and Kumarakom
Kumarakom and Alleppey are two corners of Vembanad backwaters and Kumarakom is a laid back village while alleppey is a town and the flavor of both are different.
What will you see when you choose Alleppey or Kumarakom
Alleppey or Kumarakom both are the starting-points of the boat cruises through the backwaters. Whether you choose alleppey or Kumarakom the scenes in the backwaters would be the same but Alleppey will be a more crowded houseboat route than Kumarakom. Sailing along in a houseboat through the enchanting backwaters of Alappuzha or Kumarakom is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either sides of the canals are sights one can never forget. One can glimpse green paddy fields, flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky. It is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of God’s own country.
However, the feel and flavour of Alleppey and Kumarakom is different .There are more houseboats in Alleppey whereas luxury resorts are concentrated around Kumarakom which includes Kumarakom Lake Resort, Coconut lagoon, Zuri Resorts etc.
What makes Alleppey special?
Alappuzha Tourism has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.
Kumarakom has a spectacular lagoon to behold and coconut trees have become icons of Kerala tourism industry. There are bird sanctuaries to see along the shores and the village life has the attraction of simplicity and old-age world. There are bungalows that have now been converted into heritage hotels and ride of local houseboats called ‘Kettuvallams’ are indispensable for every traveler to Kerala.
What to expect in an Alleppey houseboat cruise
Houseboat will start at Alleppey from Nehru Trophy finishing point, go through the backwater resorts and boat building yard and continue the cruise through SNDP Thodu where you can see the paddy fields, houses aside backwaters, churches, temples, watermills in paddy fields and so on and reach Kuppapuram. Enjoy the cruise through kuppuram village and reach Kuttithode for a lunch break.
After lunch , cruise through Nedumudi to reach chennamkary and have your night stay at Kainkari. Start the morning cruise from kainkary village and cross muttel bridge to cruise through muttel thode and go through pallathruthi thode, reaches chungam kayal, vilakumaram thode, Nehru trophy finishing point.
What makes Kumarakom special?
Kumarakom is much more rural and has more luxury resorts than Alleppey. Alleppey gives you the facility of a town, even though your lakeside resort may be a short journey away. For getting away from the cacophony of a city Kumarakom is an ideal choice while if your are looking for choice, Alleppey would be the best. Alleppey is much busier than Kumarakom, and also has a wider range of accommodation, especially at the budget end. Much of Kumarakom’s accommodation is top end, and spread out from the town.
If you are staring from Kumarakom then you will be cruising mainly through the Vembanad lake and after covering Chitira , Rani area you can continue to Venattukadu and cover the remaining places that are covered in Alleppey round is you so please.However it is enjoyable watching the sunset when the boat is anchored in the Kumarakom route of the backwaters which is the eastern side of lake .
I want to spend 1 night in a Kerala houseboat. Which one should I choose?
Alleppey is the best if you want to stay overnight and Kumarakom is the best if you want to do a day cruise with a culture and village feel.
I have 2 nights to spend in Kerala and want to spend in backwaters? What should I do
If you are looking for a 2 night backwater experience then it is better to spend 1 night in an overnight houseboat in Alleppey and another night in a luxury resort in Kumarakom.
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I got to know that in Kumarakom houseboat day trip only they take you to island, Vembanad lake surrounding & bird sanctuary. Whereas in Alleppy its more of paddy fields, canals etc.
In view of this which one, one should opt for. Can one get to see paddy fields & go through canals if one hires the houseboat in Kumarakom?
Hello Prashant, In Kumarakom the houseboats doesn’t go directly to Pathiramanal Island or bird sanctuary as the shores are shallow. You can see paddy fields in Kumarakom and canals as well.
Thanks for this amazing travel guide.. I was planning to visit the city next month.. Now this guide will definitely help me a lot..
Also if i take a day cruise and spend night in resort which option is better for family group travel. Allepey or K’kom
Hi, I m planning to go in May. Which side air will be blowing better though both places will be humid but air flow will give some respite.
2 or 3 years back I went on a houseboat cruise in Alappuzha and just a few weeks back I did the same in Kumarakom. I read your comparison before I went on a cruise in Kumarakom this time. You are absolutely right on your comparison. An important difference you missed is the kind of crowd in Alappuzha and the competition. We got really fed up with the number of people approaching us offering cheap rates, best deals and so on. It was very hard to get into our boat by stepping through several other boats.
On the other hand, Kumarakom is a very peaceful place. Number of houseboats are limited and no one will be after you pulling you into their boats. A really beautiful place. Only problem I found was, they don’t have much choices when it comes to houseboats. They just have the same type of boats with 1, 2 or 3 bed rooms.
Your article was helpful when I decided whether to go to Alappuzha or Kumarakom and so I thought I would give my feedback after I come back from our trip to Kumarakom.
Thanks John. Glad that you found the post useful ad enjoyed your houseboat cruise to Kumarakom