personal cooks-cum-attendants-cum-boatmen. This house boat is known as
''Kettuvallom'', the traditional rice barge, with its sturdy build and stately
carriage. The boat hulls are made from seasoned ''Anjili'' (Jackfruit) logs, that
have a natural gentle curvature. Keels are flat, because the rivers here can
get mighty shallow at times, and also to allow the boat to be easily punted.
(they come with a quiet outboard motor too, so the boatman can get some
rest ).The boat trip between Alleppey and Kollam is the longest and most
enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. Overnight stay at the
RICE BOAT to reach next day morning at Kollam.
Day 6:
Early morning arrive at Kol lam - the gateway to the
magnificent backwaters of Kerala. Kollam is the centre of the
country''s cashew trading and processing industry and one of
the oldest ports on the Malabar coast. Thirty percent of
this historic town is covered by the Ashtamudi Lake, which forms a part of the
world-renowned backwater cruises of Kerala. Enjoy the sunset cruises at the
Ashtamudi Lake. The effect is magical especially at twilight and at dawn. The
backwaters offer endless opportunity for fishing, aquatic sports and cruises.
The annua l Ashtamud i Craf t s and Ar t fes t i va l takes p l ace i n
DecemberJanuary every year at Ko l l am.Stay at Hote l .
Day 7:
-
Morning drive to Kovalam, an internationally renowned
Kovalam beach ( 02 hrs. drive).Kovalam has three crescent
shaped beaches separated by rocky outcroppings. Shallow
waters stretching for hundreds of metres are ideal for
swimming. The beaches have steep palm covered headlands and are lined
with shops that offer all kinds of goods and services.[3] The larger of the
beaches is called Light House Beach for its 35 metre high light house which
towers over it atop Kurumkal hillock. The second largest one is Hawah Beach
named thus for the topless European women who used to throng there. It was
the first topless beach in India. However topless bathing is banned now
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