The Backwaters region of Kerala is one of southern India’s most intriguing and colourful areas, and the pleasant market town of Alleppey lies right in its heart. Once known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Alleppey is criss-crossed with canals and dotted with thousands of coconut palms. With the Arabian sea to the west and a vast number of lakes, rivers and lagoons in every other direction, it’s water that makes up the character of this town.

Adoor Gajamela: elephants are the star attraction in this raucous 10-day festival that centres around the Sree Parthasarathy temple. Thousands of people attend this celebration, so expect crowds.

Nature, wildlife, birds and temples all play prominent roles in the attractions around Alleppey. There are some truly splendid temples and palaces dating from the days of the rajas which should not be missed, but the real character of Alleppey is best experienced by exploring the riverside life of its locals on a boat cruise. Apart from the culture, visitors will want to check out the wealth of nature that lives in the region.

The nearest airport to Alleppey is at Cochin, 40 miles to the north. Alternatively, visitors can fly into Thiruvananthapuram Airport, located 90 miles away. Cochin International Airport services flights to a limited number of international destinations mainly in the Middle East and Sri Lanka. It also operates flights to most of the major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore, where connecting flights are available to destinations all around the globe.

Banks: 10:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 10:00 to 12:00, Saturday and Sunday 
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, daily; some closed on Sundays
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday; closed on Saturdays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday