Andhakaranazhy Beach

Andhakaranazhy  beach  is located 4 km west of Pattanakkad under Pattanakkad Panchayath under Cherthala Taluk. It is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches near Alleppey and is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Kochi. A tall and majestic lighthouse near the azhy stands like a signal tower guiding the seamen during night. This lighthouse was open to the public during Onam, but is restricted now. This place is also one of the popular locations for Malayalam film shoots.

How to reach

Nearest railway station:  Cherthala

Nearest airport:  Cochin International Airport

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple

Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple  is a Hindu temple in Ambalappuzha, Alapuzha district of Kerala, in south India. It is one of the oldest temples in kerala . Established during 15-17 AD by the ruler of chempakasherri , Sri. Devanarayan. Chembakasherri was later renamed as Ambalapuzha.

The idol at Ambalapuzha is likened to Parthasarthi with a whip in the right hand and a Shankhu (sacred conch) in the left. This temple is directly associated to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple is famous all over India for the Palpayasam, a daily offering of deliciously sweet milk porridge. It is also in this temple that Pallipana is performed by Velans (sorcerers), once in every twelve years.

How to reach

Nearest railway station:  Ambalapuzha, about 2 km away; Alappuzha, about 14 km away

Nearest airport:  Trivandrum International Airport, about 139 km away

Alappuzha Lighthouse

The Alappuzha Lighthouse is situated in the coastal town of Alappuzha, Kerala. It was built in 1862 and is a major tourist attraction. Visitors are allowed between 1500 hours and 1630 hours on every weekday at an admission fee . It is one of the oldest lighthouses on the south-west coast of India. The first stone was laid by Ms. Hugh Crawford, wife of the then Port Officer Hugh Crawford, on April 26, 1860. The lamps of the lighthouse were first lit by Ms. Francis Newcombe Maltby, the wife of the Resident Francis Newcombe Maltby on March 28, 1862.

The best time to see the Alappuzha Lighthouse is between October and February and the rainy season between June and August should be avoided.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha Railway Station

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church

The Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church is located at  Arthunkal, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India was originally built by the Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. It was rebuilt in 1584, under the then vicar Fr. Jacoma Fenicio, whom the devotees claim, possessed magical powers to heal the body and mind. Devotees fondly referred to him as "Arthunkal Veluthachan", which in English translates to "fair skinned father". Fr. Fenicio died in 1632. Eight years after his death, the church was rebuilt again, this time facing the west towards the long white-sand beach on the shores of the Arabian Sea. In 1647, a statue of St. Sebastian, struck with arrows all over his bleeding body (he was executed on the order of the Roman emperor for embracing the Christian faith) sculptured in Milan, was brought and placed in the Arthunkal church.

Arthunkal St Andrew's Basilica (St. Andrew's Forane Church at Arthunkal) is one of the sacred churches in Kerala, attracts lakhs of devotees both Christians and non-Christians every year from all parts of the State. The feast of St. Sebastian is celebrated on a grand scale for eleven days in a year. Owning to the unmanageable crowding of pilgrims and the resultant confusion on January 20 the final day of the feast, the church authorities have instituted another minor feast on the 8th day after the principal feast (Octave). This is known as 'Ettam perunnal'. Of late this feast also has attained as much importance as the principal feast.

Holy Mass Timing

Daily Mass at 0530 am, 0700 am and 0530 pm. Baptism on 2nd and 4th Sundays at 1030 am. St Sebastian's Novena, Holy Mass & Adoration on Thursdays at 1100 am and 0430 pm. Daily Adoration in the Old church from 0800 am to 0530 pm.

How to Reach
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery is about 80 km from Arthunkal
Nearest Railway station : Cherthala (6 km) / Alappuzha (22 km).

Champakulam Church

Christianity has had a foothold in this part of India since the time of Christ, and this church is one of the oldest in Kerala. Believed to be one of the seven churches built by St Thomas around the 1st century AD, Champakulam offers the best glimpse of this religion's influence in the region.

Champakulam Kalloorkadu St. Mary’s Forane Church (also called Champakulam Valia Palli) is one of the oldest Christian churches in India and the mother church of almost all Catholic Syrian churches in Alleppey District. Believed to be established in AD 427. Rebuilt many times and the many rock inscriptions found around the church tell us about the history of the church. The open air Rock Cross at Champakulam church is one of the most ancient ones with clear documentation of its antiquity up to AD 1151. There are many archaeological artifacts found around the church about its history. Champakulam church was once under Niranam Church, which was founded by the Apostle Saint Thomas himself. Champakulam Church had very friendly relations with the Jacobite Syrian group and had a pivotal role in many ecumenical efforts in the Eighteenth century.

How to Reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha

Alappuzha beach

The Alappuzha beach which is also called as Alleppey beach lies in between the Arabian Sea and the Punnamada backwaters. The Alappuzha beach is an attractive one and was a busiest coast of south India in the earlier times. It is a beautiful beach with scarlet sunsets with silver sands and palm trees. The canals and backwaters here helped in the transportation of goods from the Western Ghats to the sea. There is an old light house and a pier that is around 1000 ft long. It was built in the year 1862, by Captain Hugh Crawford. This pier was helpful for trade purposes and provided shelter to the boats that reached there.

 Alappuzha beach has facilities for adventurous water sport activities like surfing, parasailing, riding water scooters, high speed boats etc. It is considered to have one of the best water sport facilities. The tourists also can take a dip in the sea and enjoy swimming in the clear waters.

The beach is beautified by a garden where you can take a walk and roam about. There are two parks near to the beach namely the Vijaya Park and the Sea View Park. There are facilities for boating, toy trains for kids etc. available in these parks that attracts the children and they can have a great time here. There is also a swimming pool in the Vijaya Park.

How to Reach

Nearest Railway Station:Alappuzha railway station

Nearest Airport:Cochin International Airport

Q S T and R Block Kayal

Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland.A striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how,here cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to ten feet below the sea level.For this purpose extensive land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes built around it.A leisurely cruise along the canals here is a memorable experience.

Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Keralas network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. 
Best Season: August to March 
Transport Terminals: Nearest city: Alappuzha 
Location: QST & R Block Kayals are accessible by boat from Alappuzha ( 1.30 hrs by motor boat and 30 minutes by speedboat.)
 How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station : Alappuzha
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport about 85 km from Alappuzha

Vembanad Lake

kochi lake

Punnamada lake

Vembanad Lake  is the longest lake in india, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi. The Port of kochi is located around two islands (the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam) in a portion of this lake known as the Kochi Lake. The celebrated Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of this lake, in the Kuttanad region, known as the Punnamada Lake. High levels of pollution have been noticed at certain hotspots of Vembanad backwaters. Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under National Wetlands Conservation Programme

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,Kottayam, Alappuzha
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam,Kottayam, Alappuzha

Pathiramanal

A small island on the backwaters, it is a haven for hundreds of rare birds migrating from different parts of the world. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake, Pathiramanal is accessible by boat only. It forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and rivers crisscrossing and is a district of immense beauty.

Best Season: August to March

Transport Terminals: Nearest city: Alappuzha

Location: 1 1/2 hours boat ride or 30 minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha.

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha
Nearest Airports: Cochin International Airport, 85 kms away; Thiruvananthapuram, 150 kms away