Alapuzha (Alleppey) : This pleasant market town is built on canals and surrounded by coconut trees. Nehru trophy snake boat (chundan vallam) race is conducted at Vembanad lake here on the 2nd Saturday of August every year. Each boat is over 30 m long with a raised prow like the head of a snake, and is crewed by up to 100 rowers singing in unison and shaded by gleaming silk umbrellas.

Alapuzha has a nice beach with an ancient lighthouse. It was a busy port long ago, and the rusting sea bridge at the harbour tells the past. The boat jetty is near the bus stand. One can enjoy the backwaters at the public ferry boat. Long trips to Kollam (8 hour) and Kottayam (Rs 10, 2.5 hour, 5 times daily) are also available. Houseboats can also be hired for exploring the backwaters in luxury.