Kochi: The Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is all set to explore Kochi's backwater tourism potential as an answer to destinations like Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
Among the new packages for the upcoming tourist season, the DTPC has announced a village-backwater tour linking nearly 13 islands along the Periyar river including Kadamakudy, Kothad, Pizhala, Thanthonni Thuruthu and Moolampilly.
“Kochi backwater tourism is yet to be explored and it’s for the first time tourists are getting an opportunity to visit these beautiful Islands. For those tourists arriving by flight or cruise ships, there is no need to spend three extra hours to go to Kumarakom or Alappuzha to enjoy backwater rides,” said a DTPC official.
The per head rate for a boat ride on the upper deck is Rs 650. “The tour will commence at 11 am and end at Willingdon Island at 4 pm. The rate includes Kerala meals and welcome drinks. We also provide houseboats for the first time to groups to enjoy backwater cruise,” the official said.
Houseboats are not widely used in the Kochi backwaters as the salt water entering through seamouth at night damage wooden boats.
The DTPC official promises the tour to be more attractive to tourists than that being conducted by private parties in Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
“The tourists will be able to see a variety of activities indulged in by different islanders. For instance, they indulge in a variety of traditional occupations like mud-vessel making (Moolampilly) and duck, fish and crab farming (Kadamakudy),” he said.
