Shikara is comparatively smaller than a house boat. We can take that for granted, as if a shikara were a pick up van on the roads and has been serving the tourists of Alappuzha as a taxi does on land . A Shikara offers seating capacity for four men to twenty men. It is truly meant for cruising remote Alleppey back water villages which are not accessible by huge vessels. One can enjoy , terribly we mean it , shallow water cruise which call to mind the Amazon deep forest canals and would be a feather touch for one's bleeding heart by the ogling and hectic humanity as it allows a very close sight to the back waters , you can even dip your hand into the cool wonderful liquid what we call water, the back waters of Alappuzha in a shikara is quiet worthy. In a shikara you can closely watch the rustic lifestyle of back water villages absolutely genuine in its class.
With the Kuttanad region and the Vembanad Kayal nearby, Alappuzha attracts tourists throughout the year. The criss-crossing canals in the area evoke comparisons with Venice, but the differences are also substantial. Each has an identity of its own. Amongst the notable sights is the palm covered Pathiramanal Island in Vembanad Kayal, one hour by boat from Alappuzha. The place is famous for the snake boat races and also has a number of historic colonial buildings and a beach. Kollam and Alappuzha connected to a beautiful lake named Kayamkulam Lake. Now newly started a major snake boat race in Kayamkulam basis.Kayamkulam town and National Thermal Power Plant are located in the banks of Kayamkulam Lake.
Motor boats ranges from five seats to one hundred and fifty seats can be availed . If one choose a motor boat cruise they cannot enjoy an overnight stay and they have to to have their food and drinks only on jetties . An Alappuzha motor boat cruise simply offers a wandering through waters of Alappuzha, however, these boats dominated by the early stage of the thriving tourism of Alappuzha.
