Ride a shikara into the small canals
The narrow waterways a sixty-foot houseboat cannot enter — one to two hours, low and close to the water.
What it actually is
An hour or two in a small covered boat, low and close to the water, past washing steps, kids swimming, dip nets going down and toddy tappers up in the palms. Go at first light or after 4pm when the light is soft and the day boats have stopped churning the water.
It is cheap, it is photogenic, and it is the half of Alleppey a houseboat cannot show you — the canals too narrow for a sixty-foot hull.
Photos: Avinash Singh (CC BY 2.0), Bharath maraboina123 (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Jaisonll799 (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
How the ride goes
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01
Meet at the jetty
We confirm the pickup point on WhatsApp — usually near the Alleppey finishing point or your hotel / houseboat dock.
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02
Slip into the narrow canals
The shikara turns off the open lake into village canals barely wider than the boat. Life happens at the water’s edge.
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03
Soft light, quiet water
Early morning or late afternoon means softer light, fewer engines, and better photographs. Ask us to time it around your houseboat boarding.
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04
Back in an hour or two
Return to the same jetty. No meals on this ride — combine with a toddy shop lunch or your houseboat check-in.
What’s included
Included
- Private shikara for your group
- Experienced local boatman
- Life jackets on board
- Canal route through village waterways
- Timing around your boarding if requested
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Hotel / airport transfers
- Tips for the boatman
- Personal expenses
Good to know
Best slots
6am–8am or 4pm–6pm. Midday is hotter and busier on the open stretches.
Who it suits
Couples, photographers, families with kids, and anyone who wants the canals a houseboat cannot reach.
Booking
Walk-up is often fine. In peak season (Nov–Feb) book the day before so we can lock a boat and a time.
Pair it with
An overnight houseboat, a day cruise, or a kayak paddle at first light for a fuller water day.
Questions, answered
Typically 2–6 guests depending on the boat. Tell us your group size and we’ll match the right hull.
Yes. If you are boarding with us, we can schedule the shikara before check-in or after checkout so it fits the same day.
Yes, with life jackets and a steady crew. Toddlers should sit with an adult; we’ll brief you at the jetty.
Light rain under the canopy is fine. Heavy bursts — we reschedule or refund the ride if you prefer.
More you can book with us
The other four water experiences we run ourselves.
We run the boats