Cross Kuttanad's paddy country on the AC road, glide through Alappuzha's canals on a shikara, walk the old pier and 1862 lighthouse, then meet the stone Buddha of Karumadi.
7:00 AM — Pickup Pathanamthitta KSRTC stand · Thiruvalla station · Chengannur station (PTA 7:00 · Chengannur 7:45 · Thiruvalla 8:05)
9:30 AM — Shikara canal ride About 2½ hours on Punnamada lake, narrow canals and paddy fields. (Boat paid direct)
12:15 PM — Lunch & Alappuzha beach Karimeen lunch in town (own expense), then the old pier and promenade. (No swimming here)
2:00 PM — Alappuzha lighthouse The 1862 lighthouse — climb up for views over the coast. (Tower: check timings)
3:15 PM — Karumadi Kuttan A centuries-old black-stone Buddha by a quiet canal near Ambalappuzha.
5:45 PM — Drop-off Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Chengannur, or your own stop on the way
Good to know
🛶 The boat ride: Shikaras are run by licensed operators near Finishing Point; the fare is paid direct to the operator. Life jackets for everyone; children always with an adult.
🌊 Beach safety: No swimming at Alappuzha beach — strong currents. No sea bathing at all in the monsoon months.
🌧️ Kuttanad roads: Parts of the AC road and Kuttanad roads can flood after heavy rain — we then take the NH 66 route instead. If traffic is bad, we shorten the lighthouse stop, not the boat ride.
🚉 Pickup points: Pathanamthitta first, then Chengannur, then Thiruvalla — we share exact times the evening before. Drop-off at Thiruvalla, Chengannur, then Pathanamthitta, or your own stop on the way.
