Sunrise Shikara Cruise
Morning mist, still water and the backwaters waking up around you.
From ₹2,500 / boat
Shikara Lunch Cruise: Toddy Shop Meal on the Backwaters
Village canals, Vembanad Lake and a Kerala meal you will remember.
- Timing11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Duration3 hours
- GroupPrivate boat, 2–6 guests (larger boats for groups on request)
- PriceFrom ₹2,800 per private boat (up to 6 guests), meal paid at the toddy shop
Why choose the Lunch & Day Shikara Cruise?
Food is the heart of Kerala travel, and nowhere tastes better than a canal-side toddy shop in Kuttanad. Our midday shikara cruise winds through the Panackal Canal, past the riverside Panackal Sree Mahadeva Temple and out onto the vast Vembanad Lake, before mooring at a local toddy shop for an authentic Kerala lunch served the way the villages eat it.
Because a shikara can enter canals only a few metres wide, you will travel along the real backwater neighbourhoods — past homes, small temples, coir workers and duck farms — not just the wide channels the houseboats use. It is the best-value way to combine sightseeing and a proper local meal in one trip. Staying overnight instead? See our houseboat tariff.
Shikara advantage: shikaras are small enough to enter the narrow, hidden canals of Kuttanad where large houseboats cannot reach — so you see village life, paddy fields below sea level and birdlife up close.
Itinerary & Route
Times are approximate and can shift with weather, tides and water traffic.
- 11:30 AM
Board at the jetty
Meet your boatman at Punnamada / Finishing Point. Cold water and a quick route briefing on board.
- 11:50 AM
Panackal Canal
Cruise the palm-shaded Panackal Canal and pass the canal-side Panackal Sree Mahadeva Temple.
- 12:30 PM
Village backwaters
Slip into narrow side canals for close-up views of village homes, country boats and duck herders.
- 1:00 PM
Toddy shop lunch
Moor at a traditional toddy shop for a Kerala meal: red rice, fish curry, karimeen fry, tapioca and more.
- 1:45 PM
Vembanad Lake
Open out onto Vembanad, the longest lake in India, for wide views and a cool breeze after lunch.
- 2:30 PM
Return to the jetty
Cruise back through the canals to the jetty.
What You Will See & Experience
Authentic toddy shop meal
Toddy shops (kallu shaap) serve some of the most authentic food in Kerala: spicy fish curry, pearl-spot karimeen fry, duck roast, tapioca and red rice. Vegetarian options are always available.
Panackal Canal and temple
One of the most scenic canals in Alleppey, lined with coconut palms and the old Panackal Sree Mahadeva Temple on its bank.
Vembanad Lake
India’s longest lake stretches to the horizon. After the tight village canals, its open water and breeze are a perfect contrast.
Real village life
Children in school boats, women at the washing ghats, coir and fishing work — this is the everyday Kuttanad that larger boats never reach.
Photos from the Lunch / Day Cruise Route
[Insert Image: Kerala meal of red rice, karimeen fry and fish curry served on a banana leaf at a toddy shop]
Tips for Your Lunch / Day Cruise
- Tell us about any dietary needs — we will call the toddy shop ahead.
- Toddy is a mild local palm wine; drinking it is optional.
- Carry a cap and sunscreen; midday sun on the lake is strong.
Lunch / Day Cruise FAQs
Is lunch included in the shikara lunch cruise price?
The ₹2,800 boat price covers the private shikara and boatman. Lunch is paid directly at the toddy shop, usually ₹300–₹400 per person depending on what you order.
Is the toddy shop family-friendly?
Yes. We use family toddy shops with separate seating areas. Soft drinks, tender coconut and fresh lime are available, and drinking toddy is entirely optional.
Are vegetarian meals available?
Yes — Kerala vegetarian dishes like sambar, avial, thoran and pappadam are always available. Let us know in advance on WhatsApp.
Which canals does the lunch cruise cover?
The route covers the Panackal Canal, village side-canals of Kuttanad and a stretch of Vembanad Lake. The exact route can vary with water levels and traffic.
Other Shikara Rides in Alleppey
Compare all options on the Alleppey shikara ride page, or stay overnight with our houseboat packages.
Sunset Shikara Cruise
Golden hour, cool breezes and the backwaters turning pink and gold.
From ₹2,800 / boat
Shikara + Kayaking Combo
Cruise in comfort, then paddle the tiniest canals yourself.
From ₹4,500 / boat
Book Your Lunch / Day Cruise Today
Message us on WhatsApp with your date and group size — we reply within minutes with live availability and the best price.