Shikara boat is a traditional open canoe like country boat which has been equipped with bamboo seats and an over head bamboo canopy for shade. A shikkara can accommodate four to fourteen persons depending on its size. For those who can not afford the cost of overnight stay in a houseboat, the shikkara ride in the backwaters of Alappuzha is an excellent option.
Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the malabar coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming.
Shikkara Boats is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style. Shikkara boats are mainly used for sightseeing. It is available in limited budget and mainly used for sightseeing in per hour basis in much cheaper rate than Houseboats and Motorboats.
Alleppey(Alappuzha) has a large network of canals and one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. This palace where narrow canals, rivers, lakes lagoons and land meet are aptly called "Alleppey backwaters"
Shikkara Boats is comparatively small in size than houseboats and motorboats but it is really beautiful handicraft work in elegant Kerala style. Shikkara boats are mainly used for sightseeing. It is available in limited budget and mainly used for sightseeing in per hour basis in much cheaper rate than Houseboats and Motorboats. Shikkara boats are comparatively smaller than the other ones. Its seating arrangement is very comfortable for the travelers as they are using cushion chairs. It's the best way to travel in the backwaters cheaply.
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