Approx. 9 hours · Private tour
The Ashtamudi Day
One day, hotel to hotel. Ashtamudi backwaters, a lakeside seafood lunch, Thevally Palace, the old lighthouse, across the bridge to Neendakara, and tea by the water as the sun goes down.
The day, hour by hour
Hotel pickup
We collect you from your hotel in Kollam. Chilled water and cold towels on board.
Thevally Palace
A lakeside palace built between 1811 and 1819 for Queen Gowri Parvati Bayi — Kerala roof, Dutch windows, British verandah, all in one building at the water's edge.
Ashtamudi backwater cruise
The heart of the day. Ashtamudi means “eight braids” — eight arms of water reaching for the sea. Sixty-one square kilometres, a Ramsar wetland since 2002. Cantilevered fishing nets, mangroves and island villages.
Lunch beside the lake
Fresh seafood and coconut curries on a banana leaf, at a lakeside restaurant on Ashtamudi itself. Vegetarian sadya on request.
Thangassery fort & cemetery
The Portuguese landed here in 1502 and built St. Thomas Fort. The Dutch took it in 1661. What remains is low laterite walls and a Portuguese-era cemetery.
Thangassery Lighthouse
Built 1902. Forty-three metres — the tallest on the Kerala coast, and still working. A lift covers most of the climb.
Neendakara & sunset tea
Across the bridge where the lake meets the sea, into the harbour full of painted fishing boats. Then tea and hot snacks by the water.
Hotel drop
Back at your hotel, in time for the evening.
Highlights
- Two-and-a-half hour cruise on Ashtamudi, a Ramsar wetland
- Kerala seafood lunch on a banana leaf, beside the lake
- Thevally Palace, built for a queen in 1811
- The tallest lighthouse on the Kerala coast
- Neendakara fishing harbour across the bridge
- Sunset tea by the water before your hotel drop
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local driver-guide
- Ashtamudi backwater cruise
- Lakeside Kerala lunch
- Evening tea and snacks
- Drinking water and cold towels
- All parking and tolls
Not included
- Lighthouse entry ticket (approx. ₹50 for foreign nationals)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal shopping
- Gratuities
Good to know
The lighthouse is closed on Mondays — we substitute Kollam Beach and the Chinnakada clock tower.
Book at least 24 hours ahead so we can hold the vehicle and any boats.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour.
Private group — you will not be joined by strangers.
Common questions
Yes. We collect you from your hotel or homestay in Kollam in the morning and bring you back the same evening. There is no meeting point to find.
Yes. The vehicle, the driver-guide and any boats are yours for the day. You will not be grouped with strangers.
Yes, every tour runs in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with drinking water on board.
Yes. Tell us when you book and we will arrange it. A vegetarian Kerala sadya is available on any tour.
Kerala rain usually passes within the hour. We reorder the day to keep you indoors until it clears rather than cancelling. If a boat cannot sail safely we substitute another stop or refund that portion.
At least 24 hours, so we can hold the vehicle and any boats. In peak season, a week ahead is safer.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your tour date.
The lighthouse is closed on Mondays — we substitute Kollam Beach and the Chinnakada clock tower.
At a glance
Approx. 9 hours
Private, 2 to 12 guests
Hotel pickup & drop
08:00 pickup · 17:00 drop
