Approx. 8 hours · Private tour
The Kollam North Loop
The stretch of coast north of Kollam that nobody puts on an itinerary. Houseboats still stitched together without a single nail, Kerala's largest freshwater lake, a temple with no idol in it, and a village that receives visitors from ninety countries.
The day, hour by hour
Hotel pickup
We collect you from your hotel in Kollam and drive north.
Alumkadavu boat yard
Where India's first houseboats were built. Kettuvallam are made from anjili and jackwood planks stitched together with coir rope and no nails at all, then sealed with black resin boiled from cashew shells. Cared for properly, they last generations.
Sasthamcotta Lake
Kerala's largest freshwater lake — 375 hectares, a Ramsar wetland of international importance since 2002. It has no significant river feeding it: the water comes up from springs. The Sastha temple on the bank gives the lake its name.
Lunch
Kerala meals at a local restaurant.
Ochira Parabrahma Temple
One of the most unusual temples in India. There is no idol, no sanctum and no presiding deity — worship is directed at the formless, at a few small shrines beneath enormous old trees in open ground.
Amritapuri
The ashram of Mata Amritanandamayi, on a spit of land between the backwater and the sea. People from ninety countries live here. We view the campus and its setting.
Tea
Then the drive back down the coast.
Hotel drop
Back at your hotel.
Highlights
- A working kettuvallam yard where boats are built without nails
- Sasthamcotta, Kerala's largest freshwater lake and a Ramsar wetland
- Ochira — a temple with no idol and no presiding deity
- Amritapuri, between the backwater and the sea
- Coir villages along the backwater
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local driver-guide
- Lunch
- Tea
- Drinking water
- All parking and tolls
Not included
- Temple offerings
- Alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities
Good to know
Ochira and Amritapuri are active places of worship — modest dress is appreciated. Ashram access varies; we confirm what is open on your date.
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.
Ochira and Amritapuri are active places of worship — modest dress is appreciated. Ashram access varies; we confirm what is open on your date.
At a glance
Approx. 8 hours
Private, 2 to 12 guests
Hotel pickup & drop
08:30 pickup · 17:30 drop
