As part of a comprehensive project to tap the vast tourism potential of Ashtamudi Lake, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has launched backwater packages to the scenic island of Sambranikodi.
The cruise that starts from the terminal will take the visitors through waterways fringed by mangroves and there are a couple of options starting from 30-minute trips. “Cruise, food and visit to the nearby fishermen village are part of the package. The tourists will be picked up from the Sambranikodi jetty and the guests could also customise their trips,” says an official.
The morning package is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the next starts at 1 p.m. “Since it’s a fishing area we cannot operate services after 5 p.m.,” he adds. The cost of the economy package is ₹700 per head, which also includes lunch from the Theeram restaurant.
‘“We have another package in which the guests will be taken to Club Mahindra’s floating restaurant and the rate for that is ₹1,000 per head. If you want to take a short ride you can pay ₹150 and go on a 30-minute trip,” he says.
Tour
The visitors will be first taken to an islet surrounded by shallow waters and the department has plans to introduce more activities based on the tourism flow. “They can explore the place, collect clams or try fishing. Then there are many fishing islands and they can visit these places in country boats. It’s also possible to customise the packages depending on the climate and preferences of the guests.”
Sambranikodi is well connected to the city and it is easy for all kinds of visitors to reach the place, he adds. “There are passenger boat services from the Kollam jetty and if there are groups, we can also make arrangements to bring them to Sambranikodi,” he says.
