The eight-armed lake
Ashtamudi Lake & Kollam, Kerala
Ashtamudi is the backwater south of the hype — an eight-armed lake opening at Kollam, coconut walls to the horizon, houseboat day cruises and the canoe channels of Munroe Island at its edge.
The lake & the city
Kollam is an old port city at the lake's mouth; Ashtamudi's arms reach inland past villages and coir yards. It's the quieter houseboat water — day cruises are the standard format here, with overnight options and lagoon homestays filling in the night. The Alleppey↔Kollam road leg is about 70 km in the curated table.
Things to do
- An 8-hour lake cruise on a houseboat — Kollam boats (Ashtamudi routes).
- Munroe Island canoe canals — canoeing style trips run here too.
- Cashew-factory and backwater village visits around Kollam.
- Pair with Varkala up the coast.
Houseboats for this stretch
Stays nearby
FAQ
Is Ashtamudi as busy as Alleppey?
No — it's the quieter lake, better for slow days and short cruises than the full Alleppey fleet experience.
Where is Ashtamudi?
At Kollam, north of Trivandrum and south of Alleppey on the coastal route.
Nearby destinations
Ready to book?
Planning this stretch of Kerala? Send your dates — we'll line up boats, stays and transfers.