KOCHI: Get ready to sail the scenic Kochi backwaters this Onam without burning a hole in your pockets. Both the Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) and the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) are offering special chartered cruises at significantly reduced fares.
Starting from August 28, the SWTD is launching extra cruise trips aboard its popular solar-electric ferry Indra for half the regular ticket price for a one-hour cruise.
To make the experience even better, delicious food will be served on board, catered by a Kudumbashree unit, if you place your order a day in advance.
In addition to Indra, the SWTD is also making its standard diesel-run boats available for group rentals. This is a great option for larger parties looking to explore the backwaters at a low cost, at just Rs 5,000 per hour.
The air-conditioned, fully solar Indra, having a passenger capacity of 100, can be rented out for Rs 15,000 an hour, the same as that of Kochi Water Metro vessels.“We’ll operate special one-hour cruise trips aboard Indra. While the normal fee is Rs 300 per head, we’re offering tickets at half the price to cater to visitors coming in groups, based on demand. Normally, we operate two trips of Indra daily. The special trips will be operated in between. We are also planning to conduct an additional evening cruise trip from next week,” SWTD director Shaji V Nair said.
Special rates for sea-going vessels: KSINC
Not to be outdone, the KSINC is joining the fun, starting from September 1. They will be offering special reduced rates on their popular vessels, including Nefertiti, Kerala’s first sea-going vessel, and mini sea-cruise vessels.
“We’re resuming the sea-cruise aboard Nefertiti from September 1. The revised ticket price starts from Rs 2,000, including a delicious buffet,” said a KSINC official.
The three-decker cruise ship boasts of top-class facilities including a DJ upper deck system, lounge bar, auditorium, banquet hall, 100-seat 3D theatre, restaurant, sun deck, and children’s play area, among others. There will be performances by invited artists too during the five-hour sail.
The KSINC is also offering two-hour-long cruise packages and special group packages aboard Sagararani, with the ticket priced at Rs 600 per head for adults and Rs 300 for children.
The special backwater cruise trips aboard luxury vessels — Sooryaamshu, Cleopatra and Michelle — to scenic islands Pizhala, Kadamakkudi and Palaikari are priced at Rs 999 per head.
An Onam gift: High Court-Mattancherry service
Meanwhile, the Kochi Water Metro is set to start a new service in the High Court-Willingdon Island-Mattancherry section by the first week of September. The officials are planning to operate trips at an interval of 30 minutes.
“We’re yet to finalise the launch date, but we aim to start the services before Onam,” a senior official said.
For enquiries, contact:
SWTD - 9400050351
KSINC- 9846211143