Kerala Backwaters

¤ A Fascinating Journey

The Kerala backwaters are one of the most favoured tourist attractions. The calm and serene blue backwaters of Kerala provide with an unforgettable travel experience. 'God's Own Country', Kerala, has a very long and complex structure of this waterbody called backwaters. The state of Kerala is very green and vacation in the lap of this greenery can be best enjoyed cruising slowly across the backwaters on a houseboat or a canoe. The backwaters ride leaves a forever lasting impression in the minds of the visitor. The backwaters labyrinth is a structure in the form of lagoons, lakes and estuaries. The houseboats provide with all the comforts during your holidays in Kerala.


¤ The Unique Water Structure

The labyrinth :
The blue backwaters of Kerala are formed by crisscrossings of the 44 rivers flowing across the state. A network of the canals, lakes, lagoons and deltas of these 44 rivers along with the sea water makes the Kerala backwaters. The main mode of transport on these backwaters is through houseboats. The complex backwaters stretch for as long as 1900 Km but only 900 Km of this is open for navigation.

Travel Highway :
The backwaters connects the remote villages and the cities of Kerala. The backwaters have been known to be existent centuries ago. It used to be the means of transport. Trading among the villages was done through the backwaters. Still it is the source of livelihood of many villagers. The fish caught from its waters, the paddy, coconut and other crops harvested along its banks, the boats they build and use to transport them across the complicated backwaters in Kerala, are all a part of their traditional way of life.

Ecology :
This amazing waterbody supports a very unique ecology. The water animals and birds are found in plenty around the water. The backwaters Many rare species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles are present here. The backwaters are surrounded by palm trees, pandanus shrubs, leafy plants and bushes, giving an enticing look.

¤ Backwater Cruise

Backwater Cruise are quite popular amongst the tourists who come to India from all parts of the world. The cruise is held on Kettuvallams, which are nothing but large houseboats made up of wood. These houseboats sail along the shallow, palm fringed lakes and narrow canals. The boats have one or two rooms with a small sitting room. The number of crew member in these Kettuvallams are less. The food here is local Kerala cuisine and is served hot to its visitors.

Kerala backwater cruise is one of the fascinating ways of covering the vegetation and watching Kerala's life from the banks. For most of the journey. Kerala Boat Cruise is just a perfect way of being in a home away from home.


¤ Kettuvallams

Kettuvallams are stitched boats which sails on the dynamic Kerala backwater. Kettuvallams of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. The wood which is used in the construction of the Kettuvallams are 'Anhili'. They are traditional houseboat and are undoubeteldy the best way to experience the Kerala culture. The material which is used in the making of the Kettuvallams are local and eco friendly bamboo poles., coconut fiber roped, bamboo mats, coir carpets. etc.


¤ Backwater Destination in Kerala

Alappuzha
Alleppey or Allppuzuha is one of the major backwater destination of India. It is a good network of canals and are a part of the Vembanand lake. This backwater is awe spring and beautiful. This backwater destination lies on the close the land where coir is made.

Kumarakom
This is another backwater destination found on the Vembanand Lake. The beauty of Kumarakom backwaters have also influenced the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Kollam
Popularly known as the Swapnadesham by many of her faithful admirer, Kollam is a centre of Cashew trade. All you have to do is to hire a boat and then set out for exploration.

Kozhikode
Situated on the northern part of Kerala, Kozhikode is an unexplored destination of backwater regions. Kozhikode backwater is ideal for the cruise and one wish to view old world tranquality over here.

Kochi
Kochi forms a famous backwater destination in Kerala and is often referred as the ' Queen of Arabian Sea'. Kochi is one of the finest natural harbors in the world and so, has been a popular trading center for many centuries