The coastal regions of Kerala have a network of waterways, inlets from the sea, and estuaries of over forty rivers, lakes and natural canals connecting coastal towns. This interlinked body of waterways is known as the backwaters in Kerala.
Many unique 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 live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes are a common feature along the Kerala backwaters, colouring the surrounding landscape, a rich green.
Cruise the backwaters for an unforgettable experience that lets you delve into nature’s magical realm.
Kerala Backwaters – Locations
Thiruvananthapuram
The extensive backwaters of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala present a beautiful kaleidoscope of the dynamic scenery. One of the best ways to enjoy your trip is to go on the Thiruvananthapuram backwater tours. The traditional houseboats called “Kettuvallams” are available for a tour on the scenic backwaters of Thiruvananthapuram. The meandering waterways of Thiruvananthapuram lined with lush
Kumarakom
If you are planning to spend some cherished moments in the lap of nature, then the sparkling backwaters of Kumarakom would be the ideal touring destination for you. Kumarakom backwaters in Kerala is an enamouring site with its exotic bio network, sounds of nature and scenic beauty. The backwater destination of Kumarakom lies about 16 km off Kottayam, in Kerala. Kumarakom is a clump of small islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala which offers one of the most attractive backwater destinations of Kerala.
The Vembanad Lake is one of the most prominent fresh water lakes in Asia and is interlaced by the mesh of streams, distributaries and other small creeks of water forming the interesting backwater destinations. Lovely white lilies and mangrove vegetation are the typical features of Kumarakom backwaters. You can also find crabs (karimeen) in the water besides other kinds of biodiversity like planktons and colorful insects floating in the water.
Bird sanctuary
Pathiramanal, literally meaning (sands of midnight), is an isle with enthralling beauty that stands on the island the Vembanad Lake and is accessible by a ferry from Kumarakom. This backwater islet is the dwelling place of many diverse species of migratory birds from different parts of the world. This bird sanctuary of Kumarakom is a heaven for bird-watchers as it is an ornithologist’s paradise with a choice of migratory birds such as darters, egrets, Siberian storks, cuckoos, water fowl, herons, teals, and so on.This place can be viewed better by skirting around it in a canoe.
The coastal town of Alappuzha is located nearby and is a major attraction.Exhilarating boat races, kettuvallams( houseboat) tours in the backwaters, boating and fishing are some of the chief attractions of this picturesque place. The colossal houseboats known as the kettuvallams are made of wooden planks joined by ropes and offer luxurious accommodations with living rooms, toilets, kitchen, and a balcony for fishing. You can stay in them for numerous days and thus can spend some cherished period in a mobile house amidst nature, in the depth of calming and cobalt blue backwaters. The extensive paddy fields, luxuriant mangrove forests and coconut woods, white lilies and other exotic flowers, the unknown birds, insects and the variety of natural elements of the Kumarakom backwaters would be a perfect visual treat to your eyes.
Kozhikode
The Kozhikode backwaters are a promise to the tourist; the promise of a holiday on historic lands, on serene waters, with a view of the plush blue green landscape and the exotic flora and fauna of the region. The Kozhikode backwaters is a stretch of lucid cool waterways in the Kozhikode district of Kerala. The easiest route to Kozhikode would be through the nearest airport at Karipur, 23 km from Kozhikode city. Daily flight services to national destinations such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and international places such as Sharjah in the Middle East maintain easy access to this much favored tourist destination. Kozhikode backwaters are easily accessible by road and rail links from the major cities in Kerala and in India.
Bird watching
The unvitiated, virgin backwaters of Kozhikode are fascinating and bewitching in the sense that they intoxicate your senses and the wilderness, the serenity and the romance will cast you into a dreamy torpor. Seething with waters from the Elathur canal, the Canolly canal and the Kallai river, these backwaters are perfect for boating and houseboat cruises.Sailing along the Pookot fresh water lake is an enjoyable experience.
Kadalundi, located 25 km from Kozhikode town, is a beautiful bird sanctuary near the backwater destination of Kozhikode that attracts nature lovers. Those who take immense pleasure in bird-watching spend hours here trying to spot the elusive birds and believe that even a glimpse of bright plumage is worth days and hours of patient gazing through their binoculars. Innumerable water birds migrate to the cool banks of the estuary in this bird sanctuary near Kozhikode backwater destination during winter and spring (November-April). These include herons, seagulls, larids, sandpipers and other shore birds.
Kottayam
Kottayam is a land of striking beauty with long stretches of serene backwaters, sprawling paddy fields, rubber plantations and a population of literate people and hence is cited as the ‘land of letters, latex and lakes’. It is bounded by the Western Ghats on the east the Vembanad Lake on the west. The famous Vembanad Lake marks Kottayam backwaters as a renowned tourist destination. The famous backwater cruises in Kottayam include sailing in Kettuvalams in the Vembanad Lake and the Punnamada Lake and viewing the mundane activities of rustic life of the locales while passing through the villages. Boats of varying sizes and shapes are available in the big and small wharfs that are engaged in the backwater tours.
Places of interest
The Chandragiri backwater cruises at Kottayam offer boat tours to the nearby islands and palm woodlets. The boarding point is Chandragiri Bridge which is located near the ancient Kizhur Sastha Temple. The varied places of interest in the backwater destination of Kottayam are: The Vaikom Shiva Temple, located 40 km away from the city, believed to be related with the legendary figure- Parashurama. Other temples are the Temple at Ettumanoor, and the Temples of Perunna, Vazhappally. You can visit the other pilgrim centres of Mannanam, Sabarimala, and Bharananganam in Kottayam.
The Mosque at Erumeli, located about 60 km north-east of the backwater destination of Kottayam, is dedicated to Vavar, a companion of Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity.St Marys Forane Church is the 9th century church located at Athirumpuzha, near the backwater destination of Kottayam and encloses a unique crucifix which depicts Jesus Christ without a single wound. You can also visit the St Marys Church in Valiapally, St Marys Orthodox Church at Cheriyapally and the St Josephs Monastery at Mannanam.
You can also view the ruins of the fort and palaces of the local rulers of Kottayam. You can also make a tour to the Kumarakom Backwaters, located 16 km away and which houses a famous bird sanctuary.
Kasargode
On the Kerala seacoast, the backwater destination of Kasargode offers mesmerizing trips to the enchanting Chandragiri and the vivacious Valiayaparamba. Situated on the Chandragiri river, the former is renowned for its chain of forts. The latter provides breathtaking views of the backwaters.The boat cruises to and from Kasargode backwaters,Kerala,will never fail to enchant the vacationers.
Ernakulam
Ernakulam, Cochin or Kochi, the Queen of the Arabian Sea is a major tourist attraction that has crowds trooping in hordes to enjoy the plush and majestic backwater rides along the kayal or lagoon that promises to be an idyllic experience for the holidayer.
A trip to the lush backwaters of Kochi is a feast for the tired mind and body. It is the haven of vintage architecture, lip-smacking delicacies and pure solitude. The Wellingdon Island is a popular tourist haunt that is a must visit on a cruise to the Kochi backwaters.
The Bolgatty Island also claims huge footfalls primarily due to the Bolgatty Palace Hotel. It is a relic of the Dutch Empire dating back to 1744. It has been a major retreating haven for the golf freaks as it houses the only teeing ground of Kochi. Besides the boat ride and boat cruises in the backwaters of Kochi, you can also saunter down the Goshree Bridge that connects Vypeen and Ernakulam.
Vintage centre
The island of Vypeen is cocooned by the Kochi backwater and the Arabian Sea. People flock to visit this island because its unique selling point is its teeming millions which crowns it as one of the thickly peopled sites on earth. The Ochanthuruthu lighthouse is a celebrated landmark of the Vypeen islands that provides the visitors with a brilliant and exhilarating bird’s–eye view of Kochi. The sights and sounds of Fort Kochi are also among the famed tourists destinations of the Kochi backwaters. It is an eclectic mix of the British, Dutch, Portuguese and Arab architectural exploits. The tourists can take a trip to St.Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and various other vintage architectural delights and walk down the history lane.
A voyage to the exotic backwaters of Kochi will entail a visit to the oldest Jewish tabernacle, the Pardesi Synagogue, dating back to 1568. Embellished with floor art and housing history-laced copper plates, this repository of heritage is a must visit. The Fort Kochi beach and the Vasco da Gama Square are some of the other visitors’ highlights of Fort Kochi during the backwater cruise.The Mattancherry Palace, a relic of the Portuguese era, is an absolute feast for the history freaks.The beautiful Kochi backwaters with its vibrant flora and fauna makes it a majestic tourists’ paradise. The coconut and palm orchards along with sun-kissed and moon-lit sparkling watercourses is guaranteed to make your journey a memorable one.
Alappuzha
Alappuzha is an alluring town with its lovely lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers.Referred to as the ‘ Venice of the East’, this town is laced with a network of canals and is famous for its boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Alappuzha is home to some diverse animal and bird life too. The rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava is yet another feature of Alappuzha.Alappuzha is a fine backwater destination in Kerala. Kuttanad, in the heart of the backwaters of Alappuzha, owing to its richness of paddy crops, is referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala. The half hour journey by speedboat or by houseboat cruising in the backwaters of Alappuzha,Kerala,to the nearby island of Pathiramanal will reveal the range of rare migratory birds that fly from various parts of the world to this spot.
With the Kuttanad region and the Vembanad Kayal nearby, Alappuzha (earlier known as Alleppy)backwaters attracts tourists throughout the year. The criss-crossing canals in the area evoke comparisons with Venice, but the differences are also substantial. Each has an identity of its own. Amongst the notable sights while cruising in the backwaters of Alappuzha in Kerala is the palm covered Pathiramanal Island in Vembanad Kayal, one hour by boat from Alappuzha.The place is famous for the snake boat races and also has a number of historic colonial buildings and a beautiful beach.
The central Kuttanad region of Alappuzha can be accessed through the backwaters.This “rice bowl of Kerala” is a vast area of partly reclaimed land, covered with bright green paddy fields, separated by dikes. The level of water is a few feet higher than the level of the surrounding land.It is an amazing labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets. Lined with dense tropical greenery, Kuttanad backwater cruising in Alappuzha offers a glimpse into rural life-styles of Kerala.Kuttanad is a backwater paradise and an ideal destination for a backwater cruise in Alappuzha, Kerala. It is possible to drift along in a houseboat in Alappuzha backwaters and enjoy the scenic view of the Kerala countryside.
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