It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.

The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms), which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

The Ketturvallom: Showcasing a unique heritage The kettuvalloms (houseboats) of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length. It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these giants by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail.

Today, these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India, the luxurious furnished houseboat. A kettuvallom usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide

Thiruvananthapuram

he southernmost district of the State, Thiruvananthapuram is bounded by the wooded highlands of the Western Ghats on the east and northeast, and the Arabian Sea on the west.


A long shoreline, with secluded, internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage give this district some of the most enchanting picnic spots.

The main backwater areas of Thiruvananthapuram are Thiruvallam and Veli.

Thiruvallam

(6 km formThiruvananthapuram city): This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides.

Thiruvallam is the meeting point of two rives- Killi and Karamana. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is located here.


Veli tourist Village:
(8 km from thiruvananthapuram city): The Veli Tourist Village is sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and the Arabian Sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow sand bar.

Facilities at the village include water sports in the lagoon and 18 acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.

Akulam Boat Club:
(8 km from Thiruvandanthapuram city): This is a very popular picnic spot with boating facilities on the lake and a children's park with a swimming pool.

Kollam

Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international trading point in day gone by.

The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.

30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala. The District Tourism Promotion Council here offers a wide range of backwater tours and cruises.

Alumkadavu (23 km from Kollam town):
Along the vast expanse of the Kayamkulam lake is the pictures little village of Alumakadavu. This village is the home of the skilled artisans who crafted the enormous Kettuvalloms in yester years

Alappuzha

With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.

Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home ot diverse animal and bird life.

By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.
Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.

Kuttanad:
Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is the very heart of the backwater. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.

This one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.

Kottayam

Bordered by the lofty Western Ghats on the east, the Vembanad lake and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is land of unique characteristic.

Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the title: the land of letters, latex and lakes

Kumarakom

(10 km from Kottayam): A voyage north of Alappuzha takes you to the rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarakom on the Vembanad lake.

An enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, Kumarakom provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating.

An exclusive attraction of this much sought after backwater resort is the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a fabourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal.

A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to view the bird life.

Cochin (Ernakulam, Kochi)

More popular as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake.

Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world.

It is this natural advantage that has made Lochi a fascinating blend of the cultures and influences of explorers and traders who visited this wealthy land.

The Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Gritish have all left their mark here.

The Jewish synagogue, the Dutch palace, the Chinese Fishing nets, and other remnants of European and Asian architecture merge smoothly into the traditional fabric of the seaport city.

Half the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around on the local several quaint spots.

Boat cruises from Kochi harbor to Willingdon Island, Mattancherry Place, the Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi and Bolgatty Island. ·

Sunset cruise. · 3 hour backwater village cruises which include visits to coir villages and coconut plantations.