Kerala Backwaters

900 kms. of dappled, green waters. Fringes of dense tropical greenery. Clear skies shimmering through coconut canopies. Kerala is a labyrinth of lazily meandering backwaters. Sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and Tranquility. 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.

Backwaters are the accumulation of Sea Water at the sea beach during the to-fro motion of sea-waves in the form of lagoons, esturies etc. Today, Kerala Backwaters has become the most exciting tourist spot in India.

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 ozarsmen, a cook and guide.

The State is blessed with beautiful beaches and back waters, which are the most important tourist attraction of Kerala. The State has about 550 km. long coastline studded with world's best string of beaches. Along the coastal plains is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals, which provide excellent facilities of inland navigation.

Kovalam :
One of the world's finest beach resort. Located 12 km. south of Thiruvananthapuram, it is rated among the best tourist resort in the Country. The excellent sandy beach and one of the finest sea-bathing ghats are the major attractions. It is also ideal for surfing and skiing. The famous Health and Yoga Center provides Kerala's Ayurvedic treatment and has become an important tourist attraction for Indians as well as foreigners. Good accommodation facilities are available.

The Cherai beach near Cochin, Vadanapilly beach 20km from Trichur etc. are some of the other good beaches in the state.

Backwaters Destinations Include :