Lacing the interiors of kerala are endless streches of lakes and lagoons, together called the backwaters. A house boat ride through these placid waters is a heavenly experience, with visions of rustic life gliding silentely by.The house boats of Kerala offer exquisite holiday experiences. Most of them come with bath-attached bedrooms, a living room , open deck and a kitchenette.
Sitting on the opendeck, with the wind kissing your face, you can't help but feel a strange peace of mind, while you drift miles away from the din tumble of everyday life. If you dock for the night in one of the house boats or resorts, you can also witness the magical sight of night fishing.
Kumarakom : This unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad.
This smaller waterworld has plenty of traditional country crafts,boats and canoes which will take you in to heart of scenic Kerala.
An unbelievebly beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lillies.
The resorts nearby offer comfortable accomodation and exclusive leisure options like ayurvedic massages, yoga and meditation besides boating, fishing, angling and swimming. The Kumarokam tourist village offers house boat cruises and holiday packages. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary-an orinthologist's paradise-is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise along the Vembanad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. Kumarakom also helps you foray into a world of authentic Kerala buffet with lots and lots of fish recipes.
Accessibility: 88 km from Kochi.
Kollam : The backwaters of Quilon, the Ashtamudi Kayal, needs no intruduction to a well versed traveller in kerala. One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast, Kollam was once the port of international spice trade. Kollam is the centre of the country's cashew trading and processing industry.
The coir is processed in this region giving visitors a chance to see the inticacies of this age old artistic tradition.The 30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned astamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificient backwaters of Kerala.
The eight hour boat trip between Kollam and Allapuzha is the longest and most enchanting experience of the backwaters of Kerala. Accessibility: 72 km from Tvm.
Aalapuzha : Also known as the Venice of the East, Allapuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry a vast network of lakes lagoons and freshwater rivers cricrossing it.
An intricate networks of canals and lush greenery its picturesque landscape has earned it the name 'Venice of the East'. Alappuzha is the district of immense natural beauty.A singular characteristic of the land is the region called 'Kuttanad'.
The scenic countriside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a rich crop of banana, cassava and yam. The Greenary of Kerala, Kuttanadu is the one of the few regions in the world where farming is done below sea level.
Accessibility: 64 km from Kochi.
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