Kerala's backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once just the state's trade highways. Kerala is her backwaters and lakes. They have dictated her history, shaped her present and promise a future by virtue of offering incomparable beauty and unique experiences.

The state's palm-fringed backwaters are inland lakes connected by a network of canals. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centers of the coastal area.

Backwaters

Kerala is a land gifted with meandering backwaters. Backwaters are large inland lakes (both fresh and salt water) and ocean inlets which stretch irregularly along the coast of the state. They are an attractive and valuable feature of Kerala. Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala.

The backwaters mainly cover four districts of the State-Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. The largest backwater body, the Vembanad Lake (about 200 sq. km in area), which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.

The Ashtamudi Lake, The second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride (eight hours) and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

Some other major backwaters, are Veli, Kadhinamkulam, Anjutengu, Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor and Ashtamudi. The rivers interlink with the backwaters and together they provide an excellent means of transport on slow moving rice boats called Kettuvallams.

The unexplored backwaters of Kozhikode also holds great promise of enchanting holiday options. Elathur, the Canoli Canal and the Kallai river are favourite destinations for boating. Kadalundi, with its beautiful bird sanctuary is a charming site. Korapuzha, the venue of the Korapuzha Jalotsavam is fast becoming a popular watersport destination.

Backwaters are special for their scenic, unspoilt beauty and the charming, slow pace of life along the banks.


Kumarakam

Just 12 km from Kottayam, this unique backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered the gateway to the backwaters of Kuttanad.

Kumarakam Bird Sanctuary is a favorite haunt of migratory birds from across the world which makes it a renowned bird watching centre. The best time for this is between November and March, when a flocks of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie.


Houseboat cruises at Kumarakom

Kumarakam is a centre for houseboat cruises. Traditionally, the houseboats was called kettuvallam, which means a boat made by trying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a kettuvalam. Jackwood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nuts shells.

Today, these giant 80 foot crafts have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.

No trip to Kumarakom is complete without a Kettuvallam sunset or sunrise cruise. Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat. The ride offers a close look into a delightful rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching their tiny boats. Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from coconut leaf thatched houses on the banks of canals. Palm-filled lagoons, an enchanting view of wooded islands and the main lands are poetically beautiful scenes.