More beautiful than the canals in Thailand, infinitely less crowded than those in Milan, the backwaters of Kerala offer an enchanting experience of fun and relaxation and a chance to see authentic local life.
The backwater canal region is different from anything else in the Indian sub-continent, and is a unique way of traveling and getting about. Punted cargo boats floated by carrying coconuts and pepper, and palms flanked the canals, meeting overhead and forming a green canopy, giving the water a green hue. It is a picture postcard setting, if ever there is one.
The breathtakingly beautiful destinations are the true storehouses of the nature at its best. The splendid sunsets, the waxing moonlights, the shoals of ducks, the pulsating palms and the wonderful waves make the backwater destinations the most sought after in kaleidoscopic Kerala.
The stunningly gorgeous ‘Venice of the East’ has more than the boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and the coir industry; Alappuzha is home to the diverse animal and bird life. The rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava will surely catch your eye. Kuttanad in the heart of the backwaters of Alappuzha owing to its richness of the paddy crops is referred to as the rice bowl of Kerala. The half an hour journey by speedboat to the nearby island of Pathiramanal will reveal the range of rare migratory birds that fly from various parts of the world.
Though it will be the private boat trip along the backwaters that will make the tour complete. The ‘kettuvallams’ or the traditional houseboats offer the best possible accommodation. The slow yet steady sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals is mesmerizing. As it is the strong yet smooth sailing houseboats form one of the most abiding images of Kerala.
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Kerala Backwaters 