Why visit The Backwaters
- Houseboat cruises
- Insight into the rural life of Kerala
- Water wonderland of canals, lakes, lagoons and deltas
- Home of the legendary snake boat race
A cruise in these backwaters leaves one fully rejuvinated, and gives an insight into the native way of living. The boats cross shallow, palm fringed lakes studded with Chinese fishing nets and along narrow, shady canals where coir, copra and cashews are loaded into boats and in some places the women are neck deep in water with terracotta pots floating beside them, searching for fish with their toes. A variety of birds are seen along the shores. Large Kettuvalams converted into comfortable houseboats are used for these cruises on the backwaters. Constructed by tying wooden planks together with ropes made of coir without using a single nail. Situated on the banks of Vembeda Lake, Kumarakkom is a unique backwater destination with a spectacular lagoon. Alappuzha or Alleppey is the starting point for cruises reaching upto the land of Kuttanad, also known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of its paddy fields. Another important town Kollam, one of the oldest ports of the Malabar coast, was once the centre of international trade.
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