Backwaters of Kerala

Kerala’s centuries old, 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 (Kerala’s coast line is only 580km). The waterways of Kerala have played a main role in the economy of the state, particularly in transporting coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Even today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centers of the coastal area. And it’s an incredible experience to sail down these soothing waters in a country craft to absorb this unusual representation of Kerala life.

Kerala Backwaters - Different experience to a houseboat ride through the placid backwaters of Kerala and enjoy a cruise through the natural beauty of God’s own Country.

The most interesting area in the backwaters is Kuttanad region, called the rice bowl of Kerala. The area is probably the only place in the continent where farming is done below sea level, using a system of dykes and bunds. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake, which flows through three districts like -Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam, and opens out into the Arabian Sea at the Kochi port. The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms), which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest lake in the state and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

The backwaters are a matchless gift of Kerala and found nowhere else in the world. After passing through these vast green expanses of the backwaters, you will be in no doubt that it’s God’s Own Country.

Alappuzha

Known as the 'Venice of East', with the Arabian Sea in the West and a large number of lakes and lagoons crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is one of the most beautiful districts in Fascinating Kerala. Famous for a horde of things, Alappuzha stands out for its breathtakingly amazing beach. This beach along with its famous backwater Houseboats and Boat races attracts thousands of tourists every year.

This is one of the most popular picnic spots in Alappuzha. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park, near the Beach, add to the attraction of the Beach. Blessed with nature's green beauties such as lagoons, vast lakes and numerous fresh water rivers, Alappuzha is a natural wonderland of Kerala state.

Earlier known an Alleppey, the place is now famous for the Snake Boat Races held here every year around the time of the Onam festival. The giant snake boats called Chundanvalloms, race against each other for the prestigious Nehru Trophy. Crowds gather in huge numbers to witness this race, which is also a famous event amongst the tourists' population visiting Fascinating Kerala, South India. Today, Alappuzha has grown into an important Backwater Tourist Centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its Boat races, Houseboat Holidays, Beaches, Marine Products and Coir Industry.

Pathiramanal

This is a small beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake and it is the first island resort of the State. This little island is a favourite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world; The Island is accessible only by boat from Kumarakom and Muhamma.

Pathiramanal is a beautiful island which also has many stories centered on it. Legends say that there was a young Brahmin who dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for him and land rose to give shape to this beautiful island. The word Pathiramanal means sands of the night.

Tourist Attractions:

This little island Pathiramanal is away from all the bustling city life and is the favorite haunt of the migratory birds. This island is the perfect getaway amidst the water, blue sky and acres of greenery. Serenity and tranquility are found at their best in the Parthimanal Island.

How to Reach:

Nearest Airport to Pathiramanal: Cochin Airport is 85km away.
Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha is the nearest Railway Station.

There are different roadways connecting Pathiramanal to the rest of Kerala and you can drive down these roads enjoying the beauty of your journey.

Where to Stay:

We offer excellent accommodation facilities in Pathiramanal and Kollam. Enjoy the island of Pathiramanal and take home the memories of a wonderful retreat.

Kuttanad

Kuttanad is the heart of the backwaters in Kerala. This is the one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level about 1.5 to 2 m. This beautiful countryside with its waterways also has a rich paddy crops, banana, Cassava and yam. Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala.

Kottayam

The ‘Land of Lakes’ Kottayam provides some of Kerala’s finest natural scenes sandwiched between serene palm-fringed backwaters on the west and the Western ghats on the east. The largest backwater in the state is Vembanad Lake, spread over Kottayam. This lake at about 16 km from Kottayam is the repository to myriad rivers, rivulets and canals of Kottayam. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life.

Kumarakom

   A 14-acre bird sanctuary is situated on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. This sanctuary is an ornithologists’ paradise. One can find a wide range of migratory birds like Siberian stork, darter, heron, egret, and teal. Every year hundreds of Siberian cranes come across from far away Siberia to roost and breed before going back.  A cruise in the Vembanad lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The sanctuary adds to the natural beauty of Kumarakom is located 10 km to the west of Kottayam open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
A beautiful tourist resort with 100 acres of Coconut estate and Bungalow called Baker Mansion at Kumarakom, the former estate and residence of a British Missionary cum planter called Baker. It is now the ‘Taj Garden Retreat’, a hotel of Taj group offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation rents boats for backwater cruises in the surrounding lake.

Kollam

This historic coastline district located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, situated on the banks of scenic and calm Ashtamudi Lake. Kollam is the center of the country’s cashew trading and processing industry. Once it was the port of international trade. The renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters, covers thirty per cent of this historic town. The eight-hour boat trip from Kollam to Alleppey is the longest and most enchanting experience on the backwaters of Kerala. The famous “Cheenavala” or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters is a delightful experience.

Alumkadavu

Alumkadavu a quiet spot, situated 23-kilometer north of Kollam as become a hot point of Kettuvallam building with more than a hundred people involved. A familiar sight on the Backwaters, these vessels are built entirely with out nails. Plants of jack wood are joined to the next with coir rope, and then the whole is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance they last for generations.  Today the Kettuvallams, which were long replaced by modern means of transport, have been converted into famous Luxury Houseboats.