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Backwaters Tours
Kerala Backwaters
Tours
Move through
quite backwaters of Kerala in a Kettuvallom (Luxurious Houseboat), where the only noise
disturbing you will be the sound of water rippling along the sides of your boat.
Feel completely relaxed as you move through the lush countryside, swaying palm
trees and tranquil environs - a perfect setting to spend a weekend with that
special someone. Watch the Keralan rural people go about their daily routine and
experience the lifestyle which is completely unknown to the rest of the
world. Kerala backwater tours is a remarkable experience in nature's lap.
The backwaters of Kerala are one of the major tourist
attractions of the state. The backwater Destinations in Kerala are a network of exquisite channels,
lakes, lagoons and deltas of about 44 rivers which fall into the Arabian Sea.
These serene waters extend to an area of about 1,900 km with 900 km of it being
navigable.
Popular Backwater Destinations in Kerala
» Kochi :
Kochi or Cochin is one of the most visited backwater destinations in Kerala.
The Dutch Palace of Matancherry and the St. Francis Church are the popular
attractions visited by tourists on a Kerala backwaters tours. The city which
houses many luxurious hotels is also the starting and end point of many
backwater cruises. The Cochin harbour and the Jewish Synagogue are other famous
attractions here.
» Alappuzha : Alappuzha or Alleppey is
surrounded by waterways and canals which make it a favoured destination for
tourists from around the world. Floating in a houseboat on the serene backwaters
with greenery on the shores is a refreshing experience. Like many other parts of
Kerala, Alappuzha is also famous for its ancient temples and churches. Another
major attraction of the place is the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race which is held
around the time of Onam every year and witnessed by a large number of tourists.
»
Kollam : Situated 71 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is the gateway
to the backwaters of Kerala. In ancient times, traders visited Kollam from far
away places to export spices, sandalwood, ivory and coir, which remain the main
produce of the place even today. Most of the backwaters here are made up of the
Ashtamudi Lake, which covers around 30% of the town. The boat ride from Kollam
to Alappuzha which takes around 8 hours is one of the main backwater
attractions.
» Kumarakom backwaters : The tranquil
kumarakom backwaters
surrounded by serene environs of Kumarakom have to be seen to be believed. Made
up of a number of islands on the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a perfect
destination for tourists who want to enjoy the serenity of the countryside while
experiencing new age luxuries and amenities. While experiencing Kumarakom
backwaters, the Vembanad Sanctuary is another
major attraction where you can catch a glimpse of some rare birds including
terns, gulls, herons, lapwings, kingfishers, stilts and Brahminy kites.
» Kozhikode : The picturesque city of Kozhikode, known
as Calicut in the past, is situated in the northern part of Kerala. The area is
blessed with many rivers which give the place its amazing backwaters. The
district is known for its natural wonders and artificial creations. The museum
and art gallery have a collection of antique furniture and other valuable
objects. The beach resorts and the temples are other major attractions of the
place. With its amazing natural beauty and other places of diverse interests,
Kozhikode is a must visit for all.
Getting There
» By Air : Kerala is
well connected to the rest of the world through its three airports at
Thiruvananthapuram (International Airport), Kochi and Kozhikode. Domestic
flights from the state fly to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai while
international flights provide services to and from Colombo, Maldives, Dubai,
Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah and Singapore.
» By Rail : Around 200 railway stations are situated
around the state which connect to many places inside the state and other major
Indian cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
» By Road : A well built road network connects Kerala with other
cities in India.
