KERALA BACKWATERS

The backwaters of Kerala are unique to Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world The Kerala Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and the deltas of 44 rivers that all drain into the Arabian sea. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom.

The most exciting experience on the backwaters of Kerala for visitors is the Kettuvallam (or traditional rice boat). In a land as water bound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is a unique, tranquil spectacle in the world.

The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that cress-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst those waters where you get glimpses of village at the best of its serenity and innocence Watch the village folk make the golden fiber called coir from coconut husk and transform it into various coir products. Rustling coconut groves abound. So stop over to drink calm fresh coconut water and watch the toddy-tapper tap at work. You can see birds like kingfishers, crowv pheasants, cormorants, drogues, wood pecker, Bee-eater, kites etc.