KERALA BACKWATERS
Thiruvallam Backwaters
just 6 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvallam is a Situated popular tourist Backwater destination. This serene backwater stretch is also very popular for its canoe rides. Killi and Karamana are the two rivers that come together at Thiruvallam to offers its spectators a breathtaking view. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is also located here, where tourists in large numbers come every year to offer prayers.
Thiruvallam Backwaters are a soothing sight for sore eyes. This destination promises an unforgettable vacation. A time away from busy city life to just layback and float along on a Houseboat and visit the local fishing villages where life stands still in time almost 100 years ago. Exotic flowers, vegetation, water birds and others are all there to share the scenic beauty of Thiruvallam backwaters with you, on the Thiruvallam Backwaters Tours.Yoga and Meditation :
On the tour to the Thiruvallam Backwaters you can practice Yoga and Meditation classes if you really want to feel alive again. You may find so many Yoga centers at Thiruvallam, which conducts Yoga and Meditation sessions every day early in the morning.
Tourists Activities :
Thiruvallam Backwaters Cruises :
Tourists can plan out the Thiruvallam Backwaters trip to relax in the lap of nature for few days. While passing through the several fishing villages, you may notice how the traditions and old practices are still preserved in these villages of Kerala. Feel the aura of water birds, lotus and water lilies that touches your houseboats as you sail through them.
Backwater cruise at Thiruvallam has become a major tourists attraction in the last few years and slowly gaining more popularity among the visitors. It is complete enjoyable experience. A tour to the Thiruvallam can not be complete without the taking the backwater cruises. The house boats are equipped with every luxury and safety measures. Exploring Thiruvallam on these houseboats is completely a unique experience for the tourists.
Temple visit in Thiruvallam :
Tourists can make a visit to the famous temple dedicated to the Sri Parasurma, the mythological creator of Kerala. The temple has gained immense popularity in the last few years and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Legends say that when Parasurma threw his axe northward from Kanyakumari, a land was created where his axe fell and that particular land was named as the 'Land of Parasurma'.
Located at the short distance from Thiruvananthapuram, Veli lagoon is a delightful water front park quite famous among the tourists. Tourists can avail the facility of powerboats, pedal boats and row boats. Veli Lagoon is beautifully located at the point where Veli Lake and Arabian sea meets. Tourists gather here all around the year to spend time at leisure. You can also avail the facility of various water sports conducted here. The major attractions of the Veli Lagoon are the floating restaurants. Localities often visit this place to make picnic. Overall Veli Lagoon is a complete entertainment destination.
Veli tourists village is located near to the Veli Lagoon. It is the perfect place relax and rejuvenate in the scenic atmosphere of Kerala. Tourists can also indulge in boating and swimming at this place. You can make an excursion trip to the Shankhumukham beach located near to the village.
Akkulam Lake : Another major attraction of this place is the Akkulam Lake. The park made for children near the lake is the biggest one in Kerala. Akkulam is a great place to enjoy the scenic beauty of the nature and make picnic on the banks of the lake. The best way to explore the lake is to take an exciting boat ride.
Tourists can plan out the Thiruvallam Backwaters trip to relax in the lap of nature for few days. While passing through the several fishing villages, you may notice how the traditions and old practices are still preserved in these villages of Kerala. Feel the aura of water birds, lotus and water lilies that touches your houseboats as you sail through them.
Backwater cruise at Thiruvallam has become a major tourists attraction in the last few years and slowly gaining more popularity among the visitors. It is complete enjoyable experience. A tour to the Thiruvallam can not be complete without the taking the backwater cruises. The house boats are equipped with every luxury and safety measures. Exploring Thiruvallam on these houseboats is completely a unique experience for the tourists.
Temple visit in Thiruvallam :
Tourists can make a visit to the famous temple dedicated to the Sri Parasurma, the mythological creator of Kerala. The temple has gained immense popularity in the last few years and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Legends say that when Parasurma threw his axe northward from Kanyakumari, a land was created where his axe fell and that particular land was named as the 'Land of Parasurma'.
Located at the short distance from Thiruvananthapuram, Veli lagoon is a delightful water front park quite famous among the tourists. Tourists can avail the facility of powerboats, pedal boats and row boats. Veli Lagoon is beautifully located at the point where Veli Lake and Arabian sea meets. Tourists gather here all around the year to spend time at leisure. You can also avail the facility of various water sports conducted here. The major attractions of the Veli Lagoon are the floating restaurants. Localities often visit this place to make picnic. Overall Veli Lagoon is a complete entertainment destination.
Veli tourists village is located near to the Veli Lagoon. It is the perfect place relax and rejuvenate in the scenic atmosphere of Kerala. Tourists can also indulge in boating and swimming at this place. You can make an excursion trip to the Shankhumukham beach located near to the village.
Akkulam Lake : Another major attraction of this place is the Akkulam Lake. The park made for children near the lake is the biggest one in Kerala. Akkulam is a great place to enjoy the scenic beauty of the nature and make picnic on the banks of the lake. The best way to explore the lake is to take an exciting boat ride.
Veli
Veli - Location : About 8 km from Thiruvananthapuram city.
Veli - Visiting hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The long undulating shoreline of Kerala is broken by lagoons that merge into inland lakes to form some of the most picturesque picnic spots. One such is the Veli lagoon, separated from the Arabian sea by a narrow sand bar. The Veli Tourist Village, built at the point where the lagoon meets the Arabian sea is replete with fish ponds, wading pools and landscaped gardens, along with facilities for boating and water sports and a children's park around the floating bridge that connects the village to the beach.The youth hostel takes care of your food and accommodation at Veli.
he charms of the lake can be explored by boat rides. Motor-driven safari launches, powerboats and pedal boats or rowboats can be hired from the Tourist Village. The eastern flank of the lake harbours two beautiful hillocks, good for hiking. Kayaking and hovercraft ride are also possible. The lake features a floating restaurant and a floating bridge that connects the tourist village with the beach
Nearby is the Shankhumukham beach skirting the Thiruvananthapuram International airport.
Veli - Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram central, about 8 km
Nearest airport : Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 3 km.
Ashtamudi Lake
Backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once the state's trade highways. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. The Ashtamudi lake, surrounded by red cliffs and swaying coconut palms, still bears traces of its former links with China -on a backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha all along the waterline you can see the famous Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing nets gracefully hanging over the lake, as covered country boats ply the backwaters. The Kollam Boat Club provides boats to cruise on the lake
Catamarans( house boats) provide an opportunity for exhilarating watersports. With a gentle breeze to aid, one may sail around the Ashtamudi Lake.The 9 hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha along these backwaters can be an unforgettable experience. Located in Kollam district, Ashtamudi is famed for its panoramic and magnificent views.The Ashtamudi Lake is so named because of its eight 'arms' or channels is the gateway to the backwaters.
Alumkadavu
Alumkadavu is situated in the town of Karunagapally which is 23 km from Kollam. Alumkadavu is half way on the route to Alleppey from Kollam. This village is the place where the traditional houseboats of Kerala were constructed. As you glide through the calm and serene backwaters you see a Kerala which has been preserved through the ages yet having progressed with the times.
These backwaters completely hidden from the road, and it is not surprising that this is called God's Own Country.
Karunagapally is the Hub of the Kettuvallam building industry and has hundreds of artisans who can be seen busy at work putting together a traditional houseboat like it has been done for hundreds of years. These boats, incidentally, do not have any nails or screws joining the planks together but with careful maintenance last for many, many years. Wooden planks from the jackfruit tree are tied securely with the locally-made and easily available coir rope which is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.
At Alumkadavu, you might get a chance to see a floating conference hall, perhaps the only one of its kind in the world. Designed for 35 persons, it has a dais and a sophisticated public address system.
Alappuzha
Alumkadavu is situated in the town of Karunagapally which is 23 km from Kollam. Alumkadavu is half way on the route to Alleppey from Kollam. This village is the place where the traditional houseboats of Kerala were constructed. As you glide through the calm and serene backwaters you see a Kerala which has been preserved through the ages yet having progressed with the times.
Alappuzha in Kerala India, previously known as Alleppey, is a popular tourist destination. Alappuzha is known for its proximity to the beautiful Kerala backwater venues and the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held here every year. Also called the Venice of the East, Allapuzha is one of the most beautiful destinations in Kerala, India. Houseboat cruises along the Kerala backwater channels are a very popular tourist attraction in Alappuzha, India.
Taking tourists through the dream land of lakes and lagoons, coconut palms and paddy fields, 'Alappuzha Houseboats', offers adjustable cruise packages in its 1/2/3 bed rooms houseboats with air-conditioned comfort and luxurious furnishings. Based in the heart land of backwater tourism in Alappuzha district, these houseboats cruise through Vembanad Lake, four river estuaries and the labyrinthine canals, amidst the emerald green tropical vegetation and exotic fauna. Birds, fishes, animals, butterflies, flowers, paddy fields, waterlilies, and a lot more add to the charm and magic of the backwaters, all of which can be seen on a cruise voyage through the tranquil water-scape. Alappuzha houseboats offer adjustable and negotiable packages with different destination circuits. Duration of the cruise and its timing is left to the convenience and interests of the tourists. Those with plenty of time to spend in the tropical environment richly blessed by Nature, can have a package lasting several days and nights. Those with busy schedules and little time, can enjoy a few hours in the blue lagoons, around Alleppey, historically famous as 'Venice of the East'. Or they can visit Kumarakom, and surrounding bird sanctuaries. There are many more options too.
NEAREST ATTRACTIONS
Vembanad Lake
The Vembanad lake, the most important of the west coast canal system has a length of 84 Km and an average breadth of 3.1 Km. It covers an area of 204 Sq.Km. Stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi. Borders Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad Taluks of Alappuzha district, Kottayam, vaikom and Changanasserry taluks of Kottayam district and Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district. Pamba, Achankovil , Manimala, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha rivers discharge into this lake. Pathiramanal, often called the mysterious sand of midnight, having coconut palms and luxuriant vegetation is situated in the centre of this lake. Perumbalam and Pallippuram are the other islands in this lake. The Thannermukkom regulator constructed across Vembanad lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur is intended to prevent tidal action and intrusion of saline water into the lake. It is the largest mud regulator in India.
Kayamkulam Lake
Stretching between Panmana and Karthikappally, Kayamkulam lake is a shallow lake which has an outlet to sea at Kayamkulam barrage. It has an area of 59.57 Sq.Km., a length of 30.5 Km and an average breadth of 2.4 Km. It connects Ashtamudi lake by the Chavara Panmana canal.
Canals
Alappuzha has a network of canals included in the west coast canal system which are used for navigation. The important canals are Vadai canal, Commercial canals and the link canals between these two canals. Apart from these, there are many inland canals which are mainly used for passenger navigation and commercial purposes.
The lakes are used for inland water transport of passengers and cargo. Inland fisheries have also been flourished in these regions.
Sea Cost
Alappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast of 82 Km length which is 13.9 % of the total coastal line of the state. An interesting phenomenon of this seacoast during the month of June is the periodic shifting of mud bank popularly known as "Chakara" within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast due to hydrolic pressure when the level of backwater rises during south-west monsoon.
The Vembanad lake, the most important of the west coast canal system has a length of 84 Km and an average breadth of 3.1 Km. It covers an area of 204 Sq.Km. Stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi. Borders Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Kuttanad Taluks of Alappuzha district, Kottayam, vaikom and Changanasserry taluks of Kottayam district and Kochi and Kanayannur Taluks of Ernakulam district. Pamba, Achankovil , Manimala, Meenachil and Muvattupuzha rivers discharge into this lake. Pathiramanal, often called the mysterious sand of midnight, having coconut palms and luxuriant vegetation is situated in the centre of this lake. Perumbalam and Pallippuram are the other islands in this lake. The Thannermukkom regulator constructed across Vembanad lake between Thannermukkom and Vechur is intended to prevent tidal action and intrusion of saline water into the lake. It is the largest mud regulator in India.Kayamkulam LakeAlappuzha has a flat unbroken sea coast of 82 Km length which is 13.9 % of the total coastal line of the state. An interesting phenomenon of this seacoast during the month of June is the periodic shifting of mud bank popularly known as "Chakara" within a range of 25 Km in Alappuzha-Purakkad coast due to hydrolic pressure when the level of backwater rises during south-west monsoon.
Getting there:
Contact details
Alappuzha - House boat pre-paid counter
Mobile: 09400051796, 09447483308, +91-477-2251796, +91-477-2253308.
Nearest railway station: Alappuzha
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 85 km from Alappuzha town.
Kumarakom
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, a state in India. Geographically, it is located at 9.35 North and 76.26 East.
Kumarakom's soil is extremely fertile due to the proximity of a water source, the Vembanad Lake which has resulted in the growth of a wide variety of flora in Kumaralom especially the mangrove and coconut trees. Furthermore Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the 'Karimeen' (Pearl Spotted Fish), the 'Chemeen' (Prawns) and the 'Konju' (Tiger Prawns).
Kumarakom is also a habitat to several migratory birds which are attracted by the availability of a safe nesting area provided by the trees and a close source of food and water which is delivered by the Vembanad Lake. The authorities have successfully attempted to protect the birds and their habitat through the construction of a bird sanctuary which spans 14 acres (57,000 m²).
Kumarakom is not entirely a tourist dependent town but also derives a reasonable income from agriculture. The area is populated by mangrove forests, paddy fields and coconut groves. This rich agricultural environment is mainly irrigated using interspersed waterways and canals. Furthermore Kumarakom's perfectly balanced tropical climate poses an advantage to the growth of plants and trees.
Attractions of Kumarakom
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary >> Kumarakom Vembanad Lake >> Kumarkom Pathiramanal >> Things to Do at Kumarakom >> Kumarakom Houseboat
Koch LAKES
Backwaters of Kochi are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. In Cochin, the stretch from Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi, the serene backwaters are popularly known as Veeranpuzha. It is the northern extension of Vembanad Lake. Vembanad Lake (Vembanad Kayal or Vembanad Kol) is India's longest lake,[5] and is the largest lake in Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes in India.
The dream holiday destination of the port city is dotted with a number of places that is worth seeing visiting.
The beautiful city facing the Arabian Sea has a rich network of backwaters has several excellent excursion options from travelers.
Cochin or the God's Own Country is the hot spot for travelers all round the year due to the fact that Cochin enjoys a moderate climate with no extremities in the summer and winter months.
The weather remains pleasant even during the monsoons. Cochin travelers enjoy the city which is a combination of tropical beaches and backwaters, festivals and houseboat cruises and a number of snaking lakes, making Cochin Tourism an unforgettable experience in the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' for the tourists.
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, a state in India. Geographically, it is located at 9.35 North and 76.26 East.
Valiyaparamba
Famous for Backwater, Kasargod is a very popular destination for its location. With the Sea to the West and Western Ghats to the North and East, Kasargod is the northern-most district of Kerala. Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba are the two main Cruise option in Kerala and are both accessible from Kasargod making it one of the most visited backwater destination in the region.
4 Km to the Southeast of Kasargod town, Chandragiri is situated. Backwater cruises in and around Chandragiri are a pleasant experience. As you arrive at Chandragiri you will see the historic Chandragiri Fort, which was built in the 17th century. The fort offers excellent viewpoints from where you can see spectacular sunsets over the sea near Kasargod, Kerala, India. The backwater cruises from Chandragiri start from the Chandragiri Bridge. Enjoy Kerala Backwater cruises at Chandragiri near Kasargod on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. Also near Kasargod are the scenic Bekal Beach and the historic Bekal Fort. You can enjoy a holiday on the backwaters and beaches around Kasargod in north Kerala, on Kerala Backwater tours of Kasargod, Kerala.
How to reach
By Rail
Kasaragod, on the Kozhikode-Mangalore-Mumbai route, about 46 km from Valiyaparamba. By Air
Mangalore in Karnataka State, about 50 km from Kasaragod; Karipur international airport, Kozhikode, about 200 km from Kasaragod.
Valiyaparamba in Kasaragod is a favoured backwater destination that offers enchanting houseboat cruises to its visitors.
Famous for Backwater, Kasargod is a very popular destination for its location. With the Sea to the West and Western Ghats to the North and East, Kasargod is the northern-most district of Kerala. Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba are the two main Cruise option in Kerala and are both accessible from Kasargod making it one of the most visited backwater destination in the region.
