Trivandrum Backwaters

Trivandrum Backwaters

The extensive backwaters of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala present a beautiful kaleidoscope of the dynamic scenery. One of the best ways to enjoy your trip is to go on Trivandrum backwater tours. The traditional houseboats called “Kettuvalloms” are available for a tour on the scenic backwaters of Trivandrum. The meandering waterways lined with lush green vegetation with the blue sky as the backdrop is no less than paradise on earth.

Sail on the calm waters of the 200 square kilometer stretch of crystal clear lakes and lagoons. The only sounds that you will hear while sailing are the chirruping of birds and the gushing water as the houseboat sails on the placid waters. The two main backwater areas of Trivandrum are Veli and Thiruvallam. Both these areas are the best places to go on houseboat rides on Trivandrum backwaters. The Thiruvallam backwater has a temple dedicated to the founder of Kerala, Parashuram. One can also enjoy some water sports that are provided at these backwaters for tourists.

Thiruvallam:  Located about 6 kilometers from

Thiruvananthapuram. This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides. It is the meeting point of two rivers-Killi and Karamana. A temple dedicated to Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is located in Thiruvallam. The stunningly beautiful and serene stretch of the Thiruvallam backwaters is temptingly close to Thiruvananthapuram. The backwater destination of Thiruvallam. Makes a great one-day tour. The renowned canoe rides make Thiruvallam popular with the tourists. You may even enjoy the water sports in the lagoon and the move to the beach from the village using the floating bridge in the waterfront park. The short village cruises using the country boats are the perfect ways to enjoy the backwaters of Thiruvallam.

How to Reach

Air
The nearest airport is the Trivandrum International airport.

Rail
The backwaters are also accessible from Trivandrum railway station located at a strategic distance.

Roads
The backwaters are accessible from anywhere in Kerala as Trivandrum is well connected to Kerala by a wide network of roads.

Kassarkod Backwaters

Kassarkod Backwaters

The northernmost district of Kerala, Kassarkod is situated on the sea coast with the Western Chats on its east and northern borders. Backwater trips on the Chandragiri River and at Valiyaparamba are fascinating experiences.

Chandragiri:

Located 4 kilometers from Kassarkod town. Situated on the Chandragiri River, southeast of Kassarkod town, this town is known for the large 17th century Chandragiri Fort, one of a chain of forts. It offers a breathtaking view of the river and the Arabian Sea. It is a vantage point to watch the sunset. Boat trips to nearby islands and palm groves are available.

Valiyaparamba:

30 kms from Bakel, this is perhaps the most scenic backwater stretch in Kerala. Fed by four rivers and dotted with a cute little island, four rivers and dotted with a cute little island, Valiyaparamba is fest turning into a much favored backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises.

On the seacoast the backwater destination of Kassarkod offers mesmerizing trips to the enchanting Chandragiri and the vivacious Valiyaparamba. Situated on the Chandragiri river the former is renowned for the chain of forts. The latter provides the best breathtaking views of the backwaters. The boat cruises to and from Kassarkod will never fail to enchant you. On your backwater tour you must check out the well-preserved Bekal Fort. The Pallikere and the Kappil beach at Kassarkod are excellent spots for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Kozhikode Backwaters

Kozhikode Backwaters

Kozhikode, previously known as Calicut, is an important and scenic town in North Kerala. The name Kozhikode is derived from the Malayalam word for the crowing of a cock. The area around Kozhikode was ruled by local rulers called Zamorins who traded with merchants from Arabia. In 1498 the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad Beach, near Kozhikode. After the British grew to become the dominant trading power, Kozhikode, renamed Calicut, became an important British trading outpost. A locally made variety of checked cloth called Calico (from Calicut) was a popular item of export. You can tour the attractions of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kozhikode – Kerala Backwater Destination

Kozhikode is known for its historic buildings, beautiful green countryside, beautiful beach, hospitality and cosmopolitan culture. Kozhikode has several institutions of higher learning including a National Institute of Technology and an Indian Institute of Management. You can see the sights of Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Some of the sights worth seeing in and around Kozhikode are:

Kozhikode Beach: Famous for the spectacular sunset views seen the seashore here, from Kozhikode Beach has two piers and a lighthouse that offer stunning views of the seashore and the Arabian Sea.

Pazhassirajah Museum: Located 5 km from Kozhikode, the museum houses a collection of ancient coins, bronze sculptures, paintings and murals and temple models.

Art Gallery: The Art Gallery located next to the Pazhassirajah Museum has a collections of paintings by the renowned painter from Kerala Raja Ravi Varma and his brother Raja Raja Varma.

Beypore: Located 10 km to the south of Kozhikode on the mouth of the Chaliyar River, Beypore is a famous fishing harbor, port and boat building center. Boats have been built at Beypore for over 1500 years and the skill of the local shipwrights and boat builders are sought after by boat builders worldwide. You can see boats being built at Beypore shipyards, while on Kozhikode on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kappad Beach: Located 16 km from Kozhikode is historic Kappad Beach where Vasco da Gama stepped onto Indian soil on the 27th May 1498. There is a monument on the beach that commemorates this landmark event.

Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: Located 25 km from Kozhikode this Bird Sanctuary is on an estuary where many thousands of water birds can be seen. Birds seen here include herons, gulls, terns and sandpipers. The winter and spring months from November to April are the best time to see birds in Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary near Kozhikode while on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Malappuram Backwaters

Malappuram Backwaters

Malappuram is situated between the Lakshdweep sea on the east, the beautiful Nilgiri hills on the west.Beaches, Backwaters, hills and valleys, ancient pilgrimage centres, the birth place of Malayalam literature, the headquarters of the traditional Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda, all that and more await the adventurous traveller in this northern part of the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Prime Attractions

The prime Tourist Spots are Kottackal, Thirur, Palur Tippu’s fort, Nilambur famous for the teak and bamboo planatations, Thanur one of the Malappuram Tour Packagesfirst portugeese colonies in the country.

How to reach there

An intenational airport at Karipur (Calicut Airport) 26 Km Away from Malappuram links Malappuram to the other major Indian cities and to several cities in the Gulf, a traditional trading partner of the region.Malappuram is well connected to all the major towns in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu by an excellent road network.

Climatic Conditions

Humid on the coast, tropical with oppressive hot season in the interior.
Max: 32-37C
Min: 22 C
Rainfall
290 cm.

Best Time To Visit : September to March

Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakom Backwaters

The village of Kumarakam is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise

An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarakom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarakom.

An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies – this is Kumrakum

Kumrakom, located on the Southern coast of India enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. Nature has composed its magic to perfection here. A million verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to examine its reflections on the glassy rivers. Everywhere, nature is at its best. Blooming forth in perfumes of flowers. In the riot of colours of multi-hued birds. In the fresh, succulent and bountiful freshwater fishes

The local spring season emerges from August and coincides with the harvest festival of Onam. The lowest and highest temperatures recorded are 16.10 C and 37.80 C.

There is always a cool, fresh breeze, which makes even the warmest weather readily agreeable. The South West monsoon is from early June to early August. However, slight drizzles persist till early November. Average rainfall is 1100 mm per year.

The tourist season is from September to March

Kochi Backwaters

Kochi Backwaters

Known as Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin (Kochi) is believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world. It is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. Because of its commercial importance, foreign powers vied for supremacy in the area and therefore the place has a blend of several exotic cultures like the Portuguese, Jewish, English, French, Dutch and Chinese.

Kochi is well known for one of the finest natural harbors in the world. The ancestral rulers of cochin with their cosmopolitan outlook, traded goods as well as knowledge with visitors from far off lands and latter Chinese, Arabs, Dutch, British and Portuguese followed the sea route to cochin.

The Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and the British have all left their mark here. The Jewish synagogue, the Dutch palace, the Chinese fishing nets, and other remnants of European and Asian architecture merge smoothly into the traditional fabric of the seaport city.

Kerala Backwater Travel PackagesThen there is the captivating Cochin (Kochi) with the charming combination of the picture perfect islands like Bolgatty, Vyppin, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The reminisces of the Chinese, Arabian, Portuguese and the Dutch travelers and traders are omnipresent in Cochin. The variant village cruises to the coconut plantations and the coir villages should not be missed. The peace and the warmth make the vivacious destination come true to its title of being the queen of the Arabian Sea. The sweet memories of the rustic life and the gorgeous greens of Cochin will carry on to refresh you time and again much after the end of the holiday too.

Kollam Backwaters

Kollam Backwaters

Located 71 km to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, this historic coastline district known for its marine and cashew industries was one of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast and a major international trading point in days gone by.

The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style. Around 30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent Backwaters of Kerala.

Backwaters A picturesque town standing on the banks of the Lake Ashtamudi is the gateway to the exceeding beautiful backwaters of Kerala. The long 8 hrs boat trip from Kollam to Alleppey is the best and most comprehensive introduction to the delights of Kerala’s backwaters as one passes through lakes, canals water-bound villages. The famous “Cheenavala” or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters.

Alumkadavu: Located about 23 kilometers from Kollam. Alumkadavu is halfway on the route to Alappuzha from Kollam. This quiet little backwater village in Karunagappally town is famed for its boat building yard. It is here that the gigantic Kettuvallams (cargo boats of rural Kerala) were built. Today the Kettuvallams which were long replaced by modern means of transport, have been converted into houseboats. Along the vast expanse of the Kayamkulam Lake is the picturesque little village of Alumkadavu. This village is the home of the skilled artisans who crafted the enormous Kettuvallams in yester years.

The Ashtamudi Lake (literally, having eight arms): which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala.

The splendid town of Kollam on the Ashtamudi Lake is renowned for being the gateway to the beautiful backwaters of Kerala. You may opt for an of the backwater tour and cruise that commence from Kollam. The backwater tour from Kollam to Alappuzha is the longest cruise in Kerala. Do not forget to catch on the cashews on your tour to Kollam.

Kottayam Backwaters

Kottayam Backwaters

Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics, bordered by the lofty Western Chats on the east, the Vembanad Lake and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. Panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, extensive rubber plantations and a totally literate people have given this district the title: the land of letters, latex and lakes.

Chandragiri Cruises: This offers boat trips to the nearby islands and palm grove. The boarding point is Chandragiri Bridge and nearby, is a mosque and also the ancient Kizhur Sartha Temple.

Close by are the backwaters of Kottayam. Amidst the paddy fields, rubber plantations and the highlands is the charming Kottayam. Kottayam is popularly known as the land of lakes and latex. The entire population of Kottayam is literate that makes it the land of letters too. The cultivation of the cash crops makes Kottayam.

Kottayam is a beautiful Kerala backwater destination Kottayam – “the land of lakes, latex and letters”, that’s what it is famously called. Interspersed with a network of canals and lakes, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics, bordered by the mighty Western Ghats on the east, the Vembanad Lake and the paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. Astonishing backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands, vast rubber plantations and a total literate population. This is one of the few places in India,where you will find that even one person is not illiterate.

The beautiful Vemban and Lake and its associated backwaters border Kottayam district on the West. Kottayam is located in an area of great natural beauty and you’re sure to be influenced by the scenery around Kottayam on Kerala House Boats with Kerala Backwater. The renowned Vembanad Lake constitutes Kottayam’s magnificent backwaters, a famous tourist destination only growing more popular with time. which showcases just perfect sceneries formed by green pastures complementing the blue waters. The experience of serenely sailing on a kettuvollam or houseboat, underneath a gentle blue sky, amidst the full bloom of nature, removes all fatigue of mind kerala house boats and soul while on the waterways.

Kuttanad Backwater

Kuttanad Backwater

Kuttanad backwater is also known as the “Rice Bowl of Kerala” because of the rich harvest of rice in the area made possible by the distinguished climate supportive of the rice plantations and of course the underwater farming. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.

Best time to visit : August to October

Kuttanad is the heart of the exotic backwaters of the fascinating costal region of Kerala. The place is unique in the sense as it is the only place where farming is done below the sea level, which is about 1.5 to 2 meters below sea level. The wondrous landscape of Kuttanad is amazingly sandwiched between the sea and the hills, stretching across a distance of 75 Km, plainly justifying its reputation as one of the best Backwaters of Kerala.

The experience of sailing lazily on a vast stretch of labyrinthine water world in a Kettuvollam (the local term for a houseboat), sitting on the deck of the huge traditional houseboat of Kerala, is simply a ravishing experience. Watching villagers usually going on with their life and work, swarthy children swaying their hands to render their heart-felt greetings and oneself feasting the soul on the serenity and purity of the beauty of nature offered here, is just the experience anticipated when a visit to this part of the Indian peninsula is planned in winters of India.

Alappuzha Backwaters

Alappuzha Backwaters

General Information

Alappuzha Backwaters is one of the exotic backwater sites of India’s southern state Kerala. Washed by the Arabian Sea, interlocked by a number of canals and bridges, this tiny marketplace is also famous for its Nehru Trophy boat race held every year.

The Prime attractions of Alappuzha Backwaters are—–

Punnamada Kayal:

The must-visit place of Alappuzha in kerala, where the annual Nehru Trophy boat race takes place during the month of August-September .The long boats, designed to resemble snakes, can accommodate 120 people, making two rows of 60 each.

Krishnapuram Temple:

The two-storied building, displays the typical Keralan style of architecture. The largest mural painting, Gajendra Miksham, is displayed in a museum here.

Ambalapuzha Temple:

Lord Krishna is worshipped here.Here one can see the typical temple architecture and culture of Kerala along with the chance to taste the Keralan delicacy, payasam.

St. Andrew’s Church:

Established by the Portuguese missionaries, celebrates the feast of St. Sebastian in a fun-filled, festive way.

Mullackal Temple:

dedicated to goddess Rajarajeswari, is also a place worth visiting.

The Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple:

This temple is believed to have miraculous powers and hence visited by number of pilgrims every year.

How to reach there

Alappuzha Backwaters is accessible by all the means of communication. The nearest airport is Kochi at a distance of 64 km north. The Trivandrum airport is located 159 km south of Alappuzha. Cities like Cochin, Chennai, Howrah, Bangalore and Bokaro are well connected to Alappuzha. National Highway 47 goes through Alappuzha connecting it with almost all the nearby places of South India.

Climatic Conditions

The climate of Alappuzha Backwaters is temperate and humid in general and relatively more pleasant in the winter season. The temperature ranges from 22 to 35°C in summer and 20 to 32°C during winters.

Best Time To Visit : August to March