The backwaters are much spoken about and topmost on the list of places to visit in India. It is like an intangible dream which when fulfilled can either be extremely appreciated or surprisingly inconsequential. Claiming its waters from Alleppey to Kumarakom, the backwaters stretch over half the length of Kerala. This potent tourist destination has many a stories to offer to tourists visiting from near and far.
The backwaters are a network of brackish lagoons and lakes coupled with villages and narrow roadways. They are home to village folk and rural life where no one has any care in the world and life moves slow. Kumarakom and Alleppey are infested with narrow lanes bordered with a forest of velvet green and speckled with quaint mud and wood cottages. The land is dense and thick oozing with beauty and moist air. While the backwaters provide a historical moment, disappointment can be rampant too.
These murky waters, often misused by the locals are the lifeline of the society here. While in the backwater’s bosom clothes are washed, utensils are cleaned and sometimes garbage is swept into its soul, it still retains its charm. It is home, home to civilization, home to fishermen importantly exhibiting their catch of the day, home to tourists who travel from near and far and crave to settle there. Houseboats, basic and luxurious swarm the canals and a laidback ride over these mysterious waters is a must.
All you can really do is to hire a kettu vallam, traditional houseboat, and set sail. Although you can take a ride as short as an hour, it is ideal to spend a night on a houseboat to really get into the feel of things. Board a houseboat at and go on till to really soak into the area.
Alleppey
Allepey has beautiful backwaters, lagoons fringed by dense coconut trees and sparkling canals. Every August the vibrant Snake Boat races are held here with much fanfare. An ideal way of spending time here is floating down the backwaters in a quaint houseboat. There is nothing much to do here besides the backwater cruise and most tourists end up staying only a night before moving on.
Kumarakom
Perched like an island on the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is the most scenic town out of the area. The Bird Sanctuary here has migrant birds flying from as far as Siberia. Lush tropical waterways abound here, as does verdant backwater wilderness.
Kottayam
Kottayam is the biggest town in the area, but it is ordinary, lying a little farther away from the waters. Kottayam offers nothing of tourist interest.
Check Out Kerala Backwater Holiday Packages
