| Backwaters
Tourism |
 |
|
|
| |
 Embark
on the "Kettuvallam"
(Houseboats) for a
journey through the
breathtakingly beautiful
backwaters of Kerala.
With superb coconut
grooves by the sides
and the beautifully
decorated boats, Kerala
is ranked amongst
the ten paradise of
the world by the 'National
Geographic Travelers'.
The Backwaters are
today a kaleidoscope
for the visitors to
see the rural and
real life in the heart
of Kerala. Welcome
to the land of canals
lagoons, lakes and
rivers....
The
Journey
The backwaters refer
to the large inland
lakes that stretch
for over Nineteen
hundred kilometers
along which Kerala
lives. The enchanting
backwaters of Alleppey
are sure to rob your
heart. Palm fringed
narrow canals winding
through the vast expanse
of paddy fields and
the neat tiny hamlets
lined up along either
side of the canals
are panoramic sights
one can never forget.
The Chinese fishing
nets, the reminiscent
of our past trade
links, are also found
on the way. Flocks
of duck swimming around
the banks and tiny
birds flying across
the sky remain as
enduring pictures
reflecting the charm
of this tourist land.
 The
House Boats
The Kettuvallam or
'boat with knots'
is so called because
coir ropes tied in
knots hold the entire
structure of the boat
together. During the
entire assembling
work of the boat,
not a single nail
is used. Kettuvallam
is steered by two
persons in deep waters
by means of oars.
The tough and labor-intensive
jobs of boat building,
prawn cultivation
and coir manufacture
are a part of the
daily livelihood of
Keralites.
All Houseboats have
been modified to meet
a novel concept of
holidaying. Comfortably
furnished with an
open lounge, one or
two bath attached
bedrooms and a kitchenette,
and are extremely
eco friendly, merging
smoothly into the
panorama. Every houseboat
is manned by a crew
- usually a cook,
a Captain, and an
Oarsman.
The kitchen in the
houseboat or ketuvallam
is the production
center of the best
traditional Kerala
food. The availability
of fishes and all
along the backwater
add special charm
to the authentic Kerala
cooking. Authentic
Kerala food is prepared
under high standards
of hygiene and professional
competency by expert
cooks, who have been
specially trained.
The highest classifications
awarded by Dept. of
Tourism for Houseboats
are Gold Star and
Silver Star. All the
Houseboats dealt by
us are all Gold Star.
 Backwater
Destinations
Kumarakom
located on the banks
of picturesque Vembanad
Lake is considered
the gateway to the
backwaters of Kuttanad.
Kumarakom consists
of a cluster of islands
which have been converted
into a number of tourist
resorts. This beautiful
water world is a paradise
of mangrove forests,
emerald green paddy
fields, coconut grooves
and is a place u must
visit on your tour.
Alappuzha
(Alleppey)
also called the 'Venice
of the East' is an
exotic backwater location
which offers a kaleidoscopic
overview of the natural
beauty, with the Arabian
Sea on the west and
a vast network of
lakes, lagoons and
fresh water rivers
crisscrossing it.
Alappuzha is famous
for its boat races,
houseboat holidays,
beaches, marine products
and coir industry.
A singular characteristic
of this land is the
region called Kuttanad.
The Granary of Kerala,
Kuttanad is perhaps
the only place in
the world were farming
is done below sea
level.
Kollam:
Kollam Backwaters
is the gateway to
the backwaters of
Kerala. 30% of this
historic town is covered
by the renowned Ashtamudi
Lake. There is an
eight hour boat trip
between Kollam and
Alappuzha which is
the longest &
most enchanting experience
of Kerala's backwaters.
Kochi:
Kochi offers various
backwater trips to
the travelers. You
can enjoy an exciting
sunset or morning
houseboat cruise through
the serene and picturesque
waterways on the Willington
Island with beautiful
lagoons, small rivulets
full of swaying coconut
palm trees. A thrilling
water cruise on Bolghatty
Island can truly be
an unforgettable experience
combined with the
the famous tourist
attractions of Cochin
like the Jewish Synagogue,
Cochin Fort, Mattancherry
Palace and St Francis
Church. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
