Backwaters of Kerala - Gods own Country

Hi friends, let me take you to a world of serenity and wonderment --the backwaters in Kerala. The backwaters of Kerala have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea in the backwaters in Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the Kerala backwaters.
What’s This? The backwaters of Kerala are a series of interconnected waterways, lakes, inlets and riverine estuaries that form an intermeshed network along the coast of Kerala, India. The local people here, travel on these waters & carry out their traditional occupations. Backwater cruises in Kerala are carried out on large converted traditional boats. These boats called "Kettuvalloms are Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have a sleeping area, with toilets, a dining area and a sit out on the deck.

You can rest at ease on a houseboat at night and observe the beautiful countryside while sitting on the deck during the day. Food is cooked on board. On Backwater cruises in Kerala with Kerala Backwater, you can have a relaxing time seeing the birds and aquatic life along the banks of the Kerala backwaters.
Located Where? The Kerala backwaters lie parallel to the Arabian sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. Kerala has over 900 Km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that make up the Kerala backwaters. In the midst of this beautiful landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which are the starting and end points of Kerala backwater cruises.
Cruising along the backwaters of Kerala is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala.t
Some of the scenic Kerala backwater destinations that you can see on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater are:
Cochin: This historic port city called "the Queen of the Arabian Sea," is the starting point for many Kerala backwater cruises & is known for its natural harbour.
Alappuzha: This Kerala Backwater destination is also known as the "Venice of the East," because of its surrounding waterways and canals. Alappuzha, previously known as Alleppey, is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race held here every year, around the festival of Onam.
Kasargod: Kasargod a town in North Kerala is known for the Valiyaparamba stretch of backwaters, an incredibly beautiful and green corridor along the coast of Kerala.
Kollam: Situated just over 70 Km from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is an ancient seaport on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha, which lasts eight hours, is a magical ride along the scenic backwaters of Kerala.
Kottayam: Kottayam in Kerala is known for its fascinating backwaters on the seacoast and beautiful hills further inland.
Kozhikode : Kozhikode in North Kerala, is an important port, previously known as Calicut. Calico - a variety of checked cotton cloth derives its name from Calicut.
Kumarakom: Situated in the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a paradise on Earth. The bird sanctuary, the scenic beauty make Kumarakom one of the most sought after Kerala Backwater destinations.
Kuttanad: Known as the "Ricebowl of Kerala" Kuttanad brings to mind images of verdant paddy fields.
Thiruvallam: is a beautiful backwater destination at the conjunction of two rivers - the Killi and the Karamana and near the scenic Veli Lagoon.
Thiruvananthapuram: The capital of Kerala, previously known as Trivandrum, is a starting point for the tour of Kerala Backwater Destinations. Thiruvananthapuram is also known for its museums, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and proximity to the beautiful Kovalam Beach.

One of the major attractions of Kerala is its Beaches. Some of the popular beaches in Kerala are- Kappad, Kovalam, Varkala, Marari, Alappuzha, Beypore, Dharmadam, Ezhimala, Thangassery, Kochi,Meenkunnu,Mappila, Muzhappilangad, Pathiramanal, Payyambalam, Shanghumugham,Tanur, Vizhinjam.rala is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala
How do we Reach Kerala? Kerala is a major tourist destination in India and is well connected with other parts of the country. There are three airports in the state –
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore,Chennai International flights (direct): From/To: Colombo, Maldives, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah and Singapore.
Thiruvananthapuram is also an international airport, connecting the state to many places in India and the world.

Kochi International Airport, Nedumbassery- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai,Chennai,Goa,Agathi,BangaloreInternational flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat

Karipur Airport, Kozhikode- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai, Chennai, Goa,Agathi,Bangalore
International flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat
RAIL:
There are around 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting most of the places in the state to places in the other parts of India and inside the state. Long-distance express trains connect important places in the state to places outside Kerala like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
Road: An extensive network of metalled roads connects most of the places in the state. National highways 47, 17, and 49 connect Kerala with other parts of India.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Kerala, then the best time to visit Kerala would be in the months of October to March.
General Info/ Tips:
Travel-Wear Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc
Currency Indian Rupee (INR)
Ayurvedic-Treatment If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.
Wildlife-Sanctuaries To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary.

KERALA AYURVEDA
Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season (June - November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative programs. Today Kerala is the only state in India , which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old natural herbal health care system has been recognized the world over as the most perfected body-mind health care system. Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine that is rejuvenative and therapeutic, is widely practiced in India. Kerala is well known as the heart land of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is more effective in monsoon season as the atmosphere remains dust free and cool, opening the body pores to maximum, making it more receptive to herbal oils and therapy.