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The backwaters in Kerala are a world of serenity and wonder.
Over 900 Km of the Kerala backwaters are navigable and have been used for centuries by the local people for transportation. You can travel on these waterways on a traditional houseboat and enjoy the scenic beauty of 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, providing a green hue to the surrounding landscape.
The fisher folk and people who live along the backwaters in Kerala have a unique relationship with the Kerala backwaters. The backwaters in Kerala are the source of the local people's livelihood. The fish caught from its waters, the paddy, coconut and other crops harvested along its banks, the boats they build and use to transport them across the labyrinthine backwaters in Kerala, are all an integral part of their traditional way of life. You can see the traditional lifestyle of the backwaters in Kerala.
The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port. 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.
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Backwater destinations
Backwater Attractions
- Sit back, glass in hand, and watch the lilies float by
- Sunbathe or read on the decks
- Spot birds, including kingfishers, herons, egrets, kites and even parakeets and rollers
- Pause to visit a workshop where coir and other coconut-based items are produced
- Stop off at a spice plantation and breathe in the mingling aromas of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg…
- Come in August for the breathtaking Nehru Cup 'Snakeboat' races in Alappuzha
- Ask to be shown a performance of
Kathakali, a theatrical story-telling with highly made-up actors
- Browse through village markets or stop for tea
- Watch passing fishermen dive for shellfish or angle for pearl-spot
- Enjoy the constantly changing backdrop of paddy fields, villages, backyards and palm groves
- Above all, relax!
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