It's an intricate network of innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine waterworld is navigable. 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.

Land and water share an extraordinary kingship in Kerala. This land which is believed to have sprung forth from the sea, continues to bask in the tender life giving care of the waters that lap gently on its coast, cascade down its hills and valleys and rests calmly in exotic backwaters and lagoons.

You might begin at Alappuzha, which is hailed as the 'Venice of the East', because of its intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. When the visitor leaves Alappuzha on a boat voyage through Kuttanad, he will find himself travelling along canals where the level of water is often higher than that of the green fields on either side. You could journey right up to Kochi via the backwaters. Many beautiful sights greet you along the way, such as the Chinese fishing nets, said to have been introduced into Kerala by the traders from Kublai Khan's Court. A beautiful backwater spot accessible from Alappuzha is Kumarakom. Breathtakingly green, the village slumbers by the Vembanad Lake. On-cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush green and deep blues. As the boat glides along the gorgeous green of the fringed palms the ripples in the blue waters blend into little wavelets.

Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty four rivers - 41 west flowing and 3 east flowing-cut across Kerala with their innumerable tributaries and branches, but these rivers are comparatively small and being entirely monsoon fed, practically turn into rivulets in summer, especially in the upper areas.

The backwaters from a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. They include lake and oceans inlets which stretch irregularly along the coast. The biggest backwaters is the Vembanad Lake which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port. The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadinamkulam, Anjengo, Edava, Madayara, Paravoor, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungallur and Chetuva. The deltas of the rivers interlink the backwaters and provide excellent water transportation in the low lands of Kerala.

The Backwater Destinations

• » Kollam 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 day gone by.
  
  The district also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in the traditional ornate architectural style.
• » Alappuzha With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. Today, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.
• » Kuttanad Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is the very heart of the backwater. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.
• » Pathiramanal (1 ½ hours by motor boat/30 min. by speed boat from alappuzha): According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vemabanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight).
  
  This little island on the backwater is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different part of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat. Instant Travel & Tour Enquiry * (represents Compulsory Fields) *Name: *Email: Phone : (+ area code) No. of Persons: Duration of stay days Date of Travel: *Country : Budget in US$: --Per Day-- 0 -100$ 100 - 250$ 250 - 500$ 500 - 1000$ *Description