Exploring the backwaters of Kerala is an attractive option for tourists looking to experience the beauty of ‘God’s Own Country.‘ Beginning from the heart of Kerala, Kochi, and extending to Quilon, officially known as Kollam, these backwaters offer tranquility and enjoyment. To help you make the most of your experience, I have curated a list of the best backwater destinations based on popular demand.
Between the starting and ending points, people’s first choice is exploring the Backwater at Alappuzha (Called Alleppy) in the Vembanad Lake.
Many locals rely on the backwaters as their lifeline, using them for various purposes such as fishing, transportation, and irrigation for agriculture. However, numerous tourist agencies have now transformed the backwaters into prime tourist destinations, offering houseboat experiences and live meals. Additionally, local guides are available for those seeking a deeper understanding of the area, as they possess unparalleled knowledge.
Alleppey Backwater (Alapuzha)
Alappuzha is known as Venice of the East.
How to get there?
When it comes to visiting a backwater destination in Kerala, Alleppey is the must-visit one. You can easily reach there from Cochin or Trivandrum with 2 – 3 hours of traveling. If you are traveling from Calicut, it may take many more hours.
Pre-paid taxis are available from the Cochin Nedumbassery airport. The travel cost may be around 4000 INR. Nowadays, you can rely on the most popular taxi booking apps like Ola, Uber, etc and they will pick you up from where you are.
Alappuzha is also called Kuttanad. One of the best tourist destinations in Kerala, but lacks wildlife. Backwaters and houseboats are major attractions. Suitable for honeymoon.
Kuttanad Backwater
For those who like greenery everywhere around the backwater, the suggestion is to choose the Kuttanad backwater. It gives a refreshing feel when you travel through the lake.
We start the journey from the other district in Kerala called Kottayam to the Aleppy through Kuttanad, the starting point is Kodimatha boat jetty.
Kuttanad also known as the bowl of Kerala covers the two major districts.
“Land reclaimed from the backwaters” suggests that through human efforts, such as dredging, draining, or building embankments, the land was made usable for agriculture by reclaiming it from the water.
The land is protected by the Culture Department of Kerala under the Government department to attract many foreign tourists to the destination. Surely, this will give an awesome soothing experience to the visitor’s heart.
Explore by boating
Shikara Boating – A small boat enables you to explore more, as it can navigate even through small lakes, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of the entire village. If you only have limited members like 3 – 5, I will recommend Shikara boat or some other small boats. It’s not a houseboat.
If you planned for a day for Alappuzha, you can explore both Aleppy and kuttanad Backwater in a day, makes memorable lifelong.
Kumarakom
Have you ever heard about the Vembanad lake? A visually striking peninsula, likening its appearance to an emerald, a vivid green gemstone. it paints a vibrant picture of Kumarakom as a captivating destination surrounded by natural beauty and activity on the water.
Specialties:- Kumarakom Backwaters serve as a habitat for various types of marine life. Specifically mentioned are tiger prawns, crabs, and prawns, indicating a diverse ecosystem.
In addition to both Aleppy and the Kuttanad, you can also explore the Kumarakom if you are surprised, with the backwaters in Kerala. But you have to spend one more day, or at least half of the day to visit and spend time on Kumarakom.
If your trip is to plan to visit the three top Backwaters in Kerala, you only need to spend two days exploring all these three nearby Backwaters.
Cochin Backwaters
When you move to the heart side of Kerala and want to enjoy a Backwater destination, Cochin Backwater is the best option. It’s one of the attractions of Kochi and attracts many international and local tourists.
There are a hell lot of places to visit around the Cochin, and along with it, the backwaters are non-avoidable. Cruising through these tranquil lakes offers visitors the opportunity to witness local towns and other attractions.
Capturing the beauty of the Cochin is incomplete without experiencing the Backwater.
Kollam
Kollam’s backwaters are known for their serene beauty and the famous Ashtamudi Lake. It is one of the oldest ports. It is located southern coast of Kerala. Known for its serene beauty and rich history.
The backwaters of Kollam offer a unique blend of natural splendor and cultural richness, making it a must-visit spot for travelers seeking tranquility and adventure alike.
You may have studied about the Kollam, formerly known as Quilon was the major trade hub of spices and nuts.
One of the best attractions regarding the Kollam backwater is Ashtamudi Lake, meaning eight brides. It has a unique topography with eight channels that’s why the name originated in Malayalam as Ashtamudi.
See many species birds, and aquatic life with Kollam Backwater tourism. The tranquil waters, reflecting the clear blue sky and swaying palms, create a mesmerizing setting perfect for photography and relaxation.
Common factors among all these Backwater spots
Enjoy Local livings:-You can experience the local lives, and how they are living with their job on the Backwater. Many people around the Backwater are associated with fishing.
Taste their foods:-It must be said that there are different food cultures in all the 14 districts in Kerala. This is one of the important factors you must visit every destination in Kerala. In this way, you can taste different styles of foods with the same ingredients.
Prawn curry, grilled fish, tapioca, karimeen pollichath (Fish grilled in a variety of ways with different Masala), etc are the must-tasting foods, and obviously, you’ll like all of them for sure.
When concluding the topic, I must summarize this, the Kerala Backwater destinations offer to enjoy natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical signature. For those who seek relaxation in a Houseboat, and want to enjoy thrilling water activities (At a specific time), all of them are provided in an affordable range.
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