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. Backwaters of India
explores the State of Kerala.
Kerala backwater
destinations are :
- Backwaters of Alappuzha
Earlier known as Alleppey, Alappuzha is
today referred as the 'Venice of East'. Alappuzha is an important
backwater destination attracting several thousand-foreign tourist
every year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, beaches,
marine products and coir and coir industry.
- Backwaters of
Ernakulam
Ernakulam is just about the center of
Kerala. It is basically a collection of islands and narrow
peninsulas. Ernakulam is the commercial centre and forms the main
land. The commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of
Kerala, Kochi, in Ernakulam, is known as the Queen of the Arabian
Sea.
- Backwaters of Kasargod
Famous for Backwater, Kasargod is a very
popular destination for its location. With the Sea to the West and
Western Ghats to the North and East, Kasargod is the northern-most
district of Kerala. Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba are the two main
Cruise option in Kerala and are both accessible from Kasargod making
it one of the most visited backwater destination in the region.
- Backwaters of Kollam
Kollam is 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.
- Backwaters of Kottayam
Kottayam, among the states more
mountainous districts, provides some of Keralas finest natural
scenes, sandwiched as it is between serene palm-fringed backwaters
on the west and the Western ghats on the east. Much of this beauty
is laid out in all its glory along the road which winds from
Kottayam to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady through
plantations of rubber, tea, coffee and pepper.
- Backwaters of Kozhikode
Kozhikode was once the capital of the
powerful Zamorins, a prominent trade and commerce centre and the
land of the Malabar Mahotsavam, now became the most important region
of Malabar in the days gone by.
- Backwaters of Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands
on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the
Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14
acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's
paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild
duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live.
- Backwaters
of Thiruvananthapuram
The southernmost district of the
State, Thiruvananthapuram is bounded by the wooded highlands of the
Western Ghats on the east and northeast, and the Arabian Sea on the
west. A long shoreline, with secluded, internationally renowned
beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural
heritage give this district some of the most enchanting picnic
spots.