Kerala Backwaters and Kerala Houseboat Tour

Kerela Backwaters and Kerela Houseboat Tours are gaining much popularity amongst tourists of the world coming to Kerela. The video on the left taken by one such tourist gives you an idea of a Kerela Houseboat tour in the Backwaters of Kerela.

Kerela backwaters are a chain of large lakes linked by canals, both man-made and natural. Almost 40 rivers empty into the backwaters and the backwaters are connected to the sea. Water from the the backwaters, either empty into the sea or there is reverse flow depending on the tide. Dams or Bunds as they are called locally are built across some places in the backwaters in order to prevent saltwater entry, thus preserving the freshwater for use in agriculture and domestic use. One such bund has been constructed at Thanneermukkom on the road to Kumarakom from Cochin. The Thanneermukkom Bund has helped farmers of Kuttanad to grow rice on lands below sea level.

The Backwaters of Kerela extend almost the full length of Kerela. These large lakes has been used from time immemorial to transport cargo and people throughout the State. Now these lakes are the biggest tourist attraction of Kerela with thousands of visitors coming to Keral to enjoy the beauty of the Backwaters with an Houseboat Cruise.

The main backwater lakes of Kerela are Vembanad Backwater or 'Kayal' as it is known locally, Ashtamudi Kayal, Vembanad Backwater is the largest of the backwater lake bordered by the tourist destinations of Kerela - Alappuzha or Alleppey, Kumarakom, Fort Cochin, Ernakulam. The port of Cochin / Kochi is at the outlet or estuary of the Vembanad backwater into the Arabian sea. Alapuzha or Alleppey, known as the "Venice of the East", due to its large network of canals crisscrossing the town, is the most popular place to hire House boat trips. Kumarakom has many hotels and resorts and is the place to enjoy a relaxed stay.

The Best place to hire a Kerela Houseboat is in Alleppey and the best Kerela Backwater Hotels and Resorts are in Kumarakom

For Our Recommended HouseBoat Cruise Contact River and Country Tours