Kollam backwater and Munroe Island
The south western state of the Indian subcontinent known as Kerala is home to one of the most beautiful places on earth. The silent Desinganadu kayal , the swaying palms, golden beaches, long coast lines, undulating luscious tea gardens, the magnificent Western Ghats etc make this state a grand one to visit. With a huge variety in the landforms the state is one which will never cease to amaze you. However it is not just the landforms that make this state an utterly interesting one to visit, the people and their culture are equally flamboyant and grand.
The port of Kollam has seen a lot of traders ranging from the British, Chinese, Arabs, Dutch, French and even Romans. With such a strong historical background of trade, walking down the streets of the town one can find the traces of the traders left behind in the form of architecture, language and souvenir shops. A simple stroll along the streets of the town will send you reeling back to the historical times of the golden trading age.Out of the many places that one can holiday in the state that is known as “Gods Own Country” Kollam is a town that makes quite laid back holiday. The town is an old sea port town and is located on the banks of the Asthamudi Lake. This town is a historical town with much history being connected to the trading affairs of the past and had gained quite a name in being one of the famed ports in ancient India. It is not only the history that makes the town of Kollam a great holiday destination but the things to do and see within its vicinity adds charm to it. The beaches of this quaint town are wonderful places to spend your mesmerizing evenings with your loved ones or great places to immerse yourself in thoughts. The Palaruvi falls with its streaming waterfalls that comes rolling trough the crags and slipping down the almost vertical wall of rock is a sight that will amaze you. Other than the waterfall and the beaches the lighthouse, the lake and the backwaters make a holiday here a great one.
Munroe islands
However amongst the many places that you can spend your time in Munroe islands is one of the best destinations to visit when in the state. The confluence of the Kallada River and the Asthamudi Lake has created the island and can be accessed by road, rail and backwaters. A visit to this island will be an escape into the almost surreal place filled with peace and quiet. The activities that one can do in this island are leisure filled activities such as fishing, bird watching, visiting coconut farms, taking boat or canoe rides along the lagoons and canals etc. If you are traveling during the festive season of Onam or days after it then you may be able to get a glimpse of the famed Kallada boat race. This race takes place 28 days after Onam and is a grand competition between the long snake boats.As Kerala is known to be the spice capital of the country when one visits the state one should not miss out on visiting the spice markets to try out the exotic flavours. Other than the spices the town is widely known for its cashews, so when there do try out the different types of cashews found there.All in all a vacation in the spice kingdom of India would be an incomplete one if the place from where all the spices were launched into the world is not visited. So make it a point to visit the old port town and soak in a bit of the history along with sun at its shores.Kumarakom Backwater
Kumarakom 52 km away from the Cochin Airport is one of the major backwater destinations in Kerala. It is a cluster of small Islands on the Vembanad Lake. It offers a houseboat opportunity which is worth experiencing once in your entire life. Kumarakom has been the top honeymoon destinations and well known among the newlywed couples. We are the renowned tour and travel operators approved by the government of India tourism. We offer one of the finest honeymoon packages to our clients. You can book your Kumarakom packages which are available now in affordable costs up to super deluxe. It is a great opportunity for you to explore the beauty of natural Lakes and the scenery of the nature. The perfect ambiance of environment captivates a huge numbers of tourists across the world.Kumarakom backwater is a paradise to Kerala and it plays a vital role in Kerala tourism. The mesmerizing backwater tour includes all types of facilities like, accommodations, boat journey through the Alleppey and Kumarakom and it is heartily accepted by the lovers. The boat offers a flowered bedroom, candle light dinner and it provides the top safety and privacy which is must during your vacation. A voyage on a boat takes you through the large canals, lagoons and waterways. Our packages have certain duration of time such as 4 days 5 nights, 7 days 8 nights and can be extended up to two weeks. You can explore many sightseeing around the places which takes your breath away. Kerala is highly known for houseboat tours. Houseboat in Kerala is the major key of tourist attractions in God’s own country. The boats are also known as “Kettuvallams” and a cruise on Kettuvallams gives you a holiday experience of lifetime. Spending your weekends in Kerala is vast different from other destinations. It gives a unique holiday experience.So quickly arrange a trip to gods own country now!.
Kumarakom
This is one of the most beautiful regions of this place. Situated on the Vembanad Lake and filled with beautiful mangrove forests, lush green paddy fields, swaying coconut grooves, and enchanting backwaters, this small heavenly patch of land is a paradise for nature lover. It is a perfect place for ayurvedic massages, yoga, and meditation and water activities like fishing, boating and swimming.
Vembanad Lake
This lake is the biggest Jewel in the crown of Kottayam and stretches for 83.72 kms in length and 14.48 kms in breadth. It is the most popular back water tourism destination in the whole of the state. You will find great houseboats in here where you can take a beautiful cruise along the backwaters and also use as means of accommodation. They are fully equipped with all the facilities to make your stay beautiful and comfortable. The boat races out here are also a major attraction.
Bird sanctuary
Elaveezhapoonhira
It is a small hill station which is gaining more prominence as a tourist spot. It has some historical connections with Mahabharata and is now being developed as a tourist spot. It’s a great place to have some quite evenings holiday to unwind and relax.
Poonjar palace
This palace gives a vivid testimony of the glorious past of this region. You will find various artefacts and furniture related to the past in this palace which will give you an idea as to how developed and advanced this region has been since beginning.There are multiple ways of reaching this place. The nearest railway station is at Kottayam and the nearest air port is at Kochi, the Nedum Bassery airport. Besides that it has multiple national highways and other roads connecting it to the different parts of the state and the country. Hence an efficient and effective means of transportation has given it a further boost to the tourism sector in this region. Houseboat in Kerala and China
Houseboat by name itself means a boat that is used by people to live. It was primarily designed for human dwelling. Houseboats can be found in many countries such as India, China, Australia, Canada, Germany, Serbia, Laos, etc. Houseboats in India are most commonly found in the southern state of India, Kerala which has been attracting travellers from around the world for over many decades now. It has beautiful hill stations, sea white washed beaches, resorts and so on. However, the houseboat in the backwaters marks Kerala as one of its own kind in the whole of India. It’s called kettuvallam locally. Traditionally in this coconut growing state houseboats were used to transport goods and commodities, especially rice and spices. It was also an important means of transport since it was useful in traveling to inaccessible areas. The royal families of the region used it permanently to spend leisure time away from the palaces.
Houseboat in kerala
These kettuvallams are made up of planks of jack – wood joined together by coir, which locally means rope. Not even a single nail was used. But with time passing, and over the years modern technology gaining its control over humans, the traditional houseboats were outnumbered by the new motor engines. However, the local people still make an effort to keep the traditional houseboats alive. Earlier there used to be one big room to sleep and a small room for kitchen and bathroom in a kettuvallam but now an additional room is built so that tourists can relax there. The fresh fish caught from underneath the boat is cooked for meals. This gives a real Kerala feel to the tourists and thereby keeps the old boats alive.
Houseboat in China
Houseboats are also found in China, especially in the modern city of Hongkong. In the Aberdeen harbor there are numerous houseboats with a total population of 6000 people there. In ancient times, Tanka, a community in Hongkong came to this city around 7-8th century. They started living in the boats permanently ever since then. Tankas who are also called the boat people lived on junks and primarily survived fishing from the houseboat. Over the years due to the increase in the fishing industry many Tankas live onshore and use houseboat only during the day. Only the older generations still inhabit them full time. Sometimes travellers are allowed to stay in the houseboat for a day or two on special request but such a thing is not tourism oriented. Unlike in Kerala these houseboats in China are now used mainly for fishing purpose and not otherwise.Thus, houseboats in Kerala are used to promote tourism and therefore are in better shape and standard. Some of them are very luxurious which comes with soft sofas, bathroom, and kitchen with a cook as few prime facilities. For information about houseboats in gods own country, visit now!
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On the other hand, houseboats in China are not meant to entertain the tourists but are used solely for fishery and thus are not luxurious with bare minimal facilities and are not of very high standard. Houseboats are thus of different use in two different countries and yet they are doing well equally.Backwaters of Kerala
Backwaters of the god’s own country are a part of a river where the river remains stagnant. It is very well known among the tourists and has played an important role in Kerala tourism. The backwaters are truly captivating and carry thousands of tourists from every nook of the world through the weekend. They are the chain of brackish lagoons stretched to the Malabar coasts. It is a promoting destination of the state and remains to be the most visited place by the tourists, especially by the honeymooners. The backwaters are popular around the world and known for its peacefulness and amazement. Being the state in coastal regions it has a network of waterways, lakes, natural canals and inlets from the sea. These interlinked bodies of the waterways are known to be the enchanting backwaters of Kerala.The backwater tourism offers a boat cruise which lets you to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala backwaters. A voyage takes you through the large canals, lagoons, lush green paddy fields and many historical towns. It is a unique ecosystem. You can have a gorgeous view of the amazing flora and fauna during your tour. During the past days these waterways used to serve the local people for their transportation and carrying goods. There are numbers of backwater destination named as Alleppey, Kuttanad, Kumarakom, Kotttayam, Kasargod, Kozhikode and Kollam.
These are the one stop destinations for the romantic couples. Each of them features their own specialty and charm. The major attractions of these destinations are the houseboats, which is also locally called as “Kettuvallam”. The boats are fully decorated in traditional ways and well equipped with modern designs. All kinds of needs and requirements are been provided in the boat. They are of great comfort and adorable. You can experience all the high class services one at a time. The boats are well organized. A visit is must where you can spend your best moment with your loved one and is also a wonderful opportunity for you to experience the real taste of Kerala. Lovingly called as the paradise of the south, the state never steps back in presenting its breath taking attractions.
Luxurious hotels in Alleppey
A backwater is one among them which takes your breath away in a second. It is not only the Kettuvallam that you explore during your tour to backwaters; there are many other attractions apart like luxurious hotels and resorts. You have a wide option for your stay. There are various categories hotels and resorts which you can book according to your budget. The choice is yours.
Houseboat in Alleppey
A tour to all the above mentioned destinations is an opportunity for you to experience snake boat races, holiday of a lifetime, historical monuments and many more.If you have never ever been to such an enchanting destination than hurry, pack your bags, fill up your wallets and get go on. Do nothesitate to make a unique relationship with your Kerala backwaters which you will cherish in your while life. If you are willing to make your tour to backwaters, than it is best to avoid monsoon seasons. The best time to make your travel is between the months of August and May. If you are ready ,then start an exotic backwater trip to gods own country now.All Backwaters Location In Kerala(Kollam, Kuttanad, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Kasargode, Munroe Island, Thiruvallom, Kozhikode)
As the state is quite a large one there are many places to visit and explore. However the main attractions that have given the state its stature are:-
Kollam-
Also known by the earlier name of Quilon; it is a great place to start ones tour of Kerala. This place in the olden days was one of the busiest trade centres in the entire country. Travel logs of famous travellers such as Macro polo and Ibn Battuta have this place mentioned. The backwaters of this particular place are famed as it is the starting point of the backwater waterways and the main highlight is the 8 hour cruise from here till Alappuzha. Other places of interest here would be the Sasthamcotta Kayal which is a fresh water lake and the Thangasseri Fort.
Kuttanad- the area is comprised mainly of paddy fields that are connected by the waterways of backwaters, canals, rivers and lakes. A visit to this place is appeasing to ones eye and you can get an idea of the rural life in Kerala.
Alappuzha- the best way to reach this place is by taking the 8 hour cruise from Kollam. The cruise till here along the backwaters provides you with so much natural beauty and splendour that you may tire out but there still remains much beauty to be seen. This is the place that won over the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon’s heart thus naming it Venice of the East. If you are lucky enough to travel during the month of August-September then you will get to witness one of the grandest boat races in your entire life. Other than the backwaters Pathiramanal Island is a place that you should definitely visit.
Kumarakom- the main highlight of this cluster of islands on the Vembanad Kayal/Lake is its resorts. One can tour the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake which unlike the other emerald backwaters is blue in color.
Kasargode- this place is located towards the northern region of the state and is surrounded by the Western Ghats on the East and North while the western part opens up to the Arabian Sea. The place is most known for its scenic landscape, rice cultivation and coir processing. Also to see here is the historic Chandragiri fort which is located at a distance of 4 kilometres from town. The backwater tour that one can take here are Valiyaparamba and Chandragiri.
Kasargode
Munroe Island- this place is great for bird watching as the place is a well known haunt for birds such as the kingfisher, Bee eater, egret, crow pheasant, wood peckers etc. There are also spice plantations here.
Munroe Island
Thiruvallom-this is a recently upcoming backwater destination. The canoe rides along the backwaters are really popular here. Other than this the nearby Veli lagoon is a popular water activity related destination.
Thiruvallom
Kozhikode- also known as Calicut is a destination that has not been properly explored by the tourists thus making it a bag of surprises.These above mentioned backwater destinations will be more than enough to quench ones thirst of Venice backwaters. So pack your bags and head out to the Venice of the east.
Kozhikode
Kavvayi Island
Islands have always been beautiful places be it small or large. The idea of a piece of land surrounded by water on all sides has always intrigued mankind. They are something exotic and usually associated with romantic getaways. The country of India though a peninsular one has a few islands to its name. Out of the few islands that fall under the jurisdiction of India island in Ganges of the South is one. This island is a small one and is located near Payyannur that comes under the Kannur district of Kerala.The island was originally known as Kavvil Pattanam but was later named Kavvayi by the then district collector of the area Sir William Hogan. The island has quite a historical significance as it was the headquarters for an area of 320 km2 till the British East India Company rule. The island housed a large port and a magistrate court too. The port must have been quite a busy and well known one during its glory days for it has been mentioned in many of the world’s famous traveller’s logs. Some of the famed travellers who have mentioned the island in their travel logs are Abdul Fida 1273 AD, Marco Polo 1293 AD and Ibn Battuta 1342 AD. The island seems to have lost its charm once the headquarters was shifted to other parts of Malabar for after the change there isn’t much mention of the island.
The island is connected to Payyannur with the help of a small bridge on the river of Kavvayi which is locally known as Kavvayi Pohza. The island is a great getaway for those seeking a quiet time and relaxing on their own or with their partner. The island is surrounded by other smaller islands called “kadappurams” which can be accessed by small boats or traditional “thonis”. The island is also known for its backwaters and wetlands. Ecotourism can be done on these backwaters and wetlands for the variety of flora and fauna that once can come across here is quite significant. A sight that one will definitely not forget when touring the backwaters of the island is the small and big islands nearly about 6 to 7 in number amidst the backwaters itself. As all islands are great to walk along the shores same is the case with this island. Also one can get into the traditional boats and go a bit off the island where the waves rock you gently. The breeze that one catches while on the traditional boats is really refreshing. To make the most of the sights to be seen at Kavvayi Island one can take a boat ride from Kotti to Kottappuram.One can gain access to the island by means of railway, roadway and by air. The nearest station is that of Payyannur and lies almost 4 kilometres away. The roadways that connect it depend on the city that one would be traveling from. Travelling from the nearby cities of Bangalore, Mangalore, Calicut etc take somewhere between 3-8 hours. The nearest airport is at Karipur, Kozhikode which is at a distance of about 93 kilometres.
