Backwater - Photo Gallery 
Think of the gorgeous greens, the canopies of coconuts, the bedazzling blues, balmy beaches and the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters. Welcome to God's Own Country, Kerala. The entire journey is a moving picture with beauty of nature at its best. The backwaters formed the unique way of travelling in the past. To date it is efficiently used as a means to transport men and material. The land of the green and the serene, Kerala, offers an amazing array of the backwaters. The breathtakingly beautiful destinations are true storehouses of nature at its best. The coconut trees provide an apt backdrop and perhaps the tourists can even eavesdrop on the strains of an oarsman's song. The splendid sunsets, the waxing moonlights, the shoals of ducks, the pulsating palms and the wonderful waves make the backwater destinations the most sought after in kaleidoscopic Kerala.
Your holiday
in the backwaters of India will be bewitching. It is the
houseboat trip along the backwaters that makes the tour complete. The 'kettuvallams
' or the traditional houseboats offer the best possible accommodation. The slow yet steady sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals is mesmerising. The backwater tour is a fascinating experience to wander from village to village, learn how the village economy functions, and watch coir making, boat building, toddy tapping and fish farming. Some of the best village tours operate out of Kochi, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. On the backwaters you have major towns too. It will make you feel that India is all about snake boats and lazy cruises. Your backwater odyssey will have twittering kingfishers, eye-catching cormorants and gliding ducks.
The coastline of Kerala is dotted with delightful backwater destinations. The 'Venice of the East' Alappuzha, with its lovely lakes, lagoons and the freshwater rivers, will not fail to sweep you off your feet. The variant village cruises to the coconut plantations and the coir villages of Kochi will captivate you entirely. The capital city of Thiruvananthapuram on one hand is a major centre for tourists, politics and industries; while at the same time its soothing shoreline, beautiful beaches and the backwater stretches make it terrific. The backwater destination of Thiruvallam makes for a great one-day tour from Thiruvananthapuram. At Thiruvallam you may indulge in the canoe rides, participate in the water sports at the lagoon or simply bask on the beach. Situated on Lake Vembanad, the backwater destination of Kumarakom offers unparalleled boating, fishing and sightseeing opportunities. Adjacent to Kumarakom are the charming backwaters of Kottayam with paddy fields, rubber plantations and the highlands. Kottayam is renowned as the land of letters, latex and lakes. The gateway to the backwaters of Kerala is the spectacular cashew town of Kollam. The longest backwater cruise commences from Kollam and ends at Alappuzha. The backwater destination of Kasaragod with the Pallikere and the Kappil beaches, the day trips to a chain of forts at Chandagiri, alongwith breathtaking views of the backwaters of Valiyaparamba is worth a visit. Quilon is nestled among cashew plantations and red-roofed wooden houses set among winding streets. It has Portuguese, and Dutch and English influences. The boat cruise here takes you through the cashew-processing factories. There are lots of birds to watch out for. You can tickle your taste buds with some sumptuous seafood as well.
The magic of the mystical backwaters works on one and all. Though you may plan your backwater tour to Kerala anytime of the year, the best time for cruising is from October to March. Casual clothes in cotton are best suited for the trip. On your way back home do not forget to pick up the best buys being offered by the region, ranging from carved wooden elephant souvenirs to assorted handicrafts like bell-metal products, coir goods, sandalwood, brass and wooden items, conch shells, paintings and masks.
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