| The magical land of Kerala is best known for its | | | | The kettuvallams (traditional houseboats) are one |
| pristine water bodies sprinkled throughout the | | | | of the main highlights of tours to Kerala. These |
| region. The land of Kerala, located on the shores | | | | houseboats were originally constructed by binding |
| of Arabian Sea has a long coastline and is further | | | | huge chunks of wood together and without using |
| embellished with numerous lakes, lagoons and | | | | even a single nail. These long boats were |
| backwaters. These tributaries spread across have | | | | traditionally used to transport rice and were |
| laced the state with beautiful panorama and | | | | simple establishments made with thatched roofs |
| verdant environs. Kerala tours are all about | | | | and wooden hulls. These houseboats were later |
| backwaters and traversing through the region on | | | | redesigned to promote tourism mainly. Kerala |
| traditional houseboats is one of the essentials. | | | | houseboats have now emerged as luxury floating |
| These houseboats ride also avail opportunity to | | | | cottages with a sleeping area, dining area, |
| explore the culture and lifestyle of the locals. | | | | attached bath, a spacious deck and more. These |
| Gliding through the crystal clear waters with palm | | | | houseboats are huge, slow moving boats apt for |
| groves shading the way and nothing, but the | | | | leisure travelling. These are well decked with all |
| sounds of water rippling and birds singing echoing | | | | the amenities of the modern age including |
| the ambiance, the scenery is captivating. A Kerala | | | | air-conditioning, mini bar, telephone and more. Also, |
| tour package thus is an experience of a lifetime | | | | for the traveller on a roll these houseboats are |
| and must be coupled with a pleasure ride on | | | | replete with an on board staff to cook meals and |
| backwaters. | | | | to navigate the boat. Therefore in the end the |
| Origin and Expanse | | | | tourist is availed with a hassle free Kerala touring |
| The Kerala backwaters are a cluster of brackish | | | | experience. |
| lagoons and lakes situated parallel to Arabian Sea | | | | These houseboats are available in various sizes |
| in Kerala. The network of these backwaters is | | | | and for those on a short trip to Kerala exploring |
| fed by 38 rivers and was formed with the | | | | backwaters are also possible via ferries. About |
| freshwater of rivers meeting with the sea water. | | | | 400 kettuvallams ply the Alappuzha backwaters |
| These beauteous backwaters are also home to | | | | which makes the region the best place to enjoy |
| various aquatic creatures such as crabs, frogs, | | | | the houseboat action. Other than these |
| water birds such as terns, darters, kingfishers and | | | | houseboats, Alappuzha is also an ideal location to |
| more. The backwaters are decked with extensive | | | | witness the spectacular water carnival that the |
| foliage of palm trees, shrubs, pandanus and | | | | region hosts during the festival of Onam in the |
| various other leafy plants. | | | | month of August. The region hosts the much |
| The backwaters are spread across the state | | | | awaited Snake Boat Races as part of customary |
| which includes the regions of Kollam, Alappuzha, | | | | and to pay tribute to Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to |
| Kuttanad, Kottayam, Munroe Island, Kasargod, | | | | the place. On the beating of drums hundreds of |
| Thiruvallam and Kozhikode. Amongst these some | | | | rowers ply the backwaters at Alappuzha and the |
| of the most popular backwater destinations are: | | | | entire event is considered one of the rages of |
| Houseboat Ride | | | | Kerala tours. |