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When you hear the name Kerala, what comes to your mind first? The lush greenery, the backwaters and the Kerala houseboats would be among your thoughts. Kerala backwaters and houseboats have captured a major portion of the tourism market in Kerala.
It is no wonder that tourists flock to Kerala from India and around the globe to experience the much talked-about houseboat tour in Kerala. These network of canals that are spread across kilometres of waterways across Kerala pave the way for a beautiful experience for travellers in God's Own Country.
Kerala is popular for its backwaters and travel agents are emerging at every nook and corner gathering business to the already flourishing tourism industry in Kerala. This is a guide to those who have never in life experienced a tour to these houseboats in Kerala. Here's why Kerala still manages to be the best in terms of tourism in India.
Alleppey
Alleppey is one of the places that are popular for backwater tours. You can take a day's cruise or a package for an overnight stay. Most of the backwater tours start from Alleppey.
Photo Courtesy: McKay Savage
A Refreshing Experience
A few hours spent in a houseboat is a beautiful experience. Floating along the serene stretch of the backwaters enjoying and marvelling the beauty of mother nature is better experienced than written.
Photo Courtesy: McKay Savage
The Journey
The cruises here travel through the Punnamada Lake that's venue to the famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race. There are many other routes to cruise from Alleppey.
Alleppey to Alleppey
One of the most popular cruises offered is from Alleppey to Alleppey which is an overnight stay at a houseboat. The boat passes through Punnamada Lake and stays at Vattakayal Lake through the night, taking its ride back to Alleppey the next morning.
Photo Courtesy: McKay Savage
Alleppey to Kumarakom
How about travelling from the famous Alleppey backwaters to the sleeping yet serene backwaters of Kumarakom? This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you get pampered by nature and its hypnotic music.
Watch the birds as you travel
If you love watching birds, there could be nothing better than taking a backwater cruise from Alleppey to Kumarakom. Resident and migratory birds can fill your journey with life.
Photo Courtesy: Amog
Alleppey to Kottayam
Another route that can be covered on a cruise is from Alleppey to Kottayam. This route takes you to get a glimpse of the lives of toddy tappers and farmers who make a living here.
Photo Courtesy: Srikumar Venugopal
Alleppey to Thottappally
You probably wouldn't have heard about Thottappally and maybe that's what makes it unique too. Thottappally is a haven in itself with its carpeted paddy fields and coconut lagoons. This cruise route also takes you to some of the attractions like the Ambalappuzha temple (where the prasad 'Ambalappuzha payasam' is popular for its taste), Champakkulam Church, Vembanad Lake and Pathiramanal.
Photo Courtesy: Ramesh NG
Alleppey to Mankotta
This journey again takes you through Punnamada Lake, but to Mankotta where you can visit a village that makes its living making coir.
Photo Courtesy:Classiccruisekerala
Alleppey to Alumkadavu
Visit the birthplace of the houseboats. A houseboat is called a 'kettuvallam' in Malayalam. These kettuvallams took birth in Alumkadavu. A cruise to this land is a rewarding experience in itself where you can watch the houseboats being built.
Photo Courtesy: Lenish
Authentic Keralite Cuisine
There are people who come to these houseboats over and over again only to have some good food! Such is the taste of the typical Keralite dishes prepared by the cooks on board. Your personal preferences also are taken into consideration when it comes to the choice of dishes.
Hospitality
There are various agencies that conduct houseboat tours in Kerala. A trademark of all of them is their friendly nature. You just feel like at home: comfortable, pampered and lost in nature!
Photo Courtesy: Jithraj1
