Innumerable Lagoons, Lakes, Canals, Estuaries and the Deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 Km backwater network of Kerala. The backwaters mainly cover four districts of the state - “Kollam”, “Alappuzha”, “Kottayam” and “ Kochi ”. The largest backwater body, the Vembanad Lake flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port. The Ashtamudi Lake , the second largest backwater stretch, offers the largest ride (eight hours) and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

In the southern most district of Trivandrum there is Thiruvallam.This serene backwater stretch, en-route to Kovalam, is famous for its canoe rides. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala is located here. Cochin , popularly known as “The Queen of the Arabian Sea” is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake . Half the fun of visiting Cochin is going about in the local ferries. A conducted cruise through the winding waterways will take you to several quaint spots. Kozhikode , once the capital of the powerful Zamorins has unexplored and up spoilt backwaters which holds great promises of enchanting holiday options. “Elathur”, “The Canoli Canal” and “The Kallai River” are favorite places for boating.

Houseboat (Kettuvallams)
A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, Water lilies, Lush paddy fields, Coir villages, Rustic homes, Temples and Coconut groves.

Traditionally, the houseboat was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir and rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells.

Today these giant 80-foot long crafts once used as goods carriers have been adopted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A Kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising, oarsmen, a cook and guide.