House Boat or Kettuvallom

Boat cruises have alway been a great attraction for all, as they take one on the wonderful journey of a beautiful countryside. Usually the boat cruises are offered in rivers or lakes and last for one or two hour. However, if you can spend the night over a boat sailing in the waters with all luxurious amenities, it would be a thrilling experience. Practically it seems not possible, but it’s true such services are available in Kerala. Called as house boat or ‘Kettuvallam’, the boats are constructed like floating houses.

A houseboat cruise across the Kerala backwaters is a fantastic, unforgettable experience. In fact, houseboat cruising on the backwaters of Kerala draw visitors from all over the world. Most of the houseboat offer the stat hotel’s facilities like furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling.. Houseboat are also ideal for romantic vacation especially honeymooners. A cruise on the houseboat takes you close to mother nature and you can experience the nature at its best. Besides, while cruising you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala. So, plan a trip this monsoon to enjoy a tranquil vacation across the Kerala backwaters.

About Houseboat
Originally today’s luxurious houseboats are Kettuvalloms of olden times, used to carry tonnes of rice and spices from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. A portion of the the houseboat was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the on board. Meals would be cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Even today, the tradition is continue and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad localities, to the people on board.

Natural products are used for manufacture of houseboat that include bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the aracanut tree, wood of coconut trees and coir for beds. For lighting in the houseboats, solar panels are used. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - are also used by large groups of sight-seers.

However, the arrival of trucks replaced the houseboats as mode of transport and it seemed that the boats would be not longer in use. Thanks to some one who thought about the another use of houseboats and made a special attraction for tourists. Special rooms were created to accommodate travelers and boast cruises were offered to them. Now the houseboat are a familiar sight on the backwaters of Kerala. In fact, in Alleppey alone, there are as many as 120 houseboats.

For more information visit http://www.vacationsindia.com/kerala/backwaters/

Kerala Backwaters

Backwaters are one of the special features of God's own country, Kerala and draws large number of tourists every year. Formed years ago due to water from sea waves, the backwaters regions are present in the form of lagoons, lakes and estuaries. Backwaters are situated essentially close to the sea, which maintain the water levels is the water bodies. Monsoon rains also contribute in the water levels maintained by them. Kerala is home to 44 rivers which are intricately connected by a network of canals. These canals and waterways can be best explored by massive houseboats which is once in a lifetime experience.

Kerala backwaters are lined up with lush vegetation including coconut and palm groves, supporting aquatic life and many bird species. While cruising, you can see bird species and many fishing communities that derive their primary source of food and income from these backwaters. Some of the popular backwaters of the state are :

Alappuzha Backwaters : Also called Alleppey, Alappuzha is loosely referred to as the backwater capital of Kerala. A charming backwaters destination, Alappuzha is criss-crossed by an intricate system of canals and waterways. In fact, Alleppey looks like a water world interspersed with small islands and land holdings, dotted with palm groves.

Alappuzha backwaters can be best experienced through houseboat, which apart from accommodation provides catering services and other services on board. Besides, Boat Cruises are the most popular activities at the Alappuzha Backwaters. Here, you can see people boarding the jetty boats for an exploratory trip. The boats take the people on board to popular attractions such as Ambalapuzha Temple, Kuttanad, Champakulam Church etc.

Kochi Backwaters : Kochi or Cochin is also one of the most popular backwater destinations in Kerala. Also called the commercial capital of Kerala, Kochi is visited by large number of tourists who enjoy the backwater trips as well. Kochi is home to a number heritage structures built by Portuguese, Dutch and British, which can be covered by backwater cruise. One can go for backwater cruise which passes through famous islands such as Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The backwater stretch in Kochi is very impressive as the palm groves lining up the banks and spread over the islands. Apart from backwaters other attractions in Kochi include Mattancherry Palace, St.Francis Church, Marine Drive, Fort Kochi Beach and Shiva Temple.

Kollam Backwaters : A coastline district, Kollam is situated around 71 kms from Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Kollam is home to famous Ashtamudi lake which is intricately spread out into canals and channels. In addition to lake the place is also known for the backwaters. Kollam is the starting point for the 8hours long boat trip to Aleppey. The boat trip provides a close look of some great backwater destinations of Kerala. En-route you will see plentiful panoramic sceneries, bird and also explore into lives of some ancient fishing communities.

Kozhikode Backwaters : Earlier known as Calicut, Kozhikode is an important city located in north Kerala. Highlights of Kozhikode include historic buildings, golden beaches and the ubiquitous backwaters. In Kozhikode the canals and water channels are fed by the Arabian sea. The place has an extended network of rivers and lagoons which provide excellent opportunities for some exciting boat cruises. Here a number of islands stand stranded out by the backwaters, inhabited by huge population of birds.

The Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is one such place at Kozhikode, where you can see variety of bird species. The Ashtamudi Lake is intricately woven into a network of canals and waterways that provide for the backwater cruise. Several beautiful islands are located within these backwater regions. The backwaters at Kozhikode are placid and the traffic is light. A boat cruise along these islands in once in a lifetime experience. Kozhikode Beach, Museum and art gallery and Planetarium are other attraction in Kozhikode.

Kumarakom Backwaters : A small village, Kumarakom is set on the banks of Vembanad lake, one of the famous backwater destination in Kerala. Popularly known as Kuttanad backwaters, the backwaters look quite beautiful with placid water, mangrove and coconut plantation on the banks and clear sky around. Besides, bird sanctuary spread over 14 acres add more to the charm of the backwaters. A boat cruise across the Kumarako backwater is a unique experience and it is full of delights and surprises all through the way.

To know more about this wonderful experience you can visit to http://kerala.south-india-tourism.com/kerala-backwater/

Monsoon calling visitors to Kerala

So the Monsoon is knocking the door of India and refreshing shower is also received at many places across the country. Monsoon, oohhhhhhh, whenever we pronounce this word, it feels our mind and body with new energy and every time our urge increases to experience it ourselves. God’s own country Kerala, becomes more beautiful in during monsoon and attract honeymooners and common travellers from across the globe.

If the word Monsoon and its unique experience have lured you, then don’t wait, just pull out one or two weeks vacation from your busy schedule this monsoon and head straight towards Kerala. Blessed with natural beauty, Kerala beckons tourists in the monsoons for a fantastic vacation. Here in Kerala you can refresh yourself in the invigorating monsoon rain or luxuriate in the simplest of pleasures in exotic resorts or gaze at the spectacle of caparisoned elephants or even enjoy a joy ride atop one. Besides, tranquil backwaters, clean beaches, rich and varied wildlife and colourful festivals altogether make Kerala an unparalleled tourist destination.

Personally I suggest you to combine monsoon and Ayurveda, and you will return home with never before experience. Acccording to Ayurveda practitioners, the soothing monsoon season from June to October is the best time for Ayurveda. Experts say, during monsoon the body remains most receptive to the therapeutic and restorative powers of herbs and oil. Hence, an Ayurveda vacation to Kerala in the moonsoon is the best way to refresh, rejuvenate, replenish and renew your body and soul.

Kerala’s pleasant climate and natural abundance of forests make it a perfect destination for Ayurveda treatments. In fact, Kerala is the only place in the world, where the 5,000 year old healthcare system is practiced with absolute authenticity and dedication.

During monsoon Kerala Tourism organises several innovating programmes like ‘Rainwalks’ in Trivandrum and Fort Kochi. In Trivandrum, the tour takes you along the heritage area of East Fort dotted with old forts, palaces and temples. The monsoon showers will provide the perfect background to unveil the story of a unique town set around centuries-old temple having its own culture and distinct way of life. Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala lurer travellers to her shores. Here tree-lined avenues and quaint little lanes house the many treasures left behind by the Dutch, Portuguese, Chines and the British. Fort Kochi’s rich legacy can be best experienced with rainwalks.

Monsoon Holiday Packages for Kerala are offered by travel agents that covers almost all major and minor tourist destinations of the state. Most packages are aimed to suit both domestic and foreign tourists with a wide range of options to choose from. So, book a monsoon tour package, move to Kerala to rejoice in the rains with your dear ones.