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Backwaters in Kerala

The backwaters in Kerala are the most enchanting features of Kerala. Backwaters are formed by the accumulation of Sea water at the beach by the to and fro motion of the waves. They are usually formed in the form of lagoons, lakes and estuaries.

The Backwaters in Kerala is an esquisite network of canals, lakes, lagoons and deltas of about 44 rivers emptying into the Arabian Sea. The main mode of transport on these backwaters is through houseboats as more than 900km of this water world is navigable.

	The Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater strech in Kerala measuring 83 km long, and flows through three districts before reaching the Sea at the Kochi port. The Ashtamudi Lake, meaning, having eight arms, is the second largest strech and is the gateway to the Backwaters.
These lagoons and the Kayamkulam Lake were formed in 1866 A.D, when the great flood silted up the old harbours. These backwaters in keralahave become highways between the interior land and the Sea.

The backwaters in Kerala plays a major role in the Kerala Tourism industry. It has become one of the 50 must see places in the world. Enjoying a cruise in these backwaters is not to be missed, as it leaves you feeling fully rejenuvated.

The banks of these backwaters in kerala are the most enchanting picnic spots.

	The best way of experiencing the beauty of the backwaters in kerala is to cruise along either in a rented boat, a canoe or in Houseboats which are specifically for tourists.The extra ordinary houseboats, or Kettuvalloms as they are natively called, are giant boats measuring around 80 feet in length.
They are constructed by tying wooden planks together with ropes made of coir(coconut husk) without using a single nail. To cater to the tourism industry, these Kettuvallams have been made more luxurious with one or two bedrooms with attached bath, an open lounge, a deck and a crew of three consisting of a cook, an oarsman and a guide. Dormitary services are also available for tourists.