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The
lagoons, lakes, canals and rivers are lined up with dense tropical
vegetation on either side. It is a breathtaking bout to experience a
solitary and calm glide through this network of waterways.
 The
backwaters form a specially attractive and economically valuable
feature of Kerala. They include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch
irregularly along the coast. The biggest backwater is the Vembabad
lake, some 200 sq kilometers in area, which opens out into the
Arabian Sea at Cochin port. The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil,
Meenachil and Moovattupuzha rivers drain into this lake. Veli,
Kadhinamkulam, Anjengo (Anju Thengu), Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor,
Ashtamudi (in Kollam Dist.) Kayamkulam, Kodungallur (in Trissur
Dist) and Chetuva are some of the other places where you may go for
backwater cruising. The backwaters of Kerala stretch over 1900
Kilometers, providing drinking water and irrigation facilities.
Trivandrum District
Thiruvallam (6 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram)
This serene backwater stretch, enroute to Kovalam, is famous for its
canoe rides. It is the meeting point of two rivers-Killi and
Karamana. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder
of Kerala, is located in Thiruvallam.
Veli Tourist Village (8 kilometers from
Thriruvananthapuram)
The Veli Tourist Village is bordered by the Veli lagoon and the
Arabian sea. The lagoon here is separated from the sea by a narrow
sand bar. Facilities at the village include water sports in the
lagoon and an 18-acre waterfront park with a floating bridge that
connects the village to the beach
 Alumkadavu (23 kilometers from Kollam)
Alumkadavu is halfway on the route to Alappuzha from Kollam. This
quiet little backwater village in Karunagapally town is famed for
its boat building yard. It is here that the gigantic kettuvallams
(cargo boats of rural Kerala) were built. Today the Kettuvallams
which were long replaced by modern means of transport, have been
converted into houseboats.
Kuttanad, called the rice bowl of Kerala, because of her wealth of
paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. The scenic
countryside of Kuttanad with its shimmering waterways also has a
rich crop of bananas. Yams and cassava which accompany the rice bowl
as "side dishes". This is one of the places in the world where
farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above
land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.
Pathiramanal (14 kilometers from Alappuzha)
This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds
of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world. This
island is accessible only by boat.
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