Meandering Over The Serene Water On A Houseboat Kerala

By Author: Vijay Joshi
Total Articles: 35
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Backwaters are unique Kerala phenomenon. It is a network of natural and manmade canals and inlets, five large lakes and estuaries of about forty rivers. Before bridges and roads came into being, this was an efficient way of transportation for local people, large scale and small scale. Not only that, they utilized Backwaters as means of livelihood, fishing and agriculture. Amid this watery labyrinth are number of towns and cities which serve as beginning and end stations for Backwater cruises.

Kerala Backwaters tours is undoubtedly an enthralling, unforgettable experience where one gets to meander in a leisurely pace through the serene waters, watching all the hustle and bustle of life on shores going on, swaying coconut trees holding banners, in the midst of soothing greenery all around.

Now Houseboats have changed the face of Kerala Backwater tours. Houseboats are the prominent attraction for the tourists. It is the modern day version of “Kettuvallams” which was used to transport rice and household items in the erstwhile era. Later royalty used it as living quarters for picnic. In tune with that tradition, ...
... now tourists are given the regal treatment in Houseboats.

With a length between ninety five and hundred and ten feet and width from thirteen to fifteen feet, Houseboats ply in the Backwaters. They have thatched roofs on wooden hulls. All the materials that goes into its making is local and eco friendly and the wood used is “Anjili” (Wild Jack). It is categorized into Platinum, Gold and Silver by Kerala Government.

Kumarakom is an ideal place to go roaming in a houseboat.Kumarakom Houseboats come in single storied to two storied versions with single to three bedroom varieties on offer. There is provision for sleeping space, dining space and a sit out - open on all sides. There are generators which fuel air condition. Accompanying staff prepare cuisines as determined by demand of the travelers but most prefer Kerala style. Most spend a night docked in the waters but in Kumarakom there is option for travel exempted from night stay. Houseboats are motorized but move in a languishing pace.

The village of Kumarakom is a collective of little islands, sixteen kilometers away from Kottayam and eighty kilometers far from Kochi. Situated in Vembanad Lake it is blessed with all the specialties of typical Kerala village on the shores of Backwaters - paddy fields, coconut groves, fishing folks, exotic greenery, water lillies and even more. A amalgam of beauty beyond words. A Houseboat trip through the inner Kumarakom is a heavenly experience. Those who prefer may take toddy, the light Kerala beverage, from the toddy tappers whose interesting activities one can watch from the house boats.

A stay in moonlit night with Houseboat docked in the Backwaters is truly a blissful experience. One can experience the true Kerala feel by turning off the electricity and spending time in light of lanterns alone. One can watch stars, lying on top of the houseboat and glimpse houses as little spots of illumination from the drawn out darkness. In Kumarakom, one can listen to the chirping of birds from the nearby bird sanctuary. To add to that, the blinking fireflies illuminating the tree branches is a remarkable sight.

Kerala Backwater Tours is a once in lifetime experience with an enthralling trip in the lap of Nature’s bounty, simply irresistible.

Vijay Joshi is an eminent travel analyst and writer giving information about Kumarakom Houseboats.