Kerala

Kerala Backwaters

Kerala Backwaters is a network of lagoons and lakes which lays parallel to the Arabian Sea cost also known as the Malabar Coast. It includes 5 large lakes which are interlinked with canals, fed by nearly 38 rivers. The backwaters which is formed by the action of the wavers and shore currents creating low barrier islands by the many rivers flowing down from the western Ghats is a unique ecosystem in itself. It is a meeting point of the fresh water from the rivers with the seawater from the Arabian Sea. There are also certain areas in the state where a barrage is been built to keep the salt water from the sea from entering the fresh water there by keeping it intact. Hence this can be used extensively for irrigation purposes.

The largest kayal or backwater is the Vembanad Kayal which covers nearly 200kms.This is extensively bordered by the districts of Alleppey, Kottayam and Ernakulam.In the city Cochin the port of Kochi is located at the lakes outlet of the Arabian Sea.Vembanad being the longest lake the district of Alleppey which is regarded as the Venice of the East has a large network of canals that flows through the town.

One of the major attractions while enjoying the picturesque of the Backwaters would be a ride on the Kettuvalams or the Kerala Houseboats. Traditionally the Kettuvalams where used as grain barges to transport harvested rice alongside the backwaters.Convereted to tourists attractions the houseboats are now used as floating cottages with a luxuries sleeping space and all modern facilities inside it. The houseboat just looks like a house floating on water.EITC tours have unique travel packages to enjoy this one of a time experiences cruising through the beautiful backwaters on these houseboats.

Some of our special packages as under: