Plan a trip to the Kerala backwaters

Over the years the backwaters of Kerala have earned so much fame that it continues to attract tourist from across the globe. With increase in number of tourist inflow every year all measures have been taken to maintain the natural faced of the backwaters to offer you the experience you deserve to feel when you sign up for one these backwater cruises.

What to expect

BE assured depending on the package and days you choose to cruise on the backwaters of Vembanad you as a honeymoon couple will be greeted with   Fresh cut tender coconut/ fruit juice / sweet

·         Some houseboat depending on the ratings offers you fresh wet towels to instantly refresh

·         A beautifully set room to create the perfect romantic ambiance   Special toiletries to pamper you

·         The rooms come with air-conditioning, comfortable beds and adequate lighting

·         A beautiful dinner on the deck with special table set up for newly weds

o   A candle light arrangement

o   Special gourmet preparation by the chef

o   A scrumptious dessert or cake to pep up the honeymoon feel

o   You can request for a special slow dance with some apt music to make your honeymoon special. You might need to check for this arrangements feasibility beforehand though

What to carry

Houseboat cruises will involve a lot of activities pertaining to water. You can be prepared with

·         Comfortable cotton clothing’s as air-conditioning in most star rated boats operate from 9:00am to 6:00 pm only.

·         Carry comfortable shoes or flip flops

·         The houseboat is equipped with natural means to ward of insects and mosquitoes but there is no harm in carrying an extra mosquito repellant cream

·         Carry a good hat and sunglasses to enjoy the picturesque view of the lake and avoiding the hide and seek of the seeping sunlight

·         If you plan on taking a canoe ride off into the canals and lagoons carry a camera that’s water resistant so you can capture some of the beautiful and unbelievable scenic charisma of the lake

·         IF you decide to use a paddle boat on your own than you’d need to carry your paddling suit and preferably a GPS. Make sure someone knows where you are heading off to.

·         IF this is your first time on a backwater cruise and you are not sure if you might feel sick, carry some quick pills for motion sickness or nausea.

·         Most dishes prepared in Kerala call for coconut oil however with increase in global tourists the use of coconut oil so if you are adventurous you can try out the authentic tasting Kerala dishes or be safe and go for the regular cooking oil you are used to.

Safety

The tourism board in Kerala takes extra care to provide protection to tourists especially those considering houseboat cruises hence the tourism police and boat associations make sure all safety measures are on board the houseboat. Nearly 3 to 5 staffs are always available on board and are responsible for the management of all things on board.

You can additionally call and check with the boat management beforehand of all the safety measures, facilities and amenities that are available on board including confirming the route you would be cruising.

After all you are planning a romantic honeymoon cruise to enjoy a pleasant ride and romantic stay safety and security check will only keep you and your better half safe and sound on your honeymoon cruise on the backwaters of Vembanad.

Kumarakom - Best Backwater resort in India

The state of Kerala is endowed with such tremendous natural beauty that tourists are constantly attracted to it. There are so many towns and interesting tourist destinations that tourists are spoilt for options. One such destination is Kumarakom. It is a famous tourism destination not far from the city of Kotayam which is just 16 km away. Kumarakom is well known for its backwater tourism. All this backwater tourism is set up in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is one of the largest fresh water lakes in the country and the largest in Kerala. Kumarakom village basically consists of a group of small islands on the Vembanad Lake. It is part of the Kuttanad region. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary is the favourite haunt of migratory birds. Ornithologists will just love to spend time in the bird sanctuary. It is spread across 14 acres and is home to a number of avian species such as Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork. These birds flock the sanctuary during season and tourists are especially fascinated to watch these birds.

Kumarakom is also home to a diverse species of flora and fauna. Apart from the bird sanctuary, there are other places of interest too. The Vembanad Lake is home to many marine and freshwater fish species. It is teeming with life and species such as Pearlspot, known as Karimeen locally, and shrimp are found here in abundance. The bird sanctuary and the Vembanad lake make Kumarakom a very beautiful place and a major tourist destination. The climate in Kumarakom is balanced and tropical. Both the south west and the north east monsoons bring rains to the region. The weather is conducive for tourists throughout the year, although some might not prefer the rainy months.

The mainstay of the local economy is fishing, agriculture and tourism. The balanced climate of Kumarakom is conducive to cultivation. The place has abundance of mangrove forests, coconut groves and paddy fields. Fruits like Banana, Mango, Tamarind, Jackfruit, Ambazhanga, Chaambenga, Peraycka, Aathaycka and Pineapple grow here in abundance. Coffee and cocoa plantations too are found here. Yam and colocasia are cultivated too. The canals of Meenachi River and the interspersed waterways are tapped for irrigation. The construction of the Thanneermukkam bund has ensured that connection between the backwaters and the sea is cut off. So the tidal movement of the water in the canals has stopped and it is not as salty as it used to be in the olden days when the water in canal moved in and out with the sea water. Since the waters are pretty much stagnant these days, it has caused the growth of water hyacinths forming a beautiful green carpet studded with lilac flowers.

Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are the religions practiced in Kumarakom. There a number of churches, temples and also a Jumma masjid in the town. Fish is a staple food in Kumarakom as in most parts of Kerala. Small boats called vallam and gill nets are used for fishing. The most sought after varieties of fish in the region are the black clam, Pearl spot and shrimps. Tourists can even get a boat ride on these fishing boats. Especially honeymoon couples will love these boating trips.

Kumarakom is world famous for its boat races and houseboats. There are a wide variety of houseboats and the place is renowned the world over for the top notch house boat experience on offer. Most of the houseboats are used for tourists these days but special boats known as Kettuvallam is used by the locals to go fishing or to transport goods. Most of the tourism in Kumarakom mainly revolves around the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake. There are several luxury and budget resorts lined up on the shores of the lake. These resorts provide tourists with facilities for boating, yachting and fishing. Such trips offer tourists with panoramic views of the lake. The Bird Sanctuary can also be approached by water by use of canoes. These trips are carried out by local fishermen at the entrance of the sanctuary. Dawn and dusk are the best time to visit the sanctuary. Even though the bird sanctuary timings are between 6 AM and 6 PM, its best to avoid the afternoon sun.

The annual Kumarakom boat race attracts millions of tourists from across the country and around the world. The boat race happens around Onam festivities. Over one thousand oarsmen in boats of all sizes and shapes participate in the event. The most sought after race is the Iruttukuthi in which 50 oarsmen row each boat during a race. The races are conducted in the canal near the central market place. All these races are contested in order to win the Sree Narayana Ever Rolling Trophy. The Taj Garden Retreat, the biggest and most modern tourist resort in Kumarakom is set up in a Victorian two storied bungalow which was built by Alfred George Baker in the year 1881. It is built on huge pieces of Teak rafters. The bungalow was the house of the Baker family for four generations spanning over a 100 years. The bungalow along with the bird sanctuary and the lake are places of interest for tourists from all over the world. The Bungalow still has a grand, imposing presence and is a silent reminder of an age gone by. Its design and architecture are simply spellbinding. Kumarakom has recently been declared as a special tourism zone (STZ). Tourists will just love spending a few days in Kumarakom. An enchanting backwater destination that Kumarakom is, it offers tourists many other leisure options. Apart from the premises of the lake, boating and fishing facilities are also available at the Taj Garden Retreat. Then there is also Waterscapes, a backwater resort developed by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC). Waterscapes has independent cottages built on stilts and it is set amidst coconut groves and offers panoramic views of the backwaters.  Holiday packages involving houseboats and traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer great experiences and tourists, especially honeymoon couples should make use of such packages.

Kumarakom is accessible by road from Kottayyam which is 16 km away. The nearest airport is the Cochin International airport which is 94 km away. Kottayyam is also the nearest rail head which is just 13 km away. There is also a waterway leading to Kumarakom from Alappuzha. Intercity bus services are abundant and a ride from Kottayyam to Kumarakom should take about half an hour. Pre paid cabs can be hired from the Cochin Airport. The awesome beauty and tremendous landscape of Kumarakom are just hard to describe in words. Such beauty must be experienced in person. Anybody visiting Kerala should definitely include Kumarakom in their itinerary.