The Kerala Backwaters
A tranquil labyrinth of palm-fringed waterways in the tropical south - glide past villages, paddies and coconut groves aboard a converted rice-barge houseboat, the serene heart of Kerala.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Kerala Backwaters are a serene, labyrinthine network of palm-fringed canals, rivers and lagoons running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast in India's tropical south. The classic way to experience them is aboard a kettuvallam, a converted wooden rice barge turned houseboat, drifting slowly past villages, emerald paddy fields, coconut groves and daily riverside life, a tranquil and green counterpoint to the intensity of the north.
What you actually see
- A houseboat cruise - the slow glide aboard a converted rice barge.
- The palm-fringed canals - the waterways past villages and paddies.
- Village life - the daily riverside scenes of fishing and farming.
- The birdlife and greenery - the lush tropical waterways and birds.
When to go
November to February for the driest, most pleasant weather; the monsoon from June brings heavy rain but lush green. An overnight on a houseboat is the classic experience, though shorter canoe or village-boat trips reach quieter, narrower canals.
Honest expectations
The main routes near Alleppey have become busy with houseboats, so for quieter, narrower canals a smaller canoe or village boat is better than a big barge. Houseboats vary widely in quality, so choose carefully. It is humid and mosquitoes are a factor. It is serene rather than dramatic.
Nearby
The hill stations of Munnar, the beaches of the Kerala coast and the city of Kochi are within reach.
What to pack for The Kerala Backwaters
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
