Famous India > Backawaters of India > Kuttanad

Kuttanad

Known as the Rice Bowl of India, Kuttanad is one of the places of Indian where farming is done below the sea level. Inland waterways which flow above the land level is a amazing feature of Kuttanad. Kuttanad, apart from Rice is also famous for its bananas, cassava and yam. It bears resemblance to Holland in its geographical features.

Three rivers, namely Pampa, Manimala and Achankovil, crises cross the length and breadth of Kuttanad. Until a few years back, water was the main mode of transportation, though today buses and trains ply in the region. There is the 7.5 kms long network of canals, lakes, lagoons and tiny streamlines which flow from one place to another in Kuttanad. Mainly Kuttanad is made around the banks of Vembanad Lake. Unlike other places, life in Kuttanad is slow paced, with the life being at the point from where it has started.

Fast Facts :

Location : Kuttanad, Kerala
How to Reach : Kuttanad lies in the middle of Alleppy and Kottayam. Any of the buses covering this route will take you to Kuttanad.
Distance : 100 kms from Alleppy and 250 kms from Kottayam. Can be reached by road.
Price for Houseboats : Rs 10,000 - 15000 /-
Best Time to Go : Indian Winters - September to February end

Paddy Fields
Paddy grown below the sea level has its own beauty. When you look at these beautiful saplings from a distance, you can feel the difference. The cool breeze touching your face has a different effect on body and mind. Feel yourself rejuvenated without anything artificial.

Natures Beauty
Kuttanad is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best. Nothing in the world of Kuttanad is artificial. Everywhere you go you will find beauty of nature lying at its best . So when you are here, expect the nature to be at its best.

Kozhikode Backwaters !

The Place :

Kuttanad has to be covered like anyone else - by catching boats, trains, ferries, buses or even elephants. Thats how the life goes here. You won/'t find much modern gadgets here but thats what Kuttanad is known for. Away from the city lights in the middle of the nature. Life is slow, deceptively calm.

As you make yourself comfortable on the deck of the houseboat, you will see the beautiful paddy fields surrounding the path of backwaters. From here to there or where - ever your eyes will go, the entire place filled with greenery. The palm fringed shores, people walking by the shores doing there daily chores and the kids playing by. You can capture all these moments in your camera and take them along.

Houseboats are comfortable structures, so as you move along the backwaters, sit back and relax with a cup of coffee. Enjoy the light drops of rain or take a dip in the cool waters of backwaters. Otters, water birds, flocks of ducks can be seen flocking around the houseboat all the time.

The Houseboat

Houseboats also known as Rice Boats are one of the most comfortable moving creatures around. Completely fitted with Modern Kitchen, attached bath in the bedrooms, sit out and sun deck, it comes out with all the comforts including the Air Conditioners. (However, it is optional to have a Air Conditioner Cruise or a Non Air Conditioner Cruise). Then there is the Chef who will serve out the delicious delicacies for you, the Captain who will row the boat and the assistant who will serve food and help you with your queries. Freshwater fish can be fished here as its cooked in the Cruises Kitchen. You can also try out your hands on cooking some dish for yourself if you wish so. As the cruise takes you on a day or two tour ( you can have a seven days tour maximum in Kuttanad), you will see water birds rise in swoops of greyish pink, villagers going on their daily work, boatmen digging deep in the water bed of hyacinth, and mango trees laden with the fruit.

The main Cuisine prepared on the houseboat will be purely South Indian - Vegetarian or Non - Vegetarian as per your choice. However Continental Food too can be prepared, but then you have to ask them at the time of booking of the Cruise.

Suggestions

The fare includes living in houseboats for the stipulated time, with meals and sight-seeing. Anything extra than this will incur extra charges.
Sightseeing of near by villages will be in Air Conditioned coaches. You can also book the Non Air-conditioned coaches if you are here in the winters, but then you will have to tell at the time of Booking.
The Kitchenette of the Houseboat prepares South Indian Delicacies which can be Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian as per your choice. If you wish to have Continental Food, then you have to inform at the time of booking, No alterations in this regard will be made in the middle of the Cruise.
Wear Cottons as the weather of Kerala is dampening throughout the year. Or keep very light clothes so that you do nor feel suffocated.
Keep your own mosquito repellent ointment as there can be mosquitoes around the water.
There is First Aid Kit in every Houseboat. So if you require First Aid Kit at any point of time, ask for it. There is no extra charge for it. Doctor can be called when near the shores and not in the middle of the water.
Avoid the monsoon season of July - Mid September. It rains heavily here in these months and houseboats do not row at this point of time. Rest of the year, its the season of Kerala Backwater Houseboats.
In Kerala the rain drains on its own at any point of time . So its better to keep an umbrella handy.
The Houseboat tour begins from a particular place but it is not important that the tour ends at that particular place. You can also end your tour in some other place as per your ease. For this you will have to ask for One Way HouseBoat Tour.
For further queries, contact us.

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