Offers

Lake and Backwater Experience in Kerala

Getaway | Lakeside Getaway

Backwaters of Alleppey
South Paravoor Backwaters
Lake View from a resort in Kumarakom
Vembanad Lake with Hycinth
Canoe ride in Canals

Lakes and Backwaters form the essense of a Kerala experience. Backwaters canals of Alleppey has given Kerala the “Venice of East” name. There are a number of Lakes and backwater canals that are now popularly visited by tourists and experiential travelers.

Backwater Canals

North Kerala – Nileshwar
South and Central Kerala – Vaikom, Alleppey, Ashtamudi (near Kollam)
Near Cochin – Chittoor, Kumbhalangi

Lake

South and Central Kerala – Kumarakom, Ashtamudi (near Kollam)

The experiences around these comprise

Lakeside Luxury - Kumarakom and area north of Alleppey is a world renowned luxury getaway where guests arrive to enjoy lakeside luxury. Coconut Lagoon pioneered the concept of a Kerala Experience and still today one of the recommended options for anyone wishes to experience Kerala.

Backwater Stay - Area South of Alleppey, known as Kuttanad region is renowned for its Backwaters. Here guests stay in a backwater homestay and experience cuisine, craft, culture and backwater lifestyle.

Ayurveda – There are number of Ayurveda centric stay options that offer guests with a scenic backdrop for a stay in relation to wellness solutions based on age old Ayurveda procedures and treatments.

Houseboat - Houseboat cruise and an overnight stay in a houseboat is most unique aspect of Kerala. 1 night cruise gives an introduction to the area. Two night gives a thorough coverage. Three night gives guests a chance to explore little explored area and travel much farther South of the area. The canals especially in Alleppey are are quite intricate and one can spend upto a week (Typical stay is 1 or 2 nights) traversing them.

Related Destination
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  • The Catholic Church at Pallippuram known as Church of "Our Lady of Snow" or "Manjumatha" is an more

    Access

    Cochin (Vypeen) ( 1 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 5 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 20 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 20 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 25 Kms )
  • Malik Deenar Mosque

    Mosque or Dargah
    Malik Deenar is the first follower of the Islamic prophet Muhammed who came to India to propagate more

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    Bekal ( 14 Kms ), Nileshwar ( 38 Kms )
  • Madhur Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Madhur Temple is located 7 km from Kasaragod town. This is one of the six most visited Lord more

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    Bekal ( 18 Kms ), Nileshwar ( 47 Kms )
  • Chandragiri Fort

    Heritage Site
    Chandragiri Fort is a 17th century fort set 150 feet above sea level and occupies an area of about more

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    Bekal ( 8 Kms ), Nileshwar ( 32 Kms )
  • Bekal Fort

    Heritage Site
    Bekal Fort overlooks Arabian sea and offers excellent views. Many fim shootings have been done more

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    Bekal ( 3 Kms ), Nileshwar ( 21 Kms )
  • The boat cruise through the backwaters of Nileshwar is a typical Kerala style experience. The more

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    Nileshwar ( 1 Kms )
  • 8th Century Hanuman temple located at Cheruthazham is known as more

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    Nileshwar ( 27 Kms ), Kannur ( 35 Kms )
  • Vadakkunnathan Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Vadakkunnathan Temple is an ancient Lord Shiva temple at Thrissur. This temple is a classic more

    Access

    Trichur ( 2 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 4 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 10 Kms ), Guruvayoor ( 25 Kms ), Cheruthuruthy ( 30 Kms )
  • Guruvayur Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Guruvayur is renowned pilgrim destination visited for the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, a more

    Access

    Guruvayoor, Trichur ( 29 Kms ), Cheruthuruthy ( 42 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 64 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 95 Kms )
  • Nattika Beach

    View Point
    Nattika Beach is an Idyllic beach front 25 kms from Thrissur. Beach is popular with locals and more

    Access

    Trichur ( 25 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 40 Kms )
  • Athirapally waterfalls

    Activity, Natural Wonders
    Athirappilly Falls is a renowned Waterfalls (80 ft) on the Chalakudy river, which originates in more

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    Athirapally, Cochin (Cherai) ( 65 Kms )
  • Cherai Beach

    View Point
    The Cherai Beach is long stretch of beach that is popular with locals. It has the calm serene more

    Access

    Cochin (Cherai), Cochin (Vypeen) ( 8 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 30 Kms )
  • Azheekkal Sree Varaha Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Azheekkal Sree Varaha Temple is renowned for its chariot. It is one of the oldest temple owned by more

    Access

    Cochin (Cherai) ( 1 Kms )
  • Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Cherai Gowreeshwara Temple is a Lord Muruga temple and one of the prominent temples of more

    Access

    Cochin (Cherai) ( 1 Kms )
  • Pallippuram Fort

    Heritage Site
    Pallippuram Fort is a small dilapilated fort near Cherai. It was built by the Portuguese in 1503 more

    Access

    Cochin (Cherai) ( 3 Kms )
  • Veeranpuzha

    View Point
    Veeranpuzha is the name of Vembanad Lake at Vypeen Island. The area has large paddy fields. North more

    Access

    Cochin (Chitoor) ( 11 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 20 Kms )
  • Matancherry Palace

    Heritage Site
    Mattancherry Palace known as the Dutch Palace features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 2 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 11 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 16 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • Jewish Synagogue at Fort Cochin was built in 1568 and is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 1 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 14 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • Santa Cruz Cathedral was built in 1905. Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by the Pope John Paul more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 1 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 16 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • St Francis Church is a tourist attraction at Fort Cochin. It was built in 1503 and is the oldest more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 16 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • Chottanikkara Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Chottanikkara Temple is a renowned pilgrim centre of Hindu goddess Bhagawati near more

    Access

    Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 17 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 20 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 22 Kms )
  • The Malayatoor Church is one of the Christian pilgrimages in Kerala and one that attracts large more

    Access

    Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 41 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 43 Kms )
  • 10 kms from Fort Cochin are a set of backwaters overlooking Kumbhalangi village, a fishermen more

    Access

    Cochin (Kumbhalangi), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 10 Kms )
  • An elephant training camp on Cochin - Munnar route and a popular for overseas travellers and more

    Access

    Thattekad ( 35 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 36 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 40 Kms ), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 40 Kms ), Cochin (Cherai) ( 45 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 45 Kms ), Cochin (Vypeen) ( 50 Kms ), Thodupuzha ( 51 Kms )
  • At Kerala Folklore Theatre and Museum one gets a glimpse of Kerala art and crafts. There are live more

    Access

    Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 4 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 10 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 12 Kms )
  • Greenix Village

    Arts Crafts Culture
    A craft village at Fort cochin that offers a wide ranging live performances. A visit here is very more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 9 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 11 Kms ), Cochin (Bolgatty Island) ( 16 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 21 Kms )
  • Kerala Kathakali Centre

    Arts Crafts Culture
    A place that offers a wide ranging live performances of art forms such as Kathakali, Indian more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 10 Kms )
  • Fort Cochin heritage walk is one recommended for any heritage traveller. The Fort cochin heritage more

    Access

    Cochin (Fort Cochin), Cochin (Willingdon Island) ( 8 Kms ), Cochin (Kumbhalangi) ( 10 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • 175 year old synagogue at North Paravur area. It was built with typical Kerala architecture and is more

    Access

    Cochin (Cherai) ( 7 Kms ), Cochin (Vypeen) ( 12 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 20 Kms )
  • Kalady

    Temple or Holy Place
    Kalady is birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya who preached advaita or monotheism. There is a more

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    Cochin (Cherai) ( 33 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 33 Kms )
  • Cheraman mosque

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    Cochin (Cherai) ( 11 Kms ), Cochin (Vypeen) ( 17 Kms ), Cochin (Ernakulam) ( 28 Kms )
  • Ettumanoor Shiva temple

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    Ettumanoor Mahadeva temple is an ancient Lord Shiva temple dated mid-16th century. Ettumanoor more

    Access

    Kottayam ( 9 Kms ), Pala ( 16 Kms ), Kumarakom ( 19 Kms ), Vaikom ( 27 Kms )
  • Vaikom Mahadevar Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    The Vaikom Mahadevar temple is one of the most celebrated Shiva temples in Kerala and is one among more

    Access

    Vaikom, Kumarakom ( 22 Kms ), Kottayam ( 32 Kms )
  • Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple is a Lord Shiva Temple and one among the 108 Lord Shiva temples more

    Access

    Vaikom ( 14 Kms ), Kottayam ( 24 Kms ), Pala ( 26 Kms )
  • Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple is a Lord Shiva temple, one of the 108 Shiva temples created by Lord more

    Access

    Kottayam ( 1 Kms ), Kumarakom ( 11 Kms ), Pala ( 27 Kms ), Vaikom ( 31 Kms )
  • Parippu Sree Mahadeva Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Parippu Sree Mahadeva Temple is a Lord Shiva temple in Kottayam area and one of the 108 Lord Shiva more

    Access

    Kumarakom ( 3 Kms ), Kottayam ( 8 Kms ), Vaikom ( 28 Kms )
  • Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva Temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Kottayam district with dating back to more

    Access

    Vaikom ( 16 Kms ), Pala ( 24 Kms ), Kottayam ( 27 Kms )
  • The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple is an 8th century Lord Krishna temple in South Alleppey and is more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 14 Kms )
  • Karumadikuttan

    Heritage Site
    At a distance of 3 kms from Ambalapuzha is the 10th century Karumadikuttan statue, a black granite more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 17 Kms )
  • The ancient St. Sebastian Church at Arthunkal was built by the Portuguese and is a popular centre more

    Access

    Marari ( 7 Kms ), Alleppey ( 21 Kms ), Cochin (Fort Cochin) ( 35 Kms )
  • Chettikulangara Sree Bhagavathi temple (1200 year old) is one of the most renowned temples in more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 44 Kms ), Kollam ( 45 Kms )
  • Mannarsala

    Temple or Holy Place
    Sree Nagaraja Temple at Haripad is an ancient and internationally-known centre of pilgrimage for more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 31 Kms ), Kollam ( 51 Kms ), Ashtamudi ( 60 Kms )
  • Pathiramanal Island

    Activity, Rides
    The Pathiramanal Island is a boat ride away from Muhamma / Kumarakom. The island provides more

    Access

    Kumarakom ( 5 Kms ), Alleppey ( 15 Kms )
  • Marari Beach

    View Point
    An idyllic beach, few kms from Alleppey where a number of beach resorts are more

    Access

    Marari, Alleppey ( 15 Kms )
  • Alleppey Beach

    View Point
    A public beach at one end of Alleppey town where locals arrive for more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 2 Kms )
  • St. Marys Church, the Valia Palli (the Big Church) was built in 1550 by Knanaya Syrian Christians more

    Access

    Vaikom ( 15 Kms ), Kottayam ( 24 Kms )
  • St. George Church, Puthupally, and the Vakathanam Palli are two ancient churches frequented by more

    Access

    Vaikom ( 9 Kms ), Kottayam ( 29 Kms )
  • Backwaters of Alleppey

    Activity, View Point
    Kuttanad Backwaters in South Alleppey is what gives Kerala Venice of the East tag. Day cruises / more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 1 Kms )
  • Backwaters in Kumarakom

    Activity, View Point
    Kumarakom overlooks Vembanad lake and has its own stretch of Backwaters (much smaller than more

    Access

    Kumarakom, Kottayam ( 15 Kms )
  • Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

    Activity, View Point
    Kumarakom Bird sanctuary is an area overlooking vembanad lake and is renowned for bird population more

    Access

    Kumarakom ( 3 Kms )
  • Revi Karunakaran Memorial Museum features arts and artefacts collected by family of Revi more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 2 Kms )
  • Ashtamudi Lake

    View Point, Rides
    Ashtamudi lake is an 8 cornered lake spread over a very large area and offering guests a nature more

    Access

    Ashtamudi, Kollam ( 10 Kms )
  • Vembanad Lake

    View Point, Rides
    Vembanad lake is one of the largest lake in India and offering guests a comprehensive nature more

    Access

    Kumarakom, Alleppey ( 1 Kms )
  • Amritapuri Ashram

    Temple or Holy Place
    Amritapuri Ashram is headquarter Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) and is a spiritual center and more

    Access

    Kollam ( 33 Kms ), Ashtamudi ( 41 Kms ), Alleppey ( 61 Kms )
  • Thenmala

    Activity, View Point, Adventure
    Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across more

    Access

    Ashtamudi ( 64 Kms ), Kollam ( 66 Kms )
  • Janardana Swami Temple

    Temple or Holy Place
    Varkala is also famous for the 2,000-year old Janardana Swami Temple which is an important more

    Access

    Varkala ( 1 Kms ), Kollam ( 37 Kms ), Trivandrum ( 50 Kms )
  • Sivagiri Mutt

    Temple or Holy Place
    Sivagiri Mutt was established by the social reformer Sree Narayana Guru and is one renowned more

    Access

    Varkala ( 2 Kms ), Kollam ( 37 Kms ), Trivandrum ( 50 Kms )
  • Kaduvayil Juma Masjid

    Mosque or Dargah
    Kaduvayil Juma masjid is situated on NH47 is a renowned pilgrimage centre for sunni sect. The more

    Access

    Varkala ( 12 Kms ), Kollam ( 32 Kms ), Trivandrum ( 37 Kms )
  • Nileswaram Palace

    Heritage Site
    Nileswaram Palace are sacred Grooves where Thayyam (a traditional ritual) is performed for more

    Access

    Nileshwar ( 3 Kms ), Bekal ( 22 Kms )
  • St. Marys Forane Church at Champakulam area in Alleppey is one of the oldest Christian churches in more

    Access

    Alleppey ( 15 Kms )
  • Jatayu Nature Park is a park and tourism centre near Kollam (38 kms). Jatayu Nature Park holds the more

    Access

    Varkala ( 28 Kms ), Kollam ( 38 Kms ), Trivandrum ( 47 Kms ), Kovalam ( 64 Kms )