Vembanad Lake Backwaters

What do you think of when you Kerala is mentioned? For most, it will be exactly what one finds here: tranquil backwaters laced with narrow, palm-laded canals, patrolled by charming private houseboats, providing a mix of relaxation along with an enticing glimpse into local life. Truly, the Keralan backwaters are God’s Own Country at its very best. Classified here as the backwaters with surround vast Vembanad Lake – the largest in Kerala, and longest in India – your stay here will be in one of a handful of tasteful resorts or laidback homestays, with the additional option of taking a night or two on one of Kerala’s famous houseboats. The latter offer a quintessential experience, undoubtedly one of the highlights of a visit to this or any part of India. The Vembanad backwaters are well situated for all points of Kerala: roughly two hours’ drive south of Fort Cochin, four hours from upcountry Munnar and Thekkady, less than an hour from placid Marari Beach, and a longer four-to-five hours north of the Varkala and Kovalam beaches