Veli Aakulam Lagoon is at the confluence of the Veli Lake and the Arabian Sea . The lagoon can be explored at leisure with pedalboats and paddleboats.It is situated at a short distance from Thiruvananthapuram. Even speedboats are available on hire. The Veli Tourist Village nearby offers picnic facilities to tourists.Here you can enjoy all kinds of water sports and dine at the floating restaurant.The place also provides the facility of an amusement park. The east end of the lake is flanked by two scenic hillocks.
Reaching Veli Lagoon:
The Veli Lagoon is near Trivandrum and Kovalam, which is just 16 km away. An enchanting picnic spot not too far away from Trivandrum , Kumarakom is a backwater tourism destination, where one can boat, fish and just watch the Kerala countryside. Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake is fascinating. Interspersed with lush green mangrove forests, paddy fields that stretch out far into the horizon and rows and rows of coconut palms that criss-cross the backwater canals, the little village of Kumarakom is in reality a group of small islands.
Kumarakom is part of Kerala's rice bowl, the Kuttanad region and is ideal for backwater cruises. A beautiful backwater spot within hailing distance of Kumarakom is the 14-acre bird sanctuary on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake . The sanctuary named after the village is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. There are egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos, wild ducks and Siberian storks. The best way to watch the birds in the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
A boat ride into the countryside can offer a close look at the life in the villages. There are fishermen in their small boats looking for fish while the women, neck-deep in water, search for the shy but tasty Karimeen fish with their feet. Or you could stay awake at night when fishermen glide over the dark waters with a flaming torch in their left hand and a net in their right. The fish, attracted by the light, are scooped up in the net.
One can cruise down the Kumarakom backwaters in houseboats, which have a living room, a bedroom, a bath and a private sit-out for passengers. A number of these houseboats are joined together to become boat trains to facilitate larger groups of visitors.
One of Asia 's largest freshwater lakes, the Vembanad Kayal, as it is locally known, is a giant reservoir and a major ecological resource. The dense vegetation on its banks is a wonderful sight. The boats that ply on the lake vary from the large cargo carriers with mat-roofs to the houseboats.
Reaching Kumarakom:
The best way to reach Kumarakom is by boat. Reach Quilon or Kollam, just an hour away from Trivandrum and then take the regular ferry service through the backwaters to Alleppey from where Kumarakom is just a short distance away. The way to Kumarakom is through the Muhamma Boat Jetty, which is around 170 km from the Trivandrum International Airport . By railways, take a train to Kottayam, which is only 16 km by road. The other way is through Cochin , from where one must take a south-bound train to Chertala on the route to Alleppey. Chertala is 14 km away from Kumarakom.
The northernmost district of Kerala, Kasargod Backwaters enjoys a unique locational advantage. With the Sea to the West and Western Ghats to the North and East, Kasargod Backwaters Tours offers a holiday of a lifetime. Two of the famous Kerala Backwater Cruise option is Chandragiri and Valiyaparamba.
Situated at a distance of just 4 kms from the Kasargod Backwaters, Chandragiri is a unique and famous tourist destination in Kerala, South India . It is also an ideal to stop during a long houseboat tour and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea . This town is also known for its large 17th Century Chandragiri Fort, one of the chains of Forts. Amidst other things, the vintage sunset point is a must see for everyone visiting Kasargod Backwaters, Kerala, South India .
Dense vegetation, local water birds and greenery everywhere makes Valiyaparamba, near Kasargod, an exotic Backwaters destination where nature seems to welcome you with open arms. A tour to Kasargod, located in Kerala, South India , India , offers these visual delights, which remain embedded in our memories for years to follow.
Boating on Kasargod's Backwaters is an experience of a lifetime. Kerala's Kettuvalam (houseboats) are the most famous and traditional houseboats also known as the 'Knot-boats' because of its unique feature of not using even a single nail in the whole boat. Coir knots hold this Fascinating Kerala Houseboat together. Modern Houseboats on the other hand offer all the luxuries of a five star hotel. From furnished bedrooms, to modern toilets, cozy living rooms to even a balcony are all accommodated to make these Houseboats a moving haven on earth.
Situated just 6 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala , Thiruvallam is a popular tourist Backwater destination. This serene backwater stretch is also very popular for its canoe rides. Killi and Karamana are the two rivers that come together at Thiruvallam to offers its spectators a breathtaking view. A temple dedicated to Parashurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is also located here, where tourists in large numbers come every year to offer prayers.
Thiruvallam Backwaters are a soothing sight for sore eyes. This destination promises an unforgettable vacation. A time away from busy city life to just layback and float along on a Houseboat and visit the local fishing villages where life stands still in time almost 100 years ago. Exotic flowers, vegetation, water birds and others are all there to share the scenic beauty of Thiruvallam backwaters with you, on the Thiruvallam Backwaters Tours.
The Veli Tourist village, sandwiched between the Veli Lagoon and Arabian Sea , lies at a distance of just 8 kms from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram and offers a famous picnic spot for those visiting the Thiruvallam Backwaters. The Akulam Boat Club, again just 8 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram, offering boating cruises on Akulam Lake and a park for children is a major crowd puller of Thiruvallam, Kerala, South India .
Situated some 71 Kms from the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram along the coastline of Ashthamudi Lake , Kollam is host to some beautiful buildings and structures. The most notable and astoundingly beautiful feature of Kollam is the Ashthamudi Lake that covers around 30% of the city. One enjoys a variety of backwater tours offered by the city on this wondrous Lake . The eight hour long journey on boat from Kollam to Alappuzha is a must for anyone who visits the Fascinating City of Kollam in Kerala, South India .
One of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast and a major international trading point in times gone by, Kollam Backwaters is popular for its marine and cashew industries. The temples of Kollam, built in the traditional ornate traditional style, are an architectural marvel and visitors delight. The renowned Ashthamudi Lake makes Kollam, a popular gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. The Lake literally having 8 arms covers a main portion of the Kollam district in the South.
The Mata Amrithanandamayi Ashram is located near Kollam in Vallikavu. An international pilgrimage destination, the Ashram is known for its educational and medical institutes and also for personality of Ma Amrithanandamayi. Another famous tourist spot near Kollam is the historic.
Kannur district is bound in the east by the Western Ghats , in the west by the Arabian Sea , in the north by the Kasargode District and in the south by the Mahe region of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.
Formerly a major port, Kannur is now a city known for its handloom and beedi industries. Some of Kerala's finest weavers come from this district. Kannur is also the headquarters of the country's largest and best-run beedi cooperative which produces the famous brand, Kerala Dinesh Beedi. Marco Polo is supposed to have referred to Kannur as a great emporium of spices. In the 15th century, the Portuguese arrived in Kannur to establish one of their earliest settlements. A reminder of this is the St. Angelo's Fort built in 1505 AD by the first Portuguese Viceroy. Kannur's history is marked by foreign invasions and the activities of colonial powers.
Kannur district is endowed with sufficient number of rivers. Valapattanam river which originates from Western Ghats is the longest river in the district. Most of the rivers are navigable. Anjarakany, Kuppam, Mahe and Thalassery are the other rivers. Kannur district has extensive forest areas which may be classified under two heads namely reserve forests and vested forests.
How to Reach :
Air : The nearest airport is at Karipur, Malappuram , about 93 km south.
Rail : Kannur railway station is well linked to major towns up country as well as within the State.
Road : Kannur is accessible by road.