Ashtamudi Lake

Backwaters is the most popular tourist attraction of Kerala. The palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters were once the state's trade highways. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to almost 1,900 kilometers. The backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. The Ashtamudi lake, surrounded by red cliffs and swaying coconut palms, still bears traces of its former links with China -on a backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha all along the waterline you can see the famous Cheena Vala (Chinese fishing nets gracefully hanging over the lake, as covered country boats ply the backwaters. The Kollam Boat Club provides boats to cruise on the lake.

Catamarans( house boats) provide an opportunity for exhilarating watersports. With a gentle breeze to aid, one may sail around the Ashtamudi Lake.The 9 hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha along these backwaters can be an unforgettable experience. Located in Kollam district, Ashtamudi is famed for its panoramic and magnificent views.The Ashtamudi Lake is so named because of its eight 'arms' or channels is the gateway to the backwaters.

Best Season: August to March
Emergency Details: DTPC Tourist Information Centre, KSRTC Bus Stand, Kollam 
DTPC Tourist Office, Guest House Complex, Asramam
Department of Tourism-District Office, Govt. Guest House.
Transport Terminals: Kollam
How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Kollam is connected to most Indian cities and is on the railway routes. The city's main station is Kollam Junction.
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International and Domestic Airport 76 km away from the city.

Pookkot Lake

A natural fresh water lake of about eight hectares surrounded by evergreen forest and rolling hills of Sugandhagiri. It's not just a natural fresh water lake on the Western Ghats. The Pookkot Lake is the only one of its kind in Kerala. A fresh water aquarium with large variety of fish is an added attraction. Boating facilities, Children's Park and shopping centre for handicrafts and spices of Wynad are arranged by District Tourism Promotion Council.

Wayanad lies at an altitude varying from 700 - 2100 metres above the sea level. The district has the highest number of tribal settlements in Kerala. The hill ranges of Vythiri taluk (taluk is a sub division of a district), through which the road from Kozhikode ascends the Wayanad plateau over the mind boggling bends and ridges, are the highest locations of Wayanad district.

Best Season: September To May
Location : 3 km south of Vythiri town, Wayanad district. Altitude : 2100 metres above sea level. How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station : Kozhikode about 63 km .From Kozhikode buses are available to Wynad. Get down at Thalippuzha and walk one km to the lake.

Nearest Airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 93 km. From Kozhikode buses are available to Wynad. Get down at Thalippuzha and walk one km to the lake.

Mananchira lake

Mananchira is a man-made freshwater lake situated in the centre of the city of Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala, southern India. The lake is 3.49 acres (14,120 m²) in area, is rectangular in shape and is fed by a natural spring.Mananchira Square is an architectural delight named after the man-made lake Mananchira around which it is situated in the centre of the city. It is named after Manadevan Samoothiri, the erstwhile ruler of the Kozhikode Kingdom, known as Mana-vedan Chira (pond) and later transformed to Mana-an-Chira.. The architecture in Mananchira Square is reminiscent of the intricate craftsmanship of olden times. With its meticulously landscaped lawns, musical fountain& open air theatre, making this makes for a perfect setting to attract tourists

What to see: The sprawling pond, ground and the garden around.

Where to eat: The top form restaurant. If you miss this you missed the real taste of Calicut Biriyani

When to visit: Ideal for an evening stroll till late in the night. 

How to reach:  

Nearest Railway Station : Calicut railway station and central bus stand.

Nearest Airport : Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode

Q S T and R Block Kayal

Situated in Kuttanad popularly known as the rice bowl of Kerala, QST & R Block Kayals (backwaters) remind the visitor of the famous dikes of Holland.A striking example of the indigenous agricultural engineering know-how,here cultivation and habitation are made possible at four to ten feet below the sea level.For this purpose extensive land has been reclaimed from the backwaters and is protected by dikes built around it.A leisurely cruise along the canals here is a memorable experience.

Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled. Keralas network of navigable backwaters stretches to over 900km. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of the rustic life. 
Best Season: August to March 
Transport Terminals: Nearest city: Alappuzha 
Location: QST & R Block Kayals are accessible by boat from Alappuzha ( 1.30 hrs by motor boat and 30 minutes by speedboat.)
 How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station : Alappuzha
Nearest Airport : Cochin International Airport about 85 km from Alappuzha

Paravur Kayal

 

 

 A Beautiful Small Town which (shakes hand with both the sea and lake) or gives us a beautiful vision of the friend ship between the lake and Sea A perfect location for people of all age to make their minds and soul to regain their freshness & peace Paravur". The beautiful Small Town Paravur is a city and a municipality in Kollam district in the Indian state of KeralaParavur is the third Municipal Town in Kollam District. It is in Kollam Parliament Constituency and Chathanoor Legislative Constituency Paravur is one of the beautiful place in the district with its beach and its cultural heritage Arabian Sea is the west border for Paravur Coir, Cashew, Fishing and Bricks are the important industries Paravur backwater is very famous for its natural beauty Govt of Kerala recently started some projects to explore this beauty with their Tourism Package Paravur town is well connected by Rail and Road. It is a coastal resort town, 60 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital. It lies on the Malabar Coast of India, fronting on the Arabian SeaParavur is an important fishing and coir production centre. It is situated 13 km South of Kollam and is connected with Kollam town by road and rail. It is the birthplace of KC Kesava Pillai (1865-1913) and Kesava Asan (1869-1917), two leading literary men of eminence.

Paravur has the largest natural Backwater lakes (the Paravur Kayal) in South Asia. It has a number of tourist resorts, with facilities for boating, swimming and surfing Fishing is permitted, but requires permission

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam,Paravur,Aluva

Veeranpuzha Lake

 

 Veeranpuzha is a lake in cochin,kerala,india. It is the northern extension of Vembanad lake. From Kochi Azhi to Munambam Azhi, the serene backwaters popularly known in this name – Veeranpuzha. (It is also known by the name Veerampuzha) Veeranpuzha is the name of Vembanad lake at Vyppen Island. In the early 1980s there were regular ferry services from Munambam to Ernakulam.

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam

Akkulam Lake

 

Akkulam lake is one of the most famous picnic spots of Kerala situated quite a distance from Thiruvananthapuram. The splendor of the lake is even more increased with the scenic beauty of the surrounding Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 10 km from Thiruvananthapuram, Akkulam Boat club is a popular retreat for the visitors situated on the banks of Akkulam Lake. Visitors here can enjoy various adventurous activities like swimming, boating, kayaking and hovercraft are the added attractions for the visitors. Akkulam lake is an extension to the Veli Lake. Its clear calm water and unique beaty attract visitors from far off places. There is a children park, a snack bar and a swimming pool for children which makes it extremely popular among the locals and travelers from far off places.

Best Time to visit:- Akkulam Lake can be visited at any time as it is a major picnic spot for children

How to reach: Trivandrum International Airport is around 12 km from Akkulam Tourist Village. Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station (8 km) is the nearest major railhead which is situated at a distance of 8 km from it.

Veli Lake

Veli is an ideal picnic spot, which has been developed as a tourist village. The placid Water of back water lake merges here with boundless blue of sea water A water front park with a wadding pool ,a floating restaurant ,aqua sports facilities, and beautiful gardens thrill children along with grown up people .Children can watch different varieties of back water fishes in the wadding pool Beautiful statue on the meadows and sculpture by renowned sculpture Kanayi Kunjuraman are the distinct features of veli. There are facilities for pedal boating, row boating. It gives an opportunity to enter the fantastic world of backwaters A visitor who sits by the side of lake will have the incredible experience. He enjoys the rhythm of lake when the small wave hits on its bank on boat racing .Floating Bridge is a new experience to those who visit there. Floating restaurant gives them an excellent opportunity to dine on the surface of water. Then they can pass through the floating bridge to the shore of Arabian Sea .The stretch of white sand and blue water give them the ingredients for relaxation. The youth hostel at veli provides in expensive dormitory type accommodation.

Best Time to visit:- Veli Lake can be visited at any time as it is a major picnic spot for children

How to reach: Nearest airport:Trivandrum International Airport, 

Nearest railwaystation:Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station ,

Nearest bus station :KSRTC Bus station Thiruvananthapuram.

Vellayani Lake

Vellayani Lake is a fresh water lake, which is located in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. Covering an area of 7.5 sq km, this lake is the largest freshwater lake in Thiruvananthapuram District. Many people visit this lake during moonlit nights.

Vellayani Lake attracts large number of tourists during Onam, when the boat race is held in the lake. Located about 7 km away from Kovalam, this lake can be reached by hiring country boats from Kovalam Beach.

How to reach: Nearest airport:Trivandrum International Airport, 

Nearest railwaystation:Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station ,

Nearest bus station :KSRTC Bus station Thiruvananthapuram.

kumarakom: backewater,lake and birds

Kumarakom in Kottayam is the most sought after backwater destination in Kerala. It has seen a boom in recent years with a large number of hotels and holiday retreats being set up there. Kumarakom is 15 km west of Kottayam District. Kumarakom is a bevy of islets on Vembanad Lake. The lush green area has wide expanses of mangrove forest that is home to many species of birds.The flourishing pastures and the countryside life are interspersed with the beautiful Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Stretched across 14 acres, the bird sanctuary is a desired haven of migratory birds and a bird lover’s paradise. Teals, egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in teems are an enthrallment for guests. The finest way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the backwater of of Kottayam on the Vembanad lake. The Sanctuary teems with local waterfowls and over wintering migratory birds such as the Siberian storks.When you float out on the waters, you will find flocks of egrets and snakebirds in close quarters; the way they maneuver their way deep down into the water and surface with an unusual kill perched in between their bills. Boats are available for backwater cruises in the lakeBest season to visit The ideal time to visit the park is between September to Januvary . For those, who like to watching the migratory birds, November to February is the best timeClimate .The temperature in summers ranges between 34.2°C to 22.6°C. Winter temperature ranges between 20 °C to 28 °

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport, 70 km from Kottayam.
Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam, about 15 km away
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station kottayam

Vembanad Lake

kochi lake

Punnamada lake

Vembanad Lake  is the longest lake in india, and the largest lake in the state of Kerala. It is also one of the largest lakes, in India. A lake spanning several districts in the state of Kerala, it is known by different names in different localities viz. Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad, Kochi Lake in Kochi. The Port of kochi is located around two islands (the Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam) in a portion of this lake known as the Kochi Lake. The celebrated Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted in a portion of this lake, in the Kuttanad region, known as the Punnamada Lake. High levels of pollution have been noticed at certain hotspots of Vembanad backwaters. Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under National Wetlands Conservation Programme

How to reach:

Nearest Airport: Cochin International airport
Nearest Railway Station: Ernakulam,Kottayam, Alappuzha
Nearest Bus Station: KSRTC Bus station:Ernakulam,Kottayam, Alappuzha

Pathiramanal

A small island on the backwaters, it is a haven for hundreds of rare birds migrating from different parts of the world. Surrounded by the Vembanad Lake, stretching from Alappuzha to Kochi and the Kayamkulam lake, Pathiramanal is accessible by boat only. It forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. Alappuzha has a vast network of lakes, lagoons and rivers crisscrossing and is a district of immense beauty.

Best Season: August to March

Transport Terminals: Nearest city: Alappuzha

Location: 1 1/2 hours boat ride or 30 minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha.

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha
Nearest Airports: Cochin International Airport, 85 kms away; Thiruvananthapuram, 150 kms away

Sasthamkotta Lake

This is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala covering a surface area of 4.46 sq. k.m. in the Kunnathur taluk of Kollam district. The average depth is 13.3 metres. This is the freshwater source of Kollam Corporation, 29 k.m. away. The water level is said to remain static though 37.5 million litres are pumped out everyday. There are 27 varieties of fish growing in the lake including the delicious 'karimeen', which anglers hook and cook on the spot, proving it to be a big tourist draw. There are boarding facilities within the vicinity, including the PWD rest house and star status hotels. Special country craft are available for going round the lake.

Best Season: August to March 

Transport Terminals: Near by bus stations: Sasthamkotta, Karunagapally-15 km away, Bharanikavu- 5 km away  

Location: The lake is 14 k.m. off Karunagapalli on NH 47 

How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Sasthamkota, 5 k.m. away
Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport