One of the sad realities of life is that the country of India is highly underrated as a holiday destination. Yes there is no denying the fact that our planet is filled with extreme diversity in terms of physical locations and to add a cherry on top of the cake, these destinations have their own unique cultural identity as well. This is why all such destinations are absolutely irresistible. But this does not mean that India is any less. The lure towards foreign places is mainly because of the fact that the grass is always greener on the other side. But upon coming for tours to Kerala, one will realise the marvels this country consists of. One such hidden marvel is the state of Kerala.
Why must you visit Kerala?
Kerala is a state which is situated at the southern end of India that is surrounded by water bodies on all three sides. Located at the Malabar Coast in India, this state is blessed with a highly vast coastline which stretches out at an expanse of nearly 600 kilometres. This means that when you visit Kerala on your India vacation, this destination is the ideal place to be at if you're looking for a tropical paradise which has been hidden amidst lush greenery. The air here is so fresh that you will instantly feel energetic in an environment that is pure and unfiltered. Hence Kerala absolutely lives up to the name of being 'God's own country'. Any travel lover wouldn't want to miss out on such a wonder, would he?
How to reach Kerala?
Kerala is one such place which is prone to tourists from across the globe. This can be proved so as every Indian travel agency in the USA offers a really exciting and attractive Kerala tour package for your vacation to India. This in itself is enough proof about the kind of demand that is prevalent to travel here. And Kerala tourism rightly understands that. This is why they have made sure that there is enough connectivity for people in and outside of India to reach their desired location. You can find all kinds of means of transportation here. This state has three international airports and is also connected through the waterways owing to its massive coastline. The ports here are busy which are connected to the Lakshadweep islands as well. Once you arrive in the state, the internal transport is extremely smooth. Kerala pays special attention to maintaining its highway quality for the comfort and safety of its tourists. Apart from this, you can also opt for commuting through rail. Kerala has over two hundred railways stations which connect even the remotest of areas.
Backwaters: The True Jewel of Kerala
There is one special feature that you will find in Kerala which makes it stand apart in all of the world which are its famous backwaters. It can be rightly said that these backwaters are efficient enough in connecting all kinds of water bodies that are prevalent in the land of Kerala. Be it canals, lagoons, or even lakes which are parallel to the Arabian Sea. The regions surrounding these backwaters are considered to be one of the most popular tourist destinations on an international scale. Not only is the land surrounding it popular but almost the surface of the water. This means that people from all nooks and corners of the planet are eager to spend a few nights floating on these pure waters whilst enjoying the lush greenery that they are surrounded with.
Places to Visit While Floating Through The Backwaters
1. Canal Cruise in Alappuzha
Alappuzha has earned itself the identity of being a hub for travellers on a Kerala trip to experience the Keralite backwaters. Hence it is inevitable to miss out on this holiday destination. The major attraction which Alappuzha offers to its visitors is a unique experience while travelling. You may have often explored places on foot or in a car but Alappuzha will give you an opportunity to wander amidst the greenery of Kerala in a luxurious yet out-of-the-box manner. You can float in paradise, literally! Alappuzha gives you the chance to book yourself on a luxurious canal cruise which will end up becoming an experience of a lifetime for you. All you gotta do is hire a houseboat which will take you around the 'Venice of the East'. This houseboat is made from pure wood and has its design inspired from the local traditional woodwork of Kerala. But on the inside, it has all the modern amenities that one can imagine. Hence you can go around floating through these backwaters with utmost ease and luxury.
2. Vaikom
While floating through the backwaters, pick Vaikom as the next stop during your vacation to India. On the way to Vaikom, you will come across the Vembanad Lake. This is the ideal place if you want to experience the rural life of Kerala in its true sense. This lake and the land around it gives the ultimate rustic feel of the backwater village life. This is also the place from where you can enjoy the largest stretch of backwaters in Kerala. Thus all you have to do is sit back and watch the waters swishing to find mental peace.
Vaikom on the other hand consists of a number of interesting sights to witness for yourself. This is one such place where one can find remnants of the grand culture which Kerala holds for us.
3. Kumbalangi
Don't forget to hog on a delicious authentic meal before leaving from Vaikom. After this, proceed to visit Kumbalangi. This village is surrounded by paddy fields and coconut groves, which are the essence of Kerala. There is one important factor which is essential to witness on India vacation, especially in the land of Kerala. In terms of a tropical land, fishery is an extremely relevant detail. As soon as you reach here, you will come across humongous Chinese fishing nets lying by the side of the water bodies.