Backwater tourism in Kerala, God's Own Country is gaining popularity fast. Every year tourists from all over the world visits this beautiful Indian state of Kerala and enjoy and cherish backwater tourism. Backwaters in Kerala are a wide network several water bodies like lagoons, lakes, canals, channels, estuaries, rivers, inlets, etc which drain into Arabian Sea. Backwaters are the example of perfect eco tourism in India. They are blessed with superb natural beauty and which are delight for tourists. Scenic shorelines are dotted with palm coconut tress, and several other bushy plants. Several species of birds can be seen on the shoreline. Several traditional villages are situated on the shoreline. Several monuments and temples can be also seen on the shoreline. In fact, backwaters are complete tourism package for tourists. And off course tourists do not forget to enjoy the charm of backwater tourism during their Kerala tours in India.

The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake. This lake is uniquely blessed with superb natural beauty. It sprawls into the three predominant districts of the state ? Alleppey, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. The lake has the area of 205 square kilometres. On the periphery of picturesque Vembanad Lake there is situated Kumarakom and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Kumarakom is one of the most popular backwater destinations of Kerala which is served as starting and ending point of cruises. The islands of Cochin (also known as now Kochi) are situated at the meeting place of Vembanad Lake and Sea. A sunset boat cruise over the serene water of picturesque Vembanad Lake provides tourists delightful experience of lifetime. Cruising on the lake also provides tourists wonderful opportunity to see the bird activities at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary or Water Bird Sanctuary.

One of the best and most preferred ways to explore the scenic charm of waterways in this beautiful Indian state is staying at house boats for few days. Alleyppey, Kollam, Fort Kochi, Kumarakom, etc can be best destinations for start your houseboats Kerala cruise. The house boats used for cruising on the scenic backwaters were traditionally called Kettuvallams and used as cargo carriers. Now those Kettuvallams are converted into luxurious house boats offering accommodation and facilities like luxurious hotels. A well organized boat cruise takes tourists into the unique world of waters and wonderments. Tourists find wonderful opportunity to enjoy the charm of superb nature by close. They get wonderful opportunity to see several species of aquatic animals, water birds, water flowers, etc in and alongside the backwaters.

For honeymoon couples cruise is like a dream option. And it is right that a stay for few days on luxurious house boat provides newly wedded couples and sheer romantic experience of lifetime. There are several cruise organizers which offer and prepare house boat packages especially for honeymooners or newly wedded couples.

So, if you too want to enjoy the real charm of travel and tourism in Kerala, God's Own Country, you should not miss to visit backwater destinations of the state and off course don't forgo to enjoy charm of houseboat stay otherwise your tour is incomplete.