Backwaters of Kumarakom between Alappuzha and Kottayam is a popular tourist destination. Backwaters of Kuttanad region, the rice bowl of Kerala, is also very famous. The life style in the area is unique as 3/4 of the year, the land is flooded. This area is probably the one and only place in world where farming is done below sea level. The Kollam Alappuzha backwater trip is a tourist favorite. This slow journey by boat takes almost seven hours. One can see villages life at close quarters besides the farming and fishing activities.
 

Sunset View	Sunrise View	Backwater View

Kettuvallam (House Boats) :- Large boats of over 60 feet in length covered with sheets made up of coconut leafs or palm leafs. Now these are converted into floating luxury dwelling units.  These houseboats come in all shapes and sizes. The houseboats are generally powered by a small outboard engine, allowing one to cruise along the the backwaters. Now lot of facilities are providing in houseboats like rooms, kitchen, dormitories, conference rooms, etc.

There are motorboats are available for hire to travel through the backwaters. The major places for backwater activities are Kollam, Cochin, Alappuzha, Vaikom and Kumarakom. Snake boat race through backwaters are a major tourist attraction.