Six places, one backwater country.
From Alleppey's palm-lined canals to Munnar's tea hills, every corner of Kerala has its own water and weather. Here are the six destinations we recommend you build a trip around.
500+ reviews
Featured destination
Where every backwater journey begins
The flagship of Kerala's backwaters — and the trip we're best known for.
The Venice of the East
Alleppey
The beating heart of Kerala's backwaters — a lattice of palm-lined canals, lagoons and rice fields best seen from the deck of a private houseboat.
Best time
Nov – Feb
Getting there
1.5 hrs from Kochi airport
The other five
Destinations to pair or visit on their own
Hover a panel to watch it come alive.
Birdsong on the lake
Kumarakom
A cluster of little islands on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake — quieter than Alleppey, with a famous bird sanctuary and some of Kerala's finest lakeside stays.
Explore Kumarakom
02The rice bowl of Kerala
Kuttanad
One of the few places on earth where farming happens below sea level — an endless green quilt of paddy fields, dykes and canals between Alleppey and Kollam.
Explore Kuttanad
03Where the backwaters begin
Kollam
The southern gateway to the backwaters, set on the vast Ashtamudi Lake — the starting point of the classic eight-hour cruise up to Alleppey.
Explore Kollam
04Five centuries by the sea
Fort Kochi
The historic port that gives most backwater trips their start — a walkable quarter of colonial streets, Chinese fishing nets and a living harbour.
Explore Fort Kochi
05Tea hills above the water
Munnar
The high-country counterpoint to the backwaters — rolling tea estates, cool mountain air and misty valleys, most often paired with a houseboat cruise.
Explore MunnarBirdsong on the lake
Kumarakom
A cluster of little islands on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake — quieter than Alleppey, with a famous bird sanctuary and some of Kerala's finest lakeside stays.
Explore KumarakomThe rice bowl of Kerala
Kuttanad
One of the few places on earth where farming happens below sea level — an endless green quilt of paddy fields, dykes and canals between Alleppey and Kollam.
Explore KuttanadWhere the backwaters begin
Kollam
The southern gateway to the backwaters, set on the vast Ashtamudi Lake — the starting point of the classic eight-hour cruise up to Alleppey.
Explore KollamFive centuries by the sea
Fort Kochi
The historic port that gives most backwater trips their start — a walkable quarter of colonial streets, Chinese fishing nets and a living harbour.
Explore Fort KochiTea hills above the water
Munnar
The high-country counterpoint to the backwaters — rolling tea estates, cool mountain air and misty valleys, most often paired with a houseboat cruise.
Explore MunnarMulti-stop itineraries
Pair a backwater stay with the hills or coast
Our most popular trips combine a few nights in the hills or the old port with a private houseboat cruise. We'll plan the entire route around your dates.
Sample route
4–6 nights
Munnar
Tea hills · 2–3 nts
Backwater cruise
Private houseboat · 1–2 nts
Fort Kochi
Old port · 1 nt
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