Imagine venice with a bunch of cocounut palms and earthen tiled roof homes where 5 year old kids row their canoes to school and fish vendors come to your doorstep in long wooden boats. Well.. the kerala folks fondly love calling the backwaters “the venice of the east”. But its much prettier with the village charm and the ever smiling local hospitality.
Vembanad lake, south of cochin in Kerala is a must visit only for its size. There are more than 90 villages interconnected with canals and these are called the water-highways of the south. On the left bank is Allepy.. the backpacker destination (which we shall cover soon) and on the right bank, which is on the horizon from allepy is Kumarakom.. the “posh” side of the lake. Out of the many luxury resorts to stay at, tripp.in recommends the top 5 in no particular order.
The Taj Garden Retreat
The Coconut Lagoon
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Tharavadu Heritage Home
Golden Waters
kerala backwaters
Make sure you get your to-die-for kerala ayurvedic massage at least once during your stay. Stay in a houseboat one night. Take a village tour on a small canoe at sunset and try the Kari Meen – black pomfret from the lake made in traditional kerala style. Cheaper options to stay are available although difficult to find.
If you do decide to the 24 hour houseboat cruise, carry bug repellant as they park the boats on the banks of the lake at night. And if you do plan to offer your alcohol to the skipper, make sure you carry an extra bottle of dark rum for him. You just might get to steer the boat back to the resort!