SRI NAGAR - JAMMU & KASHMIR

About Srinagar Tourism

Located in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, which is called 'Paradise on Earth', Srinagar’s landscape is interspersed with greenery, lakes and hillocks. The city is spread out along the banks of the Jhelum River and is famous for its surrounding natural beauty and postcard tourist spots. The two parts of the city are connected by nine bridges. The Hari Parbat and the Shankar Acharya hills lie on either side of the city.   People & Culture of Srinagar Srinagar has a complex cultural fabric. The many historical constructions and places of worship are long-standing evidences of the historical unity of Srinagar despite the many diverse religious denominations and sects established in the valley since ancient times.  Srinagar is also the venue for many Kashmiri artists, dancers and singers who perform in the various theatres and art houses of the city. Many troupes of the dervish and the qawwali (that have been influenced by both Sufi and Hindustani musical and artistic traditions of Srinagar) survive to this day and the musicians have their own customised musical instruments. There are many Hindu temples that are more than 1000 years old as well as age-old mosques that are landmarks of Srinagar. Also, numerous gurudwaras and monasteries can be found in many places throughout the city. Things to do in Srinagar UNESCO has recognised some of these famous buildings of the city as heritage sites. Some of the famous temples are Shankaracharya Temple, Martand Sun Temple, Kheer Bhavani Temple, Pandrethan Temple, etc. TheHazratbal Mosque, Dal Lake, Wullar Lake, etc. are some prominent attractions of the destination. Srinagar is also a place for trekking and hiking. The most popular trekking route from Srinagar is to the sacred Amarnath cave. An excursion can be taken to Pahalgam and the Dachigam National Park. Srinagar holiday packages can be availed to plan a holiday to the destination.  Another significant attraction of Srinagar is the Tulip Festival, which is organised annually from April 5 to 15 every year.  Food & Shopping in Srinagar Rice is a dominant feature of most meals served in Srinagar and the valley is famous for its unique method of cooking by combining meat with vegetables. The food is generally sharp and spicy.  Tourists can shop for Pashmina shawls and stoles, handmade Kashmiri carpets, wooden crafts and the papier machie products, which are exquisitely crafted and unique to Srinagar. Srinagar is well known for its saffron, which is considered as the royal spice. Tourists can visit the saffron field along the Srinagar – Anantnag Highway, which is at a distance of 13 km from Srinagar to buy Saffron, fresh from the farmers. It might cost around INR 200 per gram. Travelling to Srinagar Srinagar is connected by flights to the Srinagar Airport. Indian Airlines provides daily flight service to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu. The nearest rail station is at Jammu which is almost 300 km away. Bus services are provided by quite a few tour operators from neighbouring regions toreach Srinagar. Tourists can avail private c abs to travel around the city and to nearby places. The climate of Srinagar is pleasant throughout the year, apart from the winters; with summer temperatures staying within 35° Celsius. The proximate presence of the Hokersar wetland influences the climate of Srinagar and keeps it balanced. The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to June. Accommodation options in Srinagar Hotel options in Srinagar range from 5 star hotels, resorts to houseboats, budget hotels, lodges and guesthouses. There is an option for tourists with different budgets.

Srinagar City Attractions : 

Mughal Gardens
The landscaped Mughal Gardens, developed by the rulers of the Mughal dynasty, make you fall in love with their beauty. They consist of mainly the following three gardens:

• Chashmashahi Garden
• Nishat Garden
• Shalimar Garden

Dal Lake
Srinagar sightseeing loses its meaning if you have not visited the Dal Lake. With the backdrop of mountains on three sides, the view of the Dal Lake looks as if you are watching a photograph. This lake counts amongst the most splendid lakes in the country. One of the major attractions of the Dal Lake is the houseboats that stand lining its edges.

Nagin Lake
Another popular tourist attraction of Srinagar is the Nagin Lake. Placid water of the lake, surrounded with manicured flowerbeds and groves of chinar, poplar and willow, is enough to capture your heart.

Shankaracharya Temple
Perched on the Takht-e-Suleiman hill, the Shankaracharya Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is supposed to be the oldest shrine of the Kashmir valley.

Hazratbal Shrine 
Situated opposite the Nishat Bagh on the banks of Dal Lake, the Hazratbal Shrine houses the Moi-e-Muqqadus (preserved sacred hair) of Prophet Mohammad. It is one of the most popular shrines in Srinagar, revered by Hindus as well as Muslims.

LEH - JAMMU & KASHMIR

Leh, Jammu & Kashmir

This mountain town in Ladakh is quickly rising to the top of must-visit lists. Not surprising when you consider the sheer natural beauty of the place.

The towering Himalayas supply a dramatic backdrop and plenty of opportunity for adrenaline junkies to get their fix.

Rock climbing, white-water rafting and skiing are all on offer, and if you're looking for something a little tamer, short trekking jaunts can be arranged.

For a glimpse into the town's culture and rich history, visit the Shey Palace and the many Buddhist monasteries.

Getting there: Travelling to Leh can be quite an effort. There are flights out of Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar and Chandigarh. So if you are coming in from any other part of the country or abroad, you will need to land at one of these to travel on.

The other route is by road along the Manali-Leh highway or the Srinagar-Leh road. Both are closed off from November to May due to harsh winter conditions. Buses and taxis ply these route and should be easy enough to book.

MONASTERIES AND MONUMENTS

The most attractive feature of the landscape of Ladakh are the Buddhist monasteries situated on the isolated hillock in the vicinity of villages, these aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting monasteries provide the focus for the faith of the highly religious Buddhist people. Monasteries are the places of worship, isolated meditation and religious instruction for the young. Many monasteries celebrate their annual festivals in winter, which are marked by gay mask dances. Monasteries have a wealth of artefacts, Lamayuru, the oldest religious centre of Ladakh, beats all other in sheer grandeur. In its uniqueness of wood carving, statues and frescoes, Alchi offers the highest rewards. The wealth of its possession and its annual summer festival make Hemis the most popular, while Thiksay rates high in terms of architectural impact and the beauty of the festival performances at Likir and Phyang with their proximity to Leh are great attractions in their favour while the accessibility of the Shey, Spituk and the Sankar monasteries make them suitable for visitors with time at a premium.

The approach to the monasteries is lined with mane walls and Chortens. Mane walls are made of votive stones on which prayers and holy figures are inscribed, while Chortens are semi religious shrines or reliquaries, containing relics of holy people or scripts. Besides monasteries, the 9 storey Leh Palace, Stok Palace Museum, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre and the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies Choglamsar, Mosque and Moravian Church at Leh are added attraction for the tourists. Most of these can be conveniently visited from Leh as buses ply daily between Leh and those monasteries. Most of the monasteries remain open throughout the day.

NATIONAL MONUMENTS IN LADAKH.

The government of India have declared the following historical monuments in Ladakh as national importance under Archaeological Survey of India.

1. Sculpture at Drass

2. Rock Cut Sculpture at Mulbekh.

3. Lamayuru Monastery

4. Likir Monastery.

5. Alchi Monastery

6. Phyang Monastery.

7. Hemis Monastery.

8. Leh Palace.

9. Old Castle Tsemo Hill.

10. Stupa at T- Suru.

11. Shey Palace

The Castle of Leh And The Temple Of Namgial Tasemo

Leh is the capital of Ladakh and there are many temples, castles and stupas here, which were built by the ancestral Dharmaraja. Leh was the Ist of all the capital of King Takspa Bum-lde who rules over the area of Stod, which included Leh from 2400 to 1430. It was he who built the 'Red Chapel' containing the statue of the Buddha Maitreya, three storey in height with the statue of Avalokitesvara & Manjusri on either side, each one storey high. As speech-supports he had the Sungbum Chenmo and many other sacred texts written out in gold & silver. As a mind support he built, the stupa of Ti'u-Tashis Od-phro containing 108 temples inside. He built this stupa on top of the so-called Yellow- Te'u Demon which had been harming the valley of Leh. The ruin of the stupa can be seen to this day and is known to everyone as Tisuru. Thereafter, the temple of Namgail Tsemo was built during the lifetime of King Tashi Namgial who ruled from 1500 to 1532. He founded the village of Chubi.
The Leh Palace, known as "Lhachen Palkhar" was built by Dharmaraja Singey Namgial in 1600. It has 9 storey. The historians say that its completion took three years. Sankar monastery in Leh which the first Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche founded is a branch monastery of Spituk Monastery.In the town of Leh there is a yellow stupa called the "Mani Sermo" which was built by Rinchen Zangpo, the famous Translator.In the heart of Leh town is the New monastery called Gonpa Soma. The festival of Dosmochey in Leh takes place every year on the 28th & 29th of the Tibetan 12th month. The monks of different monasteries are invited by turn to perform the ceremonies, which ensure health & prosperity. The monks of Takthog monastery come and erect a large thread-cross model (Dosmochey) after which the festival is named. Continuing on the Changspa Lane across the stream, you reach the start of the stiff climb up to the new white peace pagoda "Shanti Stupa" built in 1983.
The architecturally striking Leh Mosque, in the main Bazaar is worth visiting.The Sunni Muslim Mosque is believed to stand on land granted by King Deldan Namgial in the 1660s.


Stok Monastery

15 Kms South of Leh at the West Bank of river Indus is the Royal Palace dating from the 1834 A.D. when the invading Dogra forces deposed the king of Ladakh. The Palace is a rambling building where only a dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The Royal Palace Museum is worth visiting. It is a show piece for the royal thangkas, king’s crown, dresses, coins, peraks encrusted with turquoise and lapis lazuli as well as religious objects. The monastery founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus, a short distance away has some ritual mask dance (Guru Tseschu) held on the 9th and 10 th day of the Ist month of Tibetan calendar


Shey Palace

King Deldan Namgial (1620 - 1640) built Shey palace (15 Km from Leh) in the beginning of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the 3 storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper guilt, which was made by King Deldan Namgail in the memory of his father Singay Namgail.The statue is the only of its kind in the region


Thiksay Monastery

Thiksay Gonpa, 22 Km from Leh is the most beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh, belongs to the Gelukpa order. The Gonpa was first build at Stakmo by Changsem Sherab Zangpo of Stod. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Spon Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiksay Gonpa on a hill top to north of Indus river in 1430 AD. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen there. Two hundredfifty monks are in residence. The successive reincarnations of the Skyabsje Khanpo Rinpoche act as incumbents of the monastery. Sacred dances are held at the time of the Gustor the annual festival, which is performed every year from the 17th to 19th day of the 9th month of Tibetan Calendar. Although there was a very large temple built in ancient times at Thiksay by Rinchen Zangpo, the Translator, now it is in ruins. What remains of the building and walls can be seen at the site of the temple which was called Lakhang Nyerma and which was dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo


Stakna Monastery

The Stakna monastery lies at a distance of 25 Kms from Leh on the left bank of the river Indus. The monastery formed part of the one of the many religious estates offered to the great scholar saint of Bhutan called Chosje Jamyang Palkar in about 1580 AD by the Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial who had invited him to Ladakh. The monastery was built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose and so its name was given as Stakna (Tiger’s nose). The most important image in the monastery is that of the sacred Arya Avaloketesvara from Kamrup (Assam). There are about 30 monks in residence. The successive reincarnation of the Stakna Tulku act as the incumbents the monastery and they continue to fulfil the fine responsibility of upholding the teachings of the Dugpa order. The branch monasteries attached to Stakna are those of Mud and Kharu and that of Stakrimo, Bardan and Sani in Zanskar


Hemis Monastery

47 Km from Leh on the west bank of the Indus, the monastery belongs to Dugpa Kargyutpa order, built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, is hidden in a gorge. It is the biggest and richest monastery in Ladakh and is must see for visitors. Sacred mask dance is performed on 9th, and 10th, day of the Tibetan 5th, month of Tibetan calendar. During the Hemis Tsechu held in the year of the Monkey it is possible to see the sacred appliqué- work tapestry wrought with pearls the depicts the precious teacher Padmasambhava.Next display of great Thanka will be in 2004.Within the monastery there are to be seen a copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver, sacred thankas and many objects. The monastery was founded by the 1st incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, which was invited to Ladakh by the king Singay Namgial and offered him a religious estate through out the region. A pleasant 3 Km walk, on the side of the mountain above the monastery there is a sacred hermitage founded by the great Gyalwa Kotsang where in the cave, his foot-print and hand - print on the rock is available for visit. This Kotsang is an old hermitage, which was founded many years before the Hemis Monastery. A stay in Hemis over night enables you to attend early morning prayers, a moving experience and strongly recommended.
The Hemis Monastery also serves as the venue of an annual festival, known as the Hemis Tse-shu. This festival is celebrated as a commemoration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhav. On the day of the Hemis Festival, the thangka of the monastery is displayed, with a gap of twelve years between successive displays. The Thanka is the sacred appliqué-work tapestry wrought with pearls, which depicts Guru Padmasambhava. This annual Festival is dedicated to benefit all beings, including animals, hell beings and everyone that is suffering in the samsara (Wheel of Life).


Spituk Monastery

9 Km from Leh, the monastery standing on a conical hill with 3 chapels was founded in the 11th, century by Od-de the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, when he came to Maryul. He introduced a monastic community. When Rinchen Zangpo, the translator came to that place he said that an exemplary religious community would arise there and so the monastery was called Spituk (Exemplary). That time it belonged to the Kadampa School. Then during the lifetime of Dharmaraja Tagspa Bum- Lde Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery and the stainless order of Tsongkhapa was introduced and it has remained intact as such up till the present. The Principal statue is that of the lord Buddha. Within this status there is a sacred image of Amitayus, about the finger size, presented to King Tagspa Bum-Lde by the great Tsongkhapa. Every year from the 27th, to 29th, days of the Tibetan 11th, month the sacred dance associated with the festival of the Gustor are held. Stok Monastery, Sankar monastery and Saboo monastery are branches of Spituk Monastery. The incumbents of all these monasteries are the successive reincarnations of Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche. The monastery belongs to Gelugpa order. There are about 150 monks in the monastery of Spituk


Leh Mosque

The historical mosque at Leh was built around 1666 - 67 A.D. during the reign of Raja Deldan Namgail of the Namgail dynasty of Ladakh.This mosque is in Ladakhi artichecture.

KERALA

WELCOME TO KERALA- THE GREEN TROPICAL PARADISE IN INDIA

Keala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia... An equable climate... A long shoreline with serene beaches... Tranquil streches of emerald Kerala backwaters... Lush Kerala hill stations and exotic Kerala wildlife... Kerala Waterfalls... Sprawling Kerela plantations and paddy fields... Kerala Ayurvedic health holidays... Enchanting art forms of Kerla... Magical festivals of Kerala...Historic and cultural monuments in Kerala...An exotic Kerala cuisine...All of which offers the visitors an unique experience... Kerela is networked by forty four rivers, with the Arabian Sea in the west, and the Western Ghats towering 500-2700m in the east...

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.Nestled in the lush forests of the Western ghats in Kerala are 12 Wildlife sanctuaries and two National Parks.
The following are the Wildlife Sanctuaries / National Parks in Kerela : Peppara Wildlife sanctuary Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary Periyar Wildlife sanctuary Idduki Wildlife sanctuary Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary Parambikulam Wildlife sanctuary Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Muthanga Wildlife sanctuary Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary Thattekad Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Silent Valley National Park Eravikulam National Park
Main animals in the sanctuaries of Kerela are : Elephants, gaur, sambar, deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars, sloth bears, leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri Tahrs, langur, malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, tiger,panthers, spotted deer, grizzled giant squirrels, Hanuman langurs, peacocks, star tortoises, wild dogs, civet cats, The Atlas moth, bonnet, macaques, Loris, mongoose, foxen, bears, barking deer, pangolins, bison, bears etc..   The Reptiles found in the sanctuaries of Kerala are : Cobra, Viper, krait, a number of non poisonous snakes, bicoloured frogs, crocodiles, varanur pond terrapins, cane turtles, star tortoises, geckoes, skunks, chameleons, spectacled cobras, pythons, green keel backs, rat snakes, vine snakes, monitor lizards etc...
	Main birds seen in the sanctuaries of Kerela are : Water fowl, Cuckoo, Owl, Egret, Heron, Water duck, Migratory Siberian Duck, Jungle fowls, Mynas, Laughing thrushes, Black bulbuls, Peafowls, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, The hornbill, Stork, Raptor, Darter, Cormorant, Grackle, Cluster, Indian rollers, Common snipes, Crow pheasants, Jungle nightjars, Kites, Grey drongos, Malabar trogons, Llarge pied wagtails, Baya sparrows, Grey jungle fowls, Indian hill mynas, Robins, Jungle babblers, Sunbirds, Peacocks, Crimson-throated barbets, Bee-eaters, Shrikes, Fairy bluebirds, Grey-headed fishing eagles, Black winged kites, Night herons, Grey hornbills, Malabar hornbills  and more than 253 additional species including migrant birds.. Main flora in the sanctuaries of Kerela  are Teak, maruthu, karimaruthi, rosewood, venteak, vengal, chadachi, mazhukanjiram, bamboo, neem, nanjanathi, sandal, dendrocalamus, marythu, vaka, , mulluvenka. elavu,
manjakadambu pala, vembu, aval etc... and over 1800 flowering plants including 171 grass species, 143 species of orchids etc...
Kerala Backwaters . .The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world.  Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea.  The backwaters of Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life.  The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport.  Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable The largest backwater stretch in Kerela is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi Port.  The Astamudi lake,  literarlly having eight arms, which covers a major portion of Kollam district in the south, is the second largest and is considered the gateway to the backwaters. The most exciting thing on the backwaters of Kerela, however,  is the kettuvallom ( traditional houseboat ) which has become the most popular tourism product in India today.  In a land as waterbound as Kerala it wouldn't be an unusual sight, but for a visitor to God's Own Country a houseboat gliding along the vast green expanse of the backwaters is the most amazing spectacle in the world.  Even more enchanting is a holiday in the houseboats of Kerela. Kerala Beaches . .Kerela has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with some of the finest, most charming beaches of the world, coconut groves,  natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves.  All of it as peaceful as the rest of the land, washed by the pleasant tropical sun and as pristine as ever.    Kovalam beach :  This internationally renowned beach resort of  Kerela  has been a favorite haunt of tourists since the 1930s.  Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent beaches.  The southernmost , known as the Lighthouse beach, is the most popular, Kovalam offers accommodation options to suit all the budgets. Poovar Beach : Poovar is an unspoilt and unexplored island, envoloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach. Shanghumugham Beach : This is a favorite haunt of sunset viewers.  The beach is adjacent to the Thiruvananthapuram ( Trivandrum ) airport and Veli Tourist Village. The Varkala Beach : Vakala is a seaside resort and spa, as well as an important Hindu centre of pilgrimage.  High cliffs with rich mineral springs rise majestically from the coastline.  The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and the Nature Care Centre are the two main attractions there Alappuzha Beach :  This is one of the most popular picnic spots in alappuzha.  The pier, which extends into the sea here, is about 140 years old. Cherai Beach - This lovely beach bordering Vypeen island is ideal for swimming.  Dolphins are occassionally seen here. Fort Kochi Beach - The town was shaped by the Portuguese, the Dutch and later the British.. Kappad - This is the historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed on the 27th of May, 1498 with 170 men in three vessels.  The rock studded beach is locally known as Kappakadavu.  An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawing rock that protrudes into the sea.  The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old Kerala Hill Stations . Kerala has a long chain of lush, mid-clad hill stations that are home to exotic wildlife. All the hill resorts in Kerela offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty The major Hill resorts of Kerela are: Munnar, Ponmudi, Peerumade, Neliyampathy, , Peruvannamuzhi, Tusharagiri, Wayanad, Pythal Mala, Ezhimala, Ranipuram, Devikulam, Wagamon etc. Munnar HillsMunnar hills is situated in the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni & Kundala. Situated 1600 metre above sealevel, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.    Ramakalmedu: Rolling green hills and the fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu and enchanting retreat. The hilltop also offers a panoramic view of the picturesque villages of Bodi and Cumbum on the eastern slope of the Western Ghats. Situated at a distance of 40 km from Thekkady and 75 km from Munnar Echo Point This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station in Munnar RajamalaRajamala is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres), the Eravikulam - Rajamala region is now home to half the world population – estimated at around 1300 - of this endangered mountain goat. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala.    VagamonOne of the most beautiful places with a chain of three hills - the Thangal hill, the Murugan hill and the Kurisumala, important for Muslims, Hindus and Christians respectively. PullumeduVelvet lawns and rare flora and fauna add to the beauty of Pullumedu. The famous Sree Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala and the Makara Jyothi illuminations at the shrine are visible from here. The winding journey to this hill along the Periyar River, offers a stunning view of hills draped in lush greenery.    Vandanmedu This is one of the world's largest auction centres for cardamom. A walk through the sprawling cardamom plantations of Vandanmedu is a heady experience. ChellarkovilThis sleepy little village with its breathtaking view of the plains and cascading waterfalls is a feast for the eyes. The village slopes down to the famous coconut groves of Cumbum in neighbouring Tamil Nadu. VandiperiyarThe River Periyar flowing through the centre of this town nourishes its vast tea, coffee and pepper plantations. A major trade centre, Vandiperiyar is also home to a number of tea factories. The Agriculture Farm and Flower Garden have a delightful array of rose plants, orchids and anthuria. Pattumala Pattumala or Hill draped in silk in Peermede has charms like no other. The lofty peaks, the little streams and the green expanse of the tea plantations give the hills an ethereal beauty. Eravikulam National Park A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr ( Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi ( the highest peak south of Himalayas ) Kerala Houseboats [Luxury category] . A Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today.  In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.   Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and te deltas of forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala.  The backwatrs mainly covers the four districts of the state - Kollam, Alleppey (alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).    The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey ( Alappuzha ) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi ( Cochin ) Port.  The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the backwaters. Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat or ketuvallom. Non A/c Houseboat The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of  Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.  Once these Rice Barges ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities.  But in the recent times, the ketuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats or Kettuvaloms. Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood.  Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam.  Jackwood planks are joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashewnut shells.   There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction.  Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers. The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by.  Bedroom of Luxury A/c Houseboat Open lounge of Luxury A/c Houseboat Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms or houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama.  Every houseboat is manned by a crew - usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman. The kitchen in the houseboat or ketuvallam is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food.  The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala cooking.  Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the economy of the village.  Only authentic Kerala food is prepared under high standards of hygiene and professional competency by expert cooks, who have been specially trained. The highest classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats are Gold Star and Silver Star.  All the Houseboats dealt by us are either Silver Star or Gold Star. Click here to view the various Hous Boat cruise packages The Luxury A/c Houseboat offered by us includes the following facilities : Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel. The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200 fiber optic lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a cozy feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest preferences. Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c Houseboat will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide an ideal, romantic setting for the boat. The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c Houseboat have complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall to offer the guests a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters while traveling Each bed in the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the exact height of the window, so the guest gets a good view even while lying on the bed. Each room in the Luxury A/c Houseboat has a dressing mirror, luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe, attached bathrooms and air-conditioning Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvallams have a shower area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the largest on any boat. All fittings are of high quality. Click here to view the various Hous Boat cruise packages The wall next to the WC has a large picture window that offers the guest an ample view of the backwaters, similar to the one in the bedroom and it also offers a feeling of space and ample natural lighting. The exterior walls, i.e. the textured finished walls in the dining/living area and pathway have niches incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that follow a theme on each Luxury A/c Houseboat. The kitchen, at the rear of the boat, is complete with a modern equipment and ambience, even though it is for use for the staff only. A 165 lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level. Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so choose. Every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety jackets are available on board. Onboard game activities include - Chess, Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch pads, Library & High-End music system. Come, check into our Houseboat for the most amazing experience of your life. No. of Luxury Houseboats available - 03 Nos. Corridor of Luxury A/c Houseboat Lunch in the Luxury A/c houseboat