Things to Do in Kerala Backwaters Beyond Houseboat Rides

Kerala has always been known for its backwaters and the floating boats on them. The canals and the houseboats are the experience you have always talked about if the topic is Kerala. While this is magical but there are a few things that are not talked about. There are breathtaking views, villages, waterways, wildlife, and much more. The traditional touch of the place will take you back to the old days.

If you want to explore something beyond the houseboat rides and all, here you can take the help of this guide and explore Kerala in different ways and in a more in-depth and authentic manner. You will enjoy the trip, be it cycling through the lanes of coconut or trying the traditional cuisines, the experience will give you the answer to why this place is known as the God’s Own Country.

1. Backwater Villages

Coming to this place will give you an experience of authentic traditional living. While coming to this place, you will find paddy fields of rice, ponds filled with lotus, and the old traditional houses with tiled roofs. You will find fisherman mending their nets on the shore of the sea, women are weaving the ropes, and the children are playing around with the ferries.

You will come to know about the culture of this place while visiting some places like Kumarakom, Kuttanad, which are home to the hamlets, who will give you the cultural feel. A walk to the village will take you to the traditional shops, where you will get to know how the boats are made, and you will also find a small plantation of spices, and you will come to know some stories about the place from the local people.

2. Homestay Experience

You can experience staying in the local backwaters, where you can get the experience of the place and come to know about the traditional things of the work. The Kerala homes have been transformed into guest houses, which gives you an authentic experience of the hospitality provided in Kerala. You will also get the traditional food.

In the morning, the first thing you are going to smell is of fresh appam and stew. You will also get the taste of fish curry, which the host will serve you, and if you want, you can also learn how to make it. You can even join a family or group of people and get a boat ride along with the beautiful sunset. Sit along with the family and talk to them, share the meal with them, and you will come to know about a lot of stories that you will find fascinating.

3. Village Coir-Making

You would always like to learn something which is world famous, then this is the thing, Kerala’s coconut fiber industry, and the backwaters are the heart of this industry. You can experience the making of this fiber in a close manner by visiting any coir-making industry. You will see women doing the work of making mats and ropes, and dyeing them in different colours.

You can learn the art of making coir, as some of the workshops allow you to try your hand at spinning coir. This art is much more difficult than it looks, but it gives you a sense of satisfaction as you create something with your hands.

4. Birdwatching in Kumarakom

This place is known for the variety of birds that are available in this place. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a place that is spread over 14 acres of land and is home to different species of birds. Birds like herons, egrets, waterfowl, and the beautiful Siberian cranes. This place is a paradise for bird lovers, and if you want to see the most activities of birds, then you have to visit this place in the early morning or during the late afternoon.

Not only the area of Kumarakom, but also other places like Kottayam and Alappuzha provide a magnificent and excellent bird-watching opportunity. You can also find the most famous majestic Brahminy kite moving past your way. So always keep your binoculars and cameras ready to capture the moment.

5. Backwaters in Bicycle

Do you love cycling and slow journeys? Then this is the best place. You can cycle through the backwaters and enjoy your slow ride. While cycling around this place, you will find different people doing their jobs, like you will come across the fishermen, schoolchildren heading towards their school, and waving at you, and the long paddy fields.

While cycling, you should have a cycling guide with you so that you can explore some of the places; it can be a local tourist guide or someone. The best village to cycle around is Kainakary and Pathiramanal island’s as these places have flat terrains and stunning views which will set you back. You can take the experience of both land and water with the help of the ferry crossings.

6. Pathiramanal Island

This place is also know as “Sands of Midnight”. It is a tiny island in Vembanad Lake where you can only reach with the help of boat. This place is not inhabited. You won’t find a lot of people in this place, this place is mostly known for it’s greenery and the variety of birds available in this place. When you will walk through this place you will find as if you are walking in a fairy tale and you will hear the voice of the birds all around yourself.

You can come here for picnic and relax yourself and can spend a lazy day. As this place is uninhabited, which makes this place perfect for peace loving people and an escape from the crowd.

7. Kerala Cooking Style

If you are a person who is interested in cooking, then you can join some local cooking classes available over here and learn to make some traditional Kerala food. The flavors available here keep your mouth watering. You can learn how to cook pawn curry with coconut milk, mango fish curry, and the most famous Karimeen Pollichathu.

While cooking you will also get the experience of getting into the local markets and collect the fresh ingredients from which you will cook mouth watering food. You will also get to hear the stories of the spices and how they are produced.

8. Snake Boat Racing

If by any chance you are visiting during the monsoon season, then you might witness the most thrilling and spectacular snake boat race known as Vallam Kali. This is a race, which is a traditional game where the boat is rowed on the waters by 100 rowers, and it goes a high speed along with the traditional songs of Kerala.

There is another famous boat race which takes place in villages like Aranmula and Champakulam which is done in a smaller scale but are equally exciting to see. The most famous race is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Alappuzha.

9. Town of Alleppey

This place is also known as “Venice of the East”. This place is not only a place where the cruises of the houseboats start, this place is also filled with rich historical stories, traditional markets, and the magnificent and beautiful architecture. If you roam the streets, you can see old colonial buildings, lighthouses, and some traditional shops that sell spices, and the bazaar is filled with handicrafts.

The thing you don’t want to miss is going to be the sunset. You experience the sunset and it will feel like the gold is melting down and merging in the waters and are hiding behind the hills.

10. Sunrise and Sunset Photography

While watching the sunset from the houseboat is famous, but there are some places where you can see the sun rising and setting, which will give you an breathtaking experience with the colours. The early morning view is a pure beauty with the rising of the sun and watching the fishermen getting out in their small boats.

You need to pack your cameras and get ready to click a lot of photos, which you will take back with you with the stories of backwaters and the ancient places.

The backwaters of Kerala are filled with a lot of culture, rich traditions, diversity of life, and the local people. This place is a perfect destination. While houseboats have always been famous among the people, experiencing the authentic and traditional stuff creates a deeper connection.

So, its time to come to Kerala and enjoy the environment and hospitality beyond the houseboats.