If you have visited Kerala and not seen Vembanad Lake, half of your Kerala experience is incomplete. The vast network of canals and rivers of Kottayam empties into a huge lake known as the Vembanad Lake. It is one of the major attractions in Kerala. There is no need to see that it is becoming a popular backwater tourism destination. This is one of the most popular picnic spots among the locals.
Visiting this Lake will not only give your eyes a visual treat but also give you the opportunity to enjoy fishing, boating and swimming. The sightseeing experiences will 
be simply exhilarating. Kumarakom Tourist Village offers houseboat cruises to Vembanad Lake. It also offers various Kerala holiday packages with the Vembanad Lake as its core attraction.
If you wish to see Vembanad Lake at its best, you should plan your Kerala holidays during Onam. This is the greatest festival of Kerala and the lake comes alive during this festival. It is the time when you can witness the spectacular snake boat races. You can see at least hundred people in a single boat trying hard to win the race.
Vembanad being the largest lake in Kerala covers 200 sq km. The lake is bordered by the Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts. A narrow barrier island separates the lake from the Arabian Sea. Vembanad lies at sea level. The lake is connected to coastal lakes to the south and north through canals. Some of the popular rivers that flow into the lake include Periyar, Achenkovil, Meenachilaru, Manimala, Pamba and Muvattupuzha. The lake also surrounds a few islands like Perumbalam, Pathiramanal and Pallippuram.
If you have come to Kerala with your family, this is undoubtedly the best picnic spot for you. It is an ideal place for a day’s outing. Vembanad Lake is simply fascinating. Other than the lake, the serene countryside, the paddy fields, the mangrove forests and the coconut palms criss-crossing the backwater canals will leave you awestruck. It will take you to a different world far away from the din and bustle of city.
Locally known as Vembanad Kayal, the lake is also one of the largest freshwater lakes of Asia. This giant reservoir is not only a famous tourist destination but it is also a great ecological resource.
The best way to explore this lake is to stay here in a house boat. Instead of looking for hotels in Kerala, you should hire a houseboat. This is a much better option than staying in a hotel Kerala. The houseboats come with living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and an open deck. Staying in a houseboat and floating on the Vembanad Lake will be a lifetime experience.
Comments on this entry are closed.