State: Kerala
District: Districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam
Location: 21 km from Alappuzha
Altitude: 2 m below sea level
Serves as: Picnic spot, Prime tourist destination in Kerala
Famous for: Houseboat rides, Village tours, scenic surroundings, geographical peculiarities
Located at the heart of the backwaters in the Alappuzha Districts, Kuttanad is fondly called as the Rice Bowl of Kerala.The place gets this name for being one of the major rice producers of Kerala. The backwaters of Kerala has always drawn thousands of tourists from all around the world. But Kuttanad is the right place, where one should plan a trip to get the real experience. The geographical peculiarities of Kuttanad is what makes it an interesting place to visit. Kuttanad is the only region in India with the lowest altitude. Farming that is done here in Kuttanad is all on land reclaimed from the back waters. Farming here is carried out at 4 to 10 feet below sea level. The farming system implemented in Kuttanad, called as Bio-saline Farming has been declared as a 'Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.'
But that is not all! Mother nature has blessed Kuttanad with it's beauty. One of the activity most enjoyed here in Kuttanad is photography. Do not walk around Kuttanad without cameras as there is beauty all around Kuttanad with its green paddy fields, enchanting backwaters, the crisscrossing streams, houseboats, canals, birds such as ducks and darter birds, lilies, people and their lifestyle. The crisscrossing canals of Kuttanad are home to tall, swaying coconut trees that make it a picture perfect. Everything about this place is unforgettable and hence needs to be captured in your camera.
What adds spice to the trip to Kuttanad is its local cuisine comprising of fresh fish delicacies like spicy fried tiger prawns or other fish along with fresh toddy. Kuttanad also serves as a perfect one day picnic spot for people staying close-by. The view of countryside from the houseboats is enchanting. The best way to enjoy the scenery and the vast expanse of paddy fields is through boat rides. One gets some awesome clicks while passing through the backwaters, visit the Munroe lighthouse, visit lakes and uninhabited islands and many such breathtaking sights.
If one finds houseboat trips expensive, then there is an option of enjoying the boat rides with KTDC Govt. passenger boat rides or short boat trips with canoes which are comparatively cheaper. One can take the boat rides from Kodimatha boat Jetty in the district of Kottayam. One of the best full day houseboat ride can be enjoyed between Kollam and Alappuzha. One can enjoy a beautiful driving experience through the Alappuzha - Changanassery road which lies at the heart of Kuttanad. The experience of journey to Kuttanad will give you memories to reminiscence on for a lifetime. The classic rural beauty of Kuttanad is so mesmerizing that it has even earned the title of being the 'Cultural Sphere of Kerala'.
Kuttanad is at it's best during winter. Summer in Kuttanad are hot and humid. The climate is not favorable for boat-rides and sightseeing given the soaring heat. But post monsoon, starting from early October to early March, Kuttanad is the best with it's lush greenery, scenic surroundings and favorable weather. Hence one should visit Kuttanad between October to March.
Go water-cruising with houseboats on the backwaters
Enjoy boat rides to smaller and quaint water inlets in canoes
Go sightseeing
Enjoy a village tour
Witness the scenic beauty
Drift through the calmness and relax
Fish, Fish, Fish
Fish cooked in banana leaf
Toddy
Traditional breakfast dish Puttu
Duck curry
Duck roast
Traditional South Indian food comprising of appams, idli, dosa
Champanakulam is one of the must places to visit in Kuttanad. It is covered in one of the village tour. This small settlement amidst the scenic surroundings is split in two by River Pamba, one of the major rivers in Kuttanad. The banks on both side of the river are blanketed with paddy field and tall coconut trees. One of the oldest Christian Church, namely St. Mary's Forane Church is one of the place one should visit. This church is to be believed to have been built in the 427 AD. The trip to Champakulam is trip full of tranquility and rejuvenating.
Punnamada Lake is the extension of the second largest lagoon in India - Vembanad Lake of Kerala. This lake is one of the most visited tourist spot in Kuttanad. Kuttanad is also known for boat racing in the Punnamada Backwaters. The Punnamada Lake is famous for the boat racing known as the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It settles amidst scenic surroundings and is home to vast number of flora and fauna.This is also because the part of Punnamadu Lake further extends into the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is known to be the home of migratory birds.
Located 5 km from Kuttanad is the village of Karumady, the home to an eleventh century black granite of Shri Buddha with left hand side of the statue missing. This site is considered to be of great historical importance. It is a very small and peaceful village worth visiting.
Located 38 km from Kuttanad is Pathiramanal - an uninhabited lake island home to beautiful migratory birds such as pintail ducks, egret, darter, Indian Shag, purple heron, pond heron, stork-billed kingfish and many more Pathiramanal is also home to some beautiful species of plants. The word 'Pathriamanal' means 'sands of night'. Pathiramanal is a truly bird paradise and worth giving a visit given its scenic surroundings. One can visit this place by boat-rides from Alappuzha.
One of the best scenic spots of Kuttanad is the R Block Island. It is a man made island protected with dykes all around. The R Block Island is spread over an area of 1400 acres and is home to many migratory birds. The visit to this place is a memorable one given its mesmerizing beauty.
The nearest railway station for Kuttunad is Alappuzha and Changanacherry. These two railway station connect rest of the Indian cities to Kuttanad. Trains from major Indian cities ply regularly to Alappuzha Railway Station and Changanacherry Railway Station. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport located 85 km from Alapuzzha and Thiruvanathapuram International Airport which is 150 km from Alappuzha. From Alappuzha one can continue journey to Kuttanad by boat services from Alappuzha to Ambalappuzha.
Distance of Kuttanad from Alappuzha - 22 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Kottayam - 45.7 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Alapuzzha Railway Station - 22 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Changanacherry - 27.3 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Changanacherry Railway Station - 28.4 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Cochin - 93 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Munnar - 185 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Athirapally Falls - 140 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Cochin International Airport - 104.2 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Thiruvanathapuram International Airport - 135 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Ambalappuzha - 21.9 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - 54 km
District: Districts of Alappuzha and Kottayam
Location: 21 km from Alappuzha
Altitude: 2 m below sea level
Serves as: Picnic spot, Prime tourist destination in Kerala
Famous for: Houseboat rides, Village tours, scenic surroundings, geographical peculiarities
About Kuttanad in Kerala
Located at the heart of the backwaters in the Alappuzha Districts, Kuttanad is fondly called as the Rice Bowl of Kerala.The place gets this name for being one of the major rice producers of Kerala. The backwaters of Kerala has always drawn thousands of tourists from all around the world. But Kuttanad is the right place, where one should plan a trip to get the real experience. The geographical peculiarities of Kuttanad is what makes it an interesting place to visit. Kuttanad is the only region in India with the lowest altitude. Farming that is done here in Kuttanad is all on land reclaimed from the back waters. Farming here is carried out at 4 to 10 feet below sea level. The farming system implemented in Kuttanad, called as Bio-saline Farming has been declared as a 'Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.'
 |
| Paddy Fields of Kuttanad |
But that is not all! Mother nature has blessed Kuttanad with it's beauty. One of the activity most enjoyed here in Kuttanad is photography. Do not walk around Kuttanad without cameras as there is beauty all around Kuttanad with its green paddy fields, enchanting backwaters, the crisscrossing streams, houseboats, canals, birds such as ducks and darter birds, lilies, people and their lifestyle. The crisscrossing canals of Kuttanad are home to tall, swaying coconut trees that make it a picture perfect. Everything about this place is unforgettable and hence needs to be captured in your camera.
 |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary near Kuttanad |
What adds spice to the trip to Kuttanad is its local cuisine comprising of fresh fish delicacies like spicy fried tiger prawns or other fish along with fresh toddy. Kuttanad also serves as a perfect one day picnic spot for people staying close-by. The view of countryside from the houseboats is enchanting. The best way to enjoy the scenery and the vast expanse of paddy fields is through boat rides. One gets some awesome clicks while passing through the backwaters, visit the Munroe lighthouse, visit lakes and uninhabited islands and many such breathtaking sights.
 |
| Backwaters of Kuttanad |
If one finds houseboat trips expensive, then there is an option of enjoying the boat rides with KTDC Govt. passenger boat rides or short boat trips with canoes which are comparatively cheaper. One can take the boat rides from Kodimatha boat Jetty in the district of Kottayam. One of the best full day houseboat ride can be enjoyed between Kollam and Alappuzha. One can enjoy a beautiful driving experience through the Alappuzha - Changanassery road which lies at the heart of Kuttanad. The experience of journey to Kuttanad will give you memories to reminiscence on for a lifetime. The classic rural beauty of Kuttanad is so mesmerizing that it has even earned the title of being the 'Cultural Sphere of Kerala'.
 |
| Boatcruising in Kuttanad |
Best Time to Visit Kuttanad
Kuttanad is at it's best during winter. Summer in Kuttanad are hot and humid. The climate is not favorable for boat-rides and sightseeing given the soaring heat. But post monsoon, starting from early October to early March, Kuttanad is the best with it's lush greenery, scenic surroundings and favorable weather. Hence one should visit Kuttanad between October to March.
What to Do in Kuttanad
Go water-cruising with houseboats on the backwaters
Enjoy boat rides to smaller and quaint water inlets in canoes
Go sightseeing
Enjoy a village tour
Witness the scenic beauty
Drift through the calmness and relax
 |
| Fresh produce of Kottayam |
What to Eat in Kuttanad
Fish, Fish, Fish
Fish cooked in banana leaf
Toddy
Traditional breakfast dish Puttu
Duck curry
Duck roast
Traditional South Indian food comprising of appams, idli, dosa
Places of Interest in Kuttanad
Champanakulam
Champanakulam is one of the must places to visit in Kuttanad. It is covered in one of the village tour. This small settlement amidst the scenic surroundings is split in two by River Pamba, one of the major rivers in Kuttanad. The banks on both side of the river are blanketed with paddy field and tall coconut trees. One of the oldest Christian Church, namely St. Mary's Forane Church is one of the place one should visit. This church is to be believed to have been built in the 427 AD. The trip to Champakulam is trip full of tranquility and rejuvenating.
 |
| St. Mary's Forane Church is one of the oldest church of India |
Punnamada Lake
Punnamada Lake is the extension of the second largest lagoon in India - Vembanad Lake of Kerala. This lake is one of the most visited tourist spot in Kuttanad. Kuttanad is also known for boat racing in the Punnamada Backwaters. The Punnamada Lake is famous for the boat racing known as the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. It settles amidst scenic surroundings and is home to vast number of flora and fauna.This is also because the part of Punnamadu Lake further extends into the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which is known to be the home of migratory birds.
Karumady
Located 5 km from Kuttanad is the village of Karumady, the home to an eleventh century black granite of Shri Buddha with left hand side of the statue missing. This site is considered to be of great historical importance. It is a very small and peaceful village worth visiting.
 |
| Boat racing in the Punnamdau Lake |
Pathiramanal
Located 38 km from Kuttanad is Pathiramanal - an uninhabited lake island home to beautiful migratory birds such as pintail ducks, egret, darter, Indian Shag, purple heron, pond heron, stork-billed kingfish and many more Pathiramanal is also home to some beautiful species of plants. The word 'Pathriamanal' means 'sands of night'. Pathiramanal is a truly bird paradise and worth giving a visit given its scenic surroundings. One can visit this place by boat-rides from Alappuzha.
'R' Block Island
One of the best scenic spots of Kuttanad is the R Block Island. It is a man made island protected with dykes all around. The R Block Island is spread over an area of 1400 acres and is home to many migratory birds. The visit to this place is a memorable one given its mesmerizing beauty.
 |
| 11th Century Buddha Statue |
How to Reach Kuttanad
The nearest railway station for Kuttunad is Alappuzha and Changanacherry. These two railway station connect rest of the Indian cities to Kuttanad. Trains from major Indian cities ply regularly to Alappuzha Railway Station and Changanacherry Railway Station. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport located 85 km from Alapuzzha and Thiruvanathapuram International Airport which is 150 km from Alappuzha. From Alappuzha one can continue journey to Kuttanad by boat services from Alappuzha to Ambalappuzha.
Distance of Kuttanad from Alappuzha - 22 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Kottayam - 45.7 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Alapuzzha Railway Station - 22 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Changanacherry - 27.3 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Changanacherry Railway Station - 28.4 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Cochin - 93 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Munnar - 185 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Athirapally Falls - 140 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Cochin International Airport - 104.2 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Thiruvanathapuram International Airport - 135 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Ambalappuzha - 21.9 km
Distance of Kuttanad from Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - 54 km
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