Ayurveda link

Kerala is a state of nearly 40,000 sq km located on the Malabar Coast on the south-west tip of India.

Colonised in turn by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, Kerala boasts a host of unique features that make it one of Asia's most sought-after destinations. An equable tropical climate. The long shoreline with serene beaches. Fabulous emerald backwaters. Exotic wildlife. Sprawling plantations and paddy fields. Enchanting art forms and festivals. A multitude of historic and cultural monuments. Ayurveda and yoga. And of course, its legendary cuisine …

With over 90% literacy, good healthcare and India's highest life expectancy, Kerala is peaceful, pristine and exceptionally friendly to its visitors. English is widely spoken throughout.

 

A labyrinthine network of interconnected waterways, rivers, lagoons, lakes and inlets make up the Kerala backwaters, over 600 miles of which are navigable.

Used for centuries by the local people for transportation, the backwaters have a unique ecosystem in which fresh water from the rivers meets sea water from the Arabian Sea. It supports many species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles.

The largest lake, Vembanad Kayal , covers an area of 200 sq km. The picturesque port of Cochin is located at the lake's outlet to the Arabian Sea, while nearby Alleppey, the ‘Venice of the East', has a fascinating canal system that meanders through the town.