Alappuzha - Factfile
Altitude:                             Sea level
Area:                                  1414.00 sq. km
Temperature:                   (Mean Max, Mean Min) Summer 35 c Winter 32c ,20c
Rainfall:                             Annual 299 cms
Best time to visit:             August to March
Clothing:                           Tropical cottons
Languages spoken:       Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English

Kuttanad
Green coconut grove, paddy fields and little hamlets by the canals and backwaters, Kuttanad is a picture perfect destination. The area which is below sea level is ideal for paddy cultivation. Migratory birds, boats for transport, snake boat races, houseboat luxury, rich culture and friendly people make Kuttanad a uniquely beautiful place.

Kuttanad is at place 10 feet below sea level, especially the paddy fields. People live in are that are 3 to 5 feet below sea level. They use the waterways to commute from one place to another and transport goods too. Some of the smaller islands are frequented by migratory birds. The ecosystem is made of lakes and backwaters and canals, all interconnected. The natural ecosystem ensures that the sea does not come into the area in a disastrous way.

Paddy cultivation in the area still uses some age old methods. One such interesting facet is the water wheel used to paddle the waters onto the fields. As travel along the backwaters on the houseboat or take a detour into the inner hamlets in a country, you get to see a myriad of activities along the banks, coir making, fishing for shell fish with narrow necked pots, people bathing, classes going on in a school or kids in the assembly, tappers getting fresh toddy from the tall coconut trees and so on.

The sights and sounds of Kuttanad are too many to describe here. Come down and find all of it for yourself.