Alappuzha or Alleppey is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerela as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips.

A host of boat races are held here during the harvest season ( between July and September ).

Alleppey or Alappuzha is also known as the "Venice of the East" its was here that traders from across the seven seas came in search of black gold and souvenirs.

Alappuzha or Alleppey is also home to Kuttanad, The rice bowl of kerala, one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.Kuttanad boasts some exceptional natural features. It is the lowest region of India, with 500 sq km lying below sea level, and an elevation ranging from 0.6 m above sea level to 2.2 m below sea level. Most of Kuttanad is inundated throughout the year, and it is one of the few places in the world where farming (main crops grown: rice, bananas, tapioca and yams) is carried out below sea level.
Kuttanad is fed by four of Kerala's major rivers - the Pampa, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala. Ironically enough, despite being surrounded by water, Kuttanad suffers from an acute shortage of potable water.
These special biophysical traits also determine the nature and pace of life in Kuttanad.

HILL STATIONS AND FORESTS OF KERALA

Silent Valley: Silent Valley, which is about 50 kms northwest of Mannarkad is described as the sole surviving bit of evergreen forest in the Sahya ranges. These forests devoid of the chirping of Cicadas have aptly got that name.
Wagamon: The trekker’s paradise is situated 60 km. from Kottayam. The mist covered places like Kuttikkanam and Wagamon are known as Kerala’s Kodaikanal.
MarayurThe only place in Kerala having natural growth of sandal wood trees is situated in the outskirts of Munnar at Idukki. This may be called as a historian’s treasure house. It is believed that Pandhavas stayed at Maravoor during their exile.
AttappadyAttappady, mainly a tribal area, is about 38 kms north east of Mannarkad. This is a nature-blessed area with forests, rivers and mountains. Mainly Irulas and Mudugas inhabit it. These tribals worship the mountain peak ‘Malleswaran’ as a gigantic Siva ling (Idol).
Edakkal CavesThese are two caves in the Ambukuthy mountains located 3 kms away from Ambalavayal and 25 kms. from Kalpetta. These caves contain several paintings and pictorial writings of the new Stone Age civilization.