The Pamba is the third-longest river in Kerala and the artery of the Kuttanad backwater region. It flows into Vembanad Lake just south of Alappuzha, and its lower reaches are woven into the same canal network that houseboats navigate. Canoe trips through the smaller canals — too narrow for the tourist houseboats — are a quieter and more intimate way to experience the backwaters.
The Kuttanad region along the Pamba is notable for its below-sea-level paddy fields and its dense waterway communities. Villages sit on thin strips of land between canals; children travel to school by boat. Arranging a canoe or small motorboat through a local operator and exploring away from the main houseboat routes gives a much more genuine picture of backwater life.