For anyone heading to the Kerala backwaters, an experience on the houseboats in Kerala is a must, for you have not really experienced the backwaters if you have not done this. The life that goes by with squealing school children on water taxis, duck farmers herding their birds, toddy shops and busy fisherman – you will the life on backwaters of Kerala is a colorful experience.
The houseboat experience can be done at Alleppey or Kumarakom in Kerala. For a more rustic experience, would recommend Alleypey, while Kumarakom is quite well-developed and gives a more touristy experience. There are quite a few Kerala tour packages that offer a trip across these two destinations.
But most of us will be faced with this dilemma of – stay or a day trip?
Most houseboat operators offer both. Here are some travel tips that you should keep in mind for the houseboats.
Travel Tips for Houseboats in Kerala
- The houseboats operate on the backwaters only between 9 am to 5 pm.
- Post 6 pm, all of them dock at their pre-designated spots and stay there till the next morning 9am.
- Some houseboats are well equipped with a TV and DVD sets but do note, that the regular channels will not be available and unless you are carrying your own set of CDs, you are left at the mercy of what is available with the houseboat.
- Food on the houseboat – both dinner and breakfast is what the houseboat will offer you. You will not have a choice around considering you will be docked at points, that may not even have a grocery outlet.
- If you are a non-vegetarian – do not miss their local Karimeen (local fish) preparation. Most houseboats offer the same for lunch/ dinner.
- Keep a mosquito repellent handy in the evening
If you are in a group, we suggest you go for this experience of overnight as it can turn out to be good fun when you have company.Or if you are a honeymoon couple, it would not be such a bad option either!
Here is one experience that my blogger friends Vyjay and Sandy had in Kochi, another place to try out houseboats.
Suggested Tour Operators for Houseboats in Kerala :
(based on various traveler feedback)
- http://www.amruthamholidays.com/
- http://lakeviewhouseboat.com/
We spent a day on houseboat while visiting Kerala…it was a wonderful experience… 🙂
Thanks Maniparna for reading through. Backwaters is an unforgettable experience and am sure you will cherish it for a long time.
Keep reading my blog
Cheers
I now understand what you are talking about even though I went only on a day trip! It is beautiful.
🙂 Thanks Mridula. We must exchange some more notes on the same
I am impressed with your blog and the fact you have a responsible blogger badge on your site. I will visit hourly for updates.
I am impressed with your blog and the fact you have a responsible blogger badge on your site. I will visit hourly for updates.
I stayed at Kumarakom resort and loved the boat rides and lunch on the boat.
Thanks a bunch. Do join in on my blog as a subscriber. It will help you keep in touch more regularly. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it. Did you go for a day trip or an overnight?
Yet to experience a day there!
Great read.
Was at Bekal last weekend … still there is so much to explore in Kerala .. Need to go back again to the experience a houseboat stay at Backwaters..
http://thetalesofatraveler.com/2015/09/28/squid-jigging-festival-2015-terengganu/
Thanks Indrani. Great season to go now. 😀
Thanks Swati and Sam. You must experience Backwaters once. It really is a beautiful experience.
hi,
this is really great post abour houseboats in kerala. it's make me crazy to travel in kerla
Regards
shahid
Thanks Shahid.
😀 Thank you and Kerala is an amazing place. Would love to plan more trips here.
The real comfort of travel is given by small little things not by luxurious things……….Indian Travel Agents & Indian Tour Operators
Totally agree 😀
Houseboats are really a great fun !! If you are travelling to Kerala and you are missing houseboats then your Kerala trip is incomplete.
A good post and thanks for sharing it 🙂
Honeymoon packages in kerala
Thanks Pathin. The experience on the backwaters is amazing.
Houseboats experience in Kerala is something that cannot be found in any other part of India. It is best recommended for Honeymoon couples and also for families looking for a relaxed vacation. There are number of Houseboat options in Kerala which would include Alleppy, Ashtmudi Lake, Kumarakom, Alumkadavu, Paravur etc.
Thanks for the additional information.
Kerala, the most beautiful state of India, offers unique opportunity to experience breathtakingly beautiful backwaters which consist of a complex network of brackish lagoons, lovely lakes and canals. The most predominant way to experience the Kerala backwaters is Kerala houseboats in Alleppey.
Thank you. I do agree that Alleypey is amazing for backwaters.
This brought back fond memories of our own trip across the backwaters of Kerala. They are one of a kind destination. And the hospitality on the houseboat is also commendable.
It sure is a unique experience. Thanks for stopping by Neha
Really a great article. I am so much interested in Kerala trips. Thank you for such a wonderful article.
Glad you liked it Anju. Thanks for stopping by
Hi That was a great post, I really liked it. Kerala is most interesting places to visit.It’s a great experience to visit backwaters in Kerala.
THank you. Glad you liked the post.
Nice article !!Kerala is best tourist destination in India.Thanks for sharing useful info.
Thank you. Glad to help.
This post bring me back into memories of a wonderful experience in the pristine backwaters of Kerala. It is one of the most sought after destination in South India. Much thanks for sharing a useful information that will definitely helpful for those who planning for a backwater trip.
Thank you Rashid. Glad you find the post useful
In spite of traveling so many times to Kerala, have never stayed in a houseboat there. Had the houseboat experience on Dal lake in Kashmir though. Love the experience of waking up in the midst of water. Need to head back for the Kerala houseboat stay experience.
It sure is a different experience to wake up with water around you. Try the Kerala boats once. Cheers
i like to stay in houseboat in kerala or kashmir
I am sure it will be fun.
Thank for sharing this great article.
Thank you Shikha for stopping by
Wow!!! amazing article
Thank you
Thanks for sharing valuable information.
Glad to be of help
well a houseboat stay is a beautiful and a completely different experience than staying in a hotel, truly i haven’t stayed in Kerela houseboat but i have seen the pictures of the houseboats in Kerela they are beautiful like the houseboats we have here in Kashmir however there is difference in build and styles but the experience of staying in houseboat is a life time memory.
You have written a nice article would like to see more from u on other topics
Thank you for stopping by. Do feel free to look through my other posts.
We did a local boat trip along the backwaters from Allepey in the 70s. There were no houseboats then. Only a Diesel belching local boat.
Time to visit it again. Hope you get to it soon.