Alleppey is the gateway to the backwaters and most of the houseboat operators are located here and around 1,000 houseboats are based there. From Alleppey, you’ll be taken on an adventure through the various backwaters to places such as Kumarakom, Kottayam, and Kollam. There’s a wide range of destinations to choose from to suit all travel plans. Houseboats will usually slowly) through the backwaters each day, so you’ll get to see lots of different scenery.
Many resorts and luxury hotels have their own houseboats as well. They offer sunset cruises and overnight trips. Other hotels and homestays will be able to readily arrange a houseboat for you. That way, you can combine staying along the backwaters with a houseboat ride. Depending on your itinerary and the time of year, it may be a good idea to hire a houseboat in Alleppey or elsewhere but we suggest Alappuzha as that’s our home.
You can hire a Kerala houseboat for as little as three hours or as long as a week! It’s really up to you. However, you’re interested in seeing a lot of the small canals, a three-hour trip may not be long enough. Day trips run from around midday until 5 p.m. and the most popular overnight cruise is for 21 hrs. Most people go for overnight hire, which includes a serene sleep out in the middle of nowhere, in a lake, or another similarly peaceful spot. The houseboats then return by 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. the next day. Two-night houseboat hire is also popular. However, it can become boring for any length of time longer than this.
Kerala government has introduced a new houseboat classification system with Silver, Gold, and Diamond ratings (to replace the older Silver Star, Gold Star, and Green Palm categories). The ratings are based on factors including responsible waste management, disability-friendly features, use of eco-friendly materials, codes of conduct for guests and staff, quality of furnishings and fixtures, use of LED lamps, biogas stoves, smoke alarms, and first-aid kits.
To pick the best houseboat scan through reviews, for photos and names of the houseboat, ask for its classification, check their website and exchange a few emails before you finalize one. At Cruiseland we guarantee memorable trips, all you need to do is reach us.