How to Book a Houseboat in Kerala – Alleppey and Kumarakom – A Complete Guide

The beauty of the backwaters has beckoned tourists from all over the world to Kerala. A houseboat ride on the backwaters of Kerala is a major hit with travelers to Kerala as you get to experience the life of the local people in the villages on the sides of the backwaters, awaken to the wonderful symphony of bird calls enjoy the stunning backwaters sunsets and the delicious Kerala cuisine.

Planning for a houseboat in Kerala? Here is a run-in through everything you need to know about how to hire a houseboat in Kerala and enjoy the backwaters of Kerala.

Houseboats are Kettuvallams or the traditional Rice boats of Kerala originally used to transport Rice and other commodities through the waterways in olden days. These boats are built without using nails and by tying together wooden planks. Facilities like modern bathrooms, air-conditioned bedrooms, and viewing Decks are available on these houseboats. There are many luxurious houseboats available on rent from Cruiseland Houseboats equipped with all modern facilities.

The main available Houseboat Cruise Routes:

Alleppey to Kuttanad – You can cruise through the narrow backwaters which are lined by paddy fields and get glimpses of village life.

Alleppey to Kumarakom – Cruising through this famous route you will be covering birdwatching spots, much wider canals and large areas to explore.

Alleppey to Alumkadavu – The route is well known for overnight cruises and long trips covering exotic scenic locals.

The best route to enjoy in a Houseboat

Kumarakom & Alleppey are the best routes in Kerala to enjoy houseboat cruises. There is an extensive area to explore and much wider canals lined with coconut groves & paddy fields in Kumarakom. The Alleppey cruise is the perfect way to enjoy the culture of the land. Alleppey is used as the local transportation route while the Kumarakom cruise is a secluded one.

Top suggested houseboat packages of Kerala

• 5 Days – Kerala Backwater Tour Package

• 7 Days – Kerala Houseboat Tour Packages

• 9 Days – Kerala Backwaters first time tour   

•               Cost for hiring a Houseboat

The size of the houseboat and the season decide the rental costs of the houseboat. In winter (October to March), the prices will be very high. Generally, the rental charges will be:

• Day trip – 5,500 INR to 18,000 INR

• Overnight cruise – 20,000 INR +

For additional activities like fishing, romantic dinner and others, additional charges are there. The rental cost of the houseboat also varies with luxury facilities. Some houseboats with romantic dining area, AC bedrooms, and others will cost much higher than normal houseboats.

When it comes to choosing between day cruise and overnight cruise, it depends entirely on your budget and the style of vacation you are planning. Overnight cruises are quite romantic and you can be at peace in the tranquility of the backwaters. On Day cruises you can visit several tourist sites and you can watch many activities. There are many houseboats, which allow overnight stay along with the day cruise. Such boats include meals, bedrooms and other amenities. However, by 5:30 the boats will be anchored in the backwaters for the night.

Activities on a houseboat:

Top activities to enjoy are:

• Fishing

• Swimming

• Dining on traditional Kerala cuisine

• Trying out the Toddy drink of Kerala

You should always book a houseboat in Kerala in advance for the website via websites or through tour operators providing houseboat services. With spot booking you may end up with a low-quality boat or may have to pay higher prices. You can choose houseboats that suit your budget and learn about the boat amenities, itinerary, etc. prior to payment from tour operators or websites.

Houseboat Timings

• Usually the check-in and check-out timing of most of the houseboats is 12 noon.

• All houseboats are anchored by 5:30 pm.

• For day cruises you can rent from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

• Overnight cruises can be rented for 22 hours per day.

Enjoy your holidays with a memorable backwater vacation on a houseboat in Kerala, the God’s Own Country. Book your houseboat cruises with Cruiseland Houseboats and experience the mesmerizing backwaters of Kerala!