A Guide on Kerala Houseboats & Cruising options -- FAQs-Kerala Houseboats

We are seeing a lots of questions about Kerala Houseboat.so thought of summarizing all major questions asked by travelers and answers we used to provide.Hope this will be helpful.

What are Kerala house boats?

Present day houseboats are reworked version of country boats that were used to transport materials in the past.Local eco friendly materials are used for the construction of these houseboats.Single bed room to ten bed room houseboats are presently available.Each of these has bed rooms with attached toilets,living room cum dining room and a kitchen.some even have seperate dining room and balcony,upper deck,Glass wall etc.Usually 3 staffs are in house boats (captain,chef and driver).

What are different types of house boats?

Mainly house boats comes in 2 categories namely Deluxe & Premium house boats.In deluxe house boats,AC will be operated only from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am while for premium houseboats AC will be operated round the clock.Luxury furnishing,Premium food menu,Candle lit dinner,Jacuzzi,Shower panel etc are provided in premium house boats by many providers.

What type of cruise is available?

Day Cruise & Overnight stay are the two major cruises available. Check in time for day cruise are 10:00 to 11:00 am while check out is usually 5:00 to 5:30 pm. For overnight trip check in are usually 11:30 to 12:30 pm while check out is next day 9:00 to 9:30 am. All meals are served in houseboat.

Which cruise should i select?

There will not be any problem in any season if opting for a luxury houseboat. However its better to avoid overnight stay in deluxe houseboats in monsoon season as there are chances of mosquitoes.

What will be the itinerary?

For both day and over night cruise,the cruise time is usually 5 to 6 hrs.Over night cruise house boats will be anchored at shore of a backwater village at 5:30 pm till 8:00 am next day.cruise will be finished by 9:00 am

What are various BackwaterRoutes ?

Most popular backwater routes for house boats cruise are Alapuzha and Kumarakom.There are house boats available in Kollam, Chettuva and Valiyaparambu in North Kerala.

Which is most preferred destination for Houseboat Cruise ?

The best to select will be Alapuzha-Kumarakom cruise which allows travelers to check in Kumarakom and check out at Alapuzha or vice verse at a nominal additional charge. By this cruise, visitors can enjoy beauty of both back waters.most operators are providing this route. There are more number of houseboats options available in Alapuzha and cruise are done in narrow channels.While in kumarakom,you may have a glimpse of all luxury resorts and bird sanctuary while on cruise and can travel in less traffic.Heavy traffic is observed in Alapuzha route. The longest house boat cruise in Kerala,Alapuzha-Kollam may also be done

What are the activities available?

TV and DVD players are available and its suggested to carry some DVD's and book with you since the available items are mostly in regional language.Some operators provide indoor games,fishing etc.When house boat is anchored at evening,its possible to do village visit,church & temple visit,visit to coir factory etc.Its also highly suggested to do a canoe ride and you may ask house boat staff to provide it.

What menu are available?

Usually Kerala cuisine are provided.However you may request in advance for special menus like Vegetarian ,Jain ,Chinese,North Indian etc and most operators will provide it.Lunch,Evening snacks,Dinner and Breakfast are served for over night cruise while Lunch and Evening snacks are provided for day cruise.You may request for honey moon cake,candle lit dinner etc in advance.Visitors can buy fresh fishes like Jumbo prawns,Pearl spot(karee meen),Crabs etc directly from fisherman and chef will prepare it in houseboats.

What are the houseboat tariffs?

October to February are tourist Season and charges are higher in this time. Maximum rate of houseboat are from Dec 20 to Jan 10 and charges can be even double as that of off season. Off peak tariffs which is the best available price are applicable from march to September. Premium.Premium house boats rates are couple of thousands more than that of standard ones.Also rates varies in a large extend between operators.Most of the good houseboats has higher charges than that of normal houseboats.Always do negotiation before fixing an operator.you may be required to pay around 25-50 % as advance.

Should I pre book houseboats ?

Its recommended to pre book houseboats in Season time. Even though houseboats are found for spot booking in off season,reputed providers houseboats usually gets booked and its a good idea to book in advance if opting for reputed providers houseboat. There are tourist departments prepaid counter at Alapuzha and Kumarakom and visitors can book through them either on spot or in advance. Also travelers can check various houseboats directly on spot that are anchored at backwaters negotiate with operators to get best price and select a house boat

Is it safe to travel in houseboat?

It is completely safe even for single women in houseboats. There is no need for any fear and houseboats crew are always available for any help. No need to worry about privacy in bedroom and toilets,all rooms are well secured and privacy is given top importance. Also all major safety precautions like life jacket,extinguishers etc are available in houseboats.houseboats.

Why I am seeing a lots of complaints regarding houseboat?

Most of the people complaint about houseboats .For a 22 hr overnight cruise, there is hardly 6 hours cruise. According to Govt regulations, Houseboats are not allowed to move from 5:30 pm to morning to allow fishermans to work. Also problems of mosquitoes arise only for deluxe boats while for premium boats chances of mosquitoes are very less. For deluxe houseboats A/C will be operated only from 9 pm to 6 am .To sum up,if opting for premium houseboats of reputed providers, most of problems are solved.

What are other cheaper options to enjoy back waters?

Shikkara rides are available for approx rs 500/- hour and its an economical way to enjoy backwaters.Also canoe ride is a cheaper option.If interested to travel with locals ,there are ferry services between Kumarakom,Alapuzha and kollam and it cost just a couple of rupees for travelling. During off season,houseboats can be rented on hourly basis. There is no need to book these services in advance and one can book it on spot. Most resorts arrange one or two hours evening/sunset cruises to all their guests free of costs.

Alleppey Houseboats: Your Floating Abode In The Backwaters

Living in a houseboat in Alleppey is a captivating experience. Floating on serene backwaters, passing through bent mangroves and beautiful sceneries, with wafting aroma of coconuts beautiful sceneries is nothing short of a dream escape.

Catering to travelers with different budgets, these houseboats in Alleppey have been a rage for a long time. A fair balance of essential amenities and luxuries, these houseboats are a whole new experience on their own.

Let’s take a virtual tour of these famed houseboats to get an idea about the experiences, amenities, food options, costing, and a host of others offerings associated with them; so that your Kerala tour turns out to be flawless!

Houseboats in Alleppey – An overview of the stay

The archway of coconut grooves and expanses of paddy fields form scenic passages for houseboats in Alleppey. The rich cultivation and wild greenery on both the sides of the backwaters are simply mesmerizing. Even though it is a popular tourist attraction in Kerala, the hoopla is suppressed by inherent peace of the backwaters. Tranquility and serenity penetrate to your heart in this soul-soothing environment.

Earthy aromas and the cool breeze are perfect feel-good elements for any given day. Occasional rainfalls create an aura of coziness and fuzziness. Moonlit nights create the perfect atmosphere for star gazing. Chirping of birds and swishing of water make for an enchanting background music. With so much leisure promised, houseboats in Alleppey are for those who love nature, quietude, and some uninterrupted me-time.

Popular Routes and Types of Houseboats in Alleppey

Types of houseboats in Alleppey: Most tourists opt for a private houseboats (yes, there are two types) and the duration of the stay is 1D/1N. During this time, houseboats float in the backwaters only for a couple of hours. Rest of the time (which is from about 5-6 in the evening till morning) they stand stagnant in the water.

Shared houseboats are where you share a big houseboat with another couple or family. Such houseboats are not that popular and are opted in case of really low budgets.

Popular Backwater routes: There are 5 popular routes which offer the mesmerizing glimpses into the lustrous backwaters of Kerala.

• Alleppey – Regions in Vembanad Lake – Alleppey
• Alleppey – Kumarakom – Thottappally – Nedumudi – Alleppey
• Alleppey – Kumarakom – Alleppey
• Alleppey – Alumkadavu
• Alleppey – Champakulam – Chennamkary – Kainakary – Alleppey

The experience: As per your plan, if a houseboat in Alleppey is going to be your abode amidst mangroves for a day – there’s a lot you can see, experience and absorb. From visibly beautiful landscapes to nuances of the kind of lives natives lead, it is going to be a memorable affair. If you have a penchant for capturing moments, keep your camera ready while heading for a houseboat tour.

A range of frames – like sightings of wilderness, villagers sowing their fields, rice plants swaying with the wind, towering coconut palms, kids swinging on the trees, and families having fun time – will keep you occupied. Being the spice state, a myriad of distinct aromas will hypnotize you on the way – a strong smell of filter kaapi will be as welcoming as the one of wafting from scrumptious Chicken Chettinad.

Facilities & meals in houseboats in Alleppey

Facilities: Obviously the degree of luxury is proportional to the cost. A simple houseboat with one living room and one bedroom costs something like INR 5,000 in the peak season, which is from September to February. The rooms have basic facilities like well-furnished rooms with tables, chairs and beds, neat and clean bathrooms, and spacious balconies or hedges to offer the views of running by sceneries.
Also, these sparsely decorated houseboats in Alleppey are quite airy. Their breathy interiors are not high on show-off; most of the times, the decor is minimal but essential facilities are in place.

Food: Houseboats in Alleppey have fairly good arrangements for food. All meals are included in the deal and the fare is mostly a mix of North and South Indian delicacies.

Usually, vegetarians don’t have much options in terms of food, beside the authentic South Indian food like Idli, Sambhar, Vada. But for non-vegetarians, the food is simply blissful. Delicacies from all over India accompany authentic South Indian delicacies like Chicken Chettinad and Chicken Malabar. Sometimes, chefs are well-equipped to prepare fingerlicking Continental dishes, too.

Customization and special requests: Besides regular offerings, a lot of customization options are available during your stay in a houseboat. Be it your food, room facilities, or any other service, all requests are fulfilled – might take some time though.

Special requests about food should be made before you board the houseboat. If you have made the request after boarding then it’ll take more than a couple of hours as they might have to outsource the food.

The buffet of mouth-watering food offers dishes well-prepared and utterly delicious. Some of the best houseboats in Alleppey even arrange for a private, candle-light dinner or something equally mind-blowing on request.

P.S. Kerala is predominantly a non-vegetarian state. If you are vegetarian, specify while ordering a meal.

Cost of houseboat stay in Alleppey

Based on the services offered, rates of houseboats in Alleppey may vary from INR 6,000 to INR 50,000 per night.

Budget: In a budget of INR 6,000 you can book a small houseboat with just one room and minimal decor.

Standard: If you go up a little and raise the budget to INR 8,000 to INR 12,000, you can get a decent houseboat with fairly better amenities. A good fleet of houseboats in Alleppey will offer you two bedrooms with a modern bathroom and ample of windows in the given price range. While the food will be of different varieties, the experience will be so much better.

Luxury: In case your budget can go up to INR 40,000 per night, you can enjoy ultimate luxury and the best of facilities. Besides, 2-3 bedrooms and a living room, the decor is sophisticated, the food spread is elaborate, and the experience is unforgettable.

Premium Luxury: If you are looking for an experience unmatched and unsurmountable by anything, then you can opt for glass houseboats. While they will cost you over INR 1,40, 000 per night, the experience of watching everything through glass is really something else.

Shared Houseboats: For those who do not want to shell out such big bucks, there is also an option of shared houseboats. You may book a room of the houseboat in around INR 2,500 and enjoy the perks of a luxury houseboat in Alleppey.

Whatever be the price, it is assured that the experience of riding on a houseboat in Alleppey will be unique and memorable.

Things to keep in mind

1. Houseboats in Alleppey are usually not as secluded as they look in the pictures. Which means while you are afloat, you might see a number of other houseboats with tourists, navigating the same path.
2. Due to verdant greenery and cool water, the backwaters are full of mosquitoes. Carry your own odomos or mosquito-repellent coil as these things are rarely provided in even the best of luxury houseboats in Alleppey.
3. Since the mother tongue in Kerala is not easily understandable, please notify the operators that you will need an English/Hindi speaking chef and caretaker.

How to book a houseboat in Alleppey?

You can make online booking for your houseboat in Alleppey. With just a couple of clicks and answering a questions, you are set for your houseboat stay. Alternatively you can ask agents and marketplaces like Travel Triangle to make a booking for you on the best of available options.

Rainbow Cruises offer the best houseboats in Alleppey. Their well-maintained, airy, beautiful, and elegant houseboats are very much in demand with families and couples.

To know more about them and to make online bookings with them, visit their official website.

Cheap houseboats as well as luxury houseboats in Alleppey are easily booked weeks prior. So be timely in your booking for great offers and amazing accommodations.

Hope the piece answers all your queries about houseboats in Alleppey. Now all you need to do is to plan a Kerala tour and start packing for the amazing houseboat experience.

Why Alleppey Houseboats differ from others Backwater Tour operators

Why Alleppey Houseboats differ from others

Living in a houseboat in Alleppey is a captivating experience. Floating on serene backwaters, passing through bent mangroves and beautiful sceneries, with wafting aroma of coconuts beautiful sceneries is nothing short of a dream escape.

Catering to travelers with different budgets, these houseboats in Alleppey have been a rage for a long time. A fair balance of essential amenities and luxuries, these houseboats are a whole new experience on their own.

Let’s take a virtual tour of these famed houseboats to get an idea about the experiences, amenities, food options, costing, and a host of others offerings associated with them; so that your Kerala tour turns out to be flawless!

Why we differ from other Backwater Tour Operators
Our way of service is absolutely differ from the other houseboat operators.
Our Houseboat
1) Each Category of houseboat is of excellent built with luxurious furnishing with exquisite flooring, hull and valavara (canopy). sun deck, spacious living / dining area, attached toilets, separate toilets for crew passage and a neat, classy kitchen
2) Kitchen is properly protected from hazards by fireproofing and fire extinguishers.
3) Clean environment with a hygienic storage hold, free from insects and safe fuel
4) Clean good quality linen, blankets, towels etc.
5) Log books and tourist records are updated regularly and the boat has a valid license.
6) We offers family trip for 10 to 50 members in a one single houseboat

Our houseboat exclusive Service
1) Houseboat flower decoration on demand
2) Free pick & drop to Alleppey Railway station & Bus stand
3) Cultural programs on request ( Kathakali , Mohiyatam , Thriuvathira , Theyam , Orchestra , Songs )
4) Projector on Request for conferencing

Other activities are offered to the clients during the houseboat trip
1) We welcomes our clients with flowers , Tender coconut , Chips & Fruit basket
2) Honeymoon clients we give a special honeymoon cake , candle light dinner , flower bed
3) 2 hour Non motorized Canoe ride in every trip
4) We are not suggesting our guest to spend all time in the houseboat. we are giving the activities like country boat ride, Village walk , paddy field visit , river side Temple visit, Church visit , Local Market visit , bird watching , Toddy Shop visit, fishing, handicraft making , Houseboat building yard visit, Duck farming , village home visit

Houseboat food
1) We will give quality food in the houseboat, booking time you get food menu so get an idea
2) On request we provide Duck , Beef , Panner , Crab , Prawns & vegetable dishes
3) We give the opportunity to client to enjoy Kerala sadya served on banana leaf

Our houseboat Crew our Pride
1) Our crew welcomes you with friendly smile. They are very friendly & helpful to you
2) During your trip three staff there to assist you, Captain , Chef & Life Guard
3) The services of professional cooks are available on the boat. All are experienced, license holding staff.

5) Events @ Houseboats:- Alleppey Houseboats has pioneered the innovative concept of hosting a range of events at the houseboats including weddings, meetings, cultural shows, conference facility , receptions , Birth day , Party , Events in the houseboat