You can opt for a day cruise or night cruise in a houseboat. The day cruise normally begins at 1100 hrs and terminates at 1700 hrs. That makes the total duration of the trip six hours. In between, the houseboat stops for an hour for lunch. The houseboat cruise must be included in your itinerary if you plan to visit Alleppey.
Alleppey will spell charm on you for its majestic beauty, vibrant houseboats, spas, and food. Alleppey is among the best places to visit in South India. It is famous for lagoons, backwaters and houseboat stay. There are many awesome backwater tours and cruises that span over days and have many pit-stops at restaurants and other notable attractions.
A Quaint little town 90 kms from Cochin. It is mainly famous for the famous backwater journey and houseboat stays. The uncommon combination of clean beaches on the periphery and backwater canals flowing across the town gives the city dwellers a relief from the mundane life surrounded by concrete environment.
An ideal winter destination in India surrounded by numerous lagoons that are interconnected with large lakes, rivers and canals that run along the Arabian Sea. The Venice of India, Alleppey is a popular tourist spot in South India. Enjoy cruising in the backwaters on a houseboat. It doesn't matter how tired you feel after exploring Kerala but, a houseboat cruise through the backwaters will surely rejuvenate you.
Kerala has hundreds of luxurious houseboats that cruise over the backwaters while offering you an amazing stay experience for a lifetime. Lose yourself in the midst of sheer greenery by renting a houseboat at a very reasonable price. If you can, ask around and find out local fishermen renting out their OG kayaks. You can use these to go explore the wilderness on your own. This should not cost you more than INR 100-300.
You can sail and have meals throughout the day and rest in the stationary houseboat at night. Take time to be pampered with Ayurvedic therapies and treatments. Savor the delicious cuisine. Go bird watching, visit the villages in the Reagua or explore the incredible architectural wonders of the reeds. Heal your weary spirits in the blessed surroundings of Alleppey.
Pathiramanal is a beautiful uninhabited island in the middle of backwaters on Muhamma-Kumarakom water route that can be accessed only by boat. It is surrounded by Lake Vembanad on one side and Lake Kayamkulam on the other side and is home to thousands of migratory birds from different parts of the world.
With its serene backwaters and mesmerizing scenery, Alappuzha stays true to its title- the Venice of the east. The place is famous for its houseboat cruises. A ride with your friends through the Vembanad Lake is an enriching experience as you can bask in the beauty of the land. Embedded in the maritime history of Kerala, beaches and lighthouses of Alappuzha provide captivating sight for tourists from around the globe.
Spread across 14 acres, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary stands at the heart of Alappuzha. Home to rare species of birds, it is the perfect place for bird lovers. Along with the scenic beauty, you can also get a peek into the past as you visit Krishnapuram Palace which was built during the reign of Travancore king Marthanda Varma.
Here are a few Alleppey Houseboat cruise specialties:
1. Food, Music and Fun
Board the House Boat (Kettuvallam). Go on a houseboat, you can stay on the boat and have food cooked for you. They even have fancy ones with a spa bath and air conditioning, these are good if you sleep overnight. Or more chilled out ones where you can just relax for an afternoon floating around and eating seafood.
This type of boathouse in Kerala, traditionally a barge to transport rice, is today specially arranged to spend a pleasant cruise. Discover the lives of locals at the edge of Kerala's backwaters, visit the villages or churches that line the canals and rivers and enjoy typical Kerala dishes with sweet spices.
You can order your menu in advance for lunch. The cooks prefer Kerala style cousins. Nonetheless, the guests can opt for some Chinese dishes or north-Indian style recipes. You may need to confirm regarding the recipe while booking itself. The cooks are experts in preparing Kerala style fish curry, fish fry, chicken curry and vegetarian dishes.
Although onboard music systems and television will be available in most of the houseboats, you may not be interested in those. How can you miss the splendid visuals of green adorned paddy fields, peaceful village life and mesmerizing images of nature? Those will captivate your mind and fill it with unfathomable happiness.
Most of the families and children enjoy the fun of being together. They spend their time capturing the visions and talking their heart out. The backwater cruise will be a novel experience for the kids too.
2. Sunset - The Best Visual To Capture
It is wonderful to watch the sunset sitting on the houseboat, while the evening breeze caresses your body and peace envelopes your heart. The soft streaks of the saffron sun will not only touch your body but also your soul too. The sunset will be one of the images you will cherish for your lifetime. The moments will bring nostalgia when you look back after several years.
3. Best Way To Spend A Day With Family
Houseboat cruise is undoubtedly the best way to spend a day with family and friends. The moments of rejoicing will give you unparalleled joy.
You may also consult your friends, those who have enjoyed a houseboat cruise for a first-hand review of the trip. Seldom will anyone say negative things about the houseboat cruise. Not only those from outside Kerala and from abroad but people from Kerala too will like the houseboat cruise in Alleppey.
On days out, you can book a cycling tour through Alleppey’s backwater villages – and hop onto a cruise for a grand finale! If you’re in the mood for something fancier, plan a trip to the private Revi Karunakaran Museum. The main attractions of the place are the jewels that Karunakaran has on display, every one of them dedicated to his wife.
4. Average pricing for Day Trip
The average pricing for day trip varies from season to off-season. The prices we mention here are indicative only. You may contact cruise houseboat operators for the present rates. 01st October to 31st March is the season period. The rate for a day cruise in a single room houseboat, for two adults, during the season is approximately 8000 rupees.
And the same for four adults in a two room houseboat will be around 9000 rupees. This will include six hours trip, lunch and evening refreshment. However, 15 December to 15 January is peak season and rates during the period will differ. And it is always better to book your houseboats in advance to avoid any inconvenience may cause.
During the off-season, the rates will come down. In fact, you may even bargain with the houseboat operators for discounts. Nevertheless, it is not advisable to go for a houseboat cruise during monsoon. The rate for a day cruise for 02 adults in a single room houseboat is around 6000 rupees. Two-room houseboat for four adults, maybe around 7000.
5. Average pricing for night stay
The charges for a night stay is not much different from day cruise. The charge for night stay in a single room houseboat for two adults is approximately 8000 rupees. And for a two-room houseboat for four adults is around 13000 rupees. The stay will save you from spending money in a hotel or resort for the night stay.
However, many tourists do not consider night stay due to security concerns. Further, mosquitoes and insects can disturb your sleep if the houseboat is not a glass-covered one.
6. Best time for Houseboat Cruise in Alleppey
As said above, October to March is the season for houseboat cruise in Alleppey. December and January witnesses a high influx of tourists due to the Christmas and New Year season. The rates for houseboat cruises skyrocket during the period.
Monsoon time is a strict NO for houseboat cruise in Alleppey. The views on an overcast day in monsoon will not be enticing at all. In addition, the roll and pitch of the houseboat due to strong wind and rain can make children and some adults dizzy.
7. Best places to visit in Alleppey
Alappuzha Beach, Vembanad Lake, Krishnapuram Palace, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Karunakaran Museum revival, Marari Beach, Punnamada Lake, Pathiramanal Island, and Sri Krishna Temple in Ambalappuzha.
Enjoy the seclusion provided by the vastness of the backwaters and get intimate with the destination also known as the 'Venice of the East'.One of the few well planned and designed towns in the state of Kerala, Alleppey is dotted with networks of several canals which provide a glimpse into the local lifestyles and also provide access to the surrounding waters.
The time spent in Alleppey will always be exceptional due to the unique mode of travelling through the water bodies and being able to experience the sunrise and sunset while floating around, munching on local delicacies and relishing the privacy offered by the houseboat.
As the speciality of the intimate experiences while floating around is something to be enjoyed only at this serene location, Alleppey has been a front-runner destination of Kerala packages for a long time. Alleppey also offers accommodation in well designed resorts and if anyone yearns for a quick break, the wonderful beach nearby is the ideal place to unwind.