Alleppey Houseboat
An overnight stay in a houseboat, on the backwaters of Alleppey makes it a dreamy place for any traveler.
Important Info
- Overnight Boating Starts : 11:00 am
- Overnight Boating Ends : 8:00 am
- Time Required: 1 full day
Alleppey is indeed a network of lakes, rivers, lagoons, and canals. What makes these backwaters different is the presence of hundreds of houseboats in which people visit for an overnight stay on the calm and peaceful Lake. This is one of the many gems that make India an incredible place of adventure for travelers.
There are over 1000 registered houseboats that cruise the Kerala backwaters near Alleppey and Kumarakom. Houseboat rates start from INR 5K and goes as high at INR 50K or more and this includes all the meals for the overnight stay. Apart from the overnight stay, they provide services for day trip also.
There will be 3 or 4 staff members in the boat who helps and guide visitors throughout the trip. Normally the cruise will start at 11am and covers the scenic villages around Alleppey. They will stop the cruise in a river bank for serving the Lunch around 2pm and will start the again by 3pm. As per the govt river regulations, the houseboat engines should be shutdown by late evening.
One of the main things people will be looking forward during the houseboat stay is eating authentic Kerala cuisine. Also there will be small shops on the way where we can buy the freshwater fishes, crabs, village toddy etc. Along with Alappuzha tourist places, there is Kumarakom that is loved by visitors on the same scale as Alleppey. Some houseboat cruises are available which will takes you on a trip from Alleppey to Kumarakom backwaters through the well-made channels of canals, natural lakes and lagoons.
Travel Tips
- Houseboats are not operational during the monsoon season.
- Include Patharimanal Island in the Alleppey houseboat itinerary.
- The winter season and the early summers are considered as the peak tourist season in Alleppey.
- Discuss the food menu with the boat agents before booking and make sure to include special dishes like Duck, Karimeen, Tapioca etc.
- Make sure that you reach the starting point before 11:00 am as they will shutdown the boat engine by 5:00 pm due to river regulations.
Traveler's Experience
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Detailed Information
Alleppey backwaters were once known as the Venice of the East, is famous for its scenic charms and the lovely natural aura. Once we visit this place, we can see plenty of houseboats cruising through the Vembanad lake. While the houseboats are in plenty, and the booking is very easy through the online booking agents, still the visitors need to keep certain points in mind before finalizing one.
What exactly is a houseboat?
Centuries ago locals used boats (kettuvallam boat) to transport their rice from the paddy fields to the market towns. A houseboat is a modified kettuvallam boat. Later these boats have been converted into 80-foot-long floating rental homes as part of tourism.
There are different types of houseboats available now like smaller, one-bedroom houseboats; houseboats that have two stories and upwards of five or six bedrooms; and everything in-between. So the visitors need to choose their option before booking based on their budget and number of people. The boats comes up with many amenities like hot water, AC, generators, comfortable beds, a fully stocked kitchen, though AC will be operational during the night when the houseboat is stationed on the lake.
The lunch, dinner and breakfast timings are decided keeping the guest’s convenience in mind. Usually one needs to inform the staff an hour before they would like to have their meal. Generally lunch will be a flavor-packed south Indian feast, which should never miss in the trip. The village duck curry, Karimeen (fish), tapioca are some of the special dishes available here.
Normally the cruise will be through the villages like Kainakary, Pallathuruthy, Mullakkal etc towards south, Or Pathiramanal, Kumarakom towards north. Pathiramanal is an island located towards the Kumarakom side and this is a perfect place for birdwatchers. During the winter season, the Patharimanal Island is visited by the migrating birds in folks and folks. This island is one of the most beautiful and charming places to visit in Alleppey.
