How To Book A Houseboat In Kerala – A Complete Guide

One of the main activities to enjoy in Kerala is a houseboat ride on the backwaters of the land. Are you planning to enjoy a houseboat ride in Kerala?

Here is everything you need to know about How to hire a houseboat in Kerala and enjoying a backwater vacation.

Which Is The Best Route To Enjoy In A Houseboat?

The best route of all in the state to enjoy a houseboat cruise is the Kumarakom. It gives a wide area to explore and much wider canals filled with coconut grooves, paddy fields and much more. When it comes to Alleppey cruise, you get to enjoy the culture of the land, in addition with the cruise. Alleppey is used as the local transportation route and Kumarakom is a secluded one. These two routes are the best routes to cover in houseboat.

Alleppey Backwaters, Kerala

Read On: Top 5 Backwaters of Kerala

What Are All The Available Routes For Houseboat Cruise?

  • Alleppey to Kuttanad – Famous for narrow backwaters covered by paddy fields and rich with village life.
  • Alleppey to Kumarakom – Famous luxurious route, covering birdwatching spots, wider canals and large areas to explore.
  • Alleppey to Alumkadavu – Famous for overnight cruises and long trips covering exotic natural beauties.

Kerala Travel Information:

Are you looking forward for a houseboat vacation in Kerala? Here are the top suggested houseboat packages of Kerala

How Much Does It Cost To Hire The Houseboat?

The cost of the houseboat varies with the size of the houseboat and with season. During winter season (October to March), the prices will be sky-high. In general, the charge for a houseboat varies from 5,500 INR to 18,000 INR for day trip. For overnight cruise, the cost starts from 20,000 INR. If you were choosing houseboat cruises with additional activities like fishing, romantic dinner and others, additional charges would be imposed. The cost of the houseboat also changes with the luxury element. Houseboats with romantic dining area, AC bedrooms and others will cost very high than normal houseboats.

Read on: Top 11 Luxury Things to do in India

Suggested Tour :

Request a Quote

Which Is The Most Beautiful Time To Hire Houseboats?

In terms of season, it is best to hire houseboats during winter, which starts in October and ends in March. 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 alone in the paradise. Day cruises will be very happening, as you get to watch many activities. There are numerous houseboats, which allows overnight stay along with day cruise. Such boats includes meals, bedroom and other amenities. However, the 5:30 rule applies for the boats and thus, you would be anchored near the backwaters for the night.

Are you looking for a romantic vacation in Kerala with houseboats? Top suggested tour packages are

Also Read : Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations in Kerala

How Safe Is A Houseboat?

Houseboats are just crafted wooden boats made with planks from Anjili tree, a local tree. The government of Kerala has taken many measures to increase the quality of the houseboats. Periodic audits and on-board inspections are conducted and only skilled boatmen are allowed to maneuver houseboats. The houseboats have emergency alarm button for cases of emergency. The height of railings are recommended to be increased from the regular height, recently. (Source)

Also Read : Top 7 Water Activities Kerala is Famous For!

What Kind Of Activities Are Included Along With Houseboat Cruise?

Along with houseboat cruise, you get to enjoy a series of activities based on the type of package and the style of houseboat you are choosing. Top activities to enjoy are fishing, swimming, tasting traditional Kerala cuisine, trying toddy drink and so on.

Read on : Exploring Backwaters On A Kerala Houseboats

Get the Best of Kerala Tour Packages:

What Is The Difference Between Water Taxi And Houseboat?

Water taxi runs between Alleppey and Kollam, which would cost just 300 INR to cover the same route as most of the houseboats. However, the experience is different. The ferries pack up with tourists and go on a noisy ride. There is no romance or passion in those rides. You are stuck up in budget; you could choose water taxi over houseboats. However, if you are looking for a relaxed vacation, it is best to stick with houseboats.

Also Read : Are you Planning to Take Your Baby to Kerala?

If you are in a budget vacation, here are the top small trips to enjoy in Kerala

How To Hire A Houseboat?

Always book in advance via websites or through tour operators providing houseboat services. You can do also spot booking but you might end up with a low quality boat or pay higher price due to increase in demand. With tour operators, you can choose houseboats based on your budget and learn about all the amenities inside the boat, itinerary of the boat ride and others, prior to payment.

Also Read : Right Accommodations for Luxury Vacation in India

How Long Can I Rent A Houseboat?

The usual check-in and check-out timing of most of the houseboat is 12 noon. As per the government rules, the houseboats should be anchored by 5:30 pm. In case of choosing day cruise with houseboats, you can rent them from 10:30 am to 5 pm. If you are looking for spending the entire vacation inside a houseboat, it is all about the type of package you are choosing.

Overnight cruises can be rented for 22 hours per day. Day cruises can be rented for 7.5 hours from 11 am to 5:30 pm.

Request a Quote

What are the facilities inside Houseboat?

Kerala Hoseboat Sitting Area
Houseboats Premium Room Kerala
Kerala Houseboat Facilities
Houseboat Bathroom Facilities

Does it look more beautiful to read? It would be even more enthralling to experience the houseboat. What are you waiting for? Buy your tickets to Kerala and enjoy an Ayurveda vacation in the God’s Own Country.