The Kerala backwaters are really something. I think they are one of the peaceful places to visit in India. When you take a Kerala backwaters tour and stay on a houseboat it is not a trip. The Kerala backwaters tour is a way to get away from it all and relax. You get to escape into nature and see the culture and traditional village life.
The Kerala backwaters are so calm and nice. When you float through the canals on a houseboat you are surrounded by coconut trees. You can watch the local people going about their life.. The food on the houseboat is really good. They serve Kerala food that is freshly cooked. It is a magical experience when you are on a houseboat, in the Kerala backwaters.
When you go on a Kerala backwaters tour you will get to know all about the Kerala backwaters tour. This includes what it is like to be on a houseboat the Kerala backwaters tour. You will also find out about the places to see on the Kerala backwaters tour how much the Kerala backwaters tour costs, the best time to go on the Kerala backwaters tour and some useful tips, for traveling on the Kerala backwaters tour.
What Are Kerala Backwaters?
The Kerala backwaters are made up of lakes and canals and rivers. Lagoons that go along the Arabian Sea.
The Kerala backwaters connect villages and paddy fields and towns.
This makes the Kerala backwaters a beautiful natural place with a lot of different things, in it.
The backwaters are famous for:
Peaceful surroundings
Traditional village life
Coconut palms and green landscapes
Houseboat cruises
A backwaters tour is one of the top tourist experiences in Kerala.
What Is a Kerala Houseboat Experience?
A Kerala houseboat, which is also known as a Kettuvallam is an old wooden boat. People have made it into a hotel that floats on the water. The Kerala houseboat has bedrooms and bathrooms and a place to eat. It also has an open deck where you can sit and look at the nice views, around you. The Kerala houseboat is a place to stay and enjoy the scenery.
What You Experience on a Houseboat
When you are on a houseboat you get to see a lot of cool things. The first thing you notice is how nice it is to be on the water. You feel very relaxed on a houseboat.
You can do a lot of things on a houseboat. You can. You can fish. Some people like to read books on a houseboat. Other people like to take naps on a houseboat.
A houseboat is like a floating house. It has everything you need. You can cook food on a houseboat. You can sleep on a houseboat. You can even watch television on a houseboat.
The best thing about a houseboat is the experience you have on a houseboat. You get to be outside and enjoy nature on a houseboat. You can see birds and trees on a houseboat. It is very nice to be on a houseboat.
People like to go on houseboats because they’re fun. You can have a party, on a houseboat. You can invite your friends on a houseboat. It is a way to spend time with the people you like on a houseboat.
Slow cruise through backwaters
They cook Kerala meals right on the ship. These traditional Kerala meals are really something to look forward to when you’re onboard. The traditional Kerala meals are a part of the experience.
Sunset and sunrise views
Overnight stay on water
Close view of village life
It is perfect for couples, honeymooners, families, and relaxed travelers.
Best Places for Kerala Backwaters Tour
- Alleppey (Alappuzha) – Most Popular Backwater Destination
Alleppey is the heart of Kerala backwaters and the best place for a houseboat stay.
Why choose Alleppey?
Wide network of canals
Many houseboat options
Scenic routes
Easy access from Kochi
Alleppey has houseboats that’re cheap and houseboats that are really fancy. This makes Alleppey a great place for all kinds of travelers to visit. Alleppey is a choice because it has something for everyone whether you want a budget houseboat or a luxury houseboat, in Alleppey.
- Kumarakom – Luxury Backwater Experience
Kumarakom is a nice place that is on the banks of Vembanad Lake. It is famous, for having a lot of premium resorts. The surroundings of Kumarakom are very peaceful. People like to go to Kumarakom to stay in these premium resorts and enjoy the surroundings of Kumarakom.
Highlights of Kumarakom:
Luxury houseboats
Bird sanctuary
Less crowded than Alleppey
Ideal for couples and luxury travelers
- Kollam – Authentic & Less Crowded
The Kollam backwaters are really something because they give you a more local and traditional experience when you visit the Kollam backwaters. The Kollam backwaters are a place to go if you want to see how people live in a traditional way, around the Kollam backwaters.
Why visit Kollam?
Longest backwater route in Kerala
Less tourist crowd
Budget-friendly options
Types of Houseboats in Kerala
Budget Houseboats
Basic rooms
Shared or simple facilities
Ideal for short trips
Deluxe Houseboats
Private bedrooms
Attached bathrooms
AC at night
Premium & Luxury Houseboats
Full-time air conditioning
Spacious rooms
Premium food & service
Choose a houseboat based on your budget, comfort, and travel style.
One-Day Cruise vs Overnight Houseboat Stay
One-Day Backwater Cruise
4–6 hours duration
No overnight stay
Lower cost
Good for short trips
Overnight Houseboat Stay
Full backwater experience
They have dinner and breakfast and lunch included. You will get dinner and breakfast and lunch when you are there. The dinner and breakfast and lunch are all part of it.
Peaceful night on water
Best choice for couples & families
If you want to experience the Kerala backwaters you should stay overnight. This is the way to see the Kerala backwaters. Staying overnight will make your Kerala backwaters tour very special.
So you want to know what you get when you rent a houseboat. A houseboat package usually includes the houseboat itself. The houseboat has a kitchen and bedrooms and bathrooms. You also get a boat to drive the houseboat around. Some houseboat packages include things, like food and drinks. Other houseboat packages include things to do like water skiing and fishing. The houseboat package always includes the houseboat.
Most Kerala houseboat packages include:
Private houseboat
All meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast)
Tea & snacks
Boat crew (captain + cook)
Sightseeing through backwaters
Always confirm inclusions before booking.
Kerala Backwaters Tour Cost (Approximate)
Houseboat Price Per Night (for 2 people)
Budget: ₹6,000 – ₹8,000
Deluxe: ₹8,000 – ₹12,000
Luxury: ₹15,000 – ₹25,000+
The prices of things will go up when it is the peak season. This peak season is from October to March. So during this time you can expect that the prices will be higher. The prices of things will increase during this time which’s from October, to March.
Best Time to Visit Kerala Backwaters
The best time for a Kerala backwaters tour is October to March.
Season-wise Details
Winter (Oct–Feb): Best weather, peak season
Summer (Mar–May): Hot but less crowded
Monsoon (Jun–Sep): Green views, romantic, lower prices
The monsoon season is really great for people who love traveling when it is raining. Everything is so green. People who like the monsoon season and green surroundings will really enjoy traveling during this time. The monsoon season is perfect, for travelers who enjoy the rain and the beautiful green scenery that comes with the monsoon season.
Food on a Kerala Houseboat
One of the highlights of a houseboat experience is traditional Kerala food.
Common Houseboat Meals
Kerala rice
Fish curry
Vegetable thoran
Sambar
Appam
Fresh coconut-based dishes
The food we eat is made fresh by the cook who’s, on the ship. The cook who is onboard makes sure that our meals are freshly prepared.
What to Expect During the Backwater Cruise
Smooth and slow movement
No loud music (peaceful environment)
Stops near villages and small canals
Night anchoring in calm waters
This experience really helps you to disconnect from all the stress that you have. It lets you enjoy nature. Nature is very beautiful. This experience helps you to enjoy nature.
Travel Tips for Kerala Backwaters Tour
Book houseboats only from trusted operators
Avoid very cheap deals
Carry light cotton clothes
Keep mosquito repellent
Confirm AC timing clearly
Carry cash for small expenses
Is Kerala Houseboat Safe?
Kerala houseboats are really safe. The people who work on them know what they are doing. They take care of the houseboats. Make sure everything is okay. The government has rules that they have to follow. When you are, on a Kerala houseboat you will have life jackets with you so you can feel safe. Kerala houseboats are a way to travel because they are well taken care of.
People who love nature should do a Kerala Backwaters tour. This is because the Kerala Backwaters are really beautiful and full of life.
Anyone who likes to see lots of birds and animals will have a time on a Kerala Backwaters tour.
The Kerala Backwaters tour is also good for people who want to relax and get away from the city.
- People who like boat rides will enjoy the Kerala Backwaters tour.
- People who want to learn about the way of life in Kerala will also like the Kerala Backwaters tour.
So anyone who likes these things should do a Kerala Backwaters tour. The Kerala Backwaters tour is an experience, for people who like the Kerala Backwaters.
This experience is perfect for:
Honeymoon couples
Families
Senior travelers
Nature lovers
Peace-seeking travelers
This tour is really great if you want to travel at an slow pace. The tour is perfect for people who like to take things easy and do not want to rush. If you are looking for travel this is the one you should choose. The slow travel, on this tour is very relaxing.
Why Kerala Backwaters Tour Is a Must-Do Experience
✔ Unique travel experience
✔ Perfect mix of comfort & nature
✔ Relaxing and stress-free
✔ Authentic Kerala lifestyle
✔ Great for all age groups
No Kerala trip is complete without a houseboat experience.
Final Thoughts
A trip to the Kerala backwaters on a houseboat is really something. You get to see much peace and beauty. The Kerala backwaters tour also has a lot of culture. It is very comfortable. When you go to the Kerala backwaters you can stay in a houseboat. You can go to Alleppey or Kumarakom or Kollam. The Kerala backwaters are great no matter where you go. They will make you feel refreshed and amazed, by the Kerala backwaters.
If you are planning a Kerala trip, make sure to include at least one night on a houseboat. It’s not just a stay—it’s a memory for life.
