Kochi · ALLEPPEY & KUMARAKOM BACKWATER HOUSEBOAT CRUISES
43 reviewed
The backwaters are the reason most people come to Kerala, and the boat you pick shapes the whole day. Below are the best Alleppey and Kumarakom houseboat cruises: which run overnight with a cook aboard, which are half-day shikara trips, what each costs per person, and which glide the quiet Kumarakom canals rather than the busy Alleppey finger.
A quiet, motorless backwater boat cruise from Fort Cochin, with a coir craft village stop and a filling vegetarian lunch on banana leaves.
“Overall a great trip. The motorless boat is a fantastic and very peaceful way to experience the backwaters. The guide is friendly and very knowledgeable about local history and nature. The veg lunch is also very tasty.”
Glide through Kerala backwaters on a non-motorized punt, enjoy banana-leaf vegetarian lunch, then canoe through canals with tea in tow.
“A great experience and special compliments to the awesome guide Ms Greeshma for the excellent hospitality and taking us through the details of village life.”
5 days of Munnar, Thekkady, Alleppey houseboat, and Cochin with 5-star stays, meals, and a smooth driver-led plan from pickup to drop-off.
“Except for the first day’s hotel booking at Kovalam, we had a beautiful holiday experience throughout the 4-day journey.”
Four days combining Munnar tea country, an overnight private Kerala houseboat, and Fort Kochi sights from a single driver-led route.
“This was a great tour. Communication with the organizer, George, and our driver, Lalan, through WhatsApp, was very professional and useful. There is a lot of fast driving on narrow, mountain and forested roads so if you get anxious or motRead more”
8-day private Kerala tour from Kochi to Munnar, Thekkady, a deluxe houseboat, Kovalam and Kanyakumari, with a private chauffeur.
“Our trip to Kerala, arranged by Iris Holidays, was absolutely amazing! From the first call, she understood exactly what I wanted. The itinerary was perfectly paced, and the hotel recommendations were top-notch. A huge thanks to Saranya Prakash for her prompt replies and for making our dream vacation a reality. We will definitely book with them again!”
Half-day eco boat cruise from Fort Kochi through Vaikom backwaters on a non-mechanized country boat, with vegetarian lunch and transfers.
“Honestly boring. The guide and the boatman wouldn't stop talking. Don't understand why this has high reviews. There were no backwaters explored, we were just on the main river. Highly don't recommend”
Private 5-day Kerala tour from Kochi with waterfalls, Munnar tea country, Thekkady wildlife, and an overnight AC houseboat.
“We had a very good experience in Kerala. Our driver was excellent and would highly recommend the trip. We could have done away with Thekkady as the resort wasn't that great. But otherwise very well organised trip!”
A 7-hour backwater cruise from Kochi with non-motor boats, village life, spice plants, coir making, lunch, and tea included.
“We were picked up from our hotel on time and we drove about an hour to a village community. We were given Tea and a rest break before heading onto our first boat. We had a calm and beautiful boat ride through the waters for a few hours Read more”
Flexible 1–8 hour shikara cruise through Alleppey backwaters with Vembanad Lake canals, village life views, and optional stops for temples and tea.
“Wonderful and relaxing 2 hour Shikara boat cruise through the Alleppey Backwaters. We were able to experience real village life with families fishing and farming rice paddies. Highly recommended to take shikara instead of Houseboat to experience the narrow canals and backwaters of Alleppey.”
Shikara canoe cruise from Cochin to Alleppey backwaters. Small boat, village views, optional guide. 3-hour ride, great shore option.
“Relaxing and informative tour conducted by friendly and respectful guides”
Private Kerala backwaters houseboat day cruise from Kochi to Alleppey with coconut water, South Indian lunch, and scenic canals plus fast private transfers.
“It was beautiful tour. Two friendly staffs provided good services during our tour. The lunch was also good. But the attitude of the driver for private transportation between hotel and tour location was not good…”
Private Kerala combo from Kochi: Munnar waterfalls, Eravikulam wildlife views, and an Alleppey houseboat night with Fort Kochi heritage.
“Driving through India seeing areas we’d not seen before was a privilege & stunning. The Rivulet resort & houseboat were absolutely amazing, the services of staff @ both were second to none. Our driver Nashid was fairly knowledgeable and hRead more”
Private overnight Alappuzha houseboat cruise from Kochi with an AC cabin, Kerala meals, and backwaters villages for up to 2.
“The whole experience was well planned and organised . A small shuttle boat took us and our luggage to the houseboat. We were greeted by the 3 crew member and our belongings taken on board . A nice refreshing welcome drink was given to us. We were shown our AC room which was a good size and very clean . We had a well maintained bathroom with a wc and shower cubicle . The lounge area at the front has a dining table and nice comfortable front facing sofas. The boat was well maintained and clean. The crew then served us a nice yummy lunch , we enjoyed the ride…”
A solo Kerala plan linking Munnar tea hills, Thekkady wildlife, and an overnight houseboat cruise, ending in Kochi’s history and markets.
“Overall I really enjoyed this trip and it was very good value. I reached places in Kerala I would have struggled to explore without such a tour. It was somewhat chaotic, hence the review lost a star. The itinerary changed from that advertised, wRead more”
Private overnight Alleppey houseboat cruise from Kochi with a small group, AC comfort, Kerala meals, and a day-two Fort Kochi city tour.
“Exceptional!!! First, we easily obtained all the information before our cruise via WhatsApp. Then, the taxi was punctual and the vehicle was clean and comfortable. Next, we received a warm welcome aboard the boat. The boat is traditional, Read more”
