Kerala Backwaters Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

The most popular backwater destinations in Kerala are Alleppey and Kumarakom. This route is quite popular among tourists, and you will find many houseboats and cruises just lined up and sailing away with tourists on board. To choose the perfect cruise for you, you must decide whether you wish to see the exotic side of Kerala or the more sightseeing friendly side of Kerala.

Fondly called the Venice of the East, Alleppey is an absolute stunner. The cruise goes through Kuttanad. This route is extremely popular and you will find several tourists embarking on this very route. Once you reach the core of the backwaters, you will witness an awe-inspiring collection of natural beauty. The lovely coconut trees stoop enough to cast a wondrous reflection of itself on the calm water, and the dense forest covers sway as the wind quietly blows.

No crocodiles are present in these backwaters, and it is far from pollution and the noisy city life. If you wish to enjoy a true outing in the wilderness while also enjoying some great sightseeing joints, then this is the cruise for you. Cruises from Alleppey are also the cheapest. Some other popular routes are Kumarakom Backwaters Round, Alleppey to Kumarakom Backwaters Round and Alleppey to Thottappalley Backwaters Stretch.

Choose your backwaters according to the kind of trip you have embarked upon. If you are with your family, the Alleppey Backwaters round is the best one. If you are on your honeymoon, then choose the serene and isolated Thottappalley Backwaters Stretch, and so on.

It is so beautiful to see the charming houseboats just standing still; it is a scene fit for photographers. These houseboats are completely furnished and also have bedrooms. They have sundecks, private balconies, comfortable seating arrangements, a kitchen and a toilet. Some of them even have a TV, and a separate room from the oarsmen and cooks. All of these houseboats are inspected by the Kerala government and they follow enough safety measures. Yet, the challenge comes in choosing that perfect houseboat for your cruise.

Once you have zeroed in on the backwater that you wish to visit, the next step is to choose the perfect kind of houseboat for your visit. In Kerala, you can hire a houseboat/cruise for an entire day or a night stay as well. You need to decide which one you want. If you do have time, then we recommend you hire a houseboat for the night, and enjoy a great sleep while sailing through the idyllic backwaters. It is a phenomenal experience to wake up on a sailing boat, and have a scrumptious breakfast made up of freshly sourced fish and other tasty delicacies. There are three types of houseboats:

• Standard: Standard houseboats include basic amenities, and most of them do not have air conditioners as well. While these boats are good enough for a half-day cruise, it is certainly not recommended for a night stay.
• Deluxe: These houseboats are quite comfortable and you will have air conditioning at night time. These boats are affordable and will provide you with a lovely experience and just floating away, while you rest conformably on a fluffy bed.
• Luxury: Fit for royals, luxury houseboats will make your trip memorable and wonderful. You will have uniformed butlers, air conditioner and exquisitely decorated rooms. You should go for this option if you prefer the finer things in life.

• The most fascinating feature of these cruises is that, sometimes, they fish in front of you and cook the fish right then and there. Upon request, you can also try your hand in fishing from the boat.
• You should specify your food preferences before boarding, making sure that you get exactly what you want, thus, making your journey a little more delicious.
• Usually, typical Keralite food like fish, sambhar, idly and pappadam are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But, you can also request for North Indian food, or delicacies like crab, lobster and prawn.
• If you are on your honeymoon you can make your cruising experience extra special by requesting a candle light dinner, with some soulful music playing in the background.

•  Best time to visit: The serene backwaters of Kerala are a treat to visit at any time of the year. However, if you do have the option of deciding and planning your visit, then try and visit between August to May. This way, you can avoid the monsoon, and revel in the idyllic and calm backwaters of Kerala. Albeit, the backwaters of Kerala are a sight to behold during the monsoons as well — the gushing water, the splattering droplets and the roaring wind — there is something magical about spending the monsoon while cruising down the backwaters of Kerala.
• Transportation: The nearest airport from Alleppey or Kumarakom backwaters is the Cochin International Airport. It is located approximately 70 kilometers from these two regions, in Kochi. To have a hassle-free experience you should pre-book a taxi from the airport from the pre-paid counter. If you plan on pre-booking the houseboat, then make sure that they are providing you with the entire package including pickup and drop-off from airport, hotel or railway stations. This will not only save you money but also a lot of hassle.

• Make sure your houseboat is not anchored in an extremely remote and unknown location. You should ensure that your houseboat is anchored in a place where there are people around, and from where the main city is easily accessible.
• Keep a check on what you are wearing. South India is a little more conservative, so avoid revealing clothes or even public display of affection.
• Learn more about the local culture. Even though this isn’t really a tip, you should always brush up on the history and origin of these backwaters and try to understand how it was developed. Many luxury houseboats are filled with amazing anecdotes and decorated with beautiful traditional Keralite art.
• Once you have decided on the kind of houseboat you want, you should then check for its reviews and also look at some photos.
• Cruises on Kerala backwaters are always in demand. It gets quite difficult to find an available and decent houseboat within a budget during the peak season. Thus make sure you pre-plan and pre-book the houseboat.
• Staying in a houseboat on the Kerala backwaters is like staying at a floating hotel. However, there are a few things that you should carry according to the weather conditions. Check the weather forecast and then make a list of things you should take for your trip, such as, an identification proof, cash, phone, chargers, flashlight and a mosquito repellent.

• Indulge in some shopping: Kerala is a great place for some lovely retail therapy. Just get off the shore and indulge in some Toddy, banana chips and some amazing traditional souvenirs. All these shops are located almost at the shores of the backwaters, so just take a break from the water, embrace the land and dive into some much-needed shopping.
• Witness a snake boat race: Kerala has some inspiring snake boat races on its backwaters. It is a major sporting event here. If you wish to witness this while sitting inside your warm little houseboat as you sip some tea, then you should visit during August.
• Relax with some ayurvedic treatments: Kerala is known for its backwaters, natural beauty and ayurveda. There are so many ayurvedic centers in Kerala, that you will be left amazed. You can also request for an ayurvedic treatment while you are cruising down the backwaters. This way, not only can you enjoy the stunning water in front of you, but also relax with an amazing ayurvedic massage!

Cruising through the Kerala backwaters is the perfect way to spend a relaxing getaway with your family and friends. Just lay back and let the natural realm take you in its arms and give you a warm embrace. So, what are you waiting for? Quickly pack your bags and book yourself a rejuvenating trip sailing through the backwaters of Kerala.