If you’re planning a trip to Kerala, here’s one activity you must simply not miss out on – a cruise on a boat house Alleppey. It’s a unique experience because everything associated with it is unique! The backwaters of Kerala are a unique geographical phenomenon, and it has its very own distinct ecology, flora and fauna, scenery, and way of life.
The houseboats that are used for the backwater cruises are also very distinct – the kettuvallams, traditional houseboats are largely made by hand. They are made of treated Anjili wood planks tied together with coir ropes. The planks are treated with a gooey resin by boiling cashew kernels to make them resistant to water damage. Other materials used in the making of these beautiful houseboats are bamboo poles, thatch, coconut fibre or coir ropes, mats, and so on. They look like floating traditional Kerala houses, serenely cruising on the calm waters of the canals and lagoons that make up the intricate network of waterways of the Kerala backwaters.
The events and activities to enjoy while on a houseboat in Alleppey are also unique! You can enjoy village walks, have a meal with a local family, and enjoy the fresh catch of the day from the backwaters, cooked right there on the boat. You can choose to get a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment on board or enjoy a performance of one of Kerala’s traditional dance forms like Mohiniyattam or a music recital. There are some common activities that you can also do, like bird watching and fishing.
It’s a good thing to be aware of the safety tips for your houseboat adventure in Alleppey, like not leaning over the boat, jumping into the water, or lighting open fires. We recommend you always follow the guidance of the boat staff and call them immediately if you see any fire or notice any other safety hazard.
If you want to know, how many days are enough for the houseboat tour In Alleppey, we suggest that, at the very least, you book an overnight tour which will take you on a round-trip cruise of Alleppey. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the area properly. But to have a truly immersive experience, it is recommended that you book for at least 2 days, and if you want complete relaxation, you can even go for 3 or 4 days.
Let’s now look at the top scenic routes for houseboat cruises in Alleppey:
Remember that almost all boat cruises follow a more or less similar pattern and timings. For example, the usual check-in time is around 12 noon. Guests are welcomed on board with a non-alcoholic drink, after which the cruise begins. Lunch, tea, dinner, and breakfast the next morning are all freshly prepared on board and served to the guests, and is usually the local cuisine, unless otherwise requested. You can also enjoy the fresh catch of the day from the backwaters in your meal.
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On this cruise, you will be taken through beautiful places like Kanjipadam, Champakulam and its iconic church, Karumadikuttan, Pallathuruthi, Nedumudi, Moonattinmukam, and the old temple on the island. You can soak in the natural beauty of the region, with coconut trees shyly peeking out at the shores and myriad aquatic animals and birds joining you on your journey. As cruising is prohibited at night, your houseboat will halt at the end of the day at Vattakayal or Thathampally Lake. Fall asleep to the peaceful sounds of the water gently lapping at your boat. The major attraction on this route is the Champakulam St. Mary’s Basilica, one of the oldest churches in the country. You will marvel at its exquisite architecture and colonial features. Then you have the karumadi kuttan, with a black granite statue of Buddha. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Kanjipadam lake, Vattakayal, with lush vegetation on both sides and the vibrant Nedumudimkottaram Bhaghavathy temple.
The main attraction of this cruise is the immaculately beautiful Gomentha or St. Mary’s Forance Church. Pristine white spires reach skywards, while its tiled roofs ensure a cool interior. The arched doorways and windows remind you of a bygone era. This church is situated at the water’s edge, so it’s easy for you to go and explore it. You will go through the Vattakayal, a water body created by floodwaters long ago. You will pass through Kuttithodu Chennemkari, Venattu, and so on. The swampy mangroves are an excellent place for you to sight some rare migratory birds if you’re lucky. At night, your houseboat will stop at the Vattakayal Punchiri (smile) jetty. You will be taken back to the starting point after you finish your breakfast on board.
This cruise will take you through the breathtaking scenery of Vembanadu Lake, with verdant paddy fields on one side, palm trees on the fringes, birds and homes with their boat jetties on the banks. Kuttithode, Kuppapuram, Marthadamangalam, Kavalam, C Block portion of the lake, and Chithira church. Enjoy watching the idyllic village life as the day unfolds, and get a taste of typical Kerala culture. You will reach Alleppey after you finish the overnight cruise.
This is one of the top scenic routes for houseboat cruises in Alleppey, especially if you’re a bird-watching enthusiast. This is because of the Pathiramanal island, which serves as a bird sanctuary for hundreds of avian species, both local and international. You will also pass the paddy fields, coconut groves, some mangroves, and local houses on the way. The route takes you through Kuppapuram, C-Block, R-block, Vembanad Lake, and Punnamada Lake, halting for the night at Kumarakom, at the other end. In the morning, your houseboat will resume the cruise and return to Alleppey, where you started.
This cruise will allow you to experience the beauty of the Thathampally Lake, Kanjipadam Lake, and Pallathuruthi Canal. Each part of the backwaters has a distinctive feature: some have paddy fields along the way, some have mangroves, and some have coconut plantations. Each one exudes its own beauty and attracts different fauna. This route halts at Thottapally or Vilakkumaram. You can also enjoy an exclusive dance performance or music recital on board.
If you’re a culture vulture, you will enjoy this cruise, as it takes you through the Thagazhi museum. Built-in 2023, it is dedicated to the prolific Malayalam littérateur and winner of the Jnanpeeth Award. You will cruise through Karumadi, Thayangiri, Pallathuruthi, and Edathua in addition to Thakazhi. Your houseboat will take you through Champakulam (where you can visit the ancient Basilica), Munnattumugham, Kanjipadam Lake, and the Edathuva church. This cruise gives you ample cultural experience along with natural scenic beauty.
This particular route will let you cruise through the most lush green regions of the Alleppey backwaters, and your eyes will be soothed by the sight for sure. Enjoy the changing panorama as your boat passes through Pallathuruthy, Nedumudi, Champakulam, Karumadi, Thakazhi, Edathua, Thayangiri, Kainakeri, Munnattumugha, and so on. The paddy fields are the main attraction on this route, along with the Kottaram Bhagavathy Temple. You can also visit the Thagazhi Museum and the Edathua church. After a restful night at Kanjipadam, your boatman will steer the houseboat back to Alleppey as you tuck into a hearty local breakfast.
The major attraction on this particular route is the Vallikavu Amrithanandamayi Ashram. You will cruise on the backwaters, going through Pallathuruthi Canal, Thathampally Lake, Kuppapuram, Kanjipadi, Vilakkumaram, Thottapally, and Kayamkulam Lake. Usually, the location of the night halt is Kayamkulam Pozhy – a minor port; here, you can see boats and small transport ships docking and going about their business of loading and unloading cargo. You can observe the rural lifestyle closely on the route, as a large community lives on the banks along this route. Watch them set off for town in their own little boats and see how the backwaters dictate the way they live their lives.
As you can see, there are several beautiful routes that you can choose from. These are routes that are covered in an overnight cruise. If you want to visit them all and explore them in some detail, you can simply book a houseboat for a couple of days.
ATDC has a wide range of houseboats, sure to fit everyone’s needs and budgets. Choose your houseboat according to your group size and finances. Make sure to book early, as these houseboats tend to get fully booked during the Onam season – the peak tourist season in Kerala.
