Cruising on the Alleppey backwaters is a unique experience that is sure to stay in your memories forever. You can immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of Kerala and soak in the indigenous culture, sights, sounds, smells, and cuisine. You can hire different types of houseboats in Alleppey for your cruise and indulge your senses.
So let’s see the events and activities to enjoy while on a houseboat in Alleppey:
Contents
Relax in the living room or on the sun deck on easy chairs, and watch the magical panorama of natural beauty that unfolds in front of your eyes as your houseboat placidly cruises along the serene backwaters. Discover traditional homes in tiny nooks, with boats tied at up their very own jetties. Feast your eyes on scintillating sunsets and sunrises; on the coconut trees peeping out at the edge of lagoons; at trees swaying gently in the breeze; at myriad aquatic animals in the water, and birds trying to catch fish. Allow yourself to be amazed at fishermen casting their nets in the water, and the idyllic country life.
If you fancy yourself an angler and enjoy tucking into seafood, try your luck at fishing. The attender on board your houseboat can help you set it up. There is a huge variety of fish like catfish, prawns, ‘karimeen’, and tilapia. While you’re waiting for them to bit, you can relax with a drink on the deck and enjoy the outside views.
Participate in this traditional activity which involves extracting the sap of palm trees to make a fermented brew called toddy. You can ask to visit a toddy farm while you’re cruising, to see it happen. Watching how the tappers climb the tall trees using rope ladders, and making incisions in the flowers with curved knives to let out the sap, which is then collected in pots tied to the tree. When full, the pots are moved to a shed to ferment and made into an alcoholic drink.
There is an entire bird sanctuary (Pathiramanal Island) in the course of your backwater cruise, so there is an abundance of birds in the entire region. There are a number of species of birds you can spot like herons, cormorants, jacanas, pintail ducks, egrets, kingfishers, Indian shag, and so on. If you go during winter, you could just be lucky enough to watch migratory birds like the Siberian Crane and others. The region is home to over 90 avian species, with over 50 of them being local species.
If you explore the different categories of houseboats in Alleppey, you will see that other than the shikaras, most boats feature a kitchen on board where fresh meals are cooked for the guests. A sumptuous traditional meal or sadya is usually served for lunch. If you book the overnight cruise, you will get three meals, including breakfast on the next morning. Feast on dishes like puttu kadala, sambar, aviyal, payasam, fish curry and fried fish (made with fresh catch), and so on. The delectable flavours are sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you asking for more. Further, while the architecture and design of Alappuzha houseboats follow the traditional Kerala style, all modern comforts are provided to the guests, which means you can have your food in air-conditioned rooms in comfort – away from the heat and mosquitoes.
You can ask us to arrange a spa session for you on board your houseboat, or we can also take a halt at one of the several centres along the route. Kerala is renowned for its authentic Ayurvedic preparations and masseurs, and you can take advantage of your visit to get a treatment for yourself. Relax and let the tension melt away as the warm fragrant oils flow across your body, and expert hands manipulate your muscles to rejuvenate you. There are different types of massages, like Dhara, Kizhi, Abhyangam, and more. Prices depend on the treatment you choose.
If you want to observe village life from up close, you can ask to be taken on a village walk. See how age-old traditions are preserved, and how life is so different for people who live along the backwaters. Their daily commute is by small boats and canoes, which can become problematic when the monsoon fury hits. Understand their local customs, food habits, and more. Enjoy the warm hospitality of these simple people, and you will carry back cherished memories for a lifetime.
On prior request, we can arrange live performance on board your houseboat for an added fee. You can enjoy the traditional art forms of Kerala like Mohiniyattam or Kathakali, enjoy music concerts or stand-up comedy, and so on. These are usually arranged for late evenings when the cruising has stopped and your boat is stationary at its designated place.
If you had been thinking how many days are enough for the houseboat tour in Alleppey, we would suggest, the minimum is one night – if you want a truly immersive experience, then make it two nights. But definitely an overnight cruise. Remember that there is no cruising at night; your houseboat will be tied up at a designated spot. But you can enjoy the tranquillity of the night and enjoy the sounds of the nocturnal animals, the gentle lapping of the water against the boat – a lullaby to help you sleep peacefully. There are several types of houseboats you can choose to hire, depending on the level of luxury you want, and the number of bedrooms, based on how big your group is. Most houseboats offer basic amenities like comfortable bedrooms, seating area, kitchen, and en suite bathrooms. You can also opt for air-conditioned houseboats, and if you want to take it up a notch, the most luxurious boats have amenities like bathtub/jacuzzi, internet, TV, and so on. Nearly all houseboats have kitchens on board and some entertainment like karaoke systems.
As you can see, there are a number of events and activities to enjoy while on a houseboat in Alleppey. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a culture enthusiast, there is something for you to enjoy and experience in the course of a houseboat cruise in Alleppey. If you haven’t decided to go on a houseboat cruise in Kerala’s pristine backwaters already, now is the time to do so. Remember that in the height of the monsoon, there may be very few to no cruises, which means that the houseboats are booked solid for the winter and summer months.
Make sure to book the category and type of houseboat you want from ATDC well in advance to avoid disappointment. We have a wide range of houseboats for you to choose from.
