Kerala is known as the land of coconut trees, kathakali, verdant greenery, Onam flower carpets, snake boats, sumptuous sadyas, and the spectacular backwaters, with traditional wooden houseboats meandering on its placid waters. The houseboats have come to symbolize tourism in Kerala, dotting the entire stretch of the backwaters in Alleppey and Kumarakom. The backwaters are among the most popular destinations for both domestic and international visitors, who enjoy spending time in houseboats by going for a cruise on them.
If you are wondering how many days are enough for the houseboat tour in Alleppey, we suggest you first get to know all there is to know about houseboats and the backwaters before you get the exact answer to that. Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, the largest lake in India, Lake Vembanad, and its system of canals, lagoons, boats, and jetties, is truly a magnificent sight to behold. Idyllic and serene, the place is a typical excerpt of rural and village life of Kerala. As you glide along on the tranquil waters, you will be fascinated at the stunning beauty of the surroundings, unfolding before your eyes: lush coconut groves, the swaying paddy fields, myriad species of aquatic and land animals and birds, like kingfishers, cormorants, storks, water fowl, terns, frogs, toads, turtle, mudskippers, otters and turtles.
There is something for everyone in the Alleppey backwaters; if you’re a nature lover, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The scenic beauty will enthral you. If you’re a city dweller who wants a break from the hubbub, there could be no better option than this; you get peace and tranquillity, but without having to sacrifice modern comforts. If you book a cruise on a houseboat in Alleppey, you get amenities like western toilets, comfortable seating area, air conditioning, TV, music system, Wi-Fi, and more, depending on the type of houseboat you select.
Let’s explore the different categories of houseboats in Alleppey:
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These are usually hired by groups for half a day or a couple of hours, to have a short cruise and take in the sights of the backwaters and its surroundings. They may or may not have toilets on board, but have comfortable seating arrangements, and the top is covered. They are somewhat similar to the famous shikaras seen on Kashmir’s lakes.
These are the houseboats that are most popular with tourists and the ones that offer whole-day, overnight, or multiple-day cruises. The architecture and design of Alappuzha Houseboats is inspired by the traditional architecture of homes in Kerala, and uses locally found wood and other materials. These houseboats are larger than shikaras and float along on the backwaters at a very sedate pace, enabling you to truly experience the enchanting backwaters to the hilt. They are generally completely enclosed, with an open seating area or sundeck, where you can sit and drink in the panoramic views of the countryside, play games if you’re with a group, sing songs, and so on.
Kettuvalloms are made from local wood that is treated to ensure that it doesn’t rot or wear away easily because of the brackish water on which it floats. No nails are used to hold the planks together. Rather, they are tied with coir ropes. The top is covered with thatch, made from the branches of the coconut trees. The kernels of cashew nuts are boiled to extract a black, gooey resin, which is applied to the wood to protect it.
The roof is shaped ovally or into rectangles, sometimes sloping. Often, the thatch is shaped into arches for the doors and windows, giving it an enchanting appearance.
These are basic houseboats that are comfortable but not luxurious, offering essential amenities like a kitchen and fridge. They may not have A/C, and are hence budget-friendly. Standard houseboats with multiple bedrooms can also be shared by different people to save even more on the cruise cost.
These are more luxurious, and feature modern amenities like posh bedrooms with attached bathrooms, hot water, beautiful decor, TV, and so on. These houseboats have a well-equipped kitchen where sumptuous meals can be prepared. They are also likely to have an open sun deck on the upper deck. These houseboats are also available with just one bedroom, or multiple ones.
These are simply scaled-down versions of the deluxe houseboats. They are typically smaller and targeted at honeymooners and couples.
These are the most expensive, state-of-the-art, and magnificent of all houseboats, and if your budget permits, you should definitely go for this category. You are sure to have an absolutely unforgettable experience on board these floating five-star hotels. You can expect all the best facilities here, including bathtubs, jacuzzi, TV, Wi-Fi, a great music system, a large kitchen and sumptuous meals, plush beds and sofas, and what have you.
Most of the categories of houseboats can also be found in different sizes, depending on the number of bedrooms; it could be anything from one to ten bedrooms. When you’re travelling as a large group, it becomes more economical to hire one big houseboat rather than a few small or medium houseboats. It is also a lot more fun when the whole group is together.
Is the houseboat experience in Alleppey, Kerala worth It? We will let you decide, but we’re sure you’ll affirm when you read this:
So, we now come back to the question, how many days are enough for the houseboat tour in Alleppey? If you just want to tick a box and want to be able to tell people that you’ve seen the Alleppey backwaters, then you can opt for either the half-day cruise or the overnight cruise. But if you want to truly experience the magical place that is the Allepepy backwaters, we strongly suggest that you cruise for at least two nights. The houseboat cruise will take you all the way up to Kumarakom, till the end of the lake and bring you back; remember that cruising is forbidden at night. The boat will be secured at a designated spot for the night, and your journey resumes the next morning. But on the way, you pass a bird sanctuary. Nature lovers will love the experience of watching birds in their natural habitat. You can also soak in the rural atmosphere, watch how people living in the area have their own boats and jetties and how they commute. Come, experience nature in all her glory in Alappuzha. Call now to enquire about our houseboats.
