alleppey houseboat day cruise

Alleppey (Alappuzha) is in the heart of the state and is most famous as the 'Venice of the East'. Moreover, the intricately designed serenity of its backwaters, smooth canals, shimmering lagoons and the fully developed green paddy fields together offer an unbeatable experience from the marvellous houseboats. Are you looking for a quick and beautiful view of this aquatic paradise? Then an Alleppey houseboat day cruise is a great option for those who want to splurge and explore beautiful Kerala backwaters. This guide delves into everything that you need to know to help your day cruise be as amazing as it can be.

What to Expect on Your Day Cruise: The Itinerary

Typically, an Alleppey houseboat day cruise runs for approximately 5 to 6 hours, with the most popular timing being from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Here’s a general itinerary you can anticipate:

• 11:00 AM - Check-in and Welcome: Your journey begins from a designated check-in point, usually from Alleppey Finishing Point or Pallathuruthy Jetty. A warm welcome drink (fresh fruit juice, tender coconut water, etc.) will get you going with some refreshment. First there will be a quick safety briefing and then your houseboat will gently set sail.

• Cruising Through the Backwaters: Cruising is the heart of your Alleppey backwater day tour. Slowly glide through narrow canals overlooking the verdant paddy field on floats below sea level & traditional life in quaint coir villages and rustic homes built right at the brink of the water's edge. It’s everyday life as you see people living tide to tide, from locals navigating canoes to kids playing at the banks. While Punnamada Lake, R Block, C Block and ultimately Marthandom Kayal have some iconic locations, the houseboat will be meandering through them.

• 1:00 PM - Delicious Kerala Lunch: And there's nothing that you wouldn't expect out of an Alleppey houseboat experience than the traditional Kerala lunch served on board. The food, usually rice and sambar followed by various vegetable curries (thoran, mezhukupurathy, curd, pappadam, pickle and salad), is prepared by the onboard chef. The fish fry (either Karimeen or Pearl Spot) and chicken curry are non-vegetarians’ favourites. Fresh home-cooked food makes it part of the ambience of the backwaters.

• Post-Lunch Relaxation & Continued Cruise: After lunch the houseboat may anchor for a short while to give you a breather and let you soak in the peace you find here. You then continue on a cruise again through more scenic stretches, where you might fish or, if requested, there’s a short canoe trip in a smaller country boat so you can explore some of the narrower waterways a bit closer. You also may see ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies and a host of birdlife.

• 4:00 PM - Evening Tea and Snacks: Evening tea or coffee with Kerala snacks such as banana fritters (pazham pori) or onion pakodas will make up as the afternoon progresses. Now is as good a time as any to relax and enjoy the last rays of the sun while the colours of the sky change and the breeze is becoming softer.

• 5:00 PM – Check-out: The houseboat will return to the starting point, marking the end of your memorable Alleppey day cruise.

Types of Houseboats and Amenities

Alleppey houseboat day cruises are available in various categories to suit different preferences and budgets:

• Deluxe Houseboats: They offer comfortable and very standard amenities that ensure a great value experience. Only available bedrooms for air conditioning in bedrooms are during overnight stays, not necessarily for day cruises.

• Premium Houseboats: Premium houseboats provide stepped-up facilities and aesthetics. Some premium options may offer full-time AC in bedrooms even for day cruises.

• Luxury Houseboats: This houseboat is best suited for a luxurious experience, as they have spacious rooms with beautifully carved wooden interiors. also beside this, they have balconies with panoramic lake views and offer a wide array of amenities. All main areas usually feature full-time AC. There are also options for larger groups of up to 1 – 8 bedroom houseboats!

Whatever category you choose, you can expect clean washrooms, well-equipped kitchens and comfortable seating areas. On board you’ll be taken care of and looked after by a captain, chef and helper who are committed to your comfort and enjoyment

Key Highlights and Experiences

• Scenic Beauty: Stunning natural landscape is the best thing about an Alleppey houseboat day trip. With coconut palms swaying, paddy fields going on forever and serene waters, this is a picture perfect peaceful and invigorating place.

• Local Life Observation: This is truly a phenomenal experience to see this unique cohabitant of people with the backwaters. Villagers will be performing everyday chores, children travelling by boat to school and markets coming alive.

• Authentic Kerala Cuisine: Freshly made on board, the food is a treat for the taste buds and a taste in itself of authentic Kerala flavours.

• Photography Opportunities: Photography opportunities are never short; every turn and twist in the backwaters has some photography opportunity – from that of the reflections on the water and colourful village scenes to great sunsets.

• Relaxation and Rejuvenation:  The pace of the cruise goes slow, allowing one to fully relax in such a tranquil environment.

• Special Occasions: More and more people are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, wedding ceremonies or dates, enjoying day cruises as a special background.

Planning Your Alleppey Adventure

Boat cruising one day in an Alleppey houseboat guarantees a wonderful ride through one of the many marvellous sites of India. Something to connect with nature, experience the unique culture of our host country and make memories that will last a lifetime.  

For those seeking a longer stay exploring the tranquillity and beauty of backwaters a comprehensive and luxurious experience offering is available from Adventure River Cruise. While focused mainly on longer river journeys, their love of offering amazing hospitality and providing unique experiences fits with their every discerning client's needs