Kerala backwater tour- Choosing a Houseboat

Kerala Houseboat Packages are among the main attractions in backwater Kerala tourism. These houseboats help tourists in discovering the enchanting backwaters and lively villages of Kerala on a houseboat cruise. Apart from excellent outlook, these houseboats are extremely eco-friendly, as it is made of bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. Here are some tips to choose a houseboat for your Kerala houseboat Tour.



Types of Kerala Houseboats
Kerala Government gives official rating to houseboats which are Platinum or green, Gold and Silver rating. However these ratings are not mandatory and very few boat companies would have rated their houseboats with government ratings.

There are four main types Kerala houseboats that may be available with most houseboat providers- Standard, Deluxe, Premium and Luxury.

Standard – This will a basic boat and sometimes may turn too basic for your liking. We would not suggest you to go for this as many of them will be boats with out an air conditioner.

Deluxe/ Premium- These are houseboats which are much more comfortable and where air conditioner will be available for 10 hours at night. These are the houseboats that are provided by us to most of our guests booking backwater tour packages.

Luxury / Super deluxe- Super deluxe houeboats will have uniformed butlers and 24 hour air conditioners and you should choose this option if you enjoy staying in the upper ecleon hotels.

Rooms, Facilities & Staff
Kerala house boats have fully furnished single double triple and five bedrooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet. In addition there is also separate rest room with television and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook . It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct and navigate these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of Anjili tree and the staff has been trained properly. All Houseboats have adequate safety measures and Kerala government and tourism department conducts periodic audits and inspections to ensure safety of tourists.

Food & Dining
When you book a Kerala houseboat cruise for one night all meals will be served on board. The cuisine is continental, south Indian, North Indian or traditional Kerala flavored with the local specialties; delicious local fish.

Other Details
Houseboats pick you up at Alleppey at 12 PM and lunch is served on board when the cruise starts. the cruise will go on and guests can request to stop at places of interest . At around 5 – 5: 30 PM the houseboats will be anchored close to shore as Government of Kerala doesn’t allow tourist activity as fishermen put nets in the sea. Go for village sightseeing and dinner is served at night. Spend Night in Houseboat and wake up to a beautiful morning in the middle of backwaters. Check out at 9 AM.

Tour Kerala to Relish Awesome Tourism Experience

Kerala, better known as the God’s Own Country, is located on the tropical Malabar Cost and curving alongside the sapphire Arabian Sea. It is one of the most favored tourist destinations in India with great tourism potential. It is one of the most charming and amiable travel destinations of the country appealing tourists and vacationers from all over the world. It is widely acclaimed for its unique cultural and geographical features. It is one of the top 50 must visit travel places of a lifetime. Also it has been named as one of the top 10 paradise on the earth. Indeed Kerala is a paradise on the earth with awesome scenic beauty, great tourism potential and myriad attractions of tourist interest.

Kerala is a state situated on the southern peninsula of India. Its capital city is Trivandrum, now known as Thiruvanthpuram. Trivandrum is itself a prime tourist destination very popular among tourists of both categories – domestic and international. The state has many fascinating tourism options tourists love to cherish on their Kerala tour and travel. Beach tourism, backwater tourism, hill station tourism, village tourism, heritage tourism, ethnic tourism, eco tourism, nature tourism, wildlife tourism, medical tourism, monsoon tourism, special interest tourism, etc are some of major elements of tourism in God’s Own Country. These tourism options draws tourists and vacationers from all over the world and provide opportunity to explore & relish attractions like breathtaking beaches, scenic backwaters, houseboat tours, colorful fairs & festivals, ayurveda & spa, art & culture, etc. On your tours in Kerala, you will too cherish such charm of tourism.

Vacation in Kerala creates cheerful experiences to enchant your senses and soul. Lush greenery around, sprawling plantations, gorgeous hills, breathtaking beaches, scenic backwaters, houseboat cruises, historic monuments, colorful fairs & festivals, rich art & culture, martial arts, exotic wildlife, chatty waterfalls, inland waterways, lovely lakes, luxurious beach resorts, ayurvedic resorts & spa centres, amiable ambiance, and moreover generous people are to create a memorable holiday in Kerala, God’s Own Country. In fact, Kerala is a sanctuary of awesome tourism experiences and you will surly fall in love with Kerala tourism on your Kerala vacations. Some of the top tourist places in Kerala are Trivandrum, Kovalam, Alleppey, Munnar, Kollam, Fort Kochi, and Wayanad. These tourist places are internationally famous for their charm and fascination.

Trivandrum and Cochin are two important cities in Kerala. Trivandrum is the capital city of the state and Cochin is considered as the economical capital of the state. Both are considered as the entry points for Kerala, God’s Own Country. Both cities are widely acclaimed for rich cultural heritage, beaches, backwaters, ancient temples, historic monuments and several other attractions. You will surly love to charm of Trivandrum and Cochin on your Kerala tour.

Kovalam and Varkala are internationally famous beach resorts in Kerala. Kovalam is perhaps the most famous beach destination of the state. Varkala is also known for religious significance as well as beach tourism. It is famously known as the “Kashi of South”. Tourists love to cherish activities like swimming, body massage, ayurvedic treatment, sunbathing, cruising, water funs, etc on the pristine palm fringed beaches of God’s Own Country.

Alleppey, Kollam, Kumarakom, Kozhikode, etc are known for awesome charm of scenic backwaters, lakes, rivers, and inlaid waterways. Houseboat cruise on scenic waterways is simply an awesome experience of holidays in Kerala. Houseboat stay is a form of holiday like no other you will love to cherish on your tour to Kerala, India. Munnar, Ponmudi, Wayanad and Echo Point are famous hill stations of the state known for superb scenic beauty and amiable ambiance. They are very ideal for mesmeric vacations in India.

Wildlife tourism is also fascinating on tours in Kerala, God’s Own Country. Ernakulam National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park etc are worth visit attractions of wildlife tourism in God’s Own Country. In fact, the beautiful state of Kerala has myriad attractions to offer its visitors. You will only cherish them on your visit to Kerala, God’s Own Country. So, pack your bags and get ready to cherish the awesome charm of awesome tourism in India.

Delightful Houseboat Cruise over Serene Kerala Backwaters

A houseboat cruise over serene and scenic backwaters of Kerala in India is truly a delightful experience of lifetime. A well organized boat cruise takes tourists into the world of wonderment and exceptional natural beauty. Nature has blessed Kerala backwaters uniquely. Copious beauty of nature always enchants tourists from all over the world. Backwater tourism in Kerala, one of the most beautiful states of India, is gaining popularity fast. And of course no one think of perfect joy of backwater without organizing a boat cruise on the tranquil water of backwaters.

Alleppey, Kumarakom, Fort Koch, Bekal Fort, Trivandrum, Thiruvallam, Kollam, Kuttanad, Kozhikode, Kasargod, Kottayam, etc are predominant backwater destinations of Kerala better known as God’s Own Country. All these destinations are blessed with extraordinary scenic beauty and ideal for conducting boat cruise on the tranquil and nature blessed backwaters of the state.

Alleppey with its lovely lakes, scenic lagoons, and fresh water rivers is an alluring backwater destination of the state. It is an ideal destination for boat cruise. Tourists can find several houseboats and cruise organizers on the shore line of backwaters in Alleppey. Houseboat tours in kerala are very popular among honeymooners or newly wedded couples. Couples find perfect settings for their romantic honeymoon vacation on board houseboats in Alleyppey. Alleppey is itself a predominant for newly wedded couples with its amazing tourism options and various Ayurvedic resorts and treatment centers.

Kumarakom also grab the attentions of tourists from all over the world with its amazing backwater tourism and boat cruise on picture perfect Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom is also famous for its Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also known as the “Vembanad Bird Sanctuary”. A boat cruise on scenic Vembanad Lake provides tourists wonderful opportunity to see the bird attractions of Vembanad Bird Sanctuary. Also it is very fascinating experience to organize a sunset boat cruise on the scenic Vembanad Lake. There are several packages which provide opportunity to explore the charm of scenic backwaters from Kumarakom to Alleppey or Alleppey to Kumarakom by luxurious Kerala houseboats cruise.

Fort Kochi (also known as Cochin) is also among predominant backwater destinations of Kerala, God’s Own Country. A tour to Fort Kochi provides wonderful opportunity to see several historical monuments as well as amazing backwater tourism and boat cruise over scenic backwaters. A well organized boat cruise on the backwaters of Fort Kochi provides wonderful opportunity to see world famous Chinese Fishing Nets. Watching sunset views from the huge Chinese Fishing Nets is simply a delightful experience of lifetime.

Traditionally known as Kettuvallam, today houseboat in Kerala is also very popular for excellent accommodation offering facilities like luxurious hotels. There is everything onboard the houseboat like luxurious bed rooms, well equipped kitchen, dinning space, deck to view scenic beauty around and more.

Well if you too want to treasure the charm of delightful houseboat cruise over serene and scenic backwaters, make a visit to Kerala the land of beauty, beaches and backwaters. Explore its fascinating backwater destinations. Make a houseboat cruise on serene and scenic waterways. Enjoy traditional cuisine onboard. And there more to enjoy on onboard the houseboat cruise.

Kerala Houseboats

Kerala Houseboats (Riceboats) or kettuvallam are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages of Kerala Backwater area to the towns like Alleppey, Kollam, Cochin and Kottayam. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction as a modern moving boat house that is kerala houseboats .





Kerala houseboats size vary from, about to 95 feet feet in length and a width of around 13 feet to in the middle for one bedroom houseboat and , big houseboats with up 107 feet long and up to 19 feet wide. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili". Kerala house boats have fully furnished single double triple and five bedrooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room.



Houseboats in Kerala have a three member crew - a chef, driver & cabin assistants. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavor with the local specialties; delicious local fish. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people and 3 bedroom houseboat for 6, and 5 bedroom houseboat for 10 People.The spectacular beauty of Kerala's backwaters needs no introduction.



A Kerala Houseboats cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in luxury houseboats is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A guided tour down the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerala and will also reveal to you some interesting facts about the life of local village people. This month's lens view takes you to the backwater stretch of the Vembanad, where one can go for a leisurely cruise on a multi deck boat, allowing you enjoy the scenic backwater life.

Visit Allapuzha - Kumarakom

Alappuzha also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the List of places known as Venice of the East by Lord Curzon. It is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha District. Alleppey has a wonderful past. Though the present town owes its existence to the sagacious Diwan Raja Kesavadas in the second half of 18th century, district of Alappuzha figures in classical Literature.



Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala with the unending stretch of paddy fields, small streams and canals with lush green coconut palms , was well known even from the early periods of the Sangam age. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in B.C and in the Middle Ages, as well as with other parts of India.

Most important backwater regions are Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kottayam & Kollam. Vembanad lake is the biggest fresh water lakes in Asia, covering an area of 200 sq km, and touched Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kottayam, and Ernakulam / Cochin districts. This exclusive backwater destination situated on the banks of the Vembanad lake is considered the gateway to the backwaters. Alleppey/Alappuzha, populary known as " Venice of the East" has a network of canals that meander through the town. Boating across these soothing stretches is an experience exclusive to Kerala.



The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey which forms the main part of this network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride. Throughout the coastal areas of Kerala backwaters are endless stretches of lakes, lagoons and ponds connected by a network of canals. A huge expanse of estuaries formed by 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch to over 1,000 miles.

The Kerala backwater routes date back over the centuries and have been long used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, price and spices. Today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centers of the coastal area. They also form an ideal highway for the thatched roof houseboats of Kerala, a colorful and unique navy of floating hotel suites, suitable for cruising the backwaters in sybaritic decadence.Alappuzha or Alleppey is also home to Kuttanad, The rice bowl of kerala, one of the very few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is the most beautiful backwaters region of Kerala. It is here that most of the snake boat races are conducted and a majority of the rice boat & houseboat cruises are scheduled.

Honeymoon Vacation in Kerala

Looking for a perfect destination to spend your honeymoon tour? Kerala is the perfect destination for you to spend your holidays in the most romantic mood. Kerala knows your dream and offers you with perfect charm to spend the most memorable time of your life. The place offers the couples to spent there romantic moments in the mesmerizing beauty of Kerala. The fabled backwater tour in the sparkling blue water is one of the most delightful moments being in this place. The scintillating beauty of the exotic flora and fauna adds perfumed memories to your dream tour. Manali’s cool weather and the exhilarating beauty is the fabled destination for the newly weeded couples. Get along with the natural beauty walking down to in the sprawling tea gardens singing along with the birds. Every part of Kerala is heaven for the honeymooners.

You will feel the ambiance of heaven once you enroll yourself in famous Kettuvellam- the traditional houseboat of Kerala. Rowing the traditional houseboat together in the fabled blue water enjoying the copious beauty in this god’s own country is something you won’t get in any corner of the world. Newly weeded couples from far end of the world comes here to share romantic moments being together making an everlasting memories of there life. Going through the fabled backwater in the famous Kettuvellam is one of the grandeur opportunities and a lifetime experience of your Tours in kerala. You will get close with exotic nature, green paddy fields changing its colour with the every change of season and you will also enjoy the rustic life of this place. You will even get a surprise package, the white innocent ducks sharing with you some magical moments of its life. Rising sun over the Western Ghats when kisses the sparkling blue waters decorating the copious natural beauty gives you the perfect delight of your honeymoon Kerala.



Beside the fabled backwater tour the palm fringed beaches are awesomely beautiful. Most of the couples lose their heart in this tranquil beauty of the serene beaches. Enjoy sipping the natural nectar sitting on the rocks washed by the rumbling waves. The lives around these beaches are mind blowing. Take a memorable walk along the silver beaches enjoying the cool breeze of the perfumed natural beauty. Perhaps beaches are undoubtedly attracting the couples making them to enjoy there newly beginning life. Lots more have to enjoy in the tranquil beauty of Kerala. The fabled backwater gives you the perfect destinations to maker some everlasting memories throughout the life.



Munnar is one of the fabled destinations among the newly weeded couples. Its exhilarating beauty offers you with ideal destination for the couples to enjoy there romantic time being together. The exotic flora and fauna surrounds the air with the perfumed air rejuvenating you life for new to begin. Most of all not to be missed is to take a walk in the sprawling tea gardens enjoying the thrilling songs of the beautiful birds. This unique hill station makes the couples to enjoy each and every moments being together in this Switzerland of India.



Apart from all these ever lasting memories of your honeymoon, Kerala sumptuous cuisines play a magical role to you tour. Blessed with the natural beauty the place is rich in herbs. It is also the fabled by spice state of India. Great magical hands when play a role with the herbs creates mouth watering cuisines enriching the taste buds of the visitors and couples. You will get spell bound once you finish your recipes served in the earthen pot. Apart from all these creator has planned everything for this place and has placed Kerala is the perfect place for the couples to enjoy there Kerala tour package making some romantic memories till eternity. So get along to the shore and the fabled backwater in amidst of natural beauty of God’s own country.

Experience Unique Charm of Kerala Houseboat Tours

Well, you have decided to make your vacation in Kerala – one of the most charming and captivating states of India. Kerala, globally famous tourism destination, deserve the attentions of tourists from each corner of the world. Tourists come here to enjoy their vacation on breathtakingly beach and backwater destinations. Kovalam and Varkala are world wide beach destinations of Kerala, better known as God’s Own Country.



For most fascinating experience of Kerala tours, explore its backwater destinations like Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Kollam, Thiruvallam, Trivandrum, etc. Surly exploring backwater destinations of the state would be a delightful experience of lifetime. Blessed with exceptional nature beauty, these destinations are very popular among nature lovers and honeymoon couples. For couples these destinations are like paradise as they find truly delightful and romantic ambiance for their most awaited romantic honeymoon vacation in Kerala, God’s Own Country.



Backwater tourism in the state is booming by lips and bounds. It has been pivotal part of Kerala tourism. Backwater destinations of the state are also very famous for ayurvedic resorts and spa centre. At Alleppey and Kumarakom there are several ayurvedic resorts offering excellent accommodation as well as ayurvedic treatments and therapies. Due to superb nature beauty with several ayurvedic resorts & spa centres, backwater destinations of the state have become also famous destinations of health & medical tourism in India.

The most preferred ways to explore scenic backwaters and backwater destinations of the state are certainly houseboats – traditionally known as the Kettuvallams. Now let me describe something about house boats. The interesting thing about house boats are they are made of wood and no a single nail is used. They are floating accommodation on winding network of scenic water bodies offering facilities like luxurious and star hotels. They have luxurious bedrooms with attached bathrooms, well-equipped kitchen with personal chef, sun deck, dining space, etc. The views from the windows of bedroom onboard house boat are mind-blowing, superb, and fantastic.



A well-organized house boat cruise provides wonderful opportunities to glide along zigzag network of breathtakingly beautiful backwaters and experience the unique world of water & serenity and feel the numerous charms of nature beauty by close – truly delight for visitors’ eyes. Tourists get opportunities to spot water birds and several aquatic creatures in and alongside backwaters. They spot colorful butterflies quivering over water flowers. They spot swiftly swimming silver fishes and wobbling waterfowls. You can too enjoy on your Kerala houseboat tours.

Well, embark on a well organized kerala houseboat cruise and get ready to treasure copious charms. Sail along scenic winding waterways. Watch in bewilderment the dancing net-like patterns on the gleaming and waving backwaters formed by sunrays that filter through the thick plant life on the shorelines.

Pay attention to the comforting sound of water waving alongside your boat cruise, as you waft your boat craft cruise on the science and serene waterways of the state. Feel totally comfortable as you enter into the unique world of tranquility and extraordinary natural beauty. See the views bright green paddy fields, swaying palm trees and capture the sight of children playing with the waves on the shorelines as you glide your boat cruise. Alleppey, Kumarakom and Fort Kochi can be your destination of your choice to enjoy your house boat tours in Kerala. Alleppey houseboats are very popular among tourists. Well, experience an unforgettable journey along the tranquil backwaters of God’s Own Country.

Enjoy Enduring Nature Charm with Kerala Backwater Houseboat Tours

Kerala is the most admired tourist destination of India from all over the world. It is situated on the southern part of India between Lakshadweep and the Western Ghats. The tranquil beauty of the place has won the heart tourist from all over the world. The state is embroidered with marvelous beaches, lush green valley and the hills, imprecise treasure of flora and fauna, palm fringed beaches dotted with coconut trees along the silver beach. Kerala scenic beauty is worth to enjoy on the backwater tour. The place is known for the serene beauty and the backwater tour. Every moment in this place is worth to enjoy. Enjoy the nature at its best while in Kerala. Get along with the wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala enjoying the Nature and the animals in their natural habitat. The low flying clouds over the blue hills, perfumed air and the thrilling song of the birds are the most enjoyable moments in Kerala.



Backwaters of Kerela are a unique product of Kerela and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwater holidays in houseboats kerala have become the most popular tourism product in India today. Sailing along the famous backwater lake is the most grandeur experience to enjoy the beauty of Kerala. The time has changed but the exotic beauty of ancient kerela is still same. The backwater trips along the coastal lagoons provide a sublime view of the charming beauty of Kerala. Catch the close view of Kerala serene beauty on the houseboat. You will enjoy the best flavours of Kerala sailing along the blue water with the company of the ducks sailing along with you.



The major backwater stretches are Vembanad Lake and Astamudi Lake. The most exciting activity on the backwaters of Kerela is the kettuvallom, Kerala house boats that is becoming very popular with the visitors. The popular backwater tours are conducted around Allappuzha, Kollam and Koyalam. This house boat tour along the famous backwater lake adds lifetime memories and will remain forever in your life.

Kerala is not only popular for exotic natural beauty. It has marked the place in the holistic science for Ayurveda treatment. The rich herbs of Kerala give the rejuvenating treatment of mind body and Soul. Kerala is the only state in India that practices this Method with absolute dedication. Many ayurvedic resorts have mushroomed along the tranquil beaches of India. The treatment of the Kerala’s ayurvedic adds a magical charm in the tourist. The natural herb treatment eliminates all toxic materials giving the soothing effect to your mind and body. The eminent mark of Kerala has now making the name all over the world.



The traditional culture and the dances add the splendor moments being in Kerala. The rich cultured of Kerala is to enjoy the most. The local talents entertain the tourist with their mind-blowing performances. The traditional dances of Kerala include multiple layers of clothing and ornate headgear. The performers are in the traditional attire with naturally wear cosmetics over the face. They give the outstanding performance that mesmerizes the tourist making them watch the whole event.



Kerala cuisine is one of the most flavored cuisines of the south. The sumptuous food of Kerala won’t let you go till licking your finger. The food is prepared in the coconut oil that is typical from rest of the tourist destination of India. The spicy tea and coffee of Kerala is really to be enjoyed. Kerala every melting pot cuisine is lip’s smacking and adds great flavor enjoyed along the cool sea breeze of the palm fringed beaches. The cruise inside the Kerala house boats is one of the most enjoyed cruises being in Kerala. Between the natures with the sumptuous food prepared in the coconut oil adds memorable moments of your tour to Kerala. Enjoy the serene beauty of Kerala these holidays making it the most memorable one.

Kerala House Boat

The beautiful backwaters of Kerala make a wonderful home to its traditional houseboats that take visitors on a dreamland journey meandering into the numerous lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and the deltas of a number of rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. Tranquility and bliss rules these parts of Kerala as one gets lost into the beauty of swaying coconut groves bordering the shores and the rural lifestyle of the people. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake, which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port. It is houseboats that attract a considerable number of tourists to the backwaters. Huge, slow moving, exotic barges used for leisure trips of today are actually the reworked Kettuvalloms of olden times, which were once used to carry tonnes of rice and spices.



The word Kettuvallam means 'boat with knots' and it is surprising to note that the entire boat holds together with coir knots only. Not even a single nail is used during its construction! Made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir, it is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. However, one does not need to worry because times have proved that with careful maintenance, a Kettuvallom can last for generations. Though, they are out of use now as carriers of load, clever humans have put them to a new use by modifying them and promoting them successfully as a tourist attraction. More than 100 years old, special rooms have been made in these boats to accommodate travelers who love to cruise in these houseboats, though, care has been taken to use only natural products such as bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the Aracanut tree are used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for beds in the process. Solar panels are used for lighting. Alleppey alone has as many as 120 houseboats today.

Today, with the advancement of the tourism industry, luxury houseboats have been introduced that have acquired all the comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views of the panoramic scenery. These boats are either driven by local oarsmen or are powered by a 40 HP engine. In case of large groups, one may also opt for Boat trains that are formed by joining two or more houseboats together.

Kerala Backwaters Tours Onboard Houseboat

Kerala, also known as the God’s Own Country, is one of the most charming and captivating states of India. It is widely acclaimed tourist destinations. Tourists from all over the world visit this picturesque state of India. There are numerous attractions in this state. Beaches, backwaters, hill station, monuments, etc are names to few. You will know better about Kerala and its different places of tourist interest when you will visit this state. Surly, visiting Kerala will never fail to entice you.

What makes Kerala a globally famous tourist destination? There are numerous factors and attractions in this state which make it one of the prime destinations on the horizon of world tourism. Basically there are two major factors that make the state a global tourism destination – unique cultural features and unique geographical features. Beaches, backwaters, hill stations, etc are prime attractions that deserve the attention of tourists from all over the world. When we think about Kerala tourism the first thing strikes in our mind its beautiful sun kissed beaches that are nature blessed and able to captivate you.

Undoubtedly beaches of the state are perhaps the most sought after attractions of the state. But scenic backwaters of the state are also very popular among tourists from all over the world. Exploring backwater destinations of the state provides real charm of travel and tourism in the state. Kerala backwater tours are widely popular among tourists. Backwater tours in the state provide amazing sightseeing. One can visit several attractions of tourist interest such as traditional villages, modern cities, ancient temples, forts, palace, churches, ayurvedic treatment resorts, spa centers, paddy fields, hills, beaches, etc. In fact, backwater tours in the state provide you complete travel and tourism experience.

There are several backwater destinations in the state. Alleppey, Kumarakom and Fort Kochi are names to few. The most popular way to experience the charm of scenic backwaters is cruising over the placid water of the scenic backwaters. Cruising in the scenic backwater is simply a delightful experience mixed up with excellent houseboat experience, traditional cuisine,amazing sightseeing and serenity. houseboats in kerala of Kerala provide excellent accommodation with all modern amenities in the unique world of water, serenity and wonderment. No anywhere in the world one can find such wonderful holiday options as Kerala provides.

A houseboat cruise over the placid backwaters take you into the totally different world – the world of wonderment, the world of serenity and the world of exceptional nature beauty. One can see several species of aquatic life and water birds living in and alongside the backwaters on board the house boat cruise. One can see excellent view of sunset from the deck of the house boat. One can explore traditional villages of the state and get insight of culture and tradition of the state. One can explore lush paddy fields. So, cruising over the placid backwaters is always a delightful experience. There are several houseboat kerala in the state that make you enable to explore backwaters of the state in more and more convenient ways. Well, embark on cruise of houseboat Kerala India. I bet you are going to treasure a delightful experience of lifetime.

Now, go yachting on Kerala's backwaters

Kerala backwaters, famous for their scenic beauty, snake boat races and huge house boats, offer you something more these days — a leisure ride on yachts.


Cochin Opening Ceremony for the Volvo Ocean Race

The increasing popularity of leisure boating in the State has opened up new opportunities for tour managers to introduce yachts to attract as many tourists as possible, industry officials say.

"Spending a weekend on a boat, with a little fishing and barbeques on board, is slowly becoming an accepted norm these days," said Mathew Cherian, president of Nautilus Yachts, a Kochi-based yacht-manufacturing company with a boatyard in Thailand.


Ericsson 3 arrive in Cochin, India

He added that in Kerala, "any boat bigger than 30 feet with cabins would qualify as a yacht", while the super-yachts in the U.S. and Europe will be more than 50 feet in length and will cost millions.


Elephants in the Cochin Race Village during Pooram, a traditional Indian festival

Nautilus is building high-powered air-conditioned single cabin boats of 16 feet that cost Rs 10-20 lakh as well as ones costing more than Rs 2 crore with more cabins and electronic fish-finders.

Cherian said the demand for private high-speed boats was going up in Kerala as more and more Keralites were getting attracted to leisure boating. Moreover, the tourism authorities are taking steps to boost backwater tourism in the State.


Elephants travel to the Cochin Race Village for Pooram, a traditional Indian festival

The Kerala Tourism Development Corp has announced it will set up a 'marina' at the Bolghatty Isle in Kochi to solve the problem of parking of yachts and boats. A marina is a sheltered harbour where boats and yachts are kept in the water.


A TV helicopter escorts PUMA Ocean Racing into Cochin, India

This will be the first ever marina in the country. Although Mumbai and Goa are the primary spots for yachts, there are no marinas at both places.

"With land prices riding high in Mumbai, it is not surprising," said Joe Nejedly, an expert in yacht manufacturing and owner of Praga Marine, based in Coimbatore.

A couple of real estate builders have already approached Nautilus Yachts to build marinas exclusively for its waterfront apartments in Kochi, Cherian said.

A new concept called fractional ownership — which means a group of people (normally between 5 and 10) collectively own a boat and share the expenses — is persuading more people to invest in yacht tourism.


Team Russia sails towards the finish of leg 2

A former MP from Kerala now has a 32-foot Bayliner, a seafood exporter cruises on a 42-foot Sea Ray, a tyre tycoon keeps a 32-foot Bayliner and the Taj Malabar at Fort Kochi owns a 55-foot Gulf Craft Ambassador.

According to industry estimates, the increasing popularity of leisure boating here will make India one of the favourite markets for yacht makers.

"Although the West has not set up a boatyard in India yet, they have started investing in publicity agents to boost demand for their products here," said Nejedly, who worked with the European parent company Praga Marine for 30 years before moving to Coimbatore.


Aerial shot of Ericsson 3 coming into Cochin, escorted by supporters

The British-born Nejedly has his boatyard in Aroor, a small village in south Kerala. "Now, I have to step up the quality of my boats to compete with rivals," he said.

He added that the government could help the industry by setting up buoys for inland navigation and clearing the waterways.

Tourism industry officials hope the stopover of crews participating in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 in Kochi this week will increase the popularity of yacht tourism in the state.

Eight competing crews of the Volvo Ocean Race will arrive here Wednesday for a 10-day stopover.


The haul out area in the Cochin Race Village

The Volvo Ocean Race, which is also called the Everest of Sailing, is one of the most demanding and daring team sporting events held every four years.

The 2008 edition has 11 ocean legs, seven inshore races and Cochin Port is the only destination chosen in India.

The race began in Alicante, Spain, on October 4 and will cover a total of 39,325 nautical miles over nine months and end in July 2009 at St. Petersburg, Russia.

Backwaters of Kerala

The beauty of Kerala lies in its backwaters that are unique in the entire world. Brimming with natural beauty and economically viable, this uniqueness of Kerala, makes it a heavenly delight for its visitors. It features 41 West-flowing rivers of Kerala that are the highlights of this fabulous gift of nature. In earlier times, this water highway covered the entire expanse from the South of Kerala to the northernmost part of the state but many of these waterways have been closed now. According to a legend, it was the warrior sage Parashuraman who threw his battle-axe and 'reclaimed' the land from the seas created Kerala. Today, Kerala remains a land of canals, lagoons, lakes and rivers, which constitute the so-famous Backwaters of Kerala, which have played an important part in the lifestyle of the people living on its shores. For the benefit of the tourists, the old waterways are being re-opened.



Kerala's backwaters provide a gateway to the visitors to see the true rural life of the region. The traditional lifestyle of Kerala's villages is tough, slow and highly labor intensive and the chief occupations of the people are boat building, prawn cultivation, sand mining, coir manufacture, limestone collection (by the specialist divers), rice farming and duck rearing, which is in sharp contrast to that of the teeming crowds of visitors who come to the place. Alapuzha is an ideal starting-point of the journey because of its large network of canals from where one passes through several small canals that come out into the Vembanad Lake, to the land of Kuttanad, which was once known as the rice bowl of Kerala, because of its cultivation of paddy fields that used a clever system of dykes and bunds. It is exciting to note that this place is one of the few places, which are below sea level.



Kumarakom has been recently discovered and have now blossomed into a beautiful backwater holiday destination with its spectacular lagoon fringed by coconut groves that have almost become an icon of Kerala tourism. This place also boasts of a 14-acre bird where one can spot several of avian species such as water ducks, cuckoos and Siberian storks. Coconut Lagoon and Englishman Henry Baker's bungalow that has now been converted into a heritage hotel by the Taj group are the chief attractions of the place.

Today, one may enjoy the backwaters of Kumarakom whole sailing in the local houseboats, called 'Kettuvallam' that are unique to this region.

Kollam with its maze of rivers, lakes and lagoons, is a popular destination where one can see splendid views of the glorious Kayamkulam Lake and the Ashtamudi Lake. Kochi, the commercial Capital of Kerala, is not far behind with its treasure of myriad lagoons, rivers and lakes.

Monsoons here are even more beautiful because of the traditional snake boat races with the 130 feet long Chundan boats as their highlights. Some of the major boat race events are the Nehru Trophy Boat Race held on the second Saturday of August and the Aranmula Boat Race, which is more traditional and is associated with temple festival at Aranmula. The boat carnival starts on the day of Thiruonam, the most auspicious day of the Kerala festival, Onam.

Besides these backwaters of Central Kerala, there are other places too such as Veli in South Kerala, and Kadinamkulam, Edava, Anjengo, Madayara, Peravur, Ashtamudi, Kayamkulam, Kodungalur, Chetuva and Valiyaparamba in North Kerala.

Honeymoon Holiday at Kerala Houseboat

After wedding, the most important moment for a couple is honeymoon. For every couple, honeymoon is the time for romance, excitement, and leisure. Couples look for an ideal destination that can provide them suitable ambiance with privacy, luxury, serenity and off course security. They face difficulties to find such destination and often confuse where to go? To assist you to select a honeymoon destination, travel agents or honeymoon planners can assist you. Also they offer exciting honeymoon tour packages for different destinations.

There are several honeymoon holiday destinations in India which captivates couples from all around the world. Such a mesmerizing honeymoon destination is Kerala (also popularly described as the God’s Own Country) situated in India. It is one of the most beautiful states and tourist destinations of India. Its unique geographical and cultural features deserve the attention of families, lovers, couples, honeymooners, etc.

Kerala has a lot of options to offer couples and honeymooners by which they can make their honeymoon holidays in more and memorable ways. There are beautiful beaches, beautiful landscapes, verdant hill stations, lovely lakes, rich flora & fauna, breathtaking backwaters, luxury packed houseboats, etc in Kerala which are enough to make perfect honeymoon holidays for couples. No anywhere in other states of India, honeymooners can find so many options for their precious honeymoon.



One of the most popular honeymoon options in Kerala is house boats and backwater tours. Honeymooners or couples from all around the world come here for Kerala backwater tours and house boat tours.

Kerala houseboats & backwater honeymoon package is one of the most desired honeymoon packages in the world. Floating over the breathtakingly beautiful backwaters the luxury packed house boats provide facilities like five star hotels. House boats generally have one of two fully furnished bedrooms with attached bathrooms, sunbath deck, an open lounge, Dinning area, and a well-equipped kitchen.



Cruise along the palm-fringed waterways on your Kerala backwater and house boat honeymoon package. Floating over scenic backwaters, House Boat Kerala India takes you though sightseeing of coir villages, water lilies, lush paddy fields, historic & modern towns, temples, lively traditional villages, people at daily life, palm coconut groves, water birds playing with water, beautiful landscapes, etc. The journey will be surly a captivating experience for you and your loved-one too. On your Kerala honeymoon cruise you will have also excellent opportunity to enjoy traditional Kerala’s delicious & mouthwatering cuisine.

There are several Kerala houseboat packages available which make enable honeymooners to enjoy and explore the breathtaking beauty of backwaters. Kerala houseboat cruise also take you the periphery of wildlife and bird sanctuary. Some house boat cruise operators also provide facilities to enjoy water funs and sports.



One of the most important backwater destinations of Kerala which are very popular among couples is Alleppey or Alappuzha (popularly described as the Venice of the East). This is a small but beautiful town and provides complete backwater experience which will surly add special charm to your honeymoon. The lovely Vembanad Lake is an ideal spot for Alleppey Houseboats honeymoon cruise. If you too want to celebrate your honeymoon holiday in Kerala with houseboat cruise over breathtaking backwaters, you are welcome to this beautiful state of India.