The Best Way To Experience The Backwaters Of Kerala – A Complete Guide

By Author: Spice Routes
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India offers such a vast canvas of travel experiences that it can be confusing for a traveller to create a travel plan that packs in a lot, gives ample time to relax and really get under the skin of the place. Of all the places that should be essential for a traveller to visit in India, Kerala definitely falls as one of the top destinations. The small slice of the lush state on the southwest part of the country has a number of things to see and do, of which the backwaters of Alleppey are extremely popular. Luxury houseboats of Alleppey are a great draw for travellers who haven’t seen the slow life of the Kuttanad region - a topographical wonder. The entire paddy growing region lies about 2 meters below the sea level and is a thousand shades of green. Add to that an Alleppey houseboat day cruise, glimpses of local life and a comfortable and unique place to stay, and a perfect holiday awaits.

Premium houseboats in Alleppey is a more than a decade old concept. Earlier, traditional thatched boats took guests on the languid canals but had minimal comforts. But soon, a few forward looking companies like Spice Routes Luxury ...
... Cruises changed the scene by providing premium houseboats in Alleppey to amplify the experience. They offer the best houseboats in Kerala. These ultra-luxury houseboats are fitted with all the comforts, including a check-in to check-out experience in complete air-conditioning, exclusive boarding point at a heritage home, free Wi-Fi when anchored at the heritage home and multiple high-end luxuries when aboard. These include hotel level rooms, personal lounge area, first floor decks to take in the views, on-board dining and ample local experiences.

Travellers can expect an Alleppey backwater cruise to be something like this. Wake up to the soft splashes of water against the massive base of the houseboat to a fresh early morning. This is the best time to be on a Kerala houseboat tour as the sun isn’t up and the canals are just about stirring up with action. Women come out to do their daily chores of washing and cleaning by the canals – in fact, these are extended kitchens and bathrooms of their house. Guests often jump into thinner local boats for a canal visit, to see local life at close quarters. People are fishing with small Chinese fishing nets, some soaking heaps of rice to grind later and some are busy getting cleaned up for the day. Most Alleppey houseboat packages include a trip to the canals – this is essential to understand life by the backwaters.

Meals on Alleppey luxury houseboats are something else! The fresh catch from the fishermen is easy to source and the on-board chefs dish some great local recipes. The meals are extensive with lots of local dishes and added lobsters and prawns if the guests want. There is unlimited tea, which is best enjoyed in the evenings from the upper deck of a boat. But a Kerala backwater cruise is not complete without visiting some of the local homes. In here, travellers can see activities like husking coconuts, de-shelling clams, fishing and even try authentic local food in a home. Very often, you will see Alleppey cruises also embarking on a Kumarakom houseboat day cruise which is nearby. The cruise here takes one to the sprawling Vembanad Lake which is extremely rich in bird life.

From birding, local life, cooking and sampling authentic cuisine, fishing and more, Alleppey luxury houseboats promise a holiday anchored on slow travel. There is no rush or hurry to tick off things to see and do. The pace of the cruise is slow and easy, so you can really hit pause on a rushed trip in India.

This is one of the top ideas for a luxury holiday in India as it ticks off the list on many accounts – personalised holiday, super luxury rooms, plenty of nature around and customized food on board. No wonder travellers choose the Alleppey houseboat experience as one of the best ways to sign up for a luxury holiday in South India.

The Alleppey houseboat packages can range from budget to luxury, depending on the facilities of the houseboat. Some travellers may choose to backpack around India, but save for the Kerala houseboat backwaters rate, which can start from Rs. 20,000 per night. The luxury houseboats, Kerala is an excellent experience for travellers who want to see India and it’s lush state with a local lens.