A trip to Alleppey Backwater Houseboat at Lake Vembanad, Allapuzha Kerala

"The houseboat trip at the Vembanad lake at Alleppey is like a perfect gift for your loved ones for lifetime." - Quote about Houseboat trip to Alleppey in "God's own country - Kerala" - By Sachin Kumar Gupta.

Alappuzha also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. Alleppey is situated 62 KM to the south of Kochi and 155 KM north of Trivandrum. Backwaters of Alleppey are world famous and is the most popular tourist attraction in Kerala.  A town with picturesque canals, backwaters, beaches, and lagoons, it was described as the one of the places known as "Venice of the East" by Lord Curzon.

 

The backwaters in Alleppey of Kerala is just another reason why thousands of people (both natives, and tourists) flock to this beautiful destination the whole year round. Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction.

 

A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. If you are planning for the wedding gift or on your honeymoon, This could be one of best places in India. You have to book a houseboat in advance since they are always in high demand. There are single-bedroom and even four to five-bedroom houseboats available, with living rooms, bathrooms, an equipped kitchenette and air-conditioning too. A well trained crew of a cook and a bearer along with two oarsmen will be at your service all through.

 

We had booked for overnight stay on Gokul houseboat in the Allepey backwaters. We booked for 2 bedroom Deluxe houseboat, which was upgraded to 4 bedroom houseboat by UdayaKumar (Gokul Cruise contact person). Two rooms were locked though, but bigger houseboat with sundeck terrace was simply cool. The houseboat was quite luxurious and equipped with all of the modern amenities we need.

 

The full packages includes with approx. below timings:
Cruise time 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM (45 - 60 minutes break during lunch)
All meals inclusive (welcome drink, lunch, evening snacks, dinner, next morning breakfast)
Kerala traditional dishes including pre-booked veg food & Fruit Basket
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM tea and snacks
5:30 PM - 8:00 AM houseboat halting at riverside with overnight stay
AC Switch on in bedrooms only during 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM (If full time AC require, inform in advance with additional cost.)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM cruise back to checkout point
Note: Non-veg can also have fresh meal direct from the Vembanad Lake on prior booking. Flower Decoration, Candle light dinner, Wedding Cake on board are also available on prior demand.

 

Feeling from the top of the terrace was just soothing. The gentle breeze from the Vembanad Lake has made us refreshing. We experience the serenity and calm of this alluring lake, famous for its backwater tourism. With coconut trees lining the pellucid lake waters for kilometers at a stretch.

 

The backwaters of Alleppey offer one of the most enchanting sights to tourists. There were paddy fields, few churches also along the backwaters route. After 5:30 PM you can also enjoy Shikkara cruise or small boat trip including lake side village walk. The most exciting feature of a shikkara is that it can go even into very small canals and inner areas of village, where houseboat and motorboat cannot travel. Though we opted for closer village walk and buy fresh coconut water and snacks.

 

We saw the rural life of the water borne villages of Kerala including men fishing in canoes. After that we relaxed at houseboat, had music, fun and food during night. Early in the morning it started drizzling, It was very nice to enjoy rain from the houseboat window.

 

We can say that if you are really looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones, gift your loved ones House boating experience, it's the most memorable experience one can receive. For a wonderful wedding or an anniversary gift to share together, charming backwaters combined with backwater ripples, really makes for an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, next morning, we moved to Alleppey beach and lighthouse trip.