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4 Day Kerala Houseboat Cruise
Highlights: Kumarakom
Trip start: Cochin
Trip end: Cochin
Price Range from $684 to $1,028 *
* USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

The Kerala Houseboat is the perfect way to experience the calm and unique ecology of the Kerala backwaters. The houseboats of Kerala are unique to this area of India and were the historic method for transporting rice and other trade through the aqueous centre of Kerala to the ports on the coast at Kollam, Aleppey and Cochin. In the last twenty years, the boats have been converted to all-inclusive luxury barges to take visitors through the small canals and villages that still inhabit this road-less and car-less world. From your daybed in the bows of the boat you can watch the traditional life of backwater and can enjoy a continuous stream of new sights and sounds. Enjoy all meals aboard your air conditioned boat, with delicious local foods prepared in front of your eyes. A superb way to relax and recharge.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Kumarakom
  • Transfer - Private - Cochin - Kumarakom [1 hr] - Vehicle/Driver
  • Kumarakom: Ship-based - Kumarakom cruise day 1
  • Dinner (included)
Houseboat Package (B,L,D)
Day 2
Kumarakom
  • Alappuzha: Ship-based - Kumarakom cruise day 2
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
Houseboat Package (B,L,D)
Day 3
Kumarakom
  • Ship-based - Kumarakom cruise day 3
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
Houseboat Package (B,L,D)
Day 4
Cochin
  • Ship-based - Kumarakom cruise day 4
  • Transfer - Private - Alappuzha - Cochin [1 hrs] - Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Kumarakom

Kumarakom - An invigorating, fascinating paradise. The slender coconut palms, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties. The charming emerald peninsula juts into Vembanad Lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Kumarakom. 

Kumarakom is enthrallingly beautiful. The blue backwaters and the surface of Vembanad Lake reflect the azure sky. The amazing shades of green of the vegetation that include mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields cover the verdant countryside. Channels and waterways wind their way through this green paradise. Water lilies and lotuses bloom in the water and birds from the bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake call as they fly across the clear tropical sky. Kumarakom is an idyllic holiday destination that loves with Kerala Backwater.

Arrival at Kumarakom and board the houseboat around 12noon, Welcome drink on arrival

Cruise through the Vembanad lake which is the largest fresh water lake in Asia, R block & C block- the man made islands in the middle of Vembanad lake, Pathiramanal island etc.

One of the higlights of a Kerala trip - Kerala houseboat cruises. For those who would prefer to avoid the frenzied activity on a vacation, who wish to rest and relax in the very lap of nature, to enjoy luxury in the privacy of a cabin and yet not remain pent up in a hotel, for those who wish to experience the beauty of rural life combined with the advantages of an urban living, a houseboat cruise is the perfect answer.

A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat 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 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.

Overnight at Houseboat Package.


Traditional Boat
Traditional Boat
Kerala Backwaters
Kerala Backwaters
Houseboat
Houseboat
Day 2 Kumarakom

Alappuzha, previously known as Alleppey, in Kerala is surrounded by waterways and canals and is therefore also called the "Venice of the East." Alappuzha is famous for the beautiful backwaters surrounding it. Many Kerala Backwater cruises begin or end in Alappuzha. The backwaters with water birds and flowers and greenery along their banks are a beautiful and refreshing sight. See the serene attractions of Alappuzha on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Cruise through the Punnamada Lake - the venue of famous Nehru Trophy boat race and Pallathuruthy River, visiting Chambakkulam church and the famous race boat - Chambakkulam Chundan.

Cruise through the Neumudi River, Kuppapuram canal etc en route visiting paddy fields, typical Kerala villages etc. Tour in a traditional canoe to navigate through the narrower sections of the backwaters, for the next few hours, you will observe and experience a way of life unique to this region, accompanied by a guide. This section of the cruise includes a visit to the St. Mary’s Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721 and Sree Bhagavathy Kshetram – a 100-year old Hindu temple to Mother Goddess - at Nedumudy.

Overnight at Houseboat Package.


Paddy field
Paddy field
Day 3 Kumarakom

Kollam previously known as Quilon in Kerala, India is an ancient port located on the edge of the Ashttamudi Lake. Traders visited Kollam in ancient times from lands as far away as Phoenicia, Arabia, Greece, Rome and China. In more recent times the Portuguese established a trading post at Kollam, after which the Dutch and British set up their factories to export spices, sandalwood, ivory and coir. Kollam is also a beautiful destination and a gateway to the Kerala backwaters. You can see the tourist attractions of Kollam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater

Cruise through the Thakazhi canal, Veliyanad village, Kidangara River, Kavalam, Kuttanad - called as the rice bowl of Kerala, visiting of Karu backmadikuttan - the 200 yrs old statue, temples etc.

Overnight at Houseboat Package.


Sunset at Kollam
Sunset at Kollam
Day 4 Cochin

After the morning cruise and breakfast, check out of the houseboat at Alleppey around 10.00am.

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Cochin.

Depart from Kochi international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.


Cochin
Cochin
Houseboat cruise
Houseboat cruise

Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Tours, Transfers, Flights, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras - Visas - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include international air fare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.