Must doKathakali evening in Fort Kochi
Watch the performers put on their make-up, then see Kerala's classical dance-drama up close.
WhereAlappuzha, on Vembanad Lake
From KochiAbout 1.5 hours by road
StayOne night on a houseboat
Best monthsOctober to March
MealsCooked on board
ParentsEasy, a few steps to board
Check before you go: Timings, fees and access can change with the season, festivals and weather. Check the latest timings before you go; on our trips we confirm them for you.
The Alleppey backwaters are a network of canals and lakes around Alappuzha in Kerala, best seen on an overnight houseboat. Alleppey is about 1.5 hours from Kochi by road. October to March is the most comfortable time; one night on board is enough for most travellers.
A day on an Alleppey houseboat
Houseboats here are built on the lines of the kettuvallam, the old rice barges of Kerala. You board around midday, cruise through canals and across Vembanad Lake, and the crew cooks lunch, tea and dinner on board.
Boats stop cruising and moor for the night in the evening, so the night itself is quiet and still. You are back on land by mid-morning.
Is it okay for parents?
EasyStepsA few to board
WalkingVery little
Private or shared houseboat?
- Private: the whole boat for your group, the best choice for families and couples. This is what we book.
- Shared: cabins on a bigger boat, cheaper but less flexible.
- Day cruise: a few hours only; you miss the evening and the quiet morning.
Best time for the Kerala backwaters
- October to March: pleasant and dry. Our pick.
- April to May: hot and humid.
- June to September: monsoon rain, very green, lower prices.
- August: the Nehru Trophy snake boat race is usually held on Punnamada Lake.
Veg and Jain food
Meals are cooked on board. Tell us about vegetarian or Jain food in advance.
Experiences nearby
Do more with locals
Must do
Nature & slowTea estate morning in Munnar
Walk the tea slopes in the cool morning, see how the leaf is processed, then taste it fresh.
AdventureCycling through the tea estates
Ride quiet estate roads through the tea hills, with stops for the views.
Food & peopleSpice plantation walk in Thekkady
See pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves growing, with a farmer who knows every plant.
AdventureJungle walk in Periyar
A guided walk in the Periyar forest, looking for birds, giant squirrels and signs of elephants.
Nature & slowVillage canoe ride on the backwaters
Slip into the narrow canals a houseboat cannot reach, past homes, paddy and toddy shops.
Food & peopleHome-cooked sadya lunch
A traditional vegetarian feast served on a banana leaf, with a family in a backwater village.
FAQ
Alappuzha Backwaters: your questions
Is one night on an Alappuzha houseboat enough?
Yes, for most travellers. One night gives you the afternoon cruise, a quiet evening and the morning light.
Is an Alleppey houseboat safe for kids and elders?
Yes, with care. Ask for a boat with railings and a ground-level bedroom, and keep children supervised on deck.
Is the food on Kerala backwater houseboats vegetarian?
Meals are cooked on board and can be fully vegetarian or Jain if you tell us in advance.
Alleppey or Kumarakom for the backwaters?
Alleppey has more canal life and boat choice; Kumarakom, across Vembanad Lake, is quieter and more resort-based.
Do houseboats cruise at night?
No. Boats moor for the night in the evening and start again in the morning.
Something else on your mind? Ask on WhatsApp