8 Best Kerala Houseboats For Your Next Trip To God's Own Country

Spice Coast Cruises should be your pick if you love sustainable travelling while learning about the old cultural practices via a houseboat in Kerala, Alleppey. Your stay is booked in a traditional 'Kettuvallam' — traditional house boats made with natural materials like bamboo fibres that run on solar energy. Your package includes meals made from the fresh catch from the lake with traditional Keralite cuisine. You could also interact with the fisherfolk and locals on your brief sojourns through the lake. You can book yourself single or twin sharing cabins. 

Price: INR 20,000 Upwards 

Book your Kerala houseboat stay with Eco Trails for a rustic and charming getaway on the backwaters of the state. The houseboats include well furnished bed rooms with attached bathrooms, sun bath-decks, lounge and dining room and a well-maintained kitchen. Two boats-men and an expert cook are assigned specially for your trip, and are available round the clock for anything you may need. You can start with an overnight stay from Kumarakom covering the Allepey backwaters and have traditional Kerala style meals while aboard. You could also opt for motorboat rides during your stay. 

Price: INR 9,000 Upwards 

Run by the Sterling Lake Palace Resort, the Sterling Houseboats are known for their luxurious overnight stays and action-packed itineraries. Get onboard at 12.30 PM, to kick off your houseboat experience, visit various spots including Kuttanadu known as the rice bowl of Kerala, Nehru Trophy Boat Race Venue where the annual boat race is held, and dock for the night at a local village. All this while you lounge watching the backwater go by on the deck, sip on drinks from the bar and dine on amazing local food. You could book one room or two room boats to have an entire boat to your family or group of friends. 

Price: INR 27,000 Upwards

Get the best of both worlds with Soma Houseboats — rustic looking boats with super luxurious and plush interiors. Their spacious interiors have lounge spaces, dining, plush bedrooms, amenities for couples and honeymooners, WiFi, TV and candle light dinners on deck to make your Kerala houseboat stay even more romantic. You could opt for the rustic houseboat that makes your travel close to nature, or opt for the Soma Jyothi, the uber luxurious cruise to explore the scenic waters. 

Price: INR 10,500 Upwards 

This one's for the folks who get homesick easily — the Aqua Jumbo houseboats replicate a super homely atmosphere, with their dark wood interiors and charmingly done up bedrooms that make you feel right at home. It's perfect if you'd like to book the entire boat for a private party, or have the entire space to yourself. Step in, open the windows and find yourself in the lap of luxury on the backwaters. 

Price: INR 11,500 Upwards 

Explore the slow and conscious life on the river with Xandari Riverscapes that offer a sustainable way of exploring Alleppey. All their boats are plastic-free zones, with an emphasis on maintaining the ecological balance of the land. Explore the rice paddy fields, waterside village life, supermarkets on water and the lifestyle of fisherfolk. All the food onboard is farm-to-table, made with locally produced grains, ingredients and fresh catch from the lake. You can book entire boats with one to three bedrooms. 

Price: INR 38500 Upwards 

This one's for the couples and honeymooners who prefer having private time by themselves instead of tagging along with a big group. With king size beds, Jacuzzi and shower panels, private dining area cordoned off with glass walls, well spoken and professional crew members, luxurious interiors, and ambient lighting, this travel company maintains international hospitality standards. The fully air conditioned cruise operates on different routes while you dine on scrumptious local cuisine. 

Price: INR 17,500 Upwards 

Choose from luxury, premium and deluxe categories when you book your stay with Rainbow Cruises, awarded by the government of Kerala for their excellent hospitality. The 100 foot long traditional boats are known as some of the best houseboats in Kerala with amenities like open lounges, decks, kitchenettes and a crew comprising of a Captain, a Chef and multilingual guide. You have options to choose from upto four bedrooms per houseboat. Starting from one night cruises, their experiences include visiting rice paddy fields, fishing spots, the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race Venue and many others. 

Price: INR 5,000 Upwards