Are you the one who wants to enjoy a unique experience of staying in a houseboat in Alleppey, Kerala? Here are the top 5 reasons why you should consider a houseboat stay in Alleppey.
Exploring oceans, beaches, and the fresh open waters can be a refreshing moment in any travel plan. Do you have a long itinerary planned ahead? Ideally, one would take some time off for a leisure boating trip as part of the plan. But what if you could base your whole itinerary around a houseboat? You could spend a whole night in a houseboat—with authentic food and new experiences—alongside enjoying the essence of local life and stunning views of Kerala’s backwaters.
‘Kerala,’ a reminder of peace on a platter, is home to Alleppey, a haven for picturesque landscapes and waterways. From backwaters to coastlines, Kerala is known for its diverse geographical diversity and bounties of natural waters, and Alleppey can be considered the epitome of the Kerala experience. Boating plans and exploring different waterway travel are a must in a trip to any tropical town—especially a unique one like Alleppey. Houseboats are often a symbol of Kerala itself, and Alleppey can get you the ultimate experience! Here’s Tourism Bharat’s concise guide and top 5 reasons to choose a houseboat stay as a part of your next Kerala trip!
‘Venice of the East’
Alleppey, or Alappuzha, known for its divine backwaters and waterways, is also regarded as the ‘Venice of the East.’ A pleasant town, Alleppey is home to the essence of Kerala’s lagoons and wonderful waterways. Alleppey is situated between the Arabian Sea and Vembanad Lake. A narrow piece of land, the town is home to the Nehru Trophy Boat Race—a symbol of the state itself.
What is a houseboat stay?
A houseboat stay can be booked by a person or a group of people, and as its name suggests, it involves staying in a houseboat during a fixed number of hours, allowing the travellers to cruise around the waters of Alleppey. While an overnight stay is available, there are also options to opt just for a whole day of cruising around in a houseboat, letting the travellers pick their option based on their own comfort and cost budget. Notably, there are also different types of boats that you may ride around in for short hours, such as speedboats, canoes, rowboats, etc., too. While these are also good options to get a closer look at local life, houseboats offer the opportunity to experience the tranquillity of the waters at their fullest, also with a touch of luxury.
Common facilities in houseboats
While one may worry about being crammed in a boat for hours on end, it is usually not the case. Houseboats are equipped with top-notch facilities, just like any other hotel room you may book on land! Houseboats come with bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, sun decks, and more! From budget-friendly to luxurious options, travellers can choose their pick in alignment with their convenience and affordability.
Why Choose a Houseboat Stay in Alleppey?
1. The Authentic Kerala Backwater Experience
Kerala is known for its serene water bodies, and Alleppey offers the ideal backwater experience. The town is home to canals, lakes, and lagoons connected by rivers and channels, hence making way for a wholesome experience of waterway travel. A houseboat stay in the town will give you the chance to explore the scenic beauties of Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad Backwaters, Pampa River, Kayamkulam Lake, and several other canals. Alongside this, you can’t help but be intrigued by the strategic use of ferries as a mode of public transport by the state government itself.
2. Kerala Cuisine on the Go
Fresh food is usually a major part of the experience in these houseboats, as they come with an attached kitchen. Packages usually include chefs/cooks on board to cook an authentic meal of your choice. This offers a glimpse of the local delicacies of Alleppey, such as Kappa & Meen Curry (tapioca with fish curry), Pazham Pori & Chai (deep-fried ripe banana fritters served with hot tea), Karimeen Pollichathu (roasted pearl spot fish), and much more.
3. Explore Alleppey’s Local Life
One can’t help but be fascinated by the intricate waterways of this land that are so interwoven into people’s daily lives too. You may catch a glimpse of children commuting to school on boats and people selling fish from one houseboat to another. An early morning or evening view from your houseboat’s deck can also give you a glimpse of people practising diligently for the boat race season (held annually on the second Saturday of August in Alleppey), a common tradition of the town and also some other parts of Kerala that boast a bounty of backwaters.
4. The perfect blend of comfort and nature
While some may deem a houseboat stay to be a restrictive option, the perks of leisure it offers come with a load of comfort and flexibility too, depending on the package one chooses. The crew offers the option to halt the houseboat when necessary, letting travellers go on and explore the town in between the cruising. You can also experience a soothing sunrise or sunset from the comfort of your houseboat or even halt in spots from where an immaculate view is guaranteed.
5. An Aesthetic Getaway
The scenic beauty of Alleppey is unmatched when it comes to enjoying a getaway with an exemplary view and also going back with an aesthetic camera roll! Travellers can bring along their drone cams, mobile phones, and other apparatus to capture the breathtaking visuals of the waters, the people, and the boats. While a regular backwater aesthetic is a staple in itself, people often opt for wedding photoshoots and mini parties on these houseboats to host anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions—a perfect gift for your loved ones!
Exploring the scenic bounty of Kerala is a must, especially if you love the coasts of India. If you are looking to experience Kerala to its fullest, look no further than here—Kerala Munnar-Alleppey 3 Nights 4 Days Package! Gift yourself a world of getaways with Tourism Bharat—your travel companion.
Important to note
It is advisable to inform the crew beforehand about any allergies, sickness, or assistance requirements for a comfortable travel experience. Responsible travel will also include maintaining the cleanliness of the waters and respecting the local culture.