Revel in the tropical scenery and rich heritage lining Kerala’s backwaters
Discover the rich, fascinating culture of India’s tropical state of Kerala on the 6-day tour Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour! You’ll cruise to Cochin, Kumarakom, and along the postcard-worthy backwaters lacing through Alleppey. While the warm climate and tropical palm trees attract visitors to Kerala, it’s the charming, friendly locals and introduction to India’s rich heritage that will leave a lasting memory. This tour provides a seamless blend of both—and then some!
As you bask in the warm weather, spend time exploring the array of attractions around Cochin, where beaches, lofty palaces and museums, and tales of its history of trading spices and sandalwood live on. When you hop on the houseboat, you’ll catch a more in-depth glimpse of daily local life as you float through small villages lining the backwater banks. Meanwhile, in Kumarakom, you’ll experience a mixture of relaxation and outdoor charm, relaxing with an Ayurvedic massage and watching birds flock at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour is like no other!
Highlights of the Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour
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Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Cochin
Meet and greet a tour representative at Cochin International Airport before transferring to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring this charming, infectious city, where rich heritage meets modern-paced life.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cochin
Meals: None
Day 2 Go to the houseboat
Enjoy breakfast before you go on a sightseeing tour around Cochin. Check out the Jewish synagogue, Dutch Palace, Cochin Harbor, Fort Kochi Beach, Hill Palace, and St Francis Church. After, you’ll begin your 1.5-hour drive to Alleppey, where your houseboat adventure awaits! Admire the palm-tree-lined banks and skinny canals. Spend the evening gazing at the stars lighting up the dark sky while you enjoy tasty authentic dishes from Kerala onboard!
Overnight Location: Overnight on houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Enjoy the houseboat
Spend the day admiring the natural scenery unfolding along the backwater banks. Stop at local markets, watch men partake in the ancient boat-building tradition, and relax!
Overnight Location: Overnight on houseboat
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Discover Kumarakom
Disembark your houseboat and step into another tropical oasis, Kumarakom. Marvel at the canals decorated with white lilies and the abundance of greenery, from coconut groves to mangrove forests. Spend the day at your leisure!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kumarakom
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Leisure day in Kumarakom
Enjoy another lovely day in paradise! Opt to cool off in the backwaters or go for an Ayurvedic massage. If you're a bird enthusiast, it’s suggested to check out the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kumarakom
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Head to Cochin Airport
Bask in the amenities of the resort during the morning before driving to Cochin International Airport. The tour ends once you reach the airport.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour in Kerala is always run as a private tour for your group onl. Please note that the prices might increase during public holidays.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2-10: from $835 USD per person
Accommodation on the Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour
This tour will have you staying in 5-star hotels with luxurious amenities. You will also spend two nights in a houseboat! Do note that rooms are double occupancy, but you can often upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Taj Malabar Resort & Spa in Cochin ★★★★★
Admire Cochin Harbour from the comfort of your swanky room.
Aircon Houseboat
Enjoy a relaxing evening aboard a traditional-looking houseboat that offers the necessary modern amenities to induce comfort.
Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa in Kumarakom ★★★★★
Situated along Vembanad Lake, this hotel offers luxurious comfort. Enjoy the pool and swim-up bar!
What’s included in the Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour?
Meals
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners are included on this tour.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 5 nights is included on this tour.
Transportation during the Tour
Personal and luggage transportation is included throughout the tour.
Also Included
- Guide
- Entrance fees where applicable
Not included
- Flights to and from Cochin International Airport
- Lunches and dinners on days not mentioned
- Tour guide gratuity
- Personal necessities such as drinks during mealtimes
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Extra nights before or after the tour
Frequently Asked Questions about Kerala Houseboat Sightseeing Tour
Trans India Holidays was founded nearly 30 years ago in New Dehli, India. They grew their team from four dedicated travellers to 100 energetic guides and trip planners.
Trans India strives to provide the best possible value for client’s money, continually searching for ways they can upgrade their service and experiences.
Offering a range of tour styles, Trans India operates cultural, religious, adventure, wildlife, culinary, family-friendly, and sporting tours.
Looking after each little detail from the perfect hotel room to booking your tee time for you, Trans India knows how to make a holiday in India as unforgettable as possible.
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Local Guide
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Rajiv has been working as a guide since 1996, and fell in love with sharing the ancient cultural and social roots of India with travellers. Rajiv believes that the diversity of India’s different regions in terms of food, language, and culture makes travelling the country an experience like no other. Rajiv runs all kinds of tours, but especially enjoys trekking tours. He’s climbed mountains up to 8,000 feet in -10 degrees with groups and considers those to be his greatest achievements as a guide.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead?
- A: I enjoy giving people walking tours of the city, because that’s the best way to give a vivid introduction to the country and also because there is an element of surprise on the streets. It cannot be controlled or planned, and I immensely enjoy presenting that world to them.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should have?
- A: Learning to cook traditional Indian food.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Masala Dosa, it’s very tasty.
- Q: What is the best part about guiding?
- A: Providing them with more than they expected and noticing and taking care of any discomforts the guests might experience. Sometimes the guests don’t say it, so as a guide you have to be very attentive to that.