What to See in Kerala Houseboats?

Kerala's famous backwater is a tourist's delight and
Kerala tour is incomplete without a night stay in the traditional Kerala
houseboats.

Places to Visit in South India
should make a point of stopping in Kerala, and in Kerala, one absolute
must-see is the Kerala backwater. Aptly named God’s Own country, Kerala
boosts of over 900 kilometers of waterways consisting of network of
canals, rivers, lakes and inlets of the Arabian Sea running through
almost the length of the state.

One of the most amazing features of the Kerala
backwater is the integral part it plays in the day-to-day life of
Keralians. Mostly fed by Soft Water Rivers and lakes, it dissects the
villages and can truly be termed the lifeline of Kerala. Be it for
transportation, fishing, daily chores, and commercial interactions or
just enjoying the serene beauty of the blue sky meeting the water in the
horizon, the backwaters provide a perfect backdrop for the locals as
well as the tourists looking for a weekend getaway from the hustle and
bustle of the city life.

The Houseboats In Kerala

A trip to Kerala is incomplete without spending a
night at the houseboats. The houseboats are a perfect combination of
luxury and adventure. Well-furnished secured rooms with all modern
amenities like air conditioners, refrigerators, and compact attached
baths, the hous boats are never short of comfort. In unison, unlike
other houseboats, these boats are not stationary. They take the
travelers through the meandering routes amidst the picturesque villages.
Spending the night under the starry sky, unwinding with fresh coconut
water, enjoying the “catch of the day” from the passing by fishermen;
this promises to be an experience of the lifetime.

Inside a Kerala Houseboat

There are different styles of houseboats available,
based on the number of guests traveling. Houseboats with single to three
bedrooms with comfortable inviting double beds, attached bathrooms,
reading tables etc are available, with AC or without AC as required. For
larger groups, there are also conference halls available on the first
floor, which is an ideal place to conduct business dealings amidst the
tranquility of the nature. India Tour Operator

Each houseboat has its own modular kitchen and
personal chef to cater guests with sumptuous authentic south Indian
delicacies. The chefs are well trained to please the palate of every
gourmet. The kitchen is at the back of the houseboats, and a passage
from there leads to the dining-cum-living area in the front of the boat.
It is perhaps the most exquisite part of the boat, where unrestricted
views allow travelers to feast on the serenity of the clear blue sky
meeting the equally transparent water at a distance. The sailor is
perched almost at the tip of the house boat, making the way with
unassuming familiarity through the maze of waterways, which is very
likely to confuse first timers due to its shear vastness.

What to do In A Houseboat?

The best thing to do is to get lost in the enormity
of mother earth, and enjoy the different forms of life which keep
popping up now and then. The houseboats provide cozy couches in
abundance, even hanging swings for newlyweds to sway in perfect harmony
and also benches along the edges of the boat. Sitting there, one can
enjoy the green countryside, swaying palm and coconut trees, the emerald
green rice fields, the long stretches of banana gardens and children
waving from the banks of the backwaters of Kerala.

Occasionally one can see the remains of a broken tree
right in the middle of the water. Chirping birds sail over the boats,
suddenly stooping down in a flash to catch fish from the water. Often
the sound of church bells break the silence as the boat passes through a
local village, reminding travelers of the humanity dwellings in close
proximity. what to see in india

For adventure lovers, the houseboats provide fishing
rods and bait. Evenings are the best time to relax and rejuvenate. As
the sun sets, flocks of birds make their way home against the backdrop
of orange sky. As darkness sets in, the boats anchor and prepare for a
well deserved rest at night. For guests from the cities, the houseboat
has televisions to keep them connected with the world, but given the
unique milieu one will always prefer to enjoy a starry night sky, the
chirp of the crickets all around, and the sound of the water splashing
at the sides of the boat creating a mystical environment.

Houseboat Package Tours

There are umpteen different kinds of tours to choose
from. Ranging from budget tours, which cost around $125 per couple per
night (inclusive of food), to well above $250 per couple per night
(inclusive of food), based on the mode of comfort and luxury the tourist
chooses. There are even Special Honeymoon Packages available with
different tour operators, spreading over two nights and three days,
which can be a perfect beginning to a new life.

Backwater Destinations In Kerala

Some of the best destinations for backwater cruises
in Kerala are Kochi, Alappuzha, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode,
Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Thiruvallam, and Thiruvananathapuram. India Tours