Seven cities. One unforgettable journey.
A Kerala houseboat holiday is a slow, scenic way to see palm-lined canals, village life, paddy fields, and waterways from water level. Traditional kettuvallams now come as leisure boats, from simple day cruises to overnight stays with bedrooms, bathrooms, and onboard meals. The best kerala houseboat tour packages in Alleppey and Kumarakom help you choose the right backwater base, boat style, cruise duration, and comfort level before booking.
Alappuzha (Alleppey) and Kumarakom are Kerala's two best-known backwater bases, shaped by Vembanad Lake, the Kuttanad landscape, and waterside villages. Around Alappuzha, scenery shifts between broad lake views, narrow canals, cultivated fields, and coconut-lined banks. The appeal comes from seeing fishing activity, local homes, birdlife, and farms at water level, not just sleeping on a boat.
Start planning with three questions: how much time you have, how much privacy you want, and what comfort level matters. A day cruise suits a tight schedule; an overnight stay gives you the quieter evening and early-morning atmosphere. Confirm whether the boat is private or shared before booking, shared boats can limit privacy and schedule flexibility. Labels like deluxe, premium, or luxury aren't standardized, so ask for exact facilities in writing rather than choosing by name alone.
Cochin, India
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Choice of day cruise or overnight houseboat stay in Alleppey and Kumarakom
Private or shared kettuvallam options with bedroom, bathroom, and onboard meals
Cruise through Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad canals, and paddy-field villages
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and lakefront resort stays nearby
Custom alleppey houseboat package options for couples, families, and small groups
Combine with Kochi, Munnar, or Thekkady on a longer Kerala itinerary.
Confirmed inclusions: meals, air-conditioning hours, pickup/drop-off, and taxes
Before comparing kerala backwater tour packages, ask for a day-by-day itinerary that separates houseboat cruise time from hotel nights, transfers, and sightseeing. Also confirm bedroom count, air-conditioning hours, meals, dietary needs, and cancellation terms in writing rather than relying on photos or labels alone.
October to February offers the most comfortable, less humid conditions for longer cruises. March to May is hotter; June to September brings the monsoon, so keep flexible and check local conditions before traveling in that window.
Discover the beauty of South India on an unforgettable 11-day, 10-night journey from Cochin to Chennai, featuring Kerala’s tranquil backwaters, a traditional houseboat experience, historic temples, vibrant culture and charming coastal destinations.
On arrival meet and greet at the airport by our representative and transfer to your hotel.
Cochin has been variously hailed as Queen of the Arabian Sea, Venice of Orient, etc. Some choose to call it simply a museum city for its rich past and colorful present.
After breakfast sightseeing of Cochin, a city till today influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland, and England. You visit St. Francis Sightseeing Cochin - Chinese Fishing Nets Church, the Mattancherry Palace or "Dutch Palace" (closed on Fridays). And the amazing Chinese fishing nets. You also see the Jew City with the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays), constructed in 1568, with hand-painted, willow-pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in the mid-18th century by a Rabbi, who had trading interest in that city. In the evening enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Drama in a local theatre.
After breakfast drive to the jetty to board Houseboat (Kettuvallom) on the World famous Backwaters of Kerala.
"Kettu" literally means to tie up and "Vallom" means " boats". The boats played a major role in the economic development of ancient Kerala, moving cargo and men from every nook and corner of the otherwise unreachable area, cutting across the length and breadth of the land.
After breakfast on the rice boat (Kettuvallom) get down at Kumarakom and drive to Periyar National Park, which is a unique wildlife sanctuary and is about 780 sq. km centered around an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
In the evening, enjoy the visit to Spice Plantation.
Today morning, enjoy a boat ride in Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is an example of nature's bounty, with great scenic charm, rich biodiversity and providing veritable visitor satisfaction.
Later drive to Madurai.
Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamilnadu with the Dravidian culture reached its zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers.
After breakfast visits the city that offers a grand ceremonial tank of water called Mariamma with its temple in the middle. Meenakshi Devi temple also visits the famous Meenakshi Temple that is an outstanding example of Vijaynagar temple architecture.
Visit the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a palace in Indo Saracenic style built in 1636, with huge domes and 240 columns rising to 12 m, a beautiful garden, and an attached museum.
Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamilnadu with the Dravidian culture reached its zenith in art, architecture, palaces and temple buildings. Once the capital of powerful Nayaka kings, a bustling city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and legions of rickshaw pullers.
After breakfast drive to Tanjore. En-route visit Trichy. On arrival in Trichy, visit the Rock Fort and also do the excursion to Srirangam the big temple city, which lies on an island on the Kaveri.
After the visit continues to drive towards Tanjore.
On arrival transfer to the hotel.
After breakfast, visit Brihadisvara Temple in Tanjore, which is the Jewel of South India, built-in 9th century. The magnificent main temple has a 62-meter high Tanjoremana (tallest in India), which is topped by dome carved from an 80-ton block of granite. A 6.5-km long wooden ramp was built to climb it. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva
After the visit drive to Mahabalipuram.
On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to the hotel.
After breakfast sightseeing of the magnificent rock temples and carvings. Visit Five Rathas, the Shore Temple & Bhagiratha's Penance.
The rest of the day is free on the beach.
After breakfast drive to Chennai
Visit Kapaleshvara Temple dedicated to God Shiva and offers a good example of South Indian colorful temple architecture. Fort St. George & the 16th-century Portuguese old Cathedral of St. Thomas Church in which the remnants of St. Thomas is buried who came to India in 52 AD.
On-time transfer to the international airport to connect flight back home.
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Ask Our Travel Expert →For most first-time visitors, one overnight cruise covers the core experience. Slow-travel fans can add a night or pair it with a Kumarakom resort stay.
Choose a day cruise for limited time or a hotel stay at night; choose overnight for a longer, slower experience with more time on the water.
Usually included on overnight stays, but menus and inclusions vary by operator, confirm meal timings and dietary needs before booking.
Yes, though accessibility varies by boat. Ask about boarding steps, railings, bathroom access, and crew support beforehand.
Kumarakom suits a slower lake-and-resort stay; Alleppey has a larger houseboat tourism hub. The right choice depends on route, boat, and travel dates.
Yes, Alleppey or Kumarakom pairs well with Munnar, Thekkady, and Kochi on a longer Kerala itinerary. Plan realistic transfer times so the houseboat isn't rushed.
Yes. A private one-bedroom boat works well for couples, confirm the whole boat, not just the bedroom, is private if that matters to you.
Follow an unforgettable journey from Cochin through Kerala’s serene backwaters, Periyar, Madurai, Tanjore and Mahabalipuram to Chennai—connecting natural beauty, ancient temples, cultural heritage and authentic South Indian experiences.