Tours/Kochi/Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Aleppey
Viator · Private tour

Kochi Private Tour: Kerala Backwater Houseboat Day Cruise in Aleppey

4.7(35)Kochi1 hour
VIATOR4.8(21)TRIPADVISOR4.6(14)

Description

Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, on a 6 -7 hour tour from Fort Kochi and discover the famous inland waterways of Kerala by a traditional houseboat. See traditional villages and backwater boats and more. Alleppey is located between the Arabian Sea and a web of rivers flowing into it. In the early 20th century, the Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon, was so mesmerized by the scenic beauty that he declared that Alleppey was “The Venice of the East.”

Tour Options

Houseboat Day Cruise & Guide
  • Duration: 7 hours Lunch Cruise with Guide: Day Cruise - Deluxe House Boat with Guide : Private Houseboat Day Cruise with Lunch Pickup included
Hosueboat Day Cruise
  • Duration: 7 hours Lunch Day Cruise: Day Cruise - Deluxe House Boat : Private Houseboat Day Cruise with Lunch Pickup included

Itinerary

Pass by

Pick up from Your Hotel in Cochin or Cochin Port

Pass by

Transfer to Aleppey/Alappuzha

Pass by

Cruise slowly through the hidden backwaters of Alappuzha (also known as "Alleppey"), considered the hub of the state's backwaters and home to a vast network of waterways and boats. Venture through village areas and the landscape of the Laccadive Sea to marvel at the lush vegetation, paddy fields, coconut palms, and much more. There will be 3 staff members along with your guide to look after you and make sure your experience is as relaxed as possible. Enjoy a lunch of Keralan cuisine as you gently navigate the waterways, which includes rice, vegetable dishes, fish, chicken, and more. End your houseboat cruise and later transfer to your hotel

Highlights

Lunch
Deluxe non-AC Houseboat cruise (approx. 3 hrs)
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fort Cochin, Wellingdon Island, Kundanoor, or Ernakulam MG Road by private air conditioned vehicle

What's included

Included
Lunch
Deluxe non-AC Houseboat cruise (approx. 3 hrs)
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fort Cochin, Wellingdon Island, Kundanoor, or Ernakulam MG Road by private air conditioned vehicle
Not included
Drinks and alcoholic drinks (purchase-before boarding)
Gratuities
Guides are optional at extra cost ,please choose option accordingly while booking

Pickup Locations & Times

Departure Point: Pickup is available at the following locations: • Kochi Port • Your hotel in Fort Kochi /Mattancherry • Your hotel in Wellingdon Island • Your hotel in Kundanoor • Your hotel in M.G Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road)area • Your hotel on Marine Drive in Ernakulam district • Your hotel in Edappaly • Your hotel in Kumbalam Dates: Daily Return point: Returns to original departure point

Traveller Ratings

4.7
35 reviews
5
29
4
4
3
1
2
0
1
1

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult

Reviews(35)

M
mariagrazia_b
February 10, 2026
Lights and shadows

The ride with the houseboat was fantastic, nice and clean environment. The problem is the journey: it takes two hours to get there; when we arrived, the boat was not ready so after the round we arrived close to the departure of the ship (15 minutes of the first all on board) which created a lot of anxiety. In addition, the driver made a sharp brake that created a sprained finger that is still swollen and sore. I wrote to the agency without any feedback

K
Kathleen_H
January 30, 2026
Thanks for a great day!...

Thanks for a great day! Our guide picked us up at our hotel to drive us to the houseboat. During our drive to the houseboat, he shared a lot of knowledge about areas we were passing by and like in Kerala. We had an amazing lunch on the houseboat and enjoyed the peacefulness of the backwaters. We enjoyed our guides company throughout our day. Our day was made so easy by offering hotel pickup and drop off. Highly reo. Thanks for a great day

J
John_C
February 20, 2025
Kerala Backwaters Tour

The drive was too long! Two hours through countryside and busy villages to get to Alleppey, where the converted rice boats are located. The time in the backwaters on the boat was pleasant and the lunch on board was very good. Then we had two hours driving back to Cochin Cruise Port on a very uninteresting road under construction. Our guide was very good and interesting. The boat crew were polite and did a good job. The main point is that the time on the Kerala Backwaters was too short for the cost of the tour. And the driving part was an ordeal!

S
SHARON_G
February 19, 2025
great

The boat ride was very, very peaceful and beautiful. We so enjoyed seeing the people of India going about their household tasks.

A
Arun_K
December 13, 2024
The True Kerala Houseboat Cruise

This trip involves road travel of 2 to 2.5 hrs in each direction from Kochi to Alleppey where you board the house boat. We had a very friendly, helpful guide Shaji. The house boat was clean and the food was delicious. The boat staff too were very helpful. This trip gives you the opportunity to see day to day life in Kuttanad, the rice bowl of Kerala. The scenic beauty of the coconut tree lined landscape on either side is a memory to treasure. We travelled through the Pamba river, Punnamada lake and finally emerged into the gigantic, sea-like Vembanad lake. The cruise lasted 4.5 hrs. Would recommend this as the true houseboat tour location to choose in Kerala.

8
848kimg
December 10, 2024
Peaceful & Beautiful Tour

We were picked up from the cruise port by Santhosh who expertly drove us to Aleppey. Upon arrival we met Dinesh who was our guide for the day. We loved having the private houseboat for our party of 4. It was a beautiful time gliding along the river seeing how people live and make a living. We learned about the customs of this area and what life is like for the farmers and fishermen. Dinesh shared so much for us - even pointing out his home when we went by. He was an incredible guide. On board we were served a traditional lunch and then taken back to Cochin at the end. A superb day in the countryside. Such a different side to see from the busyness of the city.

R
Ron_J
December 4, 2024
A wonderful introduction to the backwaters of Kerala

We had a wonderful half-day tour (8:00am to 3:00pm) from Kochi on a private house-boat on the Kollam-Kottapuram Waterway. Our driver picked us up promptly at 8:00 am for the 90 minute drive to the boat. On board our crew of three treated us to fresh drinks, tea and a delicious lunch with local fish, tandoori-style chicken, rice and vegetable curry as we motored quietly on the water. We know and love Indian food and this was outstanding. The three-hour cruise was a peaceful, lazy treat, and the boat with bedroom and full bathroom made us want to comeback and spend a few days on one of these boats from Lakes & Lagoons Backwater Experiences. Highly recommended. Don't be put off by the distance to the boat. You will love this tour.

A
Adam
May 12, 2024
A wonderful day on the Kerala Backwaters

We had a wonderful time exploring the backwaters! The five of us were accompanied by the option guide Tommy who shared a ton a great information on our 2 hour drive to the water. The driver Bibin was superb at navigating the busy streets safely and pointed out some sights as well. The three man crew on the boat were all friendly and took great care of us. The lunch included much tasty local cuisine!

M
mejacq
March 26, 2024
Excellent Private Driver Kerala and beyond

Planning a 6 day private tour of Kerala I needed to find a driver. Trip advisor came up trumps with Ramesh. He was delightful. Always prompt, polite and has excellent English. His driving was exemplary. He also was very knowledgeable about the area and the sights he took us to. Very easy company over the 6 days. Plus an added bonus he has an excellent singing voice and will sing traditional Indian songs, but only on request. I thoroughly recommend him for your trip. Contact Ramesh.790@rediffmail.com

B
BryanW492
March 1, 2024
Good experience

The views were amazing. We took very many photos. We saw how people lived along the canals while enjoying a delicious lunch.

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