Book​ ​your​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​Rental: Staytopia​ ​Guide

Before​ ​you​ ​book​ ​your​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​rental​ ​read​ ​these​ ​tips​ ​first​ ​so​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​the​ ​right​ ​boat with​ ​the​ ​right​ ​crew​ ​at​ ​the​ ​right​ ​price.​ ​Cruising​ ​around​ ​the​ ​lush​ ​lagoons​ ​and​ ​palm-lined​ ​canals of​ ​Kerala’s​ ​backwaters​ ​on​ ​the​ ​deck​ ​of​ ​a​ ​thatched​ ​barge​ ​is​ ​an​ ​amazing​ ​experience.​ ​So​ ​let’s​ ​get started…

Did​ ​you​ ​know?​ ​Kerala’s​ ​stunning​ ​backwaters​ ​of​ ​meandering​ ​waterways​ ​and rainforest​ ​cover​ ​900​ ​kms​ ​of​ ​Arabian​ ​Sea​ ​coast.

What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Houseboat​ ​Accommodation​ ​and​ ​Service​ ​like?

● Kerala​ ​houseboats​ ​are​ ​like​ ​floating​ ​hotels​ ​with​ ​comfy​ ​suites,​ ​clean​ ​en-suites,​ ​food service,​ ​lounges,​ ​and​ ​decks​ ​to​ ​lounge​ ​on​ ​as​ ​you​ ​drift​ ​through​ ​tropical​ ​scenery. ● Most​ ​houseboats​ ​have​ ​1,​ ​2​ ​or​ ​3​ ​bed​ ​suites​ ​with​ ​en-suite. ● But​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​your​ ​own​ ​private​ ​houseboat​ ​then​ ​choose​ ​a​ ​deluxe​ ​houseboat​ ​with AC.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​around​ ​double​ ​the​ ​price. ● The​ ​showers​ ​have​ ​cold​ ​water​ ​but​ ​you​ ​can​ ​ask​ ​for​ ​a​ ​pot​ ​of​ ​warm​ ​water. ● Some​ ​boats​ ​have​ ​mosquito​ ​nets​ ​but​ ​not​ ​all​ ​–​ ​BYO​ ​in​ ​the​ ​rainy​ ​season! ● The​ ​lights​ ​are​ ​kept​ ​low​ ​so​ ​you’re​ ​not​ ​bombarded​ ​by​ ​millions​ ​of​ ​insects. ● The​ ​crew​ ​is​ ​usually​ ​a​ ​captain,​ ​oarsman​ ​and​ ​a​ ​cook. ● Food​ ​is​ ​delicious​ ​local​ ​Keralan​ ​cuisine.​ ​Seafood​ ​is​ ​a​ ​specialty.

What​ ​were​ ​the​ ​houseboats​ ​originally​ ​used​ ​for?

Long​ ​ago​ K​​ ettuvallam​ ​Barges​ ​​plied​ ​Kerala’s​ ​network​ ​of​ ​lakes,​ ​canals​ ​and​ ​estuaries​ ​ferrying rice,​ ​cashew​ ​nuts​ ​and​ ​commodities.​ ​Today​ ​these​ ​barges,​ ​made​ ​from​ ​bamboo,​ ​wood,​ ​palm leaves,​ ​coconut​ ​ropes​ ​and​ ​coated​ ​in​ ​cashew​ ​nut​ ​oil,​ ​are​ ​converted​ ​into​ ​bamboo​ ​houseboats​ ​for visitors​ ​from​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.

Natural​ ​ecosystems​ ​and​ ​traditional​ ​village​ ​life​ ​meet​ ​at​ ​the​ ​water’s​ ​edge​ ​and​ ​the​ ​best​ ​way​ ​to​ ​see this​ ​stunner​ ​of​ ​a​ ​landscape​ ​is​ ​from​ ​the​ ​deck​ ​of​ ​your​ ​very​ ​own​ ​converted​ ​Kerala​ ​houseboat rental.

How​ ​much​ ​does​ ​a​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​Rental​ ​Cost?

Words​ ​out​ ​about​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboats​ ​so​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​visitors​ ​galore​ ​and​ ​expect​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​tourist​ ​prices. It’s​ ​not​ ​cheap​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​Indian​ ​prices​ ​but​ ​Yuss…it’s​ ​worth​ ​the​ ​cost.​ ​You’re​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​prices from​ ​$100​ ​to​ ​$300​ ​per​ ​night​ ​depending​ ​on:

● if​ ​you​ ​share​ ​a​ ​boat​ ​with​ ​others​ ​it’s​ ​cheaper,​ ​e.g.​ ​a​ ​houseboat​ ​with​ ​more​ ​suites. ● booking​ ​at​ ​the​ ​dock​ ​is​ ​cheaper​ ​especially​ ​if​ ​you​ ​haggle.​ ​Visit​ ​the​ ​dock​ ​before​ ​9am, and​ ​have​ ​a​ ​good​ ​look​ ​at​ ​the​ ​houseboats​ ​before​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​one​ ​–​ ​qualities​ ​vary​ ​and you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​the​ ​route.​ ​Not​ ​so​ ​easy​ ​in​ ​the​ ​busy​ ​season. ● if​ ​you​ ​are​ ​staying​ ​at​ ​a​ ​resort​ ​or​ ​hotel​ ​you​ ​can​ ​book​ ​your​ ​houseboat​ ​from​ ​them​ ​but will​ ​cost​ ​more​ ​than​ ​the​ ​dock. ● a​ ​houseboat​ ​with​ ​AC​ ​costs​ ​more. ● Deluxe​ ​and​ ​Luxury​ ​houseboats​ ​cost​ ​more​ ​but​ ​ideal​ ​for​ ​honeymooners.

This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​once​ ​in​ ​a​ ​lifetime​ ​experience.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​know​ ​your​ ​dates​ ​then​ ​booking​ ​and​ ​paying​ ​ahead means: ● you’re​ ​not​ ​including​ ​this​ ​cost​ ​in​ ​your​ ​daily​ ​budget ● you’re​ ​assured​ ​of​ ​a​ ​booking

How​ ​Can​ ​I​ ​Book​ ​My​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​Rental?

● You​ ​can​ ​book​ ​online​ ​at​ ​booking.com​ ​here>> ● Iris​ ​Holidays​ ​are​ ​based​ ​in​ ​Kerala​ ​and​ ​you​ ​can​ ​book​ ​online​ ​with​ ​them​ ​ ​here>>

When’s​ ​the​ ​Best​ ​Time​ ​to​ ​Visit?

September​ ​to​ ​March​ ​has​ ​the​ ​best​ ​weather​ ​–​ ​warm​ ​but​ ​not​ ​too​ ​sweaty​ ​hot.

But​ ​try​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​the​ ​busy​ ​season​ ​from​ ​December​ ​to​ ​February.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​when​ ​the​ ​weather​ ​is​ ​good but:

● houseboat​ ​prices​ ​are​ ​at​ ​their​ ​highest ● waterways​ ​are​ ​at​ ​their​ ​busiest ● this​ ​is​ ​when​ ​you​ ​really​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​a​ ​tourist

April​ ​and​ ​May​ ​are​ ​very​ ​hot​ ​and​ ​humid​ ​so​ ​try​ ​and​ ​avoid​ ​this​ ​time.

Don’t​ ​be​ ​put​ ​off​ ​by​ ​the​ ​monsoon​ ​season.​ ​In​ ​fact,​ ​Kerala​ ​has​ ​2​ ​monsoons.​ ​One​ ​starts​ ​in​ ​June​ ​to August​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​from​ ​October​ ​till​ ​November.

But​ ​like​ ​other​ ​parts​ ​of​ ​Asia​ ​it​ ​doesn’t​ ​rain​ ​all​ ​day.​ ​It​ ​will​ ​pour​ ​for​ ​1​ ​or​ ​2​ ​hours,​ ​the​ ​sun​ ​comes back​ ​out​ ​and​ ​everything​ ​sparkles.​ ​And​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​it’s​ ​warm​ ​rain!

The​ ​wet​ ​season​ ​is​ ​the​ ​best​ ​time​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​an​ ​Ayurvedic​ ​spa​ ​treatment.

How​ ​can​ ​I​ ​get​ ​the​ ​Most​ ​from​ ​my​ ​Houseboat​ ​Cruise?

Relax​ ​as​ ​you​ ​float​ ​through​ ​the​ ​lush​ ​scenery…

● Book​ ​a​ ​houseboat​ ​with​ ​a​ ​top​ ​deck​ ​–​ ​you​ ​get​ ​the​ ​best​ ​view​ ​and​ ​can​ ​take​ ​wonderful photos​ ​from​ ​this​ ​angle. ● Animals,​ ​insects,​ ​birds​ ​to​ ​watch​ ​out​ ​for:​ ​butterflies,​ ​otters,​ ​kingfishers,​ ​turtles, flying​ ​squirrels,​ ​monkeys,​ ​crabs,​ ​Indian​ ​cormorant.​ ​Kerala​ ​has​ ​​453​ ​species​​ ​of​ ​birds! ● If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​vegetarian​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​the​ ​crew​ ​know​ ​this​ ​all​ ​beforehand. ● If​ ​you​ ​want​ ​a​ ​sip​ ​on​ ​a​ ​beer​ ​as​ ​you​ ​float​ ​through​ ​the​ ​canals​ ​or​ ​have​ ​a​ ​wine​ ​with​ ​your meal​ ​book​ ​this​ ​before​ ​or​ ​bring​ ​your​ ​own​ ​–​ ​usually​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​alcohol​ ​on​ ​board. ● Go​ ​to​ ​bed​ ​late​ ​and​ ​get​ ​up​ ​early​ ​so​ ​you​ ​make​ ​the​ ​most​ ​of​ ​your​ ​cruise.​ ​The​ ​houseboats moor​ ​at​ ​night​ ​and​ ​usually​ ​set​ ​off​ ​after​ ​breakfast. ● Dinner​ ​is​ ​served​ ​early​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​insects​ ​which​ ​are​ ​attracted​ ​to​ ​the​ ​boat​ ​lights. ● Water​ ​is​ ​available​ ​on-board​ ​but​ ​take​ ​your​ ​own​ ​soft​ ​drinks.

Can​ ​you​ ​Recommend​ ​some​ ​Activities?

As​ ​you​ ​drift​ ​through​ ​the​ ​rice​ ​paddies,​ ​villages​ ​and​ ​palm​ ​trees​ ​your​ ​Number​ ​1​ ​​ ​activity​ ​is to…relax​ ​and​ ​de-stress!

Ask​ ​your​ ​captain​ ​before​ ​you​ ​leave​ ​what​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​on​ ​offer:

● Fishing​ ​from​ ​your​ ​houseboat ● Ask​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​to​ ​visit​ ​a​ ​floating​ ​market​ ​or​ ​local​ ​vege​ ​market​ ​and​ ​choose​ ​your ingredients​ ​for​ ​dinner ● Visit​ ​a​ ​Toddy​ ​Shop​ ​and​ ​try​ ​the​ ​locally​ ​brewed​ ​Kerala​ ​Palm​ ​alcohol ● Visit​ ​a​ ​local​ ​village​ ​and​ ​meet​ ​the​ ​locals ● Because​ ​the​ ​houseboats​ ​only​ ​travel​ ​down​ ​the​ ​wider​ ​canals​ ​you​ ​can​ ​hire​ ​a​ ​canoe​ ​and boatman​ ​when​ ​you​ ​dock​ ​in​ ​the​ ​afternoon.​ ​​ ​Glide​ ​down​ ​the​ ​narrower​ ​waterways​ ​to catch​ ​close​ ​glimpses​ ​of​ ​backwater​ ​life​ ​–​ ​rice​ ​paddies,​ ​villages,​ ​and​ ​wildlife.

Where​ ​does​ ​the​ ​Houseboat​ ​Stop?

You​ ​can​ ​ask​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​wherever​ ​you​ ​like​ ​so​ ​long​ ​as​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​dock​ ​or​ ​deep​ ​water. Houseboats​ ​must​ ​stop​ ​at​ ​5.30​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​so​ ​that​ ​local​ ​fishermen​ ​can​ ​fish​ ​at​ ​night.

What​ ​are​ ​the​ ​Popular​ ​Routes​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​Rental?

Houseboats​ ​are​ ​in​ ​no​ ​rush​ ​and​ ​travel​ ​around​ ​40-50​ ​kms​ ​per​ ​day.

Alleppey​ ​Roundtrip​ ​through​ ​Kuttanad:

● Alleppey​ ​is​ ​known​ ​as​ ​the​ ​‘Venice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​East’ ● Beautiful​ ​paddy​ ​fields​ ​and​ ​villages ● Coconut​ ​palms​ ​and​ ​forest ● 11th​ ​century​ ​Buddha​ ​Statue ● Farming​ ​is​ ​done​ ​below​ ​sea​ ​level!

Alleppey​ ​Roundtrip​ ​through​ ​Kumarakom:

● Kumarakom​ ​is​ ​a​ ​lovely​ ​lake​ ​village​ ​ideal​ ​for​ ​eco​ ​pursuits ● Bird​ ​Sanctuary ● Vembanad​ ​Lake​ ​Life ● Resorts​ ​dot​ ​the​ ​banks

Alleppey​ ​One​ ​Way​ ​to​ ​Alumkadavu​ ​(near​ ​the​ ​old​ ​Arabian​ ​Sea​ ​Port​ ​of​ ​Kollam):

● Takes​ ​8​ ​hours​ ​to​ ​get​ ​there​ ​on​ ​the​ ​first​ ​day ● Coir​ ​Village ● Paddy​ ​Fields​ ​below​ ​sea​ ​level ● Kumarakodi​ ​–​ ​the​ ​resting​ ​place​ ​of​ ​poet,​ ​Asan​ ​(1873-1924)

Alleppey​ ​to​ ​Thottappalley:

● traditional​ ​houses​ ​on​ ​the​ ​banks ● 11th​ ​Century​ ​Buddha​ ​Temple​ ​and​ ​other​ ​temples ● Punnamada​ ​Lake

So​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you​ ​waiting​ ​for?​ ​Booking​ ​a​ ​Kerala​ ​Houseboat​ ​Rental​ ​is​ ​a​ ​once-in-a-lifetime opportunity​ ​cruising​ ​through​ ​the​ ​vibrant,​ ​lush​ ​backwaters​ ​on​ ​India’s​ ​Arabian​ ​Coast.

Book​ ​Now>>

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