Imagine sailing on a cruise in Kerala, going through canals, lagoons, and peaceful lake routes. You are at the Kerala Backwaters. Sailed by more than 6,50,000 travelers each year, the Kerala Backwaters are another retreat for domestic and international travelers. Carefully steered by the boatman, cruising through this route offers a peaceful and unique experience of the unexplored.
Thus, we have curated a detailed list of 11 things to know before you visit Kerala Backwaters, including the best time to visit, cruise experience, Kerala backwaters tour price, and what to pack for the tour. Therefore, scroll through the essentials provided in this guide!
Things to Know Before You Visit Kerala Backwaters
Here is the comprehensive list of the most important 11 things that you need to know before you plan your Backwaters Kerala tour:
Best Time to Visit Kerala Backwaters
- November to February: During the winter season, the weather stays sunny and cool with clear skies, making it the peak season to visit. The temperature lies in a favourable range of 17°C to 32°C, good for foreign travelers too.
- March to May: In the summer season, the weather becomes hotter, humid, and less crowded due to high temperatures. The temperature during summers goes from 24°C to 36°C, a mild, favourable weather for the Kerala backwaters tour.
- June to October: During the monsoon, the weather welcomes moderate to heavy rainfall, soothing weather with a lush green landscape. Temperatures stay from 23°C to 30°C with possible fluctuations in humidity.
Locations to Cover at the Backwaters
Spanning across 900 to 1,800 kilometers of area, you can cover many notable destinations in your Kerala backwaters houseboat ride. They include:
- Alleppey: Alleppey is famously known as the Venice of the East. As a primary backwater destination in your Kerala Backwaters tour, it offers extensive houseboat rides, traditional canoe rides, and the Alleppey beach with paddy fields of Kuttanad.
- Kumarakom: Situated in the Kottayam district, Kumarakom is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake and offers picturesque views with a Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall.
- Kollam: Situated on the Malabar coast, Kollam is also known as the Gateway to the Backwaters. This destination is also a trade center and features several tranquil beaches.
- Poovar: Poovar is regarded as the fishing village of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. As a major location in the Kerala backwaters tour, it offers peaceful sunsets at the Golden Sand Beach, mangrove forests, and luxurious floating cottages.
Other must-visit destinations in the Backwaters Kerala include Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kadmakuri.
Types of Cruises in Kerala Backwaters Tour
In the Kerala backwaters tour packages, you get comprehensive water rides. From Kettuvallam houseboat luxurious rides to the day trips on Shikaras, and Shikara narrow boat ride, you can obtain any of them as per your preferences and experiences. Here are some of the options:
- Kettuvallam Houseboat Cruises: 1 to 2-day tour with air-conditioned luxurious rooms and amenities.
- Shikara Boat Rides: 1 to 4-hour boat rides, which are ideal for exploring narrower canals and routes.
- Day Cruises: Operational from 11 am to 5 pm, day cruises are one of the best Kerala backwaters tour packages, offering 6 to 8 hours of a comprehensive cruise experience.
- Canoe or Village Cruises: Operated manually by the villagers, offers a closer look at the local lifestyle, lush vegetation, coconut lagoons, farmlands, and birdwatching.
- Speedboat or Motor Boat Cruises: These are ideal for travelers who prefer a quick experience of the Kerala Backwaters, covering Alleppey, Kollam, and other destinations.
Amenities You Get at Backwaters Cruise
The houseboat cruises, including the Alleppey and Kumarakom, offer air-conditioned rooms, bathrooms, private bedrooms, open-air decks for viewing, and a lounge area to taste the delights of local cuisine and relaxation.
Narrow Canal Experience
The usual Kerala backwaters houseboat tour packages might not cover the narrow canals and routes of the localities. However, as discussed above with the Shikara boat rides, you can explore the unseen sites of the Kerala Backwaters. You can book kayaks or smaller wooden boats to explore the local, authentic Keralite lifestyle, attire, cuisines, and local housing styles.
Time Table of Kerala Backwaters Cruise
The Kerala backwater houseboat tours follow a structured timetable. An average Alleppey cruise starts from 11 am or midday, covers major destinations for the next 4 to 5 hours, and parks strictly by 6 pm. Then, from 6 pm to 8:30 am, they stay closed and follow the same schedule. Thus, always check and ask for your specific houseboat timetable to stay ready for your tour.
Traditional Cuisine
Kerala has a variety of cuisines on its plate. And, there is much more from the generalised “Idli, Dosa, Sambar.” This delicious variety of cuisines includes Kerala Fish Curry, Kakka Irachi Thoran, steamed rice, sambar, avial, carrot thoran, and cabbage thoran. Also, the breakfast specials include Puttu, Appam with egg or chicken curry, and pazham pori.
Unique Experiences and Cultural Sites
There are numerous historical, cultural sites, and unique experiences you can get within your Kerala backwaters tour packages. It includes historical sites of the Portuguese, British, and Dutch eras, including the burial site of Vasco da Gama. In addition, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race in August is another unique experience you can get during your trip.
Cost of Backwaters Cruises
The Kerala backwaters price range depends on the type of cruise you have booked. Here is a breakdown:
- Private Houseboat Cruises: Around ₹7,107 to ₹39,235 per night
- Day Cruises: Around ₹2,500 for 4 hours per person
- Options: Midday, Golden Hour, or Sunset and Dinner cruises
- Shikara Cruises: Around ₹4,000 per person in areas like Kumarakom
- Luxury Cruises: From ₹13,000 to over ₹95,000
- Service Type: 6-bedroom luxury stays at Kerala backwaters resorts
Packing for the Kerala Backwaters Cruise
Here are the packing essentials for your Kerala backwaters tour:
- Pack line and cotton fabric clothes due to the humid climate of Kerala.
- Carry woolen clothes for the evening viewing, as the nights get colder.
- Some packages allow swimming, so verify during booking.
- Comfortable but strong grip sandals or footwear.
- Carry a raincoat, umbrella, ziplock waterproof pouches for phones, electronics, and sensitive items.
- High SPF sunscreen, hats, and strong mosquito repellents.
- Do not forget the camera and binoculars for birdwatching, and a powerbank.
- Carry cloth bags and pack light and smartly, while avoiding large suitcases.
A Trusted Tour Operator
The Kerala backwaters undoubtedly offer fascinating experiences of nature. However, for first-time travelers and foreign tourists, especially, navigating stuff, including Kerala backwaters tour packages price, route, cruise options, and experience can be challenging and mind-boggling. But, there is no need to worry, because they can book a Kerala Backwater tour with one of the top and trusted tour operators in India.
Conclusion
Kerala Backwaters are certainly one of the most peaceful experiences in India. Featuring a natural system of 38 rivers and 5 large lakes, it is spread across 900 to 1,800 kilometers of the geography. With an extensive cruise experience, you get to relax at beaches including Marari, Alappuzha, birdwatching at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, and the calm atmosphere of sunsets and sunrises.
Noble House Tours Pvt. Ltd. is a trusted name in the Indian tour and travel industry. As a reputable travel agency, we are renowned for providing Kerala Backwaters tours within affordable and luxurious tour packages. With our comprehensive range of services, which includes conveyance, ticket booking, and assistance with other travel arrangements, we offer extensive customer support. Therefore, you can reach out to us, as we are too excited to make your Kerala Backwaters tour unforgettable.
Also Read: Top 10 Places to Visit in Kerala for Every Traveler
