SOUTH INDIA · INDIA
South India’s best days out.
The 15 most popular kerala backwater & houseboat cruises in South India, gathered on one page. What each one is really like on the day, how long it runs, what it costs and who you book it through.
Cochin backwaters eco cruise on a motorless country boat, coconut weaving stop, and banana-leaf veg lunch from Fort Kochi, half-day.
Most Popular“Great calming tour of the backwaters in a none touristy area! hosts are so nice!”
A calm punting cruise through Kerala backwaters from Kochi to Vaikom, with banana-leaf vegetarian lunch, tea, crafts, and canoe canals.
“Meera, our tour guide, was very friendly and provided us with much interesting information about the flora and fauna along the river, as well as the local economy of the surrounding villages. The lunch was delicious, too! Be sure to have decent balance due to needing to walk along a slab of wood to depart…”
5 days of Munnar mist, Periyar wildlife, a Kerala houseboat night, and Kochi heritage, with private transport and pickup.
“Great Experience in entire tour. Provided good family stay and vehicle for travel. Customer Service is very good and when ever required they helped. They were are also open to customize the tour package based on our choice.”
Four days in Kerala combining Munnar sights, an overnight private houseboat cruise, and Fort Kochi heritage with a private car.
“This was a great tour. Communication with the organizer, George, and our driver, Lalan, through WhatsApp, was very professional and useful. There is a lot of fast driving on narrow, mountain and forested roads so if you get anxious or motRead more”
Kochi to Munnar, Periyar and Kerala backwaters with a private chauffeur, 3-star stays, and a deluxe houseboat night.
“We had an awesome family trip to Kerala, carefully designed by Mr. Arun Dev and perfectly executed by Mr. Babu Antony from Iris Holidays. The trip, which started from Munnar to Thekkady to Alleppey to Kovalam to Kanyakumari and ended at Kochi, will be cherished throughout our life.”
Half-day no-motor backwater cruise from Fort Cochin to Vaikom with a village visit and vegetarian lunch, plus round-trip transfers.
“Great tour with Arya who’s not only a good guide but also a talented singer. The lunch spread was nice although I would’ve preferred to have non-veg options too.”
A 5-day private Kerala route from Kochi with Munnar, Thekkady boat wildlife, and an overnight houseboat in the backwaters, all with private transport.
“We went on a 5-day private tour in Kerala, which we booked with Sanguine through the Viator app. They arranged the trip wonderfully. Nimisha was amazing — always available to answer our questions and help whenever we needed. SumeRead more”
A quiet full-day backwater trip from Kochi: covered boat, village walk, traditional crafts, vegetarian lunch, and an open canoe through narrow canals.
“Had a nice experience on this tour. It’s a pretty simplistic and relaxing tour. They even helped organize a munnar day trip for me the following day which was great also. Thanks guys.”
Motorized shikara cruise through Alleppey backwaters from Kannitta Jetty, with flexible 1–8 hour routes, village canals, and optional stops.
“Wonderful and relaxing 2 hour Shikara boat cruise through the Alleppey Backwaters. We were able to experience real village life with families fishing and farming rice paddies. Highly recommended to take shikara instead of Houseboat to experience the narrow canals and backwaters of Alleppey.”
A small Shikara canoe cruise through Alappuzha backwaters from Cochin, with village life, paddy fields, and easy port logistics.
“The tour was great. The only concern was that the ride was too long but we survived. Both the car driver and the boat driver/guide were great.”
A 3-hour private shikara cruise in Alleppey with a village stop and sunset views, plus guide-led wildlife spotting for $16 per person.
“We had a lovely day out with Shibu, our guide, who showed us round the backwaters of Alleppey. He was fun, knowledgable and choose a great spot for us to have lunch. Highly recommended”
Private Kerala backwaters cruise from Kochi to Alleppey with houseboat ride, fresh coconut lunch, and door-to-door transfers in a day.
“The tour does not go through the backwaters, only round an open lake. You travel on poorly maintained houseboat with no licence to access the canals, ending near a heavily travelled bridge highway. One of the most disappointing tour experience in our travels through many countries around the world!”
4-day private Kerala tour from Kochi: Munnar waterfalls and wildlife, air-conditioned houseboat night, and Fort Kochi culture.
“Driving through India seeing areas we’d not seen before was a privilege & stunning. The Rivulet resort & houseboat were absolutely amazing, the services of staff @ both were second to none. Our driver Nashid was fairly knowledgeable and hRead more”
A private 21-hour houseboat cruise through Alleppey backwaters with full-board meals, Wi‑Fi, and a one-hour canal ride on a smaller boat.
“Lovely trip - peaceful and quiet. Houseboat for 2 was lovely, the staff on board very helpful and the food on board great. If you want beer on board bring it with you as there isn't anywhere near the pick up point to buy any. Also allow plenty of time as the pick up point…”
Overnight deluxe AC houseboat in Alappuzha backwaters from Kochi, private transfers, Kerala meals, and village scenery.
“Driver was on time and the guide Sam provided us with a lot of information and showed us places we would not found by ourselves. Overall great experience!”
Every corner of the region, and every way to see it.
