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Kerala Houseboat Tour

The Kerala Houseboat is the perfect way to experience the calm and unique ecology of the Kerala backwaters. Our office in Kerala on the edge of the backwaters works with all the different houseboats and can offer anything from a one day stay to a month long cruise through the whole backwater system.

The houseboats of Kerala are unique to this area of India and were the historic method for transporting rice and other trade through the aqeous centre of Kerala to the ports on the coast at Kollam, Aleppey and Cochin. In the last twenty years, the boats have been converted to take visitors through the small canals and villages that still inhabit this road-less and car-less world. From your daybed in the bows of the boat you can watch the traditional life of backwater and can enjoy the morning, Kerala continue on this much as it has done for centuries: women washing from the ghats before their houses, farmers shepherding thousands of ducks, paddy fields being flooded and washed or the night fishermen fishing by their lights.

The houseboats used for cruising on the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, are innovative adaptations of the traditional cargo carriers along the network of inland water navigation routes in the western coastal lowlands of the state, especially in southern Kerala. Such cargo crafts made of local tropical woods like jack tree, teak and coconut fiber ropes, were made in different sizes and capacities for carrying loads. There were skilled carpenters in Kerala, who made such country crafts using local materials. Different types of watercrafts were made for different uses. The famous snake boats were for military / army logistics to quickly transport soldiers and materials along and across wide and long waterways during the early and medieval centuries.

Usually houseboats are defined as places to live in on rivers or estuaries or lakes. Families without regular houses, used to live permanently in the houseboats. But in Kerala, floating houses were not common. The present-day houseboats are meant to take tourists on sightseeing tours in the extensive backwaters of Kerala. The natural beauty and scenery of the backwaters can be enjoyed by cruising on the houseboats comfortably.

Tour Package

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Duration: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Places Covered: Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Marari - CochinCochin

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Day 01: Arive Cochin
Begin your tour.
Arrive into Cochin
Welcome to your "Kerala Houseboat Tour"
On arrival in Cochin, you will be met and transferred by Vardhman's representative to your hotel. Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 02: Cochin - Periyar
On day 2 of the tour, drive to the wildlife sanctuary at Periyar / Thekkady after breakfast. Thekkady is a wonderful place to visit during a trip to Kerala. Indeed, tours to Thekkady are fast gaining popularity with every passing day. Enjoy an evening game viewing cruise on the Periyar Lake. This will enable you to have a close look at the park's large variety of wildlife including elephants, monkeys, deer, wild boar and birds.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Periyar - Kumarakom
Early morning enjoy boat cruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Return to hotel for breakfast After breakfast a guided walk around the Spice Village to see the various spices grown in the resort garden.
Thereafter drive through the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea plantations & then arrive the fascinating countryside of low-lying palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (190 kms) enroute visit the tea estates. Upon reaching Kumarakom, check in at the hotel and later witness a demonstration of "Conquering the Coconut" from plucking, de-husking, breaking, grating & finally using the grated coconut.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Kumarakom-Alleppey Backwaters - Houseboat
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom Goevernment Boat Jetty Point to board the houseboat. The overnight cruise takes you through Kumarakom-AlleppeyBackwaters allowing you to enjoy serene surroundings en route. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board. Enjoy the backwaters of Kerala by getting a glimpse of the village life from a close quarter. Visit also the beautiful bird sanctuary. Enjoy the sunset and stay overnight on the houseboat. It will definitely be a unique and unforgettable experience for your lifetime.
Overnight: Houseboat

Day 05: Alleppey-Marari
Sail to Alleppey & disembark at the houseboat at Puthenagady Jetty after breakfast. Then directly drive to Mararikulam (30 kms).
Mararikulam - is one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coast line of Kerala. Rest of the day at leisure for own activities. Overnight: Hotel

Day 06: Marari
Full day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 07: Marari - Cochin
On the second last day of your tour drive back to Cochin. Check into your hotel. Relax for sometime and then proceed to visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. Afternoon, Harbour cruise - Cochin has one of the finest natural harbours.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 08: Cochin
After breakfast transfer to Airport / Railway station to board the flight/Train for your onward journey to back home with sweet and unforgettable memories of "Kerala Houseboat Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.

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