Traditional houseboat on the Kerala backwaters

Kerala, India
Honeymoon
Family

God’s Own Country

Kerala Backwaters

Houseboats on palm-lined canals, Ayurveda and slow village life in Alleppey and Kumarakom.

Ideal: 4–6 days
Best: Oct – Mar
1 tour package

Overview

About Kerala Backwaters

Kerala’s backwaters are a 900-km network of lakes, rivers and canals lined with coconut palms and paddy fields. Life here moves at the pace of a kettuvallam — the traditional rice-barge turned houseboat.

Spend a night drifting through Alleppey’s canals, wake up to village sounds, and add hill stations like Munnar or the beaches of Varkala for a perfect Kerala holiday.

State: Kerala
Nearest airport: Kochi (COK)
Ideal stay: 4–6 days (with Munnar)
Known for: Houseboats, Ayurveda, spices

Why Visit

Why you’ll love Kerala Backwaters

Houseboat nightsPrivate houseboats with a chef on board.
AyurvedaAuthentic rejuvenation therapies.
Kerala cuisineAppam, fish curry and sadya on a banana leaf.
Honeymoon favouriteQuiet, green and wonderfully romantic.

Top Places

Top places to visit in Kerala Backwaters

1
Alleppey (Alappuzha)
The houseboat capital, with canals, lakes and village life.
2
Kumarakom
Luxury lake resorts and a bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake.
3.Munnar
Tea-covered hills at 1,600 m, perfect after the backwaters.
4.Fort Kochi
Chinese fishing nets, colonial streets and art cafés.

Popular Sightseeing

Must-see attractions

All sightseeing

Nature

Alappuzha, Kerala

Alleppey Houseboat Cruise

A day or night drifting through palm-lined canals and paddy fields on a traditional houseboat.

Day or overnightExplore

Things to Do

Experiences not to miss

Overnight houseboatCruise, dine and sleep on the water.
Ayurvedic spaTraditional massages and therapies.
Kathakali showClassical dance-drama in Kochi.
Village walkCoir-making, toddy tapping and paddy fields.

Best Time to Visit

When to go

Best time
Winter
Oct – Mar
Pleasant, dry and ideal for houseboats.
Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Lush greenery; best season for Ayurveda.
Summer
Apr – May
Warm and humid; good resort deals.

Ideal trip duration

4–6 days

Kochi, Munnar and an Alleppey houseboat make a relaxed 5-day loop.

Tour Packages

Popular Kerala Backwaters packages

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Houseboat cruising the Kerala backwaters

5 Nights / 6 DaysHoneymoon Pick

Kochi · Munnar · Thekkady

Kerala Hills & Backwaters Honeymoon

4.9(188 reviews)Honeymoon

Munnar tea gardens
Periyar spice plantation walk
Private houseboat with chef

Starting from₹39,999

₹34,999

per person

View Package

Travel Tips

Good to know before you go

Choose a houseboat with air-conditioning at night.
Carry mosquito repellent for evenings on the water.
Try a traditional sadya lunch served on a banana leaf.

FAQs