Alleppey Back water suggestion

[shishirgupta77]

Hello All,

My family (In total 8 persons) are traveling to Kerela and want to spend one night in the boat house on Alleppey back Water. Any suggestions for a nice houseboats group that are suitable for families?

Shishir

 

[sanwano]

I was in Kerala less than month ago. The only thing I regret was spending the night on a house boat in Alleppey. I wish I could go back in time, take a ferry or speed boat, spend the day in the lake and return to Alleppey city by evening.

I am not trying to cast any aspersions or discourage you from taking a house boat but here are few suggestions which might help:

1. Find a house boat which has open roof top for better views

In the evening at around 5PM they dock at some patch of land in the middle of the lake at their designated place; now you are 3KM away from the city and there is no going back until the morning, so

2. Don't go roaming outside after 7 pm or the mosquitoes bites will remain for 7 days, assured

3. On my house boat the A/Cs won't turn on until 7-8pm. They have dedicated power supply at the place they dock in the evening but it will take atleast couple more hours before the power is at it's fullest and A/Cs start cooling. In my case it was after 12AM

4. Buy your own drinks from the city because it's almost 3x times higher (150 for a beer) on the island

5. There is absolutely nothing you can do there

The only memorable moment was my younger brother leading me on the island and showing me things around (speed boats, crops, flowers, birds, fishes) as if he was familiar with the place. We walked almost 2KMs and did some bitching about how everything was so terrible there and returned to the house boat. Later in the evening I came to know that he had already walked in the opposite direction while I was sleeping that is how he was able to show me around.

Anyway, I wish you a memorable houseboat trip

 

[pulsarider]

agree with what sawano has said there..
Even i got bored of the monotony of the things around.. i could bear it for 2 hours but after that i really did not enjoy the ride..
also, as sawano has pointed out its better you go for a hotel in the city/near Allapuzha beach and do all the backwaters sightseeing in the morning/noon..

 

[nishchaya]

Shishir, my views are different. I thoroughly enjoyed the house boat stay. I am one of those travelers who love the tranquility, the peace with oneself and the sleepiness of a place, far from that maddening crowd which is so different from the stereotype drudgery of our hectic lives.

There are different houseboat operators, you may want to do some inquiries before hand. Get it customized for your stay and trust me, it would be a memorable experience for you and your family. The only negative aspect could be the weather at this point in time. It would be hot and humid. Not the best time in backwaters.

 

[John Mathai]

A houseboat cruise through the backwaters of Alleppey is best enjoyed in day time. The overnight stay option on board is just a substitute for the hotel room. The difference is you sleep on floating, with the gentle waves provides a swinging sensation and in near total silence.

As in everywhere, it too has its pros and cons. As comforts and services level varies from hotel to hotel and the house boats are no exception.

The rate of relishing the entire experience varies from person to person.

 

[TIMAP]

I had been to kerala and had taken a one day-night houseboat stay. I had a different experience out together. My houseboat was a brand new one only 45 days after it was launched we had a oppurtunity to stay on it. I wouldnot say that you would require a open houseboat even the houseboats which have a open space in the veranda is enough.Also make sure you have a houseboat which is booked only for you especially if you are a couple. Our houseboat ac started sharp at 8 o clock as decided and we had no issues on it. Make sure you decide in advance with the houseboat owner the same.
But the boring part was our whole houseboat ride was within the Vembanad lake and we didn't even touch the allepey backwaters. Although Vembanad lake is also good but the backwaters fun was lost as we didnot go through any alleys containing water.When I asked about the same the houseboat guy told me it requires two day booking to visit the allepey backwaters (just because I booked through an agent)
The good part was I and my wifey were given the chance to drive the boat for a long time and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Make sure you get the chance to enjoy the houseboatride not only in Vembanad lake but also the Allepey backwaters and make sure that you start the houseboat ride early.
One more Important point all the houseboat eatables are cooked in Coconut oil and it smells a lot and sometimes doesenot suit few persons as my wife. Better to carry a cooking oil bottle and tell the cook to use the oil of your choice because you have no other choice of food once you are in the waters. Also there are a lot of mosquitoes so make sure you lock your room well in advance to have a peaceful night sleep.

 

[shishirgupta77]

Thanks everyone for advice! We will take care of all the suggestions. One of my dutch friend spend two nights in a house boat and he was very pleased with it. He told me that sailor took the boat around in night for an hour on his request and it was wonderful. Looking at all the suggestions may be it is better to do back water in day time and come back to hotel in the night.

We will let you know about our experience.

thanks once again.

regards,

Shishir

 

[bondhutto]

Guys - I need help. Planning for a 10 days Kerala trip and of course one night would be in the Alleppey backwaters. I am searching in all portals like makemytrip, booking, agoda, cleartrip, yatra and I am getting multiple of options of houseboats, prices ranging from 6500 to 24500 for one night. Each and every houseboats have handful of positive and negative feedback in tripadvisor and other places.

Is it better to pre-book or on-spot booking? What should be the standard rate for a houseboat, one night? (GST will be 28% on the price). If anyone has any specific recommendation, can you please share the website/email/phone number for the houseboat agency?

I would not probably eat foods cooked in Coconut oil. If I carry my own edible oil, would the cook comply to cook everything on that?

 

[SOUTH FAN]

Guys - I need help. Planning for a 10 days Kerala trip and of course one night would be in the Alleppey backwaters. I am searching in all portals like makemytrip, booking, agoda, cleartrip, yatra and I am getting multiple of options of houseboats, prices ranging from 6500 to 24500 for one night. Each and every houseboats have handful of positive and negative feedback in tripadvisor and other places.

Is it better to pre-book or on-spot booking? What should be the standard rate for a houseboat, one night? (GST will be 28% on the price). If anyone has any specific recommendation, can you please share the website/email/phone number for the houseboat agency?

I would not probably eat foods cooked in Coconut oil. If I carry my own edible oil, would the cook comply to cook everything on that?

Any update on this @bondhutto bro?

 

[bondhutto]

Any update on this @bondhutto bro?

Nothing. I have booked one via Agoda, nothing to pay now, will pay on board. If conditions do not match and I find a better option on spot, I may change my preference.