INDIA
India’s standout days.
Our pick of the 15 best kerala backwater cruises in India: what you actually see, how long each one runs, and what you can expect to pay.
Quiet non-mechanized Cochin backwaters cruise with a coir village stop and vegetarian banana-leaf lunch, plus pickup options from Fort Cochin.
Most Popular“Great guide! Delicious lunch. Easy transportation.”
Cochin to Alleppey shikara cruise: 3 hours gliding through Kerala backwaters with villages, palms, and paddy fields, with port pickup.
“Excellent trip! Best boat to go by as wasn’t too big and could go down the smaller backwaters. Also being a private tour it was the best value for money! Guide was very informative Definitely recommend this trip!!”
Private shikara + village stop on Alleppey backwaters, with bird spotting and sunset options for about $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 overnight houseboat cruise from Kochi to Alappuzha backwaters, with AC cabin, 3 Kerala meals, scenic village cruising, and easy transfers.
“A very lovely and well organised experience. The boat and staff were exceptional. Everything from the hotel collection, to the onboarding, all the amazing food freshly prepared and the beautiful scenery from the backwaters and then the peaceful nights sleep. A 10/10 experience, highly recommended.”
Private Cochin–Alleppey houseboat cruise with a slow backwater ride, Keralan lunch, pickup service, and a $85 per person price.
“one of the best tours we have experienced in Asia. fantastic boat, lovely crew, delicious lunch, a genuine look at life in Kerala. highly recommend this tour!!”
Kochi backwaters by bamboo-pole shikara, village craft stops, and a traditional Kerala Sadya lunch with hotel pickup and drop.
“Beautiful back-water view, very authentic and relaxed. We also had a chance to see a clams-to-calcium powder small factory, weaving and rope making. Also explanation about plants and village life. The lunch was also very good, tasted many Kerala dishes. Overall a very interesting and enjoyable day! Very recommended.”
Private 3-hour Alleppey shikara with sunset backwaters, a village shore stop, and a Kerala meal option for about $21.
“The boat tour driver was excellent The tour greeter charged us an extra 3000 rupees as we were running late and he had kept the boat waiting I think the greeter was taking advantage of us The boat ride was excellent”
Glide through Alappuzha backwaters by private shikara boat, with peaceful canals, birds, villages, and optional food stops on a 5-hour day tour.
“És una bonica passejada però l'organització ha estat desastrosa. Per començar l'ubicació no era la correcta. Malgrat que s'oferien diverses hores de sortida no hi havia res preparat, simplement han trucat a diverses barques fins trobar-ne una de disponible. Cap guia a l'excursió, només el conductor de la barca. El dinar en una parada excessivament…”
Private 4-day Cochin to Munnar and Alleppey: Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam, tea stops, Mattupetty boat ride, and a houseboat cruise.
“Driver was always very helpful, the sights were great. Sometimes communication can be hard.”
Motor-free Kerala backwater canoe cruise from Fort Kochi with banana-leaf lunch, village demonstrations, and evening tea.
“Très bon moment. Départ à l’heure, depuis Fort Kochi, pour environ 1h de route vers les backwaters plus au sud. Puis balade en bateau sans moteur pendant environ 2h. Repas végétarien (très bon) dans le village puis une nouvelle balade en bateau, plus petit cette fois pour se promener dans un canal. On recommande.”
Cycle from Fort Kochi to Kannamali Beach and Kumbalangi backwaters through fish and shrimp farms with an English guide.
A 5-day Kerala circuit from Cochin to Munnar, Thekkady, and Alleppey, with national parks, tea gardens, Periyar boats, and an overnight houseboat.
“This experience of Kerala tour was very special and fun. Our tour guide and driver was a very intelligent or very knowledgeable person. We saw tea gardens in Kerala. Munnar is really a very beautiful place. We enjoyed it on the house boat in Alleppey. It was a very good experience.”
Kayak Goa’s River Chapora through mangroves, spot kingfishers and even a crocodile, swim and snack, with a calm sunset ride.
“The activity (kayaking around the island however there was no swimming or tour) was lovely and the island staff were polite and caring. On the other hand , The guide who met us to take us to the island, was rude and surly. On arrival, which was stated 3:30 to report , the group had…”
Backwater cruise from Cochin Port to Alleppey with a shikara or houseboat, Cheena Vala Chinese nets, plus lunch or snacks and tea.
Spend 1 night on a private Alappuzha houseboat, cruising past coconut palms and rice farms with Keralan meals and calm village views.
“Excellent service with a lovely captain George. We had amazing food and a relaxing cruise on the private houseboat. We had AC at night which was very needed and slept very well, with private toilet and shower on board. Option to do an extra boat tour around the smalls canals which I recommend doing! We…”
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