India · KERALA BACKWATERS
Canals, rice paddy and villages you can only reach by water. The 15 below split into houseboat overnights and the smaller canoe runs that get down the narrow channels, with prices and what a night on board really includes.
Quiet, non-motor backwater cruise from Fort Cochin with coconut and coir weaving, plus a Kerala vegetarian lunch on a half-day eco trip.
“The tour was well organised and thr guide Greeshma was very knowledgeable providing information and answering questions”
Glide through the Kerala backwaters on a non-motorized punting boat, with village crafts, banana-leaf veg lunch, and a calm canoe tea ride.
“We opted for the punting along the back-waters for the day. Pick-up at Kochi was prompt and we arrived ready to board just before 10am. Beautiful river, very quiet and pleasant surroundings. Guide [Meena] was very good at explaining the deRead more”
5-day luxury Kerala from Kochi, with Munnar tea and waterfalls, Thekkady wildlife time, an Alleppey houseboat night, and Kochi sights.
“Except for the first day’s hotel booking at Kovalam, we had a beautiful holiday experience throughout the 4-day journey.”
A 4-day Kerala route from Munnar to backwaters and Fort Kochi, with a private houseboat night, car transport, and sightseeing.
“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”
Private 7-day Kerala route from Kochi: Munnar tea hills, Periyar wildlife, backwaters, and Kovalam beach, plus Trivandrum sights.
“If you book your own hotels and find your own driver, you will have a better time because your hotels will be nicer, your driver will be more professional, and you will have more information. Here’s why they get 2 stars from me:”
Private 8-day Kerala trip from Kochi to Munnar, Periyar, a deluxe houseboat, Kovalam, and Kanyakumari with chauffeur and meals.
“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 group cruise from Fort Cochin through Kerala backwaters on a non-mechanized boat, with Vaikom village stop and veg lunch.
“Great experience, lovely guide and in addition to the boat tour we could meet locals, learn more about rural women and their work as well as local plants and herbs. Absolutely recommend it!”
Private 5-day Kerala tour from Kochi with Munnar tea views, Periyar lake wildlife, and an overnight private AC houseboat in Alleppey.
“We had a very good experience in Kerala. Our driver was excellent and would highly recommend the trip. We could have done away with Thekkady as the resort wasn't that great. But otherwise very well organised trip!”
A small Shikara cruise from Cochin into Aleppey backwaters, paddy fields, coconut palms, and village life, with pickup and AC transport.
“Really enjoyable day. Both driver and shikira driver were lovely. Would def recommend to anyone wanting to see the allepy backwaters.”
Alleppey shikara ride with a village tour, bird spotting, and sunset on a private canal cruise from $16 per person for about 3 hours.
“The best part was cruising through the entire backwaters and having best Karimeen fish fry and prawns The guide was very helpful and provided very scenic spots to capture photos Thank you so much, Rahul and Anas”
Kayak the Paravur Backwaters mangroves near Varkala and Kollam, learn paddle skills, choose kayak or canoe, and glide through quiet canals.
“Lovely location Well organised Beautiful environment Good quality equipment Samson was amazing! Definitely get the waterproof phone cover, they work like a dream”
2-hour Alleppey food walk in Alappuzha with a small English and Hindi guide. Sample Kerala snacks, sweets, filter coffee, dessert.
“Sibi was a great guide, easy to speak with and gad a lot of insights of the city and if course the food! We tried many new foods and places that we normally wouldn't have found or even thought to search. Fantastic to have a local person guiding us to feel like we knew the city better!”
Alappuzha Kerala private shikara cruise with village walk. 3 hours of canals, sunset views, local stories, and a meal option.
“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”
Bamboo-punted shikara on Kochi backwaters plus village weaving, coir and rope making, and a filling Kerala Sadya lunch.
“What a wonderful experience!! The boat ride was so beautiful and peaceful, we got to see so many local villagers and small farms. The guide Aria was so knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. The lunch, prepared by the local villagers, was absolutely delicious!!! We got to see some handmade coconut leaf weaving and some ropes made from coconut husk and we visited a local Shiva temple. Our driver was also awesome and helped us grab some fresh coconuts from the side of the road to have on the way back. What a peaceful, relaxing, informative and wonderful experience. I could not recommend this company or this guide more…”
Paddle Goa’s Salonia backwaters through mangroves and wildlife, with a 15-minute safety briefing, life vests, and juice included for $61.35.
Pick a city, pick a kind of day, and see what it costs.
