No trip to Kerala is complete without visiting the backwaters of Kerala; Alleppey Backwaters being one of the best among them. From the Vembanad Lake to the mouth of the backwaters where the lagoons meet the Arabian Sea, a ride by the houseboats in Alleppey. A long and lazy boat ride that will take you to the heart of the backwaters is something that makes the trip worth cherishing for long.
The Backwaters of Alleppey is one of the most beautiful, stunning and awe striking places not only in India, but also all across the globe. No wonder why Alleppey receives so many of foreign and native travellers every year. The lagoons and the labyrinthine water channels, with the paddy fields covering the banks and the coconut palms that mirror on the calm water of the backwaters will mesmerize you during your trip to Kerala. But, before you book your stay in Alleppey, you should know about a few things.
Houseboat Packages:
When you book a houseboats in Alleppey, you should know about the packages that they offer. Different houseboat owners or companies offer different packages. The honeymoon packages in Kerala houseboat are meant for honeymoon couples, while some are meant for corporate parties, some for shared accommodation and some for families or personal stay. Whatever package you choose, the rates and services will differ accordingly.
Décor of the Houseboats:
Though you will get a number of options while choosing a houseboat in Alleppey, make sure the décor suits your demands. The Kerala houseboats are extremely beautiful with traditional designs and stunning décor. But, the more elaborate the décor is, the higher will be the prices.
Number of Rooms:
The houseboats in Kerala come with different accommodation options. They are quite huge in general, offering a number of rooms inside. Depending on the number of people in your group, you can choose the number of rooms you need. The more rooms you book, the more you will have to pay. Sometimes, booking an entire houseboat will have its own charge. If you want to minimize the budget, you can share the rooms with other families as well.
Staff on Board:
Since you would spend a lot of time with the boat staff in front of you, it is important that you choose a good staff, with nice and warm behaviour. The way you are treated on board, has a deep impact on your overall experience. Rude and careless houseboat staff can spoil your mood and stay on board.
Food you are Served:
One of the major attractions of the luxury houseboats in Alleppey is the food. They serve the freshest of the local cuisine. You can savour the most amazing local delicacies on board, with snacks and fruits supplied for the entire day. As you go on board, you get a welcome drink and this is a uniform hospitality that you can expect to receive. However, if you are more comfortable with western style breakfast, you can certainly request for that. But, trying the local food is indeed a great idea.
Itineraries:
When you ride the Alleppey houseboats, you will be mesmerized with the stunning beauty of the neighbouring flora on the banks of the backwaters. The boat will take you to the places that are included in your package. However, once the sun sets, the boat will be parked for the night and move again the morning. Be assured that you reach on time to get on board, in order to utilize the full daylight, usually the boats leave somewhere around noon. Also, some boats have air conditioning system included in the package and some do not. Choose the package accordingly.
Booking the Houseboat:
Booking the Alleppey houseboats is the most important part. You should book in advance if you are booking for the peak travel seasons. Otherwise, it is better to book when you reach Alleppey. You can certainly book through online platforms or ask the resorts that you will be staying with before or after staying in Alleppey.
So this holiday season go ahead and plan a trip across the backwaters of Alleppey, before the onset of monsoon season and enjoy a totally mesmerizing vacation in laps of nature’s real beauty. But before you make up your mind to book a houseboat, do not forget to consider few things like, the kind of houseboat and packages, itineraries, the food, number of rooms required, etc. that are critical which will help in making your vacation not just memorable, but also worthy and leave you with quality time spent well.
