Kerala Houseboat Packages — Alleppey & Kumarakom
A night on a kettuvallam houseboat — meals cooked on board, a sunset mooring and sunrise over the paddy fields — is the signature Kerala experience. We run our own 3-bedroom boat on the Alleppey backwaters and book a hand-picked fleet of deluxe, premium and ultra-luxury boats we know personally. Real photos, honest rates, and the exact boat you're shown is the boat you board.
How do I book a houseboat in Alleppey?
Send us your dates, group size and budget on WhatsApp. We reply with named boats that fit — our own 3-bedroom Grand Nirvana or a partner boat we know — with real photos of each boat and the whole-boat rate for your dates. Once you pick one, we confirm that exact boat in writing, and a 10–15% advance by UPI or bank transfer holds it; you pay the balance at check-in. Private boats start from about ₹10,000 a night for a 1-bedroom in the off-season, meals included. Under our usual policy, cancelling more than 30 days before travel is free.
Booking terms from Tinu Mathew, founder of Kerala Escapes, last confirmed in July 2026. The exact terms for your boat and dates are confirmed in writing when you book.
How booking works
- 1
Send your dates
Dates, number of guests, rooms needed and a rough budget, on WhatsApp.
- 2
Pick from named boats
We send boats that fit, each with real photos of that boat and the rate for your dates.
- 3
Get the boat confirmed in writing
The boat's name, bedrooms and inclusions in writing, never "this or similar".
- 4
Pay the 10–15% advance
By UPI or bank transfer to hold the boat; the balance is paid at check-in. Card payments carry a payment-gateway charge.
Booking terms at a glance
| Advance to reserve | 10–15% of the booking value |
|---|---|
| How to pay | UPI or bank transfer. Card payments carry a payment-gateway charge. |
| Balance | Paid at check-in |
| More than 30 days before travel | Free cancellation. |
| 15–30 days before | Free reschedule to another date. |
| Within 15 days | No cancellation or reschedule — though genuine, unavoidable cases are looked at individually. |
| Overnight timings | Check-in around 12 noon, check-out 9 am the next morning |
| Day cruise | About 11 am–5 pm, with lunch |
| Get in writing | The boat's name and photos, bedrooms, AC hours, meals and route |
What is the "or similar boat" trap, and how do you avoid it? →
Grand Nirvana
3 bedrooms · sleeps 6–8 · Deluxe Premium
Our own 3-bedroom houseboat — papers and survey current, a crew we employ, and a tariff we publish openly. From ₹18,000–20,000 a night off-season.
Which boat suits your group?
A couple
A 1-bedroom boat, from about ₹10,000 a night off-season. Compare houseboat prices
A family or two–three couples
A 3-bedroom boat such as our own Grand Nirvana, which sleeps 6–8. See Grand Nirvana
A big group or a special occasion
Larger and luxury boats, up to six bedrooms, some with a private jacuzzi. See the luxury boats
Only a few hours to spare
A day cruise, about 11 am–5 pm with lunch on board. Is a day cruise enough?
Boats we book, by category
All luxury boats →A snapshot of the fleet — every boat listed with real photos and features on the luxury page.
Lexica 2
2 BR · sleeps 6 · from ₹55,000
Emperor 5
5 BR · sleeps 15 · from ₹65,000
Royal Palace 6
6 BR · sleeps 18 · from ₹65,000
Exotica 6
6 BR · sleeps 18 · from ₹55,000
Black Pearl 5
5 BR · sleeps 15 · from ₹58,000
Kailasam 1
1 BR · sleeps 4 · from ₹24,000
Classic Legend 2
2 BR · sleeps 6 · from ₹42,000
Island of Peace
2 BR · sleeps 6 · from ₹38,000
What an overnight includes
- All meals: welcome drink, lunch, evening tea and snacks, dinner and next-day breakfast
- Private boat with captain, chef and crew
- Cruise on Vembanad Lake and the Kuttanad backwaters
- AC bedrooms with attached bathrooms (AC runs ~9pm–6am while moored)
Know before you book
- Peak season (Sep–Feb + May) and festival dates book out early
- Always confirm you get the exact boat shown — not "this or similar"
- Special menus and add-ons, such as a candlelight dinner, cost extra
Houseboat booking — FAQs
How do I book a houseboat in Alleppey?
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, group size and budget. We send named boats with real photos and the rate for your dates, confirm your chosen boat in writing, and a 10–15% advance by UPI or bank transfer holds it. The balance is paid at check-in.
How much does a houseboat cost in Alleppey?
Private overnight boats start from about ₹10,000 a night for a 1-bedroom in the off-season. Our own 3-bedroom Grand Nirvana is ₹18,000–20,000 a night off-season and about ₹24,000 in peak season, for the whole boat with meals. The price guide has every boat size and season.
Can I stay overnight on a houseboat in Alleppey?
Yes. Overnight stays run from about 12 noon to 9 am the next morning, with lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast cooked on board. The boat cruises in the afternoon and moors for the night; bedroom AC usually runs at night (9 pm–6 am on our own boat).
How much advance do I pay, and can I cancel?
A 10–15% advance by UPI or bank transfer reserves the boat. Card payments carry a payment-gateway charge. Under our usual policy, cancelling more than 30 days before travel is free; 15–30 days before, you can move to another date for free; within 15 days there is no cancellation or reschedule, though genuine, unavoidable cases are looked at individually. The exact terms for your boat are confirmed in writing when you book.
Which houseboat is best in Alleppey?
It depends on your group: a 1-bedroom boat for a couple, a 3-bedroom such as our own Grand Nirvana for a family or two–three couples, and a larger or luxury boat for a big group or a special occasion. Whichever you choose, get that exact boat confirmed in writing, not "this or similar".
When should I book a houseboat?
Early for the busiest dates — Diwali, the Pooja (Navaratri) holidays, Christmas and New Year — when the good boats go first. Booking last-minute in peak season usually means paying more for less.