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Kerala houseboat cruise

COUNTRY:
India
LOCATION:
Kerala
PRICE:
From £110 - £130 per couple per night
MORE INFO:
From £100 per night per couple for 1 bedroomed AC houseboat including all meals and taxes. Children up to 10 years free. From £120 per night per couple for 2 bedroomed Housboat for 4 guests
VOUCHERS:
Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
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Kerala houseboat cruise
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Kerala houseboat cruise

How this holiday makes a difference

Environment

The Houseboat maximises the benefit to local community by direct employment of crew members from the backwater villages and the houseboat was designed and built by a group of local craftsman and carpenters.

The houseboat itself is made with natural wood, palm leaves, and palm fibre etc. We avoid the use of plastics inside the houseboats. The houseboat also uses chemical toilets, inboard engines & solar energy which will help for minimum adverse impact to the environment. We use Solar energy for lighting inside the houseboat. Also the electric energy from the houseboat engine is stored in battery cells for further use.

We use locally available bio degradable cleaning materials and we use our waste as compost in the premises of our hotel, which help to maintain good greenery and grow vegetable plants like pineapple and papaya inside the premises. We purchase fish, vegetables, fruits & other utility items from the local villages, for the use in the houseboat for guests.

Community

We are promoting charitable activities in the Village area. One of the project supported by Eco Trails Kerala can be seen in the link :

http://www.thehouseboatskerala.com/charity/index.html

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How we choose providers
Backwaters in Kerala
Backwaters in Kerala

Kerala houseboat cruise

Reviewed 05 Dec 2008 by Michael Nicod4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Travelling the backwaters of Kerala on a riceboat was certainly a highly relaxing and enjoyable experience. The boat was well equipped and the crew helpful. The food was very good and the scenery superb. One thing would have made the tour better. The crew had very little command of English so communication was difficult and we were not given as much information as we would have wished about the natural history, etc of the places through which we travelled.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


We went during the period when there were a number of local people rehearsing for the annual snake boat competitions that take place at the beginning of July. A good tip is to try to arrange your trip around this time to fit this into your schedule.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Local people employed on the boat and probably minimal impact on the environment.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Very good start to holiday to recuperate after long plane journey.

Reviewed 11 Apr 2008 by Joy Watling4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


Our two night stay on the waterways of Kerala exceeded any expectations. We were looking for relaxation, which was in abundance but the beauty of the area, the peace and tranquillity and the friendliness of the local people, made it very special.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Take binoculars - the birdlife is abundant, and the whole area is a bird sanctuary with thousands of migratory birds at times of the year. Make sure there are opportunities (you need only ask) to moor and walk along the canal edges among the locals, as they go about their daily life.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Local people were employed to transport us to the boat, staff the boat and cook for us. Along the way we stopped and purchased fish, and vegetables at the source.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Excellent - four and a half stars.

Reviewed 11 Jan 2008 by Alison Sands4 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


We had a lovely, relaxing time, well away from the other houseboats (not easily done as it was peak season). The most memorable part was the three man crew, who looked after us as if we were royalty. The cook produced fabulous and varied food, delicious Keralan home cooking. We were there just before Christmas and the crew insisted on having a fireworks display for the children, to celebrate. Quite an exciting event when held beside a wood and bamboo boat.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Although it seems expensive compared with other things in India, it is such a special experience it is well worth budgeting for. I was keen to book in advance as we were travelling with 3 children and at peak season. I am glad we had 2 days rather than the more usual 1. Joining the boat at Kumarakom worked well, it is a lovely area and much quieter than Allepey especially at that time of year.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Yes, reasonably so.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?


Great!

Reviewed 14 Aug 2007 by Caroline Hoyes5 star rating

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?


We booked a rice boat trip with another company thro Kence and he arranged a stay in Alleppey for us during the snake boat races plus fetching us himself to bring us to Kumakorum plus recommending a stay in Periyar for us. The rice boat was the high light of our two weeks in India. Absolutely wonderful. The crew could not have looked after us better. We were fed sumptuously and frequently. The stopovers at night were beautiful and the boat itself charming.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?


Kence gave us very good recommendations and made that part of our trip very smooth. We especially asked for lower budget arrangements and he did well. It is definitely worth shopping around.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?


Tourism is bringing in money but obviously it also brings in more pollution. All food was local and prepared on the boat. Some money will trickle down via the people employed.
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Accommodation Reviews

We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!

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Backwaters in Kerala
Backwaters in Kerala
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