Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets!

susanmallugal · Sep 17th, 2007, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmlandtours.net

An exclusive deluxe houseboat (one bedroom + one living room)could costs rouhgly Rs 5800 with all meals. You may get cheaper boats in Alleppey. The price varies depending on the route. Ac boats are more expansive.

ok that does not sound that bad right?

so 5,800 divide by Rup 41 right that is equal to $182.00???

so is it safe to book online? or not?

beach · Sep 17th, 2007, 22:28

Just for those who are wondering how a houseboat looks like

susanmallugal · Sep 17th, 2007, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandy

You should be able to get a 1 bedroom A/C houseboat for 5000rps
this will include all meals and bottled water.

Have a good look around at main houseboat jetty in Allepey,there
are many houseboats,take your time choosing one.

Rgds - vandy

i heard the one in Kumerkom is the best? is that true?

shashank.aggarwal · Sep 17th, 2007, 23:32

They all seem to be the same...however I only went to Allepey and there were hundreds of them waiting to be hired.

we reached Allepey in the evening and were not able to hire a houseboat at that time...we stayed in Hotel Prince, which was a 3 start hotel with excellent food. Four of us adjusted in a room (AC) with an extra bed, and paid Rs.1700. And that was a very good deal. Hotel people have contacts with local boat owners and have a chart displaying the rates. There is no scope of haggling, however the rates were very competitive compared to what were quoted to us by individual operators...

Due to time constraints we did not hire the houseboat, however hired another boat on hourly basis. It was Rs.250 for an hour, and we spent 4 hours in the backwaters...

However that boat used a Diesel Engine and that was way too loud...whatever you hire make sure that it doesn't make noise as it will spoil the entire thing...

sudheer poppa · Sep 18th, 2007, 00:37

Good point.. try to hire only a handpushed boat.. You woould hardly travel miles in it, but would be good enough if you reach the vembanad lake by evening and then take rest..

I see no value in using a diesel powered boat... After all you are going there for some peace!

susanmallugal · Sep 25th, 2007, 20:58

When we arrive in Cochin, we will be staying at hotel lotus nine because you only pay for the hrs you are staying there. we check in at noon and stay the night but we have to leave at 6 am in the morning to catch a flight.

is this a decent hotel? i cannot seem to find it online. the booking was done by relatives in india..

does anyone know about this hotel???

PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFO!

THANKS

Rxrich · Sep 25th, 2007, 22:12

That's a nice website Cookie...I'll be looking into it myself...I'll be in Alleppey middle of November...
Thanks for the info
Richard

Yildiz · Oct 24th, 2007, 15:03

I'm coming to Kerala early next year (Jan/Feb) and thinking of spending 4 or 5 days somewhere on the backwaters, to take trips by boat, relax and sightsee generally. I was thinking at Kollam, which seems to have a variety of boat trips and also a nearby palace to see. But would alternative places be better...for example Kottayam or Alappuzha? Any recommendations of nice accommodation in these areas? (US$15-20 price approx)

wandering_kat · Oct 29th, 2007, 14:17

Peak Season - is it still better to just turn up in Allepey and find a boat without booking?

vandy · Oct 29th, 2007, 16:23

Hi wandering_kat, it should still be OK.

Its important to actually inspect the boat and see what you are going to get.Just go to Allepey main jetty, be firm and don't let them rush you.

vandy

kiela · Nov 7th, 2007, 20:03

Can anybody help with some basic words in malayalam (only the spoken language....because I can't read the Malayalam...)for my trip in Kerala?
- thank you
- good morning, afternoon, evening, night
- what's the price pleace
- do you have...
- can you help me
- my name is
- what's your name
- I'm from Belgium
- beer, wine, water, cola, fish, sigarettes
- can you tell me the way to...

simv · Nov 12th, 2007, 19:06

We will be hiring a boat (alleppey) for a day on either of :

25, 26 or 27 of November.

Is it justifiable to hire a AC boat or a Non AC boat at that time?

valerielenny · Jan 3rd, 2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach

Just for those who are wondering how a houseboat looks like

LOL..

Bollywood Barbie · Jan 9th, 2008, 19:12

Thanks Beach for all this great info!

Having nailed my North India Itinery at last! I've now moved onto planning our Southern leg! We're spending a couple of nights in Cochi before heading to Allepey for a backwater cruise & think we're gonna treat ourselves to the Private Houseboat!

Is it best to take the bus from Cochi? I see these run every 20 mins so preferable than the train?

What is the best time to arrive to charter the boat? When do they usually set sail?

also Allepey seems to be the key location for Houseboats, but is there anywhere else (less touristy!) to hire them from?

Thanks in advance!

keneumey · Feb 13th, 2008, 04:57

I've read that the overnight houseboats leave at about 10 a.m.

We're going to Kerala in April and won't be able to get to Alleppey until about noon. Any chance we'll still be able to get one that same day?

Sep 17th, 2007, 22:28	#47
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,232	Just for those who are wondering how a houseboat looks like Attached Thumbnails __________________ Hampi info

Sep 17th, 2007, 23:32	#49
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,100	They all seem to be the same...however I only went to Allepey and there were hundreds of them waiting to be hired. we reached Allepey in the evening and were not able to hire a houseboat at that time...we stayed in Hotel Prince, which was a 3 start hotel with excellent food. Four of us adjusted in a room (AC) with an extra bed, and paid Rs.1700. And that was a very good deal. Hotel people have contacts with local boat owners and have a chart displaying the rates. There is no scope of haggling, however the rates were very competitive compared to what were quoted to us by individual operators... Due to time constraints we did not hire the houseboat, however hired another boat on hourly basis. It was Rs.250 for an hour, and we spent 4 hours in the backwaters... However that boat used a Diesel Engine and that was way too loud...whatever you hire make sure that it doesn't make noise as it will spoil the entire thing... __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Sep 18th, 2007, 00:37	#50
sudheer poppa Senior brick in the wall Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pole Posts: 1,475	Good point.. try to hire only a handpushed boat.. You woould hardly travel miles in it, but would be good enough if you reach the vembanad lake by evening and then take rest.. I see no value in using a diesel powered boat... After all you are going there for some peace! __________________ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools - MLK Pic Page 1 Pic Page 2 When my life changed over a week

Sep 25th, 2007, 20:58	#51
susanmallugal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 24	please help - ANYONE KNOW OF HOTEL LOTUS NINE IN COCHIN??? When we arrive in Cochin, we will be staying at hotel lotus nine because you only pay for the hrs you are staying there. we check in at noon and stay the night but we have to leave at 6 am in the morning to catch a flight. is this a decent hotel? i cannot seem to find it online. the booking was done by relatives in india.. does anyone know about this hotel??? PLEASE GIVE ME MORE INFO! THANKS

Oct 24th, 2007, 15:03	#53
Yildiz Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fethiye, Turkey Posts: 36	Where to base myself on Kerala backwaters I'm coming to Kerala early next year (Jan/Feb) and thinking of spending 4 or 5 days somewhere on the backwaters, to take trips by boat, relax and sightsee generally. I was thinking at Kollam, which seems to have a variety of boat trips and also a nearby palace to see. But would alternative places be better...for example Kottayam or Alappuzha? Any recommendations of nice accommodation in these areas? (US$15-20 price approx)

Sep 25th, 2007, 22:12	#52
Rxrich Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jupiter, FL USA Posts: 53	That's a nice website Cookie...I'll be looking into it myself...I'll be in Alleppey middle of November... Thanks for the info Richard

Oct 29th, 2007, 14:17	#54
wandering_kat All India Permit Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cape Town Posts: 342	Peak Season - is it still better to just turn up in Allepey and find a boat without booking? __________________ *Sorry, but my karma just ran over your dogma*

Oct 29th, 2007, 16:23	#55
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 576	peak season Hi wandering_kat, it should still be OK. Its important to actually inspect the boat and see what you are going to get.Just go to Allepey main jetty, be firm and don't let them rush you. vandy

Nov 7th, 2007, 20:03	#56
kiela Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: belgium Posts: 18	some basic words malayalam...??? Can anybody help with some basic words in malayalam (only the spoken language....because I can't read the Malayalam...)for my trip in Kerala? - thank you - good morning, afternoon, evening, night - what's the price pleace - do you have... - can you help me - my name is - what's your name - I'm from Belgium - beer, wine, water, cola, fish, sigarettes - can you tell me the way to...

Nov 12th, 2007, 19:06	#57
simv Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: India Posts: 23	We will be hiring a boat (alleppey) for a day on either of : 25, 26 or 27 of November. Is it justifiable to hire a AC boat or a Non AC boat at that time?

Jan 9th, 2008, 19:12	#59
Bollywood Barbie Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London Posts: 32	Best time to Charter Houseboat? Thanks Beach for all this great info! Having nailed my North India Itinery at last! I've now moved onto planning our Southern leg! We're spending a couple of nights in Cochi before heading to Allepey for a backwater cruise & think we're gonna treat ourselves to the Private Houseboat! Is it best to take the bus from Cochi? I see these run every 20 mins so preferable than the train? What is the best time to arrive to charter the boat? When do they usually set sail? also Allepey seems to be the key location for Houseboats, but is there anywhere else (less touristy!) to hire them from? Thanks in advance!

Feb 13th, 2008, 04:57	#60
keneumey Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4	Houseboats I've read that the overnight houseboats leave at about 10 a.m. We're going to Kerala in April and won't be able to get to Alleppey until about noon. Any chance we'll still be able to get one that same day?

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