Kerala Backwaters - A cruise on budgets!

chitra0828 · Jul 18th, 2009, 08:05

We are looking to take a backwater trip around Kochi in a country boat (as recommended by Vandy, Clive and others!) going into the narrow canals. We have got 3 quotes from Indoworld, DestinationsKerala.com and Saj Homestay and they are all around Rs500 per person. Since we are a family of 2 adults and 2 children, with children at half price, this comes to Rs1500 for a 3 hour trip.

This seems at odds with Vandy's post earlier which quotes Rs300/hour for a family which would be a total of Rs900.

Is Rs1500 a fair price? Vandy, do you have any idea why it might be much more expensive than the figure you had mentioned?

CliveG · Jul 18th, 2009, 16:20

The tour I recommended is organised by the KTDC and as mentioned in your other post lasts for a whole day (8am-5pm). For that you get driven to the backwaters, spend time on two different boats, visit the lime factory, coir workers, a spice and herb garden and are given coconuts to drink and lunch before being returned to Kochi. You also have a guide who will explain all that you see along the route and at the places you stop. For Rs 500 per person and half price for children I rate this as excellent value for money.

vandy · Jul 20th, 2009, 07:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitra0828

We are looking to take a backwater trip around Kochi in a country boat (as recommended by Vandy, Clive and others!) going into the narrow canals. We have got 3 quotes from Indoworld, DestinationsKerala.com and Saj Homestay and they are all around Rs500 per person. Since we are a family of 2 adults and 2 children, with children at half price, this comes to Rs1500 for a 3 hour trip.

This seems at odds with Vandy's post earlier which quotes Rs300/hour for a family which would be a total of Rs900.

Is Rs1500 a fair price? Vandy, do you have any idea why it might be much more expensive than the figure you had mentioned?

Hi chitra,

The price quoted by the Kochi agents I think includes pick up and return from your accom and would also include lunch.

The price I quoted to you of approx 300per hour is
in Allepey area and is NOT 300rps per person,it is
for the hire of country boat alone, there is no
Lunch and pick up from accom as per the Kochi prices.

I think the kochi prices are quite reasonable for
what you get.

vandy

bsprasad · Jul 23rd, 2009, 13:44

Hey,

Talk to this guy Sreekumar. His number is 9447797564.

He is a wonderful tour operator. Highly reliable and Professional. He has arranged amazing tours in kerala for myself and a lot of my friends.

You can refer my name B.S.Prasad from Chennai.

sunil.sundareswaran · Aug 26th, 2009, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsprasad

Hey,

Talk to this guy Sreekumar. His number is 9447797564.

He is a wonderful tour operator. Highly reliable and Professional. He has arranged amazing tours in kerala for myself and a lot of my friends.

You can refer my name B.S.Prasad from Chennai.

Hi Prasad,

Well after reading the posts I just came to the conclusion that its better that we know some person who has already experienced the situation and then go with some info ...

We were also planning a stay in the house boat .. for a night but were sceptical about the security

as in some post I read that they were placing the boat in the midst of waters ... in some lonely place .. and that was the concern ...

Well what do you say about t

his ... also the number you have given ..

We are planning to go next month would that be a ideal time for us to go ...

Any suggestions ????

Regards,
Sunil.

bsprasad · Aug 26th, 2009, 14:28

Dear Sunil,

Your Boat will not be parked in the midst of a water or in a alone secluded place.

All the house boats will be parked in one place. You can see all the boats parked in the same place and dont worry about the safety.

I have traveled more than once in the house boat with my family and friends. So go ahead and enjoy.

If you have any other clarifications do write to me.

arunfox · Aug 31st, 2009, 10:18

i suggest u go for a day trip,that is from 10 to 5.the beauty can only be relished at this time.at night they drop anchor.nothing much to see but insects and mosqs.the main attraction of the houseboat is the front portion or the open living room.thats where u spend bulk of ur time.in night cruises ,u get sick of insects and would feel like winding off and sleeping.so basically there is no scope for gazing the stars and enjoyin the natural breeze

chitra0828 · Oct 3rd, 2009, 08:13

Hi all: thanks for all your comments and help that really made our trip to india a great experience. We're in the process of putting our travelogue up for you all the read, and we've put it in a Journal on this website. I;m not exactly sure how to link up this post to the journal so I'm putting in the link to what is I hope our Journal titled: The Sundaram Travelogue: Kerala August 2009. Hope you enjoy. We're up to putting up Day 1 and Day 2, and we'll get through the full 9 1/2 days and comments on service providers/hotels as soon as we possibly can.Again thanks so much for all your help. http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...urnal&j=9 567

Best Chitra

vandy · Oct 3rd, 2009, 08:56

G'Day Chitra,

Thanks for your journal so far,Interesting reading.

Looking forward to your Section on Munnar area, One of my favourite places in Kerala.

vandy

chitra0828 · Oct 3rd, 2009, 20:19

Yes vandy it was really fab..will keep going with the posts and try to do the photos too..

rebeccam · Oct 4th, 2009, 03:10

Chitra, your journal so far is fabulous!! than you for sharing with us. Looking forward to continued installments--while realizing free time is hard to find!
Next time, i get to ask YOU questions! (-:

Jul 18th, 2009, 08:05	#106
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 62	Country Boat trip around Kochi backwaters We are looking to take a backwater trip around Kochi in a country boat (as recommended by Vandy, Clive and others!) going into the narrow canals. We have got 3 quotes from Indoworld, DestinationsKerala.com and Saj Homestay and they are all around Rs500 per person. Since we are a family of 2 adults and 2 children, with children at half price, this comes to Rs1500 for a 3 hour trip. This seems at odds with Vandy's post earlier which quotes Rs300/hour for a family which would be a total of Rs900. Is Rs1500 a fair price? Vandy, do you have any idea why it might be much more expensive than the figure you had mentioned?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kerala backawater cruise questions	njm44	Kerala	10	May 3rd, 2008 07:58
Backwaters of Kerala - please advise	Tiny Bubbles	Kerala	10	Sep 4th, 2005 21:42
backwaters cruise operators--help!	fotowallah	Kerala	0	Dec 11th, 2004 13:20
Luxury Cruiser on the Backwaters of Kerala	steven_ber	Kerala	6	Sep 12th, 2003 02:25
Backwaters in Kerala	ladyjane56	India Travel Partners	5	Jun 22nd, 2003 16:15

Jul 18th, 2009, 16:20	#107
CliveG Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: PORTSMOUTH U.K. Posts: 932	The tour I recommended is organised by the KTDC and as mentioned in your other post lasts for a whole day (8am-5pm). For that you get driven to the backwaters, spend time on two different boats, visit the lime factory, coir workers, a spice and herb garden and are given coconuts to drink and lunch before being returned to Kochi. You also have a guide who will explain all that you see along the route and at the places you stop. For Rs 500 per person and half price for children I rate this as excellent value for money.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 13:44	#109
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	Hey, Talk to this guy Sreekumar. His number is 9447797564. He is a wonderful tour operator. Highly reliable and Professional. He has arranged amazing tours in kerala for myself and a lot of my friends. You can refer my name B.S.Prasad from Chennai.

Aug 26th, 2009, 14:28	#111
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	Dear Sunil, Your Boat will not be parked in the midst of a water or in a alone secluded place. All the house boats will be parked in one place. You can see all the boats parked in the same place and dont worry about the safety. I have traveled more than once in the house boat with my family and friends. So go ahead and enjoy. If you have any other clarifications do write to me.

Aug 31st, 2009, 10:18	#112
arunfox Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sharjah Posts: 38	i suggest u go for a day trip,that is from 10 to 5.the beauty can only be relished at this time.at night they drop anchor.nothing much to see but insects and mosqs.the main attraction of the houseboat is the front portion or the open living room.thats where u spend bulk of ur time.in night cruises ,u get sick of insects and would feel like winding off and sleeping.so basically there is no scope for gazing the stars and enjoyin the natural breeze

Oct 3rd, 2009, 08:13	#113
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 62	Hi all: thanks for all your comments and help that really made our trip to india a great experience. We're in the process of putting our travelogue up for you all the read, and we've put it in a Journal on this website. I;m not exactly sure how to link up this post to the journal so I'm putting in the link to what is I hope our Journal titled: The Sundaram Travelogue: Kerala August 2009. Hope you enjoy. We're up to putting up Day 1 and Day 2, and we'll get through the full 9 1/2 days and comments on service providers/hotels as soon as we possibly can.Again thanks so much for all your help. http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...urnal&j=9 567 Best Chitra

Oct 3rd, 2009, 08:56	#114
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 1,146	G'Day Chitra, Thanks for your journal so far,Interesting reading. Looking forward to your Section on Munnar area, One of my favourite places in Kerala. vandy

Oct 3rd, 2009, 20:19	#115
chitra0828 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT USA Posts: 62	Yes vandy it was really fab..will keep going with the posts and try to do the photos too..

Oct 4th, 2009, 03:10	#116
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	Chitra, your journal so far is fabulous!! than you for sharing with us. Looking forward to continued installments--while realizing free time is hard to find! Next time, i get to ask YOU questions! (-: