Alappuzha in Kerala state is an important tourist destination in India. The place has immense natural beauty with lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers. One of most popular tourist attractions of Kerala is the backwaters of Alappuzha. A houseboat day cruise or over night stay in houseboat is a must if you are planning to visit Alappuzha. You will surely have a delightful experience in a houseboat cruise.
Houseboat or traditional Kettuvallom trips are the best preferred holiday recreation here. About 2500 to 4000 tourists arrive daily in Alappuzha for houseboat cruising. There are about 120 well-maintained & furnished houseboats in Alappuzha. The house boats have all the required comforts such as well-furnished bedrooms, modern hygienic toilets, cosy living rooms, beautiful kitchen and in some, even a balcony for angling. Every houseboat is manned by a crew of 3 men, a cook, guide and oarsman. Houseboat tour will be a relaxing experience for any age, size or type of people.
Houseboat Cuisines
Food is included as a part of the price guests pay and complete breakfast along with lunch, dinner and evening snacks is provided on board of a houseboats in Alapuzha. The cuisine served on houseboats in Kerala may vary depending on the guests’ requirements. The food is cooked inside the boat by a chef and you can visit the kitchen to checkout the food preparation and the menu. Early morning, bed tea/coffee will be provided.
Then a breakfast of South Indian food items like dosa, idly with sambar and chutney, Appam Fish stew, tea /coffee or an option of bread, butter, jam, omlets are provided according to guests’ interest. Usually traditional Kerala food is served in the afternoon with rice, sambar, vegetarian dishes, fish fry, pickles, papad, salads and sweets. These are cooked from fresh and seasonal vegetables and fish and chicken are purchased just before the cruise starts. If any of the guests are successful in catching some fish on board it will be cooked as well. You can also buy crab, fish or lobsters from shores and request the chef to cook the same on board for lunch or dinner in the houseboat. They also provide you with evening coffee/ tea with traditional kerala snacks like Banana fry or Finger Chips or Tapioca Chips in the evening. The crews also serve you dinner in the houseboat. You can also change this menu and can avail continental menu or north Indian menu or can have food specially made with less spice or without spice, etc. The staffs in houseboats are specially trained with valid licenses for cooking the food and serving it fresh giving importance to hygiene. Overnight houseboat stay will offer you a holistic backwater experience.
Alappuzha is also the access point for the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, held on the Punnamada Lake, near Alappuzha, held on August every year.