Alleppey Tour Packages
India's houseboat capital, and the heart of Kerala's backwaters
Part of Backwaters & Houseboats
Alleppey, officially Alappuzha, is the town most people picture when they hear 'Kerala backwaters.' It's where the kettuvallam houseboat tradition started, and it still has the largest working fleet in the state, alongside Kumarakom just across Vembanad Lake. The town itself is worth an hour on foot: a 19th-century lighthouse, a beach, and a canal network the British once used to move goods to Kochi's port.
For most travellers, Alleppey means one thing: a night aboard a private houseboat, drifting past coconut groves and paddy fields as village life plays out along the banks. We charter kettuvallams with en-suite cabins, a private captain, and a chef who cooks Kerala fish curry to order on deck. Add a village canal tour by shikara canoe in the late afternoon, when the light is best and the water's calm.
At a glance
- Best time to visit
- October to March, when skies are clear and evenings are cool
- Ideal for
- Couples, Honeymooners, First-time Kerala visitors
Highlights
- Private overnight kettuvallam houseboat charter
- Sunset over Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake
- Village canal tour by traditional shikara canoe
- Fresh Kerala seafood, cooked on board by your houseboat chef
In pictures
A closer look at Alleppey
Build a trip around it
Itineraries that feature this region
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is one night on an Alleppey houseboat enough?
For most travellers, yes. A standard charter boards around noon, cruises through the afternoon, moors for the night, and disembarks after breakfast, giving you a full sunset, dinner, and sunrise on the water. If you'd rather cruise further or add a village stop, we can extend to two nights.
What's the difference between Alleppey and Kumarakom houseboats?
They share the same lake and the same style of boat. Alleppey's canals are narrower and busier with local boat traffic; Kumarakom, on the opposite shore, is quieter with more birdlife. We choose the departure point based on your route, not the other way round.
Can I combine Alleppey with Munnar and Kochi?
Yes, it's our most-requested combination: Kochi, then Munnar's tea hills, then down to Alleppey for a houseboat night before flying out. Most versions of this route run 6 to 8 days.
Ready to see alleppey in person?
Send us your dates and we'll fold this region into a full Kerala itinerary, sized to however long you have.
Prefer to call? +91 76196 49041 · hello@seekerala.com