Always wanted to explore authentic India? Kerala houseboat holidays offer the perfect way to navigate South India’s backwater canals while taking in a traditional way of life.
Travelling in a houseboat - kettuvallam - along the Allepey gives a unique glimpse into the tranquillity and local way of life in this lush and vibrant part of the country.
To show you why a houseboat holiday could be for you, we've rounded up a few of of the perks of this authentic mode of transport, which you can experience for yourself on Good Housekeeping’s unique tour of Kerala and Karnataka.
See South India from a different angle
Taking the delightful boat tour allows you to gaze at the sublime tropical landscapes and swooning sunsets of the region, which you simply wouldn’t have access to from land.
Witness time-honoured customs
The backwaters are vital to those who inhabit them, as they provide communities with staples such as rice, fish and coconuts.
From your boat, you can see fishermen create rope from natural coconut husk fibres, learn about Keralan fishing techniques and see how coconut sap is harvested from tall palms.
Sample the local flavours
One of the best draws of a backwater cruise is the opportunity to taste traditional Keralan dishes, including fish caught straight from the water.
Fresh mussels are collected from the water bed and cooked in spices, snapper is delicately baked in traditional ovens and it’s all served up with vegetable curries and tasty side dishes. And if you fancy something to wash it down, toddy wine is a local favourite.
See the local way of living
Floating past villages and local businesses such as Ayurvedic health centres and local tour guides will teach you about life in these backwaters.
Almost 70 per cent of households in the region are involved in the tourism business, operating houseboats and organising local homestays. You’ll also pass commuters, housewives and schoolchildren on ferries crossing the Vembanad, India’s longest lake.
Travel in comfort
The houseboats in Allepey are kitted out with all the modern amenities you could need, such as hot water, air conditioning, generators, comfortable beds in multiple bedrooms and fully-stocked kitchens.
To experience something more rustic, you can take a smaller boat onto the waters at sunset for incredible views of the setting sun.
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The clever travel essentials you never knew you wanted
LAY-N-GO Cosmo make-up bag
Selfridges
£29
Lay out all of your make-up in one place and quickly pack it up again with the ultimate cosmetic bag for travellers. There’s even a pocket to store your jewellery.
Take control of the sound in your holiday environment with this USB-charged machine that masks noise which can disturb sleep or concentration through its sound options, including bright white noise, deep white noise or gentle surf.
Ideal for sleeping in dry hotel rooms, this portable dehumidifier secures over a water bottle to add moisture to the air.
Not just trendy-looking cabin luggage, this smart case uses a lithium ion battery so you can charge your phone on the go. It's a great gift for the traveller in your life, too.
...And you can keep tabs on your bag with this intelligent little tile that you pop into the luggage tag and attach to you case before tracking it with your phone. It makes for a great travel gift, too.
Inflatable, foldable and lightweight, these blow-up hangers are ideal for packing in your suitcase, as you never know if there will be enough in your hotel wardrobe.
Comfortable to wear on the plane, in the car or in your hotel room when noise stops you from sleeping, these earplugs use sound reduction filters and feature personal volume control.
If you're not staying in a fancy hotel with a Nespresso coffee machine in your room or just want to enjoy your favourite brew whenever and wherever you are on holiday, this portable espresso machine will come in handy.
Washing your clothes on holiday is now quick and easy with this portable washing machine. Just add your clothes, water and a drop of washing liquid, seal tight and rub for a few minutes on the internal, flexible washboard before rinsing.
The ultimate baggage compressor, this little device sucks up all the extra space in your luggage within minutes by easily compressing your clothes in a vacuum bag so you can buy more and pack more.
Designed by a former flight attendant who watched endless passengers struggle to sleep on flights, this travel pillow with a three-way support system helps keep your head, neck and chin completely supported while you snooze.
Keep your valuables close with this silk pouch you simply snap over your bra strap. The small pocket is great for stashing your money and credit cards.
This easy-to-use steamer is a the perfect alternative to carrying a travel iron. It's harmless to even delicate fabrics and will remove creases and unfresh odours.
Just what you need for packing light on a beach holiday, this lightweight and water-resistant blanket can be used for picnics too and features weights at each corner to stop it being blown away.
For when the in-flight pillow just won’t do, this mulberry silk pillow with a matching sleep mask was created to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability
Want to be a more organised packer? These nifty cubes help you pack your clothes neatly while providing compression so you can fit more into your case. Genius!
A great gift for the business traveller who has everything, this hard case will protect a shirt from creasing and is lightweight and compact enough to pack in a laptop bag or backpack.
