Alleppey day cruise package price
A backwater Day Cruise in Alleppey typically runs for 5 to 6 hours (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM). It gives you the full houseboat experience—including a private crew and freshly prepared lunch—without needing an overnight stay.
Alleppey Day Cruise Pricing (6 Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM)
Prices depend on the houseboat tier (Deluxe vs. Luxury) and the number of guests. Meals (Welcome Drink, Kerala Lunch, and Evening Tea/Snacks) are included.
Houseboat CategoryGroup SizeStandard Rate RangeWhat’s Included
Deluxe HouseboatUp to 2-4 Guests₹7,500 – ₹10,000Non-AC or Bedroom AC on request, Welcome drink, Lunch, Evening Tea/Snacks.
Deluxe HouseboatUp to 10 Guests₹12,000 – ₹15,000Extra meal charges apply for larger groups (~₹500–₹750/head).
Luxury / Glass HouseboatUp to 2-4 Guests₹12,000 – ₹16,00024/7 AC glass lounge, premium dining setup, luxury furnishings.
Luxury HouseboatUp to 10 Guests₹18,000 – ₹25,000Full AC glass lounge, custom multi-cuisine menu.
Note: Peak season (December to January) and calendar remarked dates, weekend days, local festival dates carry a 50% seasonal price increase.
Alternative Option: Motorboat / Shikara Day Rides
If you don’t need a full houseboat with a kitchen and bedrooms, smaller options offer better value for budget travelers or short visits:
Shikara Boat (Seating 4–10 pax): ₹800 – ₹1,200 per hour. Great for navigating ultra-narrow village canals where houseboats cannot enter.
Government Motorboat: ₹500 – ₹800 per hour for short backwater loops.
Standard Day Cruise Itinerary & Schedule
11:00 AM: Boarding at Punnamada Jetty / Finishing Point with a welcome drink. Cruise begins towards Kuttanad / C-Block backwaters.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: The boat docks for an onboard Kerala-style lunch (Karimeen fish fry, chicken curry, rice, sambar, thoran, and papad).
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Afternoon cruise through scenic inland canals, coconut groves, and paddy fields.
4:30 PM: Evening tea, coffee, and hot Kerala snacks (banana fritters or pakodas) served on deck.
5:00 PM: Cruise ends; return to the boarding jetty for disembarkation.
Day Cruise FAQs
Q: Are bedrooms accessible during a day cruise?
Yes. Standard day cruises include private bedrooms and attached washrooms for changing or resting during the trip.
Q: Is air conditioning available during the day cruise?
On Deluxe boats, the AC runs primarily in the bedroom if requested (a small AC surcharge may apply if continuous generator use is required). On Luxury/Premium boats, 24/7 AC is included throughout the bedrooms and the main glass salon.
Q: Can dietary preferences (Vegetarian/Jain/Halal) be accommodated for lunch?
Yes. Since the chef cooks fresh on board, specific meal preferences or pure vegetarian menus can be prepared if informed prior to check-in.
Q: Can a day cruise go through narrow canals?
Houseboats are large (60–100 ft) and can only navigate main backwater rivers and lakes (like Vembanad Lake and C-Block). To explore narrow interior village canals, a Shikara boat is the better choice.
Compare a 6-hour Houseboat Day Cruise vs a 3-hour Shikara Ride in Alleppey – pros, cons, and cost?
A 6-hour Houseboat Day Cruise and a 3-hour Shikara Ride offer completely different ways to experience the backwaters.
While a houseboat acts as a floating private resort designed for relaxation and dining, a shikara is a smaller, nimbler craft built to navigate narrow, shallow village canals.
Comparison Summary
Feature6-Hour Houseboat Day Cruise3-Hour Shikara Ride
Average Cost₹7,500 – ₹16,000+ (flat rate for boat + meals)₹1,800 – ₹3,600 (priced per hour, ~₹600–₹1,200/hr)
DurationTypically 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (6 Hours)Flexible (2–4 hours; 3 hours is most popular)
Route AccessWide lakes (Vembanad) & major rivers onlyNarrow village canals, inner waterways, and lakes
Food & DrinksIncluded: Welcome drink, full Kerala lunch, evening tea/snacksNot included (can stop at riverside restaurants/toddy shops)
AmenitiesBedrooms, private washrooms, dining deck, optional AC loungeCushioned seating with a bamboo canopy roof
Best ForFamilies, large groups, celebrations, and slow luxuryCouples, budget travelers, photographers, and quick visits
6-Hour Houseboat Day Cruise
Pros
Full Onboard Hospitality: Includes a dedicated crew (captain, engine driver, and chef) who cook a fresh Kerala-style lunch on board.
High Level of Comfort: Access to private furnished bedrooms, clean restrooms, dining tables, and sun decks.
Great for Groups: Can comfortably seat 10 to 20+ people on a single boat, making it cost-effective when split across large families or corporate groups.
Cons
Cannot Enter Narrow Canals: Due to their large size, houseboats are restricted to main rivers and broad open lakes like Vembanad Lake.
Higher Price Point: Considerably more expensive for solo travelers or small couples.
3-Hour Shikara Ride
Pros
Deep Canal Exploration: Smaller size allows it to pass under low bridges and travel down narrow village canals, offering a close-up view of local life, duck farming, and birdlife.
Budget Friendly: Charged hourly (~₹600 to ₹1,200 per hour for the entire boat), making a 3-hour trip extremely economical.
Flexible Timing: Easily fits into tight travel schedules (e.g., sunrise or sunset rides) without committing a full day.
Cons
Fewer Amenities: No private bedrooms, attached washrooms, or onboard kitchen.
No Meals Included: You must bring your own snacks/water or ask the boatman to stop at a canal-side toddy shop or restaurant for lunch.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the Houseboat Day Cruise if: You are traveling with family or a group, want a private “floating hotel” setting to unwind for 6 hours, and want an all-inclusive lunch experience on the water.
Choose the Shikara Ride if: You are on a budget, short on time, or primarily want to take photos of village life along narrow interior backwater canals.
How can I combine a Shikara canal ride with an overnight houseboat booking in Alleppey?
Combining an overnight houseboat cruise with a Shikara ride gives you the best of both worlds: broad-water luxury on the houseboat and deep-canal exploration through narrow village waterways where large boats cannot fit.
Here are the most practical ways to structure this combination:
Option 1: Early Morning Shikara Ride before Houseboat Check-In (Recommended)
Since overnight houseboats check in at 12:00 PM (noon), scheduling a early morning Shikara ride on the day of your check-in maximizes your time without rushing.
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Take a 2 to 2.5-hour Shikara ride starting from Punnamada Jetty or Kainakary. Morning hours offer cool weather, active birdlife, and quiet narrow canals before daytime traffic starts.
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Return to shore, grab breakfast at a local café or hotel, and freshen up.
12:00 PM: Check in to your overnight houseboat at the jetty and begin your standard 21-hour cruise.
Option 2: Mid-Cruise Shikara Transfer (The “Village Detour”)
During your afternoon houseboat cruise, you can arrange a brief Shikara pick-up directly from your anchored or cruising houseboat.
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Check in to your houseboat, enjoy the main river cruise, and have onboard lunch.
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Your houseboat meets a pre-arranged Shikara at a designated canal junction (such as Kainakary or Nedumudi). You transfer to the Shikara for a 1.5-hour tour through narrow village waterways.
4:30 PM: The Shikara drops you back at your houseboat before it docks for evening anchorage at 5:30 PM.
Option 3: Morning Shikara Ride After Houseboat Check-Out
If you arrive late on Day 1, you can schedule the Shikara ride immediately following your houseboat check-out.
Day 1 (12:00 PM) to Day 2 (9:00 AM): Complete your standard overnight houseboat itinerary.
9:00 AM: Check out of the houseboat at the main jetty.
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Board a waiting Shikara at the jetty to spend 2 hours exploring the inner canals of Kuttamperoor or C-Block before heading to your next destination.
Key Tips for Arranging Both
Book the Shikara Separately or via Houseboat Operator: Many houseboat operators keep local contacts for Shikaras and can coordinate the mid-cruise transfer (Option 2) directly with the captain.
Cost Addition: Expect to pay an additional ₹1,200 – ₹2,500 total (flat hourly rate for the Shikara) on top of your standard overnight houseboat tariff.
Best Route for Shikara: Request the driver to take you through the Kainakary village canals or Chennamkary, as these offer the most authentic backwater lifestyle views.
Where are the best boarding points and locations for a Shikara ride in Alleppey?
The best boarding location for a Shikara ride in Alleppey depends on whether you prefer convenience near town or immediate access to narrow, quiet village canals.
Top Shikara Boarding Locations
Finishing Point (along Punnamada Finishing Point Road is the most accessible boarding area in town, featuring established operators such as Alleppey Shikara Boats and Shikara Boating in Alleppey Backwaters.
Convenient location near hotels and auto/taxi stands.
Great for combining a ride with a nearby houseboat check-in.
Requires 15 to 20 minutes of initial cruising through wider channels before reaching narrow interior canals.
Kainakary (Village Canal Hub)
Boarding at a village dock in Kainakary like Shikara Boat drops you straight into narrow interior canals.
Immediate entry into peaceful village routes, palm-fringed streams, and paddy fields.
Bypasses heavy motorboat and houseboat traffic around the town center.
Located about 20–25 minutes by taxi or auto-rickshaw from main Alleppey town.
Pallathuruthy out post bridge
Located along the Alappuzha–Changanassery road near Pallathuruthy kochupalam, this area serves as a primary gateway to the Kuttanad backwaters.
Quick access to both broad riverways and deep interior village shortcuts.
Excellent starting point for sunrise or early morning rides.
Ample vehicle parking space near the bridge docks.
SWTD Boat Jetty, Alappuzha
Situated near the main town canal system, this area hosts private operators like Shikara Boating Alleppey By Avni Shikara and Alleppey Shikara Boating.
Ideal for travelers arriving by public transport or staying in Mullakkal/town center.
Offers historic canal cruising right out of the town center toward the main lake.
Can be busier during peak daytime hours compared to out-of-town jetties.
Nedumudy Boat Jetty
A tranquil boarding area deeper into the Kuttanad backwater belt.
Unmatched access to pristine village waterways, traditional churches, and ancient snake-boat yards.
Minimal commercial boat traffic.
Requires a 30-minute drive from Alleppey town to reach the jetty.
Would you like help choosing the best route for a specific time of day, such as a sunrise or sunset ride?