
Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch worth booking?
Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch is a 6-hour experience in Kochi, India, from $275 per person. It scores 38 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 38 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (1)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $275 per person
Private, backwaters houseboat and shikara cruise with lunch includes return transfers in private, air-conditioned vehicle from Kochi, Alleppey, or Kumarakom. Depending upon the pick-up location, the total duration of the
What you get
About this experience
Private, backwaters houseboat and shikara cruise with lunch includes return transfers in private, air-conditioned vehicle from Kochi, Alleppey, or Kumarakom. Depending upon the pick-up location, the total duration of the tour will vary between 6 and 8 hours, with the cruise duration being approximately 4 hours in the houseboat and 1 hour in a shikara.
What's included
Included
- Cruise on a Shikara
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Lunch
- Return transfers from Kochi, Alleppey or Kumarakom
- Cruise on a private houseboat
Not included
- Gratuities
- Guide
What you'll see and do
Alleppey Backwaters
Commence your tour with a morning with pickup from your hotel for the drive to Alleppy, where you'll board your houseboat. Enjoy a welcome drink as the 4-hour cruise begins along Punnamada Lake, home to Nehru trophy boat race. Admire the breathtaking views of the lake, and observe the glimpse of village life as you travel past the banks. The boat stops for a lavish lunch of traditional Kerala cuisine. Thereafter transfer to a shikara to navigate the narrow waterways and shallow channels. Shikara is a traditional motorized canoe with its roof covered. However, all the sides are open and there are cushioned seats to sit on. It is just a miniature form of houseboat. Make your way past rural fishing villages and lush jungle landscapes. Then continue cruising, passing by rice paddies, palm-lined canals, and churches. In the late afternoon, enjoy coffee or tea with Kerala-style snacks before your cruise ends in the early evening. Disembark between 3pm and 5pm, and your private driver will drive you from Alleppey back to your hotel in Kochi, Alleppey or Kumarakom.
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Shikara
Private backwaters cruise in Shikara. Includes return transfers in private AC vehicle from Kochi or Alleppey or Kumarakom. Pickup included
Houseboat & Shikara
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Delhi Airport Service
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Kochi is the new name for Cochin; Alappuzha is the new name for Alleppey
- Please note that neither the houseboat nor the smaller shikara have any air-conditioning, although there is generally a breeze blowing while cruising
Photos




Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice and relaxed dat
We had a perfect day, everything was nicely arranged. Pick up from our hotel was on time, driver was supernice and helpful. Our first boat was the houseboat, all for ourselves nice and realxing. We had lunch on the boat, freshly cooked by the chef. Our second boat was a smaller boat, but we would have liked it to be even smaller to go into the backwaters somemore. The second trip was very short and more of the same from what we had seen on te first boat. Not bad, but that could be better. Drive back to the hotel was perfect again, driver stopped for some photo moments as per request. All in all a wonderful day and worth the money!
Response from the operator: Hi Vanessa, Thank you so much for taking the time to post this review and giving us your valuable feedback.We are glad that you're happy with the services.We would love to make your experience even more amazing next time you plan to visit us again. Cheers! Team Delhi Airport Service Pvt. Ltd. Cheers! Team Delhi Airport Service Pvt. Ltd.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $275 to $314
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 38
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kochi.
How much does Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $275 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kochi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kochi is not rushed.
Is Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 38 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Kochi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kochi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kochi and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Backwater Cruise on a Houseboat and Shikara including Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kochi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kochi?
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On Outty we rank every Kochi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Local Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour, Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour, Kochi Sightseeing Tuk-Tuk Tour with Pickup From Cruise Ships. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kochi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kochi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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