
Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 66 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi worth booking?
Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi is a 7-hour experience in Kochi, India, from $139 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 66 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (66)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $139 per person
Kerala is an ultimate tourist destination for those who have a fascination for the emerald backwaters. It is situated in the backdrop of the largest lake of kerala.
What you get
About this experience
Kerala is an ultimate tourist destination for those who have a fascination for the emerald backwaters. It is situated in the backdrop of the largest lake of kerala.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- You will be served Welcome drink, which would be a tender Coconut water / Soft drinks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Kochi (Cochin)
Our driver will pick you from Cochin Airport / City Hotel or Kochi port.
Pass by without stopping
Kerala Backwaters
Then you will head towards the watery heaven, Alleppey/Kumarakom. Travelling in these Kerala Kettuvallom is not just a matter of majestic window views but it is an enchanting experience in itself. The cool and pleasant breeze, the sound of water, seasonal rails and the occasional migratory birds make this boating as a lifelong experience for you. Experience ‘God’s Own Country’ while meandering narrow backwater pathways , villages and markets along the Alleppey/Kumarakom backwaters.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Alleppey Backwaters
Your backwater tour is covering Alleppey Backwaters
Pass by without stopping
Alappuzha
Later our driver will drop you at Hotel at Kochi or Cochin Airport .
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kochi
We offer the Pick up from Kochi Airport / Ernakulam Railway Station and City or Airport Hotel in Kochi.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
We offer the Pick up from Kochi Airport / Ernakulam Railway Station and City or Airport Hotel in Kochi.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ar, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Saffron Leisure Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Total Tour Duration of 7 to 8 Hours is including two side transfers from Cochin
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 66 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
66 verified traveler reviews for Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Thoroughly enjoyable houseboat trip!
Fantastic experience and excellent value for money!
via Tripadvisor
Unreliable and not worth the money
Viator gave us no contact number for the company so when they did not turn up at 09.00 we had to message Viator who told us to contact the supplier. At about 09.30 we were contacted by the supplier and told they would pick us up at 10.00 they eventually turned up at 10.15. So we lost 45 min on the boat. The boat trip was very relaxing and the food was good but it was only a tour around the lake and did not really go into the canals. So for the price I don't think it is worth doing
via Viator
Accommodating
Although we were unable to take the tour, they were very understanding given our situation. I would consider using them in future.
via Tripadvisor
DO NOT BOOK
DO NOT BOOK this company is a scam. It looks nothing like the pictures people are posting, I think they must be getting paid by the company. We paid $400 for a house boat tour that was worth $30. The lunches and boats are nothing like the photos. We also had no communication prior to the tour to confirm pickup. The driver was then 1.5hrs late and the taxi was almost 2 hours when it was stated to be 1. Almost 4 hours of a 7 hour tour in the car! The driver was sick or drunk and kept swerving over the road. The tour guides didn’t speak English. We finished the tour early. They then refused to refund us.
via Tripadvisor
Do not book!
I’m actually not sure how this tour is rated so highly, I think it must be a scam. The travel time to the houseboat was almost two hours not one, so over half of this tour was spent in a taxi. On top of this, our driver was almost an hour late, with no contact. The driver was either sick, tired or intoxicated and kept swerving around the road. We had to ask him to pull over to confirm he was okay. There was no welcome drink/coconut/tea as advertised. We were starving, and when lunch finally did come, it was so poor we could barely eat it. I think there was microwave rice. There was also no communication prior to the tour to confirm pickup, even when the driver didn’t show up on time. I tried to contact the tour operator before the tour as we were staying south of kochi and request a pickup from our accommodation which was on the way, but I didn’t hear back. We then travelled to kochi to be picked up even though we went back past the accommodation on the way to the houseboat. And to think we paid $440 for this! Absolutely ridiculous. I thought maybe the price was due to the cost of transfer in the taxi, however we could have got an uber there and back for around $30. The rest of this trip is not worth $410. This tour is NOT worth the money we spent. Do not book.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $139 to $381
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kochi.
How much does Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi cost?
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Prices start at $139 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 Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 66 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kochi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi?
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Around 23 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Cruise with Lunch from Kochi 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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