Blissful Boating in Kerala

Q: We would love to take a cruise through the waterways of Kerala on a traditional rice barge. How do we arrange this and what are the best options? - Tracy Lee Dannion

A: The houseboat industry in Kerala is based in Alleppey. From a distance, it would be very difficult to make all the arrangements yourself, so your best bet is to engage a tour operator to do it for you. They will do all the planning, meet you at the airport, transfer you to a hotel or directly to your barge and take care of all the arrangements. Companies you could try include Alleppey Tour Company (tel: +91-474-223-2040, kayaloram@satyam.net.in), Kerala Tour Company (tel: +91-474-225-4275, ktcalleppey@rediffmail.com), and Bon Voyage (tel: +91-474-226-1079, bonvoyage@sancharnet.in). If you are travelling from Mumbai, the easiest way to get to Alleppey is by air. Allepey does not have its own airport, but Kochi Airport is only 80kms away. This is a small hassle-free airport and you will soon be on your way. Two or three nights on a traditional barge (also known as kettuvallom) is a unique experience, giving you the opportunity to experience life on the backwaters at a top speed of 15kms per hour. Although more than 1,000 houseboats tour the intricate network of 44 rivers, with 900kms of navigable waterways, it won't feel too crowded. Prices vary considerably, depending on the vessel. Most of the houseboats are solar-powered, have one or two bedrooms, a lounge, a sundeck and a crew of three to take care of you. A two-night cruise can cost from as little as 200 US dollars, while luxury cruises with a full range of services and accommodation can cost considerably more. Inevitably, you get what you pay for. If you prefer a bigger boat with other passengers on board, your best bet is probably the luxurious Oberoi Motor Vessel Vrinda with a capacity of 6 passengers. Operated by the Oberoi hotel group, a four-day cruise is likely to cost around 2,000 US dollars per person (www.oberoihotels.com). (10/7/11)