Great experience with a very knowledgable guide- incredibly friendly people - nothing was too much trouble - well worth it.

Prompt pick up from meeting point by cab took us to the boat about an hours journey. There we were met by the lovely Arithy who was our guide for the trip. We boarded the boat and were able to take the prime seats as we were the only guests. The boat was then punted down the river and canals expertly by the two pole handlers. It was such a wonderful peaceful experience and gave us a chance to relax after the hustle and bustle of the past week. We saw lots of birds including the beautiful bee eaters. We stopped at a small village where we were treated to lessons on palm leaf weaving and rope making. This was very interesting and we were able to purchase a bag of nutmegs and some hand made potato crisps. We then punted back and had amazing lunch served on a banana leaf. Time then to head back by cab to our starting point. We had a marvelous day and would definitely recommend this experience.

We were picked up from the cruise port by Santhosh who expertly drove us to Aleppey. Upon arrival we met Dinesh who was our guide for the day. We loved having the private houseboat for our party of 4. It was a beautiful time gliding along the river seeing how people live and make a living. We learned about the customs of this area and what life is like for the farmers and fishermen. Dinesh shared so much for us - even pointing out his home when we went by. He was an incredible guide. On board we were served a traditional lunch and then taken back to Cochin at the end. A superb day in the countryside. Such a different side to see from the busyness of the city.

This was the perfect introduction to the Kerala backwaters and great for us as we were short on time in Kochi. It was so relaxing and worth a visit to see the beautiful backwaters.

Our ship was late to port then immigration took ages. They waited for us Jude was an excellent guide, lots of information. Bus and rickshaw rides gave a true Kerala feel.

Fantastic. Shared car to the boat although you can book a separate car but it's costs more. Beautiful, and the lady was so helpful and had lots of knowledge. I went solo and felt very comfortable. The lunch was served on a banana leaf, and it was so tasty I highly recommend this experience.

Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was so professional, insightful, and knowledgeable. We learned so much about the geography and culture. The backwater tour was wonderful with an attentive crew. We enjoyed a lovely meal and the beautiful scenery. Although we were concerned about the distance From the port to the houseboat, the scenery made it worth the while. I highly recommend.

The backwaters of Kerala are a must see ofcourse. The serenity of nature is the biggest plus. James was good tour guide. The coir rope making and thatched roof demos were a good touch. The meal afterwards was very enjoyable.

Our guide, Jude, was very patient and informative. He went above and beyond to explain every bit of history, even those that weren’t a part of the locations itinerary. Makes me want to revisit Kochi!

Having never been in a Synagogue we found this experience fascinating from a non Jewish view. We were amazed by the interior and the associated history. It is the oldest Synagogue in India and was rebuilt in 1662 by the Dutch after a war in India

In general, we think folks can get a similar experience without an overnight trip. The food was just ok and the bathroom shower needed some fixing. Air conditioning was excellent. The service was the best part of this trip. We had a fellow named Sebastian on boat #9 who took excellent care of us. We did have the whole boat to ourselves but it’s not worth paying $200 each person for for one night. It should be said the fare includes 1 hour cab ride each way from Kochi to Allepuza and vice versa. So I would recommend looking into day trips

Planning a 6 day private tour of Kerala I needed to find a driver. Trip advisor came up trumps with Ramesh. He was delightful. Always prompt, polite and has excellent English. His driving was exemplary. He also was very knowledgeable about the area and the sights he took us to. Very easy company over the 6 days. Plus an added bonus he has an excellent singing voice and will sing traditional Indian songs, but only on request. I thoroughly recommend him for your trip. Contact Ramesh.790@rediffmail.com

Lovely peaceful boat ride and the best lunch afterwards! Great way to see the backwaters and experience the local culture.

The views were amazing. We took very many photos. We saw how people lived along the canals while enjoying a delicious lunch.

What a great experience! Floating down the river was so relaxing. We sat at the front of the boat and felt like VIPs as we watched the scenery go by while our fantastic crew attended to our every need. The meals on board were excellent. Our bedroom was cool at night. They stopped at Champakulam, a small town on the river,where we could shop for the usual tourist items. But the real attraction of that town was the St Mary's Basilica just beyond the tourist shops. Founded in the 400's, it's gorgeous inside, with painted walls and ceiling. Overall we had a wonderful time and felt like we really got to see Kerala We had one traumatic thing happen at the end of our trip. After we got off the houseboat, we had to take a water taxi to get to the dock where the cars were parked. Our luggage was on top of the taxi along with the garbage from our trip. At some point, the garbage bag flew off the taxi and into the river. We can only hope it was an accident.