It is a unique quietness that greets you when cruising on the Vembanad backwaters – no noise of vehicles and no timetable but just the gentle sound of water splashing on a wooden boat and coconut trees whizzing by your windows. It is precisely this experience that a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays offers to the discerning traveller. Headquartered in Kumarakom, Rajadhani Holidays have been transforming the routine Kerala holidays into memorable experience for more than a decade, and this article will reveal what a journey with Rajadhani Holidays is all about.
If you plan to visit Kerala and are thinking whether it will be worth your while to arrange a holiday on a luxury houseboat, the simple answer is – it definitely is but only with the operator who regards hospitality as an art rather than a duty. That is where a genuine Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays differs.
Why Choose a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays?
With a Luxury Houseboat Holiday with Rajadhani Holidays, you will get a luxury experience with a houseboat, a fully-managed team and home-cooked meal with your very own itinerary that is no less comfortable than the best boutique hotel without the four walls of course.
Following are some of its unique features:
- Classical Kettuvallam with Modern Comfort: All the boats are made of the traditional Kerala rice barge in the use of bamboo, coir, and areca woods while possessing the steel bottom along with attached bathrooms and comfortably furnished interior under the classical roofline.
- Three member crew: The houseboats have its own team that includes a chef, a driver and cabin attendant who will take care of the trip all by himself.
- Over 10 years of backwater experience: The tour company operates in Allepey and Kumarakom for long enough time period to understand where are the calmest channels at sunset and which villages to go through slowly.
- Flexible Fleet: From a single bedroom boat for a honeymoon couples to a 5 bedrooms boat for larger families, you have plenty of options.
The perfect blend of luxury, authenticity, and comfort, indeed, is why people are looking for houseboats of Kerala, and why Rajadhani Holidays becomes the most reliable choice of tourists in Kumarakom.
What Makes Kumarakom the Perfect Backwater Destination?
Kumarakom is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake, which is the biggest lake system in Kerala. That is the geographical feature that made Kumarakom such an obvious destination for tourists who seek to travel by houseboat. Namely, the lake is connected to the network of canals, filled with paddy fields, Chinese fishing nets, and small fishing settlements.
Compared to the crowded routes of Alleppey town, Kumarakom is characterized by wider spaces and larger amount of bird population, including Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary that allows observing herons, cormorants, and migratory birds. Thus, for those who want to have a quiet and picturesque place from which to start their journey, Kumarakom can be considered an ideal choice, which is why all the Rajadhani Holidays houseboats depart from there.
Types of Houseboats Available
Every person requires a different type of boat, which is why Rajadhani Holidays has a small fleet consisting of options catering to various requirements and budgets.
1 Bedroom Premium Houseboat – Rajadhani Blackberry
This houseboat is specially designed for couples, honeymooners, featuring one bedroom with an attached bathroom, music system, and a sit-out deck on which one can enjoy a cup of Kerala tea while enjoying the surroundings passing by.
3 Bedroom Premium Houseboat – Rajadhani Neelkamal
Suitable for small families and couples, featuring separate bathrooms in each room and a common living and dining area where guests can dine and talk in the evenings at their sundeck.
3 Bedroom Luxury Houseboat – Rajadhani
The best option from the houseboats fleet, which has been equipped with luxury interiors and finishes – giving guests the feel of luxury in the form of a five-star cabin. This is normally the boat that people refer to when asking for a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays.
Large groups will also be catered to with boats having four and five bedrooms.
What Does a Day Aboard Actually Look Like?
Surprisingly few people realize that the days on the boat are quite slow-paced. This is what a usual day looks like on a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays:
- 12:00 PM Check-in and welcome drink when the crew sets the boat sail.
- Late lunch on the houseboat, featuring rice, fish curry, and vegetables cooked with fresh produce.
- Afternoon sailing in smaller channels and paddy fields where the boat goes very slowly, idling the engine.
- Tea and some snacks, especially during a wonderful sunset on the lake.
- Overnight anchoring in a remote place away from the main channel (for two-day trips).
- Breakfast and check-out around 9:00 AM.
Food plays an important role in this vacation. The food on board is prepared by the chef using authentic Kerala recipes such as karimeen (pearl spot fish) curry, prawns fry, and tapioca and fish curry using fresh vegetables and spices bought locally.
What’s Included in a Rajadhani Holidays Houseboat Package?
A typical package on a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays will include:
Stay at the designated houseboat
- All meals – welcome drink, lunch, snacks in the evening and dinner/breakfast in case of overnight cruise
- Complete backwater cruise with basic sightseeing
- Qualified team – chef, driver, and cabin attendant
- Use of the facilities available on board – sitting out deck, sound system, and lounge area
Additional services such as kayaking, stand up paddling, speed boat ride, and bumper rides can generally be arranged for those who prefer a little more action while cruising.
Comparison: 1-Day vs 2-Day Houseboat Cruise
The choice of the duration of your Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays basically depends on how private and relaxed you want to be.
| Feature | 1-Day Cruise | 2-Day / 1-Night Cruise |
| Meals included | Welcome drink, lunch, evening snacks | Adds dinner and breakfast |
| Overnight stay | No | Yes, anchored on the backwaters |
| Privacy | Moderate | High |
| Best for | Day-trippers, tight itineraries | Couples, families wanting a relaxed pace |
| Sightseeing coverage | Limited to daytime route | Extended, including sunset and sunrise views |
If your schedule permits, then definitely you should go for the two-day experience because it is the package that allows more time for leisure through candlelit dinner and relaxed morning.
Best Time to Plan Your Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays
The backwaters of Kerala can be cruised throughout the year, although the seasons have their impact:
- November to February: Cool and dry climate along with ideal cruising conditions – the busy period; booking 5–7 days in advance is recommended.
- March to May: Warmer weather, fewer people, and even better prices.
- June to September: Monsoon period, picturesque green scenery, and reduced prices, however the cruise route might be changed depending on water level.
- October: Transitional period with pleasant climate after monsoon period.
For those who make their first visit to Kerala, then the period from November to February will be the most comfortable one to make a Luxury Houseboat Experience with Rajadhani Holidays.
How to Book Your Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays
It is always easier to book directly from the operator, compared to booking via an aggregating website. The typical booking procedure with Rajadhani Holidays will include the following steps:
- Providing travel dates, group size, and type of the houseboat you wish to rent (through WhatsApp, phone, or filling in the quotation form on the company website).
- Receiving a suggestion on which package suits your group best, along with its cost.
- Confirming the booking by paying a deposit, as the procedure becomes very crucial during the peak season.
- Arriving at the jetty at Kumarakom for check-in and departure.
In case you are still deciding which option to choose, you can contact the company directly to ask for a quotation.
Conclusion
Backwater Cruising in Kerala is one of those things which can look great through a camera lens but are best enjoyed firsthand – from its pace to its cuisine, and the sounds of wood meeting water at night. When you put together the years of experience that go into planning a Luxury Houseboat Journey with Rajadhani Holidays, a selection of boats for varying group sizes, and the laid-back service which cannot be provided in a hotel, you get a cruise experience you will never forget.
From booking a day’s cruise or a whole night on the backwaters of Kumarakom, all you need is to board and enjoy the pace of the boat and the rest will be taken care of. If you are already ready to book one, then please contact Rajadhani Holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a Luxury Houseboat Tour by Rajadhani Holidays entail?
A typical package includes accommodation in the houseboat you choose, along with a welcome drink, lunch, evening tea, and dinner/breakfast for overnight tours, cruise in backwaters, basic sightseeing, and a team of chef, driver, and cabin assistant.
2. How many people can go in a single houseboat?
The number of persons who can accompany you will depend upon the type of houseboat. Rajadhani Holidays provides options starting from a one-bedroom houseboat for couples to bigger three, four, and five-bedroom houseboats.
3. What is better—a one day or a two day houseboat tour?
One day tour is better for those on tight schedule whereas two days, one night cruise offers more privacy, candlelight dinner and time to enjoy the sunset and sunrise in the backwaters.
4. When do guests check in/out for their houseboat trip?
Guests will check in around 12:00 noon, with the crew offering a welcome drink as the cruise begins. Check out for overnight cruises takes place around 9:00 AM the next day after the morning meal on the houseboat.
5. What type of food is offered on the houseboat?
Food will be cooked fresh on the houseboat based on local Kerala cuisine, with dishes such as rice, fish curry, karimeen curry (pearl spot), and prawn fry being some of the food options available.
6. What would be the best time to plan a houseboat trip to Kumarakom?
The period between November and February provides pleasant weather; however, it is also the busiest period. Hence, bookings should be done at least 5-7 days in advance. Travelers planning a houseboat journey during March to May and monsoon seasons (June – September) will have more time and lower costs.
