Has anyone done a houseboat trip in Kerala
 

Has anyone done a houseboat trip in Kerala

I've been to Northern India and just loved it. But this sounds like it would be a very different sort of experience. Has anyone tried it and can they give adice? Thank you very much

I enjoyed it very much, but I did it in 2001. I understand that it is MUCH more crowded on the water these days. Also, our boat did not have AC, which wasn't a problem during the day, but was at night, when all the boats have to moor.

I usually get bored on boats, but I wasn't bored on our two day trip. There was often something to watch, and it provided some welcome down time, gliding along, after a hectic trip. I'd recommend doing it at the beginning of a trip, to recover from jetlag, or at the end, to recover from India, lol.

You can also do it as a day trip without the overnight stay

I did one in early 2012 and the experience was worth a short while. You'd have to cope up with some inconveniences though. Check the Day 4 and 5 of my trip report which was spent on a houseboat.

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...p-jan-2012.cfm

I did a houseboat trip in 2012 and loved it. If I go back will do another one. Was arranged by Marvel Tours in India and they are good. You can check my trip report from my name. There are different levels of boats so if you want to verify if you require AC, # of bedrooms, level of luxury etc. I think a 2 day and overnight is standard but you can do for longer - I found 2 days was fine. It is very relaxing just to sit and watch as you slowly cruise along in the calm inland waterways.
Probably you would include some time touring in Kerala which is very rewarding and beautiful from Cochin to the Western Ghats with the tea and spice plantations - some nice beaches on the coast too.
Bon Voyage