Alleppey Houseboat Cruise: Day, Overnight or Night Stay
An Alleppey houseboat cruise can be a single afternoon or a night on the water. We book three kinds of houseboat trip, and they differ in more than length: in the meals, in how much of the backwaters you see, and in whether the boat moves at all.
This page puts the three side by side so you can pick the right backwater cruise before you pick a boat.
Side by side
Three houseboat trips
- Day cruise
- 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM · 6 hours
- Overnight stay
- 12:00 PM – 9:00 AM · 21 hours
- Night stay
- 5:30 PM – 9:00 AM · moored
- Boat
- Private on all three
- Crew
- Captain and cook on all three
- Departure
- Punnamada, Alleppey
The day cruise
Six hours on the water with no night on board. The boat leaves at 11:00 AM, crosses Punnamada and Vembanad Lake, passes the R Block and C Block paddy fields, and returns through the canals around Rani, Chithira and Marthandam to reach the jetty by 5:00 PM. It suits travellers who have a hotel booked and one day to spend on the backwaters. Details on the day cruise page.
The overnight stay
The complete houseboat cruise. You follow the same afternoon route, then moor near Kuppapuram village for the evening. Dinner is served on board, you sleep on the water, and in the morning the boat cruises back through Meenapally Kayal and Pallathuruthy, reaching Alleppey by 9:00 AM. Five meals are included. Details on the overnight stay page.
The night stay
Strictly speaking, not a cruise. You board at 5:30 PM on a boat that is already moored on the lake, have dinner at 8:00 PM, sleep on board and have breakfast at 8:00 AM before leaving at 9:00 AM. The boat does not move. It is for guests who reach Alleppey too late for the noon check-in but still want a night on the water. Details on the night stay page.
How much water each trip covers
No houseboat in Alleppey may cruise after dark. That rule shapes all three trips:
- The day cruise and the overnight stay cover the same afternoon route.
- The overnight stay adds the morning leg back to Alleppey, the quietest time on the canals.
- The night stay covers no route at all — you are paying for the setting, not the cruise.
Prices
Overnight prices by boat size are below.
Overnight cruise prices
1 Bedroom
2 guests included
- Regular season
- ₹9,000
2 Bedroom
4 guests included
- Regular season
- ₹13,000
3 Bedroom
6 guests included
- Regular season
- ₹18,000
4 Bedroom
8 guests included
- Regular season
- ₹24,000
5 Bedroom
10 guests included
- Regular season
- ₹30,000
| Houseboat | Regular season |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom2 guests included | ₹9,000 |
| 2 Bedroom4 guests included | ₹13,000 |
| 3 Bedroom6 guests included | ₹18,000 |
| 4 Bedroom8 guests included | ₹24,000 |
| 5 Bedroom10 guests included | ₹30,000 |
Starting prices for one overnight stay on a Deluxe houseboat, including 2 guests per bedroom.
Which houseboat cruise should you book?
- First time on the backwaters, and you have a night free: the overnight stay.
- One day free, hotel already booked: the day cruise.
- Arriving in the evening: the night stay.
- Only a few hours: not a houseboat — take a shikara ride instead.
For any of the three, choose between a Deluxe and a Premium boat. The difference is mainly AC hours, interiors and the menu; see Deluxe and Premium.
To book, send your date, trip and group size on WhatsApp. We hold the boat once you pay a 25% advance, and you settle the rest when you board.
FAQ
Houseboat cruise questions, answered.
Does the houseboat cruise at night?
No. Night cruising is not allowed in Alleppey. Boats moor for the night and cruise again in the morning.
Which cruise sees the most of the backwaters?
The overnight stay. It covers the afternoon route and the morning route back.
Is the night stay a cruise?
No. The boat stays moored on the lake from 5:30 PM until you leave at 9:00 AM.
Are all houseboat cruises private?
Yes, each trip is on a private boat with its own captain and cook.
Not sure which cruise fits?
Tell us your arrival time and plans on WhatsApp and we will suggest the right trip. 25% advance to book.