There are numerous tourist destinations in India, but some of them are more popular than others among tourists. One such popular tourist destination is situated in Kerala also popularly known as “God’s own country.” The place which we are talking about is Alleppey.
This place is also popularly known as “Venice of the East”.
Alleppey is one of the most calming as well as soothing tourist locations in India and the beautiful natural locations, as well as the soothing environment, are a sight to witness.
Various kinds of tourists, including couples on honeymoons, photographers, anniversary planners, adventure enthusiasts and many more visit Alleppey to witness its magnificent beauty.
Of course one thing that people are always concerned about when going on vacation is where to stay and if it’s safe. Thankfully the houseboats in Alleppey fulfill both of those requirements.
In general houseboats in Alleppey are totally safe to stay on but as with any city there are some places that are safer than others. If you need to know if a houseboat is in a safe area that is something to ask the locals or even local renting agencies.
One of the key tourist attractions in Alleppey is houseboats so of course people will want to make sure that they are safe for tourists. A ride in a houseboat on the magical backwaters of Alleppey is one of the experiences which is cherished by many people for a lifetime.
There are multiple things during the houseboat journey which attracts the attention of people such as the scenic sunset, the amazing food, the fresh air, etc. There is greenery all around along with beautiful villages as well as thriving birdlife and you will get to see all of it from the deck of your houseboat. There will be hundreds of houseboats in the backwaters which makes the environment very welcoming as well.
The very first thing that you need to know before booking a houseboat is the various categories of houseboats. There are four main categories of houseboats that you can book in Alleppey and the houseboats of Alleppey are rated by the government of Kerala.
The ratings that the government gives are platinum, green, gold, and silver. All the houseboats don’t rely on this rating system as some use their own rating systems. You should make sure to decide beforehand the category that you want to book.
Policies of booking and cancellation
One of the most important things that you need to keep in mind is that the houseboat that you are booking should have an easy cancellation policy if at all possible. This is because houseboats are expensive and if for some reason the trip or the vacation gets cancelled then you should make sure that you don’t lose all of your hard earned money. For this, you need to choose a houseboat with a favorable cancellation policy.
The majority of the houseboats have a policy to refund your money in full if you inform them enough in advance. If you inform them one or two days before the ride, then there’s a very low probability that you’ll get your money back.
Be sure to read and check out the policy before ever signing or agreeing to anything as you don’t want to be surprised if you end up having to cancel.
Try a spa session on the boat
The majority of the houseboats in Alleppey will make arrangements for a spa session on the boat or will make a stop at a spa center along the tour if you tell them in advance. There is a wide range of therapy as well as healing sessions offered at these spa centers. The method used by them for relieving the pain from the body is ancient Ayurveda as well as herbal.
Even if you are only able to do one session you will still feel amazing with the results you will get. Your body, as well as your mind, will feel relaxed and rejuvenated after a nice spa session.
The houseboats don’t function during the monsoons
The majority of the houseboats in Alleppey halt their operations during the monsoon season. The chief reason behind this is, that during the monsoons the backwaters get flooded because of the non-stop rains that keep happening in the region. This can be a very dangerous time in Alleppey and there is always a chance that the houseboat might flood and sink.
Many houseboats offer greatly discounted packages during the monsoons to earn some quick money but you should always stay away from any such package because there is nothing more costly than your own life. There are plenty of homes in the villages which are still operational during the monsoons so if you are in Alleppey at that time you can book those homes to still enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating time.
Don’t forget to taste the local food
One of the best parts of Alleppey’s houseboats is that it gives a peek into the local and native cuisines of Kerala. There is a wide range of meal options for people to choose from and each of these meals comes with plenty of local flavor.
Meals will often be included in the trip on a houseboat and one of the most amazing things about this is, you can take a peek into the kitchen and see how the food is being prepared.
If you want to try it you can also try your hand in cooking the local food for yourself. The time of breakfast, lunch, as well as dinner, is normally pre-decided to try and keep it as convenient for guests as possible.
The price range of the houseboats
This is probably the most important thing that you should be aware of before booking a houseboat. The price range of the houseboats starts from 5,000RS ($65) up to 50,000 RS ($665) and it can go even higher if you want to. Typically there are various other things included in the package that you purchase along with your houseboat rental. You will traditionally get a sightseeing tour of the city along with a trip to Kumarakom as well as a visit to Kottayam.
In most cases you cannot book just a single room on a houseboat in Alleppey, you’ll have to book the entire houseboat. There will normally be air conditioning on the houseboat, but the air conditioners are normally not operational during the afternoon and are functional only during the night when the boat is stationary.
Are Alleppey houseboats actually safe?
After discussing all the above points, a very obvious question that should come in your mind is that are Alleppey houseboat safe? Well, The houseboats of Alleppey are actually quite safe for families, couples as well as solo travellers who visit this location. There is typically a crew available on these houseboats to fully assist the travellers in case of any emergency.
Guests can enjoy full privacy as well as security in these houseboats and there are still various kinds of safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, etc. available on the houseboats to help you feel even safer.
So, whenever you are planning a trip to Alleppey and renting one of the houseboats you should always keep in mind the above-mentioned points. A trip to Alleppey on the houseboats will be one of the most beautiful experiences of your lifetime.
It is highly recommended.
So the next time you are looking for some rejuvenation in your life, make sure to give Alleppey and its houseboats a try.
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