Luxury Kerala Backwaters Tours made for you
Start PlanningLush green waterways and relaxing river life
With the Western Ghats towering to the east and the Arabian Sea flowing out from the west, Kerala is one of India‘s most verdant and beautiful states. Crisscrossing this green lung are the backwaters that snake their way through towns and villages. Teeming with aquatic life and providing an invaluable resource to all who sit on their banks, these waterways have helped create an impossibly lush pocket of India.
The backwaters are a network of interconnecting canals, rivers, lakes and inlets that weave their way through sprawling plantations and paddy fields. With around 900km of accessible water, one of the best ways to explore the area is by boat, navigating your way through the emerald labyrinth past water lilies and coconut groves that lean over the banks as if to take in a long, refreshing drink.
The wider canals and lakes are used by local ferries and larger boats, but there are plenty of narrower tributaries to explore. Gliding along the waterways you’ll pass villages where life revolves around coir making and prawn farming as well as larger towns such as Alleppey, historically one of the most important trading ports along the Malabar Coast.
Kerala’s history is closely linked to trade and commerce with Greek, Roman and Arab merchants coming to deal in cardamon, pepper and ginger. An abundance of spices, fresh fish and coconut means Kerala produces some of the best food in India. There are few places more relaxing as you watch the sun rise and set over the tranquil waters, calm but for the occasional ripple as a boat edges its nose through the water.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
Visiting the Keralan Backwaters is like stepping into a peaceful dream—imagine gliding through tranquil waters, surrounded by lush greenery and charming villages. Whether you're on a traditional houseboat or exploring by canoe, the calm and beauty of these waterways make it the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in the Kerala Backwaters
There are many incredible places to stay in the Kerala Backwaters. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
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Where else to visit in India
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Amritsar
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Bandhavgarh
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Bangalore
Bangalore, otherwise known as Bengaluru, is a cosmopolitan city that boasts lovely green spaces and striking Victorian-era architecture and is a great place for dining, nights out and shopping.
Chandigarh
Chandigarh is the capital of both of Haryana and Punjab states, located on their borders yet technically within neither, in the green foothills of the Sivalik mountain range.
Delhi
India’s capital captures the past, lives in the present and looks to the future in a way that few other cities do. Perhaps daunting at first sight, a little exploring soon reveals a rich, diverse and fascinating culture.
Fort Cochin
Nestled on the northwest tip of Cochin’s peninsula, Fort Cochin is a quaint coastal region with strong links to its colonial history.
Gir Forest National Park
Gir National Park is a vitally important protected forest that is home to the last remaining wild population of the Asiatic lion in the world, as well as prolific birdlife and other animals.
Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan and its largest city, Jaipur is at once the state’s commercial hub and one of its most fascinating cultural destinations. The pace of life here is fast, but take your time and in this somewhat frantic city you’ll find some of India’s most majestic palaces and atmospheric relics.
Jodhpur
Rajasthan’s second largest city, historic Jodhpur may just be its most photogenic. Labyrinthine streets, bustling spice bazaars and flitting multihued saris make for an overwhelmingly vibrant sight at every turn.
Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. Right in the heart of central India, this sprawling protected is regarded as one of the best parks in the country for its safari.
Khajuraho
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Ladakh
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Marari Beach
Marari – short for Mararikulum – is a serene palm-fringed beach village in the Alleppey district of Kerela, easily reached from Cochin and close to Vembanad Lake and the Keralan backwaters.
Mumbai
The capital of Maharashtra and India’s economic powerhouse, Mumbai is a huge metropolis home to over 22 million people. A melting pot of cultures, the affectionately named City of Dreams envelops all who come in a cloud of colour and sound, its energy undeniably contagious.
Munnar
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Panna National Park
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Rishikesh
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Rural Rajasthan
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Shimla
The pedestrianised centre is wonderful to explore on foot, despite the topography, and there are a charming collection of bustling bazaars to be found off the winding main street, the Mall, which follows the spine of the ridge.
The Kumaon Region
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Udaipur
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Varanasi
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When to visit
December through February is the best time to visit Kerala, a verdant and vibrant state in southern India. Hop in a boat to glide through the intricate canals and rivers that make up the Kerala Backwaters during the cooler and drier winter months – or brave the summer monsoons to witness the Onam harvest festival in August or September.
Onam Harvest Festival
August–September
Religious festivals
March–October and November
Cooler drier months
December–February
India travel guides
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