Full Day Backwater Village Punting Boat Cruise
Description
Step into a serene and picturesque world on our punting boat day trip through Kerala's backwaters. You'll glide along calm waterways, visiting charming villages where you can witness local women expertly crafting things from coconut leaves. These villages offer a glimpse into the unhurried and simple life of Kerala's people. As you soak in the breathtaking natural beauty, you'll encounter a variety of birds and lush greenery. You'll also have the chance to see how coconut husks are turned into useful ropes and mats, a skill that has been passed down for generations. This journey is an opportunity to connect with the heart and soul of Kerala's backwaters, appreciating its rich culture and traditions, while enjoying the beauty of nature and the warmth of its people. It's a day filled with unique experiences you won't want to miss! ( Please note : This is a group tour not a private tour)
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting Point and Tour Introduction: Please assemble at Wilson Tours at 8:30 am. We will provide a brief overview of the tour.
Departure to Vaikom: At 8:30 am, embark on a one-hour drive in an air-conditioned car to the backwater village known as Vaikom. Backwater Village Experience: Upon reaching the village, enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour cruise on a non-motorized punting houseboat. Indulge in a delicious vegetarian lunch served in the village on banana leaves. An English-speaking guide will elaborate on village activities, showcasing rope making from coconut fiber, mat weaving, and various spice plants. Canoe Boat Ride and Tea Session: Post-lunch, experience a one-hour canoe boat ride. Relax and enjoy a tea session during the boat ride. Return to Cochin: After the activities, we will drive back to Cochin. Tour Conclusion: The tour concludes at 2:30 pm in Cochin.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(452)
Amazing experience - the guide was very knowledgable. They went forward with the tour despite the fact we were the only ones in the group. 100% would recommend to anyone who wants to get a taste of the Kerala backwaters!
Hi Rajvir. Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for recommending our Backwater Village Punting Boat Cruise. We are delighted to hear that you had such an amazing experience and enjoyed learning about the Kerala backwaters from our guide Meera. We always do our best to provide a memorable and personal experience for our guests, so it was our pleasure to operate the tour even though you were the only guests that day. Your appreciation means a great deal to our team. Thank you once again for choosing Wilson Tours. We hope to welcome you back to Kerala in the future for another authentic village and backwater experience. With warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
Great experience with an amazing host! Viakom was such an offbeat location to do the backwater trip, it was like we had the entire place to ourselves. The house boat was super comfortable and the canoe ride was peaceful. The best part was getting to learn the rope making using coconut husk and the thatched roof with the leaves. A truly local experience. Meera have us so much information and was an absolutely wonderful guide. She also was so sweet to surprise my partner with a birthday cake as we were celebrating. You must experience this tour with Wilson tours.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review. We are delighted to know that you enjoyed the peaceful backwaters of Vaikom and appreciated its off-the-beaten-path charm. One of our goals is to offer our guests an authentic Kerala village experience away from the busy tourist crowds, and we're so pleased that this made your day special. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the comfortable punting houseboat, the serene canoe ride, and the traditional village demonstrations of coir rope making and thatched roof weaving. These experiences help preserve and share Kerala's rich cultural heritage. A special thank you for your kind words about Meera. She will be happy to know that her knowledge, hospitality, and the birthday surprise made your celebration even more memorable. Thank you once again for choosing Wilson Tours and for highly recommending us. We hope to welcome both of you back to Kerala for another unforgettable adventure in the future. Warm regards, Stanley Wilson and Team
The tour was great. I really liked the backwaters and navigating through the narrow canals with boats. I also liked the vegetarian lunch that was provided. However, I was a little surprised by the length of the tour. In the description, it says it lasts from 8:30 to 4:30, but we were back in Cochin on 2:30. Description should be updated not to confuse travelers, in case they want to make other arrangements for the day.
Hi Stanislaw. Thank you very much for your kind review and for sharing your experience with us. We are delighted to know that you enjoyed the peaceful backwaters, the journey through the narrow canals, and the traditional vegetarian lunch. Thank you also for pointing out the tour duration. Our backwater village punting tour typically lasts around 6 hours. Depending on the number of guests and the traffic the overall duration may be a little longer somedays. We appreciate your feedback regarding the timing mentioned in the description. We will review and update it to provide clearer information so that future travelers can plan the rest of their day accordingly. Thank you once again for choosing us. We hope to welcome you back to Kerala for another memorable experience. Warm regards, Stanley Wilson and Team
Our backwater experience in Kerala was truly unforgettable and offered an authentic glimpse into the local culture and way of life. A special mention to our guide, Ms. Mira, whose warmth, knowledge, and excellent storytelling made the journey even more enriching. She ensured that we felt comfortable throughout and shared fascinating insights about the region. The village activities were a highlight of the trip. Watching Omna Amma demonstrate traditional rope-making and thatch-making was both educational and inspiring. Her skill, dedication, and passion for preserving these age-old crafts left a lasting impression on us. The boatmen were courteous, skilled, and ensured a smooth and enjoyable ride through the serene backwaters. Their hospitality added greatly to the overall experience. The traditional Kerala food served during the visit was delicious, fresh, and full of authentic flavors. It was a wonderful opportunity to savor the local cuisine. We would also like to appreciate our driver for his professionalism, punctuality, and safe driving. His friendly nature and willingness to assist made our travel comfortable and stress-free. A huge thanks to Wilson tours. Overall, this was a beautifully organized experience that combined nature, culture, tradition, and hospitality. We highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Kerala backwater adventure. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hi Anushree Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your back water experience with us. We are truly delighted to know that the journey provided you with an authentic glimpse in to Kerala's culture, tradition, and village life. Your kind words about Meera means a lot to us. Her passion for sharing local stories and heritage is something our guests greatly appreciate, and we will be sure to pass on your compliments to her. It's wonderful to hear that meeting Omna Amma and witnessing traditional crafts such as rope - making and thatch - making became a memorable part of your visit. preserving and showcasing traditions is one of the most meaningful aspects of our tour. Thank you for choosing Wilson Tours and for supporting local communities and traditions. It was our pleasure to host you, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in the future. Thank you Stanley Wilson and Team
They were fantastic, especially Meera, our guide. Would happily book again, highly recommended.
Hi Boglarkas.Thanking you for the wonderful review about us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience in the backwater with our guide Meera. Thanking you once again for the review and also for choosing our service. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting again in the future. Warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
We all loved this trip. Exploring narrow backwaters full of birdlife on a smaller boat with an wobderful guide. We stopped to view local craft activities- making rope from coconut fibre and weaving coconut fronts. Then onto a bigger boat to view villagelife watersnakes, and more birds. Very informative, but also very relaxing. Would highly recommend this tour!
Hi Ursula. Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed and heartfelt review of your back water experience with us. We are truly delighted to know that the journey provided you with an authentic glimpse in to Kerala's culture, tradition, and village life. Your kind words about Meera means a lot to us. Her passion for sharing local stories and heritage is something our guests greatly appreciate, and we will be sure to pass on your compliments to her. It's wonderful to hear that meeting Omna Amma and witnessing traditional crafts such as rope - making and thatch - making became a memorable part of your visit. preserving and showcasing traditions is one of the most meaningful aspects of our tour. Thank you for choosing Wilson Tours and for supporting local communities and traditions. It was our pleasure to host you, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in the future. Thank you Stanley Wilson and Team
It was a really unforgettable experience. Gowri is an amazing guide, I wish her all the best! Very well planned and organised by her and the team. Had two separate boat rides, one on a smaller open canoe (which I prefer) which led to smaller waterways, and a bigger houseboat down the main stream. Beautiful!! Not a single other boat in sight, way better than anything at alleppey, this really feels like a hidden gem
Hi Ardele. Thanking you for the wonderful review about us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience in the backwater with our guide Gowri. Thanking you once again for the review and also for choosing our service. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting again in the future. Warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
An enriching experience with a guide who explained everything to us was an unforgettable experience Thanks Meera excelent work
Hi Christian .Thanking you for the wonderful review about us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience in the backwater with our guide Meera and our driver Shajahan .Thanking you once again for the review and also for choosing our service. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting again in the future. Warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
Very nice experience; Meera was a super helpful and kind guide. We first took an excursion on an open boat to visit the smaller canals, after which we navigated on a larger covered boat in a bigger canal.
Hi Simon .Thanking you for the wonderful review about us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience in the backwater with our guide Meera. Thanking you once again for the review and also for choosing our service. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting again in the future. Warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
I absolutely loved it. A traditional way to enjoy backwaters, and that’s the way it should be. It is enjoyable and supports the community; it should be. The Guide Meera is very pleasant. The trip was timely and well organised.
Hi Sarika .Thanking you for the wonderful review about us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience in the backwater with our guide Meera. Thanking you once again for the review and also for choosing our service. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting again in the future. Warm regards Stanley Wilson and Team
