Indian River Boats & Houseboats

From the famed houseboats of India on the lakes of Kashmir to the traditional thatched ‘kettuvallam’ rice boats, which glide through the sleepy backwaters of Kerala, to the Indian river boats that journey along the Ganges, Hooghly, or Brahmaputra rivers exploring some of the country’s more remote areas, cruisers and houseboats offer an alternative accommodation experience in India.

Enjoy a family holiday on the serene lakes, canals and lagoons of Kerala on a houseboat, complete with all the amenities, and calmly drift past rice fields, temples and sleepy villages. If time is of the essence, then simply take a day-trip on one of these authentic vessels. Head north and charter a luxury houseboat with Kashmiri-style rooms, providing a truly romantic honeymoon in India while relaxing on the mirrored waters of Srinagar’s Dal Lake, surrounded by the Himalayan peaks. Relish a journey of discovery on a river boat or small cruise ship. These offer a variety of experiences and adventures, with anything from short 2-day itineraries to multi-day voyages that include city tours of Kolkata, Mumbai, or the holy city of Varanasi, as well as wildlife spotting in India’s tiger reserves.