Luxury River Cruises in India

India is amazingly becoming an epicenter for luxury travel and luxury cruises. . Luxury River Cruises in India are the most remarkable experiences for the tourists because the travelers cash the opportunity of exploring the scenic beauty and amazing geography of the country. These river cruises are spectacular in India because the country has long coastline surrounded by three water bodies which are Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. These three sides give the opportunity to experience the luxurious cruises like no other.  A river cruise in the country is the best way to cover the vast landscape with comfort and lavishing hospitality. River cruises through these natural and scenic beauty has been woven seamlessly into one extraordinary drapery.

Brahmaputra, the longest river in India, is an ideal introduction to the river cruise in the country. It is one of the most thrilling experiences for river journey. It runs through the exotica of Assam. Travelers can have the glimpse of the incredible scenic beauty i.e. wildlife safaris, village walks, tea gardens. Even the travelers have a chance to explore the countryside through the eco-friendly cycle rickshaw.   The Ganges is the beginning point of the luxury river cruises. The river originates in the western Himalayas and travelling east almost 2,500 kms drains into the Sunderbans delta in the Bay of Bengal.

South India is very much enriched with the beaches and temples. It is renowned for its Hindu art and culture. Kerala is named and famed for its warm and exotic welcome of the tourists by its languid backwaters and luxurious water cruises by their houseboats whereas, backwaters look an unappealing name to the scenic picture of the rivers. Backwaters in Kerala is one of the unique attractions of the state, a chain of canals extending about 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes. Most of the Kerala backwaters are naturally formed and some of the backwater canals are manmade.

Kerala houseboats are decorated stylishly and they are embellished with the lavish interiors and provide luxurious facilities like luxury bathrooms, digital video players in all cabins, electronic safes, air-conditioned dining room and bar, international and regional cuisine. These Kerala houseboats are also called as Kettuvallams. At earlier times, the original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices from one place to other. A standard kettuvallam can carry 30tons from kuttand to the Kochi port. Nowadays, the houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for luxurious trips and these new boats are the new and reworked version of Kettuvalams of olden times.

These houseboats are completely made of planks of jack-wood and held together by coir knots. Lastly, it is coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. These boats can last for generations if carefully maintained. Kerala houseboats have all the luxurious facilities of a good hotel including fully furnished bedrooms, western style toilets and every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & lifesavers and safety jackets are available on board, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Onboard game activities include - Chess, Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together are also used by large groups of sightseers.

Actually, the backwaters are used by the locals for regular business i.e. fishing and agriculture. Some of the major entertainments for the locals and the tourists are the snake boat races, held along the backwaters.

If you haven’t cruised in a houseboat, make sure you do. The journey along the waterways seems you are travelling in another world. This will be a wonderful experience so don’t miss it!