Luxury Kerala Backwaters Tours made for you
Experience the verdant beauty of the Kerala Backwaters with a private tour designed just for you
Lush 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.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Kerala backwaters specialists
Cruise the backwaters by houseboat
Enjoy a houseboat cruise along the backwaters.
Cook a south Indian meal from scratch
Learn how to make mouthwatering south Indian food.
Glide past plantations and paddy fields
Navigate the waterways through sprawling plantations and paddy fields.
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.
Ellie Khoury
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:
Why book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our India example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
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Meet your Indian Subcontinent team
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Cathy Jocubeit
Senior Concierge – Asia Pacific
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Ellie Khoury
Senior Travel Designer
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Georgina Bainbridge
Travel Designer
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Gilda Tang
Client Experience Manager for Asia Pacific
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Gita Widyasari
Asia Pacific Concierge
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Jessica Wijesinghe
Senior Asia Pacific Concierge
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Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Leanne Anglo
Travel Designer
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Rachel O Leary
Senior Travel Designer
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Rahma Adiningtyas
Asia Pacific Concierge
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Rosanna Convey
Travel Designer
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Taylor Williamson
Travel Designer
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
When Is the Best Time to Visit India?
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We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.