Home › Kumarakom houseboats
Kumarakom houseboats on Vembanad Lake
Private houseboats from Kumarakom — wide lake views, quiet canals and Kerala meals cooked fresh on board. Overnight stays or 3 and 5 hour cruises.
Why choose Kumarakom
Kumarakom sits on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, in Kottayam district. Compared with Alleppey's busy canals, the Kumarakom side is calmer: big open water, coconut-lined islands and far fewer boats around you — ideal if you want the backwaters to feel peaceful.
Our Kumarakom houseboat, Elixir – Carpe Diem, has two air-conditioned bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a sit-out deck. It is listed on Airbnb with 4.65★, and our guests rate us 4.77★ across 91 reviews.
What you'll see
- Sunrise and sunset over the open lake
- Fishermen casting nets from small canoes, and toddy tappers climbing the coconut palms
- Herons, egrets, cormorants and kingfishers — Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is on the lakeshore
- Narrow village canals with homes, temples and churches along the water
Kumarakom houseboats
Boats and prices
All private — no sharing with other guests. Prices change with season and weekends; send your dates for an exact quote.
A typical day
Your overnight stay
- 12 noon Board at Kumarakom and settle into your room
- 1 pm Kerala lunch on board as the boat sets off across the lake
- Afternoon Cruise the lake and village canals; tea and snacks on deck
- 5:30 pm The boat anchors for the night (a Kerala rule) — sunset from the deck
- Evening Freshly cooked dinner, then a quiet night on the water
- Morning Breakfast, a short cruise back, check out at 9 am
FAQ
Kumarakom houseboat questions
Where does a Kumarakom houseboat start from?
Kumarakom houseboats board on the edge of Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, Kottayam district. We share the exact boarding point and a map pin when you book.
Kumarakom or Alleppey — which is better?
Kumarakom is quieter, with wide views across Vembanad Lake and fewer boats. Alleppey has more canals, villages and paddy fields, and more houseboat traffic. They're about 30 km apart and both are beautiful — see our Alleppey houseboats page too.
How far is Kumarakom from Kochi airport?
About 80–90 km, usually 2 to 2.5 hours by road. We can arrange a car from the airport or your hotel.
Can we do a short cruise instead of staying overnight?
Yes — 3-hour and 5-hour cruises are available for groups of 4 to 30 guests, with snacks or a Kerala lunch.
Also with us
Need a taxi or a place to stay?
We can pick you up from Kochi or Trivandrum airport, drive you to the houseboat and arrange a short stay before or after.
Plan your Kumarakom houseboat
Send your dates and number of guests — we reply with the boat's photos and an exact price.