Budget — Kerala Backwaters

Kerala Backwaters budget depends mainly on chosen houseboat level — reference of €80 per person per day corresponds to a private standard 1-bedroom kettuvallam for a couple. Accommodation-houseboat (large item, 70-80% of total Backwaters budget): day cruise (6-8h no night, €20-40/person, economical), basic shared kettuvallam (private cabin + common spaces, €50-80/night/person), private standard 1-bedroom kettuvallam (€100-200/night for couple, i.e. €50-100/person, meals and chef included — Coconut Lagoon, Spice Coast Cruises, Lakes & Lagoons operators), premium 1-2 bedroom kettuvallam (€200-400/night couple, gourmet meals, upper deck, premium air-conditioning — Xandari Riverscapes, Houseboat Premium), luxury 3-bedroom kettuvallam (€400-800/night for family/group, 5* suite equivalent). Resort alternative (at Kumarakom or Alleppey): Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom (5* CGH Earth resort, €250-400/night), Taj Kumarakom (5*, €300-500/night), Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond (boutique-resort, €250-350/night), Vivanta Kumarakom (4*, €150-280/night), modest pousadas at Alleppey (€40-80/night). Food: included in houseboat (3 meals/day). Outside houseboat: Alleppey restaurants €5-15/person, high-end resort restaurants €30-80/person. Side activities (5-15% of budget): Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary €1, guide €15-25, spice farm €15-25, Ayurvedic massage €30-80. Transport: Kochi-Alleppey taxi €17-28, train €0.50-2, Kochi flight €50-150 from Mumbai. Saving tip: book your houseboat directly on site at Alleppey (Finishing Point Jetty) if flexible — possibility of -30 to -50% negotiation in low season (May-September) vs online advance booking.