God's Own Country Kerala offers an exclusive mini - canvas to the traveler; the backwaters, which consist of a compound network of lagoons, lakes & canals. The backwaters in Kerala give an enthralling experience to the tourists. One can also enjoy a stay in the houseboats that cruise the backwaters and feel the beauty of the backwaters at day and at night. The houseboats in Kerala are slow moving exotic barges mainly used for leisure trips. The houseboats in Kerala measure 80 feet in length and provide the best way to experience the colorful backwaters of Kerala. Earlier, these houseboats in Kerala were known as "Kettuvallams" and were used to transport rice, spices from Kuttanad to Kochi. The modern houseboats are the reworked model of these Kettuvallams and are a major source of tourist attraction. These Kettuvallams are now transferred to luxury into luxury slow moving vessels which offer accommodation while sailing. These houseboats in Kerala anchor in various locations in the backwaters and provide a marvelous holiday experience and play an important role in promoting tourism Industry in Kerala. A guided tour along the backwaters would help you to reveal some of the most interesting facts about the local life of the village folks. These houseboats anchor in various locations along the backwaters and provide an amusing and excellent vacation.

The superb magnificence of the backwaters of Kerala along the Vembanad Lake and other lakes, one can enjoy a relaxing cruise on a multi deck houseboat. The houseboats in Kerala are lavishly furnished and has one or two bath attached rooms, a lounge, deck, kitchen, and a crew of three people which includes two oarsmen and a cook. The most popular among the cruises is from Kovallam to Allapuzha. Other houseboat circuits in Kerala include Alleppey to Kumarakom, Kumarakom to Alleppey, Alleppey to Nedumudi and Alleppey to Thottappally. Besides, there are customized negotiable houseboat cruise packages which may be arranged according to the taste and need of the tourists. Houseboats in Kerala are undoubtedly a supreme experience for the tourists.

Kashmir is one of the most charming places in the state of Jammu & Kashmir which is famous for houseboats at the Dal Lake. The demand of the houseboats in Kashmir attracts tourists from all over the world to Srinagar. These houseboats offer a unique and perfect experience of staying amidst the cold waters of the Lakes in Kashmir. The Houseboat Cruise at the Dal Lake in Srinagar is a wonderful vacation destination. Staying in Houseboats on the waters of the Dal and Nagin Lakes and on river Jhelum in an elegantly bedecked and furnished room with all luxuries is an exceptional experience. Houseboats in Kashmir vary in degree of luxury and have been graded according to the degree of luxury by the Department of Tourism of Kashmir. Houseboats in Kashmir attract the tourists by its fascination and offer a matchless experience of living in a cedar paneled elite bed rooms with all luxury amenities like fine furnishings, decorated bedrooms and modern bathrooms. These houseboats in Kashmir vary in the degree of lavishness depending upon the category to which it belongs.

The tourism department of Kashmir has classified the houseboats into five categories Deluxe, A, B, C and D. The Deluxe categories are the top luxury houseboats while the Grade D houseboats are the economy category houseboats with simply furnished rooms like in economy hotels. A luxury houseboat in Kashmir has all luxury amenities like fine furniture, attached washrooms with modern bath fittings and good carpets. The Category D houseboats are like low budget hotels with basic furnishings. Besides, all the categories of houseboats in Kashmir provide a highly personalized service and there is always a "houseboy" to look after the guests. Every standard houseboat in Kashmir has a balcony in the front, a lounge, pantry, and three or more bed rooms with attached bathrooms and is provided with municipal water connection. The costs of hiring a houseboat for a day are inclusive of all meals and free rides from the house boat to the nearest jetty and back. These houseboats are not anchored along any banks of the river and so there are Shikara available to provide free transportation services to the guests or tourists from the nearest jetty to the houseboat. Houseboats in Kashmir in the Dal and Nagin Lakes and River Jhelum are undoubtedly an unmatched experience for the tourists.