You have to negotiate with the boat men . Just remember, this is there living & if you’re from Europe it’s going to be cheap by our standards . I think we paid £35 each worth every penny .

Boathouse certainly better option considering the summer heat.

You would need A bigger house boat , better go there and have good deal onsite

You can go directly to the boats and just choose on the spot. Depends if u like a meal theres a chef that cooks. I also realize that a day trip would be better the overnight was not worth it. Hope this helps. Please do stay a night at the marriott or hyatt just opened im cochin near lulu mall u will love it.

Absolutely. As others have stated you can also climb up to take pictures. Enjoy it was a highlight of our trip

It is monsoon it could be quite dreary. So you have to get a good boat and not filmsy ones. I have seen very nice new ones with 3 bedrooms. You can negotiate. They looking for business in moonsoon times as theres not so many tourists. Look online and you can even go down there choose and book. Theres well over 1800 boats on the water. As for drinks you can ask.

it would be raining this time, but ok if you enjoy rains. small boat cruise wil be cheap, and remember smaller boats go inside narrow lanes where big boats cannot enter. half day tour will be sufficient, avoid staying on boat.

Well if its just backwater tours you can opt for it. even if it rains you can enjoy it from houseboat. please do note that during monsoon it will be difficult to roam around kerala. i have paid for houseboat+ taxi ( overnight stay) for rs 17,000/- (INR). taxi picked me from kochi airport > allepay > kochi ( 1day tour). sorry but dont have breakup.

yes as houseboats are big and cant go into narrow canals, shikara's are only option for that tour. i stayed back at one of houseboat where i was offered this ride with family. they arranged for the same and i paid inr 1000/- . you may please requst your hotel/resort at allepay for it

Alleppey backwaters during March is very hot and humid. Its better you can go for complete AC Boats instead of AC during night time. In Alleppey Backwaters house boats, we have 3 options. 1. Day time small cruse boat, it only runs during day hours from 11 am to 5 pm with around 50 people inside the boat on sharing basis. Any how this will not work for you as you are travelling with your GF and you want some private space. 2. 1 night stay full AC Boat (AC Premium boats). You will have AC through out the day and night, It costs around 12000 to 15000 per boat. It has 1 bedroom, open dining area and roof top space and a kitchen. it should be the better option for you. Boat starts are 11 am and immediately they will serve welcome drinks, Next at 1 pm they will serve lunch and boat will stop for around 30 min,next evening snacks at 4 pm, Now the boat will be anchored at a point around 5.30 or 6 pm. You can have a small walk in the village. next night dinner at 8,30 pm and next day morning breakfast at 8 am and and boat starts at 7.30 am and will drop you at the same pickup point at 9.30 am. 3. You can find a Boat with Same facilities of food and night stay. But only concern is AC. AC will run only during night hours from 9 pm to 6 am. Its better Go for Full AC Premium kind of boat. Book in Advance. it cost around 12000 to 15000 approximately. Thank you.