Alappuzha Tourist Traps

Houseboat Tours are the popular thing in Alleppey, and they are very popular. However there are significant drawbacks which you might want to consider.
1) Houseboats are BIG - which means that they can only travel on the larger rivers and canals. This means that there are regular routes that are being done to death, and the local are not particularly excited about seeing yet another houseboat. It also means that you will miss out on the smaller and more intimate backwater areas which are still full of charm. Because of their size, you sit high up and are quite removed from everyone else, which can detract from the general experience.
2) Houseboats can be NOISY. They all have outboard motors and often generators. Some are quieter than others, but the noisy ones are not peaceful.
3) Houseboats are DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT. All the waste and garbage goes over the side and into the local water. This has become a big problem around Alleppey, and the local people are getting sick, and the waterways are getting littered with floating rubbish.
4) Houseboat meals can make you ILL. We met two separate couples who had become very ill after eating meals on the houseboats. The problem is likely to be caused by the cooking utensils being washed in the river / lake water which has become polluted.

Unique Suggestions: Make sure you get a Quiet One.
Do all you can to make sure the cooking and utensils do not have any contact with the local waterways.
Get the staff to use a bin and not the waterways.

PLEASE ALSO CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE SMALL "COUNTRY BOAT" TOURS INSTEAD.

Fun Alternatives: OK so there's 4 good reasons to for not going on a houseboat. The alternative which we did - AND LOVED - is to stay at a nice waterside resort (try the wonderful Palm Grove which has 4 ecofriedly huts and great cooking), and to take a variety of shorter trips in canoes (called country boats). These can go everywhere, put you on the same level as everyone else, and are silent and peaceful. They are also much cheaper.

Please think about this as they are a great alternative which should give you a much better experience. There is a hard sell going on for the houseboats, but if you ask around you will also be able to find someone who can get you some country boat tours. Two hours is a good time, and if you do it for sunrise or sunset you will have an experience you will never forget.