6 independent reviews for Kayaking in the Keralan Backwaters
Reviews for Kayaking in the Keralan Backwaters
Immanuel Lanzaderas review 6 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Kayaking through quiet backwaters as local people started their day. Amazing food at really nice homestays. Getting to see rural and village life up close.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get a good night's rest before the first day. Wear long sleeved, breathable shirts to protect from the sun.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were able to visit our boatman's home and meet his family, since he lived nearby our first home stay...so, yes! We also learned that the tour company, is committed to training and hiring local labourers. Instead of hotels, we stayed at locally owned homestays that had delicious food and great hospitality.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This kayaking tour through the backwaters of Kerala was a dream come true. Every moment and every walk through villages and rice paddies felt like being in a National Geographic article. The best part of my three weeks in India!Aileen Taylor review 1 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Exploring the smaller waterways by kayak and observing the daily routines of the people amongst such beautiful colourful vegetation. It was all wonderful amongst such friendly people ( trek guide, boatman and home stay hosts).2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be sensitive to local culture3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Only benefitted locals in that home stays were used for accommodation. Environmental impact reduced slightly as kayaking and not in large houseboat, but we were backed up by small motor boat.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic. One of the best vacations we have been on. Very well organised by Thomas who runs the operator we travelled withScott and San review 21 Apr 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The overnight on the houseboat was magical and a perfect point half way to recharge after hiking and biking and before kayaking. The backwaters we both cruised and kayaked through were spectacular and not busy, the accommodation we chose carefully and it was great, the hiking up Meesapulimala was beautiful. The mangrove kayaking was short but amazing.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The vacation provider was very patient at responding to our (many) emails just because we had a number of questions at the start and changed our plans halfway due to unforeseen circumstances. Clarify what kind of experiences you would like and they will do their best to create it for you. We opted for a mix of hiking, biking and cycling so we got the best of all worlds. Our guide was young, fit and very experienced and we always felt safe and he went out of his way to mix it up for us and make changes when necessary which we appreciated. We appreciated the back up vehicle although we didn't use it often. Be aware it is super humid and hot in some areas and adjust what you can do physically accordingly. Definitely do some kayaking. There was a lot of small tipping involved and sometimes we were lost as to what and who to give a gratuity to because we were using so many different local services so carry small bills as we kept running out.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefited local people and supported conservation efforts.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was very good, great guide, and we would use them again. There aren't many groups doing adventure tours in this area and it is a great way to see Kerala, which itself is quite touristy in places, so it was always great to go off and see areas in modes of transport solo. We're pretty independent and we appreciated that our guide left us in the evenings to do our own thing, we never felt suffocated we had a good degree of time alone which we personally wanted.Helen Bell review 1 Jan 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Kayaking through the small canals and connecting with the locals2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't hesitate as it was wonderful for activities, food and accommodation!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Caroline Petersen review 10 Nov 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The incredible beauty of the backwaters, especially in the smaller waters which houseboats could not go down, seeing women doing their washing in the river and children playing. A glimpse of the peaceful, slow pace of life in this part of India. I also want to give a special mention to our guide Praveen, who was excellent and helped us identify many birds.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Some upper body strength is needed for the kayaking! However it does get much easier after the first day. Bring a t-shirt, suncream and hat as you will need them.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
As far as I could tell. A small boat followed us with our bags and valuables, but compared to the gigantic houseboats the pollution from this was hopefully minimal. We stayed in traditional homestays which were run by local people and very good quality.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent, would do it againAmy Bell review 23 Oct 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Kayaking through the lovely backwaters off the main channels where you can see people going about their everyday activities and spot interesting wildlife.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The quality of the accommodation and food is excellent so don't worry about needing to rough it at all because you won't need to! Suggest you ask if it is possible to spread out the activities before and after the hottest hours of the day rather than doing them all in the morning and early afternoon as it gets pretty hot! It is also worth pressing for regular breaks after set distances so you don't burn out too quickly and going via as many small channels as possble (more interesting and shady), avoiding the main river channel.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - the guides were local, and the kayaking/biking was low impact. I'm not sure we really needed the support vehicle for the biking trip.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good overall - but with some small organisational changes it could be really good.Holiday Reviews
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