Lakelands Cruises

The three staff members looking after us were just great, and the rooms were clean and well maintained. We had the whole boat to ourselves after booking two rooms. The cruise and the smaller canoe trips into the estuaries were well planned, and the fish and other food were tasty and suited our spice preference. We stayed on the houseboat last Saturday, checking in on the 18th and out on the 19th. It was a wonderful experience, and we’d definitely do it again.

Captain Kunjumon guided us safely through the backwaters, while Shibumon and Rahesh were attentive hosts who made sure we had what we needed. They seemed to really care about making the trip special. The traditional houseboat was clean, comfortable, and in great shape. We especially liked the homely food, particularly the fish, and the evening tea and snacks were a perfect end to the day. The backwater cruise was the highlight of our time with Xandari Riverscapes. If you’re visiting Kerala and want to see the backwaters, this is a solid choice. We left feeling we’d experienced something special about the place.

The food was excellent, with an authentic Central Kerala taste, and the crew were friendly and polite. The boat was well maintained and the service very good. It would have been even better if the crew had been trained to share more about the region while sailing.

We hesitated at first about taking a boathouse for our Kerala trip. We found Xandari on social media, and though it cost a little more than other options, something persuaded us to book, and it was worth it. The food was amazing, prepared exactly to the menu we requested. The whole crew were friendly and humble, and Honey was a special part of what made the trip memorable. We connected with her right away because she was cheerful and spontaneous. We only did a half-day trip this time, but I’ll definitely return with my family for a full day.