Best of Southern India with Houseboat Stay

Customer Reviews

• JS

  Janet

  · March 20th, 2025
  Beautiful boat. It had everything you needed. Great food, lovely staff. Just brilliant. Really relaxing sail in the backwaters, would highly recommend. The only downside was that the tour operator changed the itinerary last minute from 2 nights on board to just 1 night which was a real shame.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We look forward to welcoming you again on... Show more
  Trip date: March 2025
• MC

  mariangela

  · February 29th, 2024
  I was the only one booked for those dates. I appreciate they did it anyway. 2 days on the boat is too much because they offer the same route which is actually for one day. I would rather prefer spend more time in Kochi because in half day unfortunately you miss something.
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  Trip date: February 2024
• AD

  Anita

  · February 26th, 2024
  I was very disappointed with the lack of service and the poor accomodations provided by Swastik India Journeys. They have NO idea how to deal with international clients. I was not even met by an agent upon arrival at Cochin airport. The driver they had arranged for me, did not speak English and it was all a bit of a nightmare. Despite my repeated requests that they contact me via whats app, this was never done. They did provide me an alternative driver for the next morning. It was only thanks to Ujwall, my new driver that the trip was actually feasible. He took great care of me and knew where to book the boat ride in Thekady as well as where to go for ayurvedic massages. Without hi, the whole trip would have been a disaster. I had NO help from the agency on anything. The hotel in Munar was terrible and I feared for my safety. The luxury house boat was a complete joke! Nothing luxury about it, not even airconditioning or a top sheet on the bed. No toilet paper eith in the loo and a bucket as a shower. They did not cater food for non Indians and I could only eat rice and chapati as the agency had failed to mention that there would be a foreigner on board. There is absolutley no need for two nights on the house boat that just repeats the same journey on day 2 that it did on day one. I opted to get off the second morning and paid for two nights out of my pocket in Cochin as never got to see any of Cochin on the day of my arrival. I also had to pay for the taxi to the airport out of my pocket. I paid for 5 nights and only enjoyed 2 of them. The other 3 nights were a waste and all the meals that I paid for on the house boat I could not enjoy. This is my 3rd time booking with Toyur Radar and it certainly was a huge disappointment. Had I not used your company before, I would never book again with you. I think you should not use Swasti Travel to outsource your tour. I had no problems in Rajastan last summer.
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  Trip date: February 2024
• VC

  Victor

  · February 23rd, 2023
  All went smoothly, good srandard of accommodation and flexibility in the itinerary. Driver spoke reasonable English so we were able to communicate and he made some suggestions which were appreciated. Houseboat was relaxing, great crew and experience.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you for sharing such fantastic feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience during your tour of India with us. We can't wait to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to India once more. :)
  Trip date: February 2023
• WM

  Wayne

  · February 10th, 2023
  Unfortunately. this trip was the low point of our month travelling around India. we were really looking forward to it and it could have been so much better if what was promised had been delivered and there had been any form of decent communication. Even the day before the trip we did not know where or when we would be met although I had sent several messages asking. Eventually on the day of the trip we received message saying that we would be picked up at 9am (The itinerary stated 2pm). we had already made arrangements which we had to cancel then and were ready for 11am. There was supposed to be an English speaking guide & driver for the whole trip, but we only had a driver (who although was an OK man) had a very basic grasp of English making communication virtually impossible. The optional excursions promised on the itinerary never materialised and although we asked each morning what the day involved and the options available, we were never really told and just arrived at places seemingly at the drivers choice, all of which involved being put in a place where sales were expected. The one exception to this is when the driver told us before that we were going to an Elephant riding centre ....... We specifically told him that we DID NOT want to go as all these places involves using elephants that have been mistreated to perform and break there spirit ( Just Google it ) He still took us the Elephant place and when we refused to go in and on a ride, he appeared to be pee'd off. We can only assume that the driver ( and guide if there had been one ) get a payment for taking customers there. This tour company should be ashamed of themselves offering these Elephant Tours and should be following the examples of the majority of other tour companies such as "Intrepid" and ban them from their tours whilst actively educating their guests on why this is. I could go on with how many other things went wrong or constantly changed on this trip, but if you have read this far, I am sure that you get the picture. We are experienced travellers spending over 6 months a year travelling the world, so are not inexperienced tourists expecting too much from a trip in a foreign country. To be honest .... We would say that this trip has been probably the most disappointing experience we have had ( especially for the cost) in all our travels. One good point .. the boat trip was nice and relaxing with a nice crew, but again, it would have been nice to have had a bit of communication so that we know where we were going / doing and when the stops were.
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  Trip date: January 2023
• TF

  Tony

  · December 1st, 2022
  Overall this was as the reviews state a great tour. However on arrival we had a driver but no tour leader with limited English & no detailed itinerary of the tour including what are options etc & accommodation at each location. We were also the only two people on the tour. Karni was helpful to contact and assist. All hotels were good except the Camellia & Etternia. It is out in the middle of nowhere & the road getting there is windy, rough & steep. It has great potential with a balcony overlooking the forest & across the valley but the bathroom in our room was filthy & had a really strong smell of septic tank! The staff were good at getting a mattress to sleep on as only 1 king bed. Fine for couples but not for a father & daughter. The houseboat was fantastic - though had a king bed it was split into 2 singles for us. Our chef Lebok was sensational who prepared amazing food. All the hotels could do with putting hooks in the bathroom as no where to hang anything including towels, toilet bags etc. and having a small fridge to keep water cold was great in those that had one as well. Jinto our driver from Trawell was fantastic - very confident, considerate & caring. Though limited English he would go out of his way to assist with any request. Highly recommend Rochas in Munnar & Tusker Cafe in Thekkary to eat. Would recommend to everyone to do a houseboat trip as very enjoyable & Relaxin was a fantastic company. Kerala is a beautiful area of India.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you for sharing such fantastic feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience during your tour of India with us. We can't wait to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to India once more. :)
  Trip date: November 2022
• M

  Mandy

  · October 10th, 2022
  Genuinely the best trip ever!! The hotels were excellent. We got to experience very beautiful cities. Looking forward to the next adventure with Swastik India.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We look forward to welcoming you again on... Show more
  Trip date: September 2022
• D

  Danis

  · September 22nd, 2022
  I booked this tour with Swastik after Golden Triangle Tour. I must i was impressed by the services. Hotel choices were excellent. Driver and guides were professional and knowledgeable.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We look forward to welcoming you again on... Show more
  Trip date: September 2022
• A

  AllanShawn

  · September 19th, 2022
  Had a wonderful time on this southern India tour. Everything was very professionally organized.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Dear Allan Thanks for taking your valuable time and leaving such a wonderful feedback. We look forward to welcome you to India again soon!! :) Best Regards, Team Swastik India Journeys
  Trip date: September 2022
• D

  Dario

  · June 22nd, 2022
  It was an awesome and fantastic experience. The tour was everything we were promised.
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  Swastik India Journeys commented on this review

  Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re truly delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. It was a pleasure having you on the tour, and your kind words mean a lot to our entire team. We look forward to welcoming you again on... Show more
  Trip date: June 2022