On our last final days in India, we drove to the houseboat harbour and wanted to check out the prices for a houseboat tour. We always heared that it's better to share a houseboat with others, because it's quiete expensive.
I think we found a way, which you can use to get a good price for one day on a houseboat.
Having a good time at the houseboat
- It is always better to go directly to the spot the boats get started and ask for the prices by your own. A lot of people are booking at their accomondations or with a service agency which will cost you a lot more then it normaly is, because of the comission they charge. You can be sure: It's all about the money!
So we just randomly asked at the harbour, where the Crews prepered the boats for the day.
- It's always recommendable to watch out for boats which not seem like they would have guest. It is mostly the case that they did not have any guest for the day at all and would be happy about any customer who wants to come with, instead of going home with nothing.
We spoke with some houseboat hirer and we had some really nice offerings. One of the boats was quiet luxury and super clean. They told us they would provide us a night for 80€. That was quiet ok for the whole boat and the quality, but it didn't was what we were looking for ... Most of the boats where in this price category, more or less.
But the next step is, and thats what you of course should not miss is to
- bargaining!!! It is very important to always do. Those who travelled along, know what I am talking about. You should always know how much things normally cost, so you can compromise the prices (for example with you travel guide book). Of course, you can choose if you want to pay more, knowing they are faking prices, when your intention is to give the people more. Unfortunately there are many people who have big companys and only the bosses or people in higher positions earning money, the little people which do the main things and work hard are only getting a small slice of the prices you pay.
So be careful.
So we found a houseboat, which really was like our expectations. A big one, with a top floor with laying areas back and front, in the middle a table to have food. It had a very relaxing athmosphere.
So the bargaining begun and we was very straight with the price offerings.
- When you bargaining, it's important to be straight with you prices. Don't get irritated, the people can also be very straight, like your offering is the ridiculous thing in the world. You have to go on and be convinced.
So we made it down to 70€, which where 35€ for each, which is very good price for:
One night at the boat for two, lunch, snacks, dinner and breakfast.
We even took our own liquor with us and put it in the freezer in the boat, that was no problem. Also we played our own music on the stereo system.
Snacks with a beautiful view
Chai & banana fritters :)
So one extra tip is, ask for spefic things that you could may have. So you can also have some special things, that nobody else have, because they don't ask for it.
All in all I can say, that we had a wonderful stay on this houseboat.
The only thing that we were dissapointed from, was that the trip was not that long. I think it was 3 hours and then we got to the place where we spend the night. That little "island" in the backwaters were also very nice and charming. So not really much about we can complain. The food was very nice and also the staff were very friendly!
the little island we stoped to spend the night
If you consider these things that i metioned, i think you have very good chance to get a houseboat tour which will make you very happy!
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Travel save & happy!
This post was written by Yvonne. She will have soon her own account. Uploaded it again to support her.