Is a Kerala Backwaters Tour Worth Adding to Your India Trip?

Most people picture the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan’s forts when they think of India, but Kerala’s backwaters are a completely different side of the country — quiet houseboats drifting through palm-lined canals, paddy fields, and small fishing villages. I found this through TTI Tours, which puts together India itineraries specifically for Australian travellers, and they include Kerala backwaters as an add-on to the usual Golden Triangle circuit. It seemed like a nice slow-travel break after the busier northern cities. Has anyone here done an overnight houseboat stay in Alleppey or Kumarakom? How many days would you set aside for it without feeling rushed?