A Tehri dam houseboat stay usually means a night in a floating hut or a cabin boat moored on Tehri Lake, the long reservoir behind the Tehri dam in Uttarakhand, with most of the action around the marina at Koti Colony below New Tehri town. These are not Kerala style kettuvallams cruising a backwater: they are fixed floating rooms and a few larger boats on a deep mountain lake ringed by steep green hills.
It is a newer, smaller scene than Kerala or Kashmir, which is part of its appeal. This guide explains the kinds of stay on the water, the best months, the drive up, the water sports, and what to confirm before booking.
Quick facts
Where
Tehri Lake, Tehri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand; base at Koti ColonyWhat floats
Floating huts reached by boat, a cruise vessel with rooms, day boatsFrom Rishikesh
Roughly two and a half to three hours by road, via ChambaBest months
October and November, then March to JuneAvoid
Peak monsoon, when landslides close roads and water sports stop
What a Tehri dam houseboat stay actually is
The state tourism department and private operators have set up clusters of floating huts on the lake: small cabins on pontoons with a bed, a bathroom and a deck, reached by a short boat ride from the shore. A floating restaurant serves meals on some sites. There is also a larger cruise vessel with rooms on the lake, and plenty of day boats for rides and water sports.
Nothing here sails overnight through backwaters. You sleep on a still platform in the middle of a hill lake, which is calmer than it sounds and very quiet once the day boats stop.
Tehri lake houseboat options compared
| Option | What it is | Suits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floating hut | A cabin on a pontoon, reached by boat | Couples, small families, anyone wanting the lake at night | Small rooms; you depend on the boat to reach shore |
| Cruise boat with rooms | A larger vessel moored or cruising by day | Groups and those wanting a hotel feel | Check whether it moves during your stay |
| Lakeside cottage or camp | Rooms or tents on the bank above the water | Budget trips, larger groups | Not on the water, but easy to come and go |
| Day boat only | Speedboat, pontoon or rowing trips from the marina | Day visitors from Rishikesh or Dhanaulti | No overnight stay |
Getting to Koti Colony
- Reach Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun by train, or fly into the Dehradun airport at Jolly Grant.
- Drive up through the hills via Chamba towards New Tehri. Allow two and a half to three hours from Rishikesh, more in traffic or rain.
- Go down to Koti Colony on the lake shore, where the marina and the boat jetties are.
- Your operator's boat takes you out to the floating huts; confirm the last boat time if you arrive late.
Seasons on Tehri Lake
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October and November | Clear skies, fresh air after the rains, the lake usually full |
| December to February | Cold nights, sunny days, few visitors; pack warm layers |
| March to June | Warm days, peak season for water sports, busy weekends |
| July to September | Monsoon; landslides on hill roads, water sports often suspended |
The water level rises through the monsoon and drops over the dry months, so the shoreline looks different by late spring. Check current conditions with your operator.
A day at the lake: rides and water sports
Koti Colony runs speedboat rides, jet skis, kayaks, banana rides and parasailing, mostly in the warmer months. A slower option is a boat ride along the reservoir towards the long Dobra Chanthi suspension bridge, which spans the lake further up. Evenings on a floating hut deck are the best part: the day boats go home and the hills turn blue.
Safety on a mountain reservoir
- Use registered operators for water sports and check that equipment looks maintained.
- Weather changes quickly in the hills; boats stop in strong wind.
- Carry a torch for walkways at night.
- Roads can close after heavy rain; leave a spare day in monsoon months.
Before you book: cost and questions
We never print figures. What moves the cost at Tehri is the type of stay (floating hut, cruise cabin or lakeside room), weekends and holiday dates, whether meals and the boat transfer are included, and heating in winter.
- Ask how far the huts are from the jetty and when the last boat runs.
- Confirm meals, since there is nowhere else to eat once you are on the water.
- Ask about hot water and heating between November and February.
For other houseboat spots outside Kerala and Kashmir, see Tarkarli, Goa and the Sundarbans. For the classic moored houseboats of the hills, read about Srinagar.
Questions travellers ask
Is there a houseboat at Tehri dam?
There are floating huts on pontoons and a larger cruise vessel with rooms on Tehri Lake, mostly around Koti Colony. They are fixed or moored stays rather than Kerala style cruising houseboats.
How do I reach the Tehri Lake floating huts?
Drive from Rishikesh via Chamba to Koti Colony, about two and a half to three hours, and take the operator's boat out to the huts. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun.
When should I plan a Tehri lake houseboat stay?
October and November are clear and fresh, and March to June is the main water sports season. Avoid the heavy monsoon months.
Is a Tehri houseboat stay safe for children?
Yes with care. The lake is deep, so children need life jackets on boats and constant supervision on decks and walkways.
Can I just visit Tehri Lake for the day?
Yes. Many visitors come from Rishikesh for boat rides and water sports at Koti Colony and return the same day, though the drive makes it a long day.