About Us | Beach Resort | Hotels | House Boats | Home Stay | Health Tour | Pilgrim Tour | Rent a Car | Tree House | Packages
Contact Us | Back to Home
 
What is a Houseboat ?
Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Rice boats) are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvaloms went off the scene. Now these Kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. A houseboat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go in to the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc.The main wood used is "Anjili". The houseboats have fully furnished single and double rooms with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavor with the local specialties; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people.

The houseboats are generally with one bedroom or two bedrooms, which can accommodate two & four persons respectively. There will also be a balcony on top to get a feel of the panoramic nature around. Another feature some offer is the sundeck for sunbaths.
The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods and people and are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 kms, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppy which forms the main part of this network has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.

A glide in a "Kettuvallom" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppy is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this unique land.

The sparkling water and the caressing cool wind is a temptation too strong to resist. Country boats of various types criss cross the path with passengers from all walks of Kerala's rural life ranging from milkman and news paper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties. It is a unique experience as this is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the country side of God's own country.

Availablity
Alleppey, Kumarakom and Kuttanad
 
Routes of House Boats
Alleppey round - starting from Allappy finishing point jetty visit kuttanade area paddy cultivatation, peoples life style , peoples are living the strips of land one and only place where cultivation is below water level
Alleppey kumarakom round - starting from allappy cross vambanad lake keralas biggest lake with loats of fishing activities can be seen
Alleppey – Alumkadavu - this is the most beautiful and longest back water in kerala. 8 hours cruise passing through big cannels , narrow cannels , watch historical places like karumadi, pallana where keralas renovened poet kumaranasan died by boat wriching coir village where you can find clumsy style of coir making by villagers. Amruthapury most recommended backwater cruise and also expensive
kumarakom – kumarakom - starting from kumarakom passes through narrow cannels , vambanad lake, R-block pathiramanal, kumarakom bird sanctuary, vary beautiful backwater
   
Vaikom backwater tour

This is vary beautiful ,serene backwater with no bussy turistic trial watch loats of small islands Kandal forest ,fishing activities ,thick beautiful coconut palam trees etc

 

Rates of house boats

Rates of hous boats depends the quality of the house boats , the routs of house boats.and also seasonal .Some house boats are rowing that is the option of the guest House boats , noramly out bord engines some house boats are inbourd engines but same charge There are a/c house boats too. House boats are also available on hourly basis, day cruise only and night stay only.food is always Typical kerala style but also available continental,Chinese and jain food on request but extra charge. You can opt according to your Budget and taste. Some house boats have upper duck with a vary good over look but no extra charge.

 
Staff of the house boats

There are three staff in a boat the caption , crew and a sheff . normaly no guids but on request arrange guid with extra cost. Ridding only in the day time no ridding after 6.30 pm . night time anchoring near by place.house boats are available on Single bed room to five bed rooms . kitchen , bath room , mosquito nets drinking water are available . no television Normaly . check in tme 12 noon check out time 10 am total 22 hours.

 
 
Back to Home
About Us | Beach Resort | Hotels | House Boats | Home Stay | Health Tour | Pilgrim Tour | Rent a Car | Tree House | Contact Us