Houseboats in India

An ecstatic cruiser through the House Boats of Kerala
Till recent times the main mode of transportation in south Indian State of Kerala was on Kettuvalloms, through the backwaters of Kerela. Kettuvallom - 'a boat with knots'. The main charm of the boat cruise. The entire boat is constructed through coir knots. The boat is made up of timber of jack-wood knotted together with coir. This is then surfaced with a caustic black gum made from boiled cashew seed. With cautious preservation, a kettuvallom can last for generations.

The boat is divided into many chambers, almost 70 foot long with the capacity of 30 tons. A portion of the kettuvallom is covered with bamboo and coir, to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. The most common boat is Golden Star - approved by Department of Tourism, Kerala State.

Comfortable Cruise
The houseboats are designed for comfortable cruise and overnight stay. The boat generally has one or two baths attached double bedrooms with all modern comforts, then there is a living cum dining room, sundeck for angling and also to enjoy the breathtaking panorama. The boat is also equipped with lamp and fan facilities working with a solar energy.

Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are driven by local oarsmen, some are equipped with powered engine of a 40 HP. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - are also used by large groups of sight-seers.

Main features of a House Boat
One bedroom houseboat has a facility of living /dining room with a little big side. This boat is meant for 2 person.

The two-bedroom boat also has a living cum dining room. This boat can accommodate 4 persons.

These houseboats are normally constructed by an Eco-friendly components - bamboo mat, and coir. A unique feature of the kettuvallom is its design supporting the influence of Chinese architecture. There are canopies on the sides of the boat, which can be lifted, thus ensuring plenty of shade, cool breeze, and a better view of the passing scenery.

Cuisine Delicacies
The meal served on the houseboat is a simple Indian cuisine based on the tradition of fish and vegetable, in keeping the demands of the western clientele the fresh seafood is also served on board.

The mouthwatering delicacies are prepared on board by personal cook, the delicacies like white prawns, pearl spotted fish, crabs and mussels are the specialty of the boat cruiser. The meals include lunch, evening coffee or tea with snacks, dinner and breakfast.

House Boat Cruiser
The cruise through the back waters of Kerala, en-route visit simple villages to see the products made of coir by the local artisans, tea shops, paddy fields, temples, beaches etc till sunset. For night the boat is anchored at a picturesque location with a calm and quite environment.

There are different route options available for its visitors to choose, depending on their time and budget, from where the boat can be boarded -

Alleppey Round: Alleppy is 2½ hours drive from Cochin International airport and 1½ hours from Cochin. Cruise through Punnamada Lake, Vembanade Lake and narrow canals. Visit paddy fields below sea level and Marthandam Kayal paddy fields.

Alleppey - Kumarakom: Kumarakom is 4 hours drive from Periyar. Cruise through Punnamada Lake, Vembanadu lake and narrow canals. Visit Marthandam Kayal paddy fields and Kumarakom bird sanctuary.

Alleppey - Thottappally: Thottappally is 5½ hours from Periyar and 3½ hours from Kovalam beach. Cruise through Punnamada lake and Paliathuruthy river. Visit Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary Village, beach etc

Alleppey - Alumkadave: Thottappally is 5½ hours from Periyar and 3½ hours from Kovalam beach. Cruise through Punnamada lake, Vattakkayal, Paliathuruthy river and Thottappally kayal and Kayamkulam kayal. Visit Chithira kayal and Marthandam paddy fields, teashops, beaches villages and coir making villages.