Alappuzha Backwater House boat Cruise

Houseboat Cruise through the backwaters of Alappuzha

Kettuvalloms or Houseboats (Riceboats) 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 Kettuvalloms 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.

Houseboat

A house boat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into 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 house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet 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 flavour with the local specialities; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people.

Palace on water (Static Houseboat)
This static luxury houseboat has two bedrooms which can accommodate four persons. There is a balcony on top quite convenient to get a feel of the panoramic nature around. A similar balcony is also there below. Another feature is the sundeck for sunbaths. Canoes are always connected to the static houseboat which takes the visitors for backwater cruises.

The houseboats of Kerala offer an innovative holiday idea besides being of a unique cultural heritage. Promoting the theme of holidaying aboard the houseboats in Kerala facilities have been added to the traditional kettuvallam. While aboard the houseboat in Kerala you may enjoy the facilities of a star categorized hotel. Usually the houseboats are well appointed with an open lounge, one or more bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette. A houseboat in Kerala is usually, manned by a crew, comprising of a cook, guide and oarsman. Lazing and relaxing on the sun decks is one of the most popular activities on the houseboats in Kerala. Traditional lanterns take up the place of electricity on the houseboats in Kerala. On the houseboats you may enjoy the serene surroundings along with savouring the traditional specialities of Kerala. Fresh seafood adds to the sumptuous meals available on the houseboats.

Besides gliding in the houseboats you may try exploring, swimming, dining, fishing, bird watching or just lazing in the sun. The houseboat holiday in Kerala promises to be a great escape. Cruising aboard the houseboats tourists are left spellbound by the beauty of the Kerala. The private houseboat trip indeed makes the trip to Kerala complete. For the budget tourists seeking to enjoy Kerala there are dormitories. The entire enchanting experience of the houseboats in Kerala ranges in duration and tariff.

The tourists on the houseboats may relive the authentic life in the villages of Kerala. These houseboats or the taxis on the backwaters of Kerala pass through several towns and villages of Kerala. The Vembanad Lake forms the largest backwater stretch in Kerala. You may enjoy Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi on the houseboat while enjoying backwaters of Kerala. Alappuzha is often referred to as the "Venice of the East". At Alappuzha you may check out the art of coir making by the local people.

Close to the capital city of Kerala lies the Veli Aakulam lagoon. For the tourists to Kerala the travel destination offers water sports, speedboats, floating restaurant, an amusement park et al. you may even check out the leisure sports in the backwaters of Kozhikode. Simply put houseboats in Kerala are great options for short breaks and getaways.