Houseboats at Alleppey, Kerala

One of the most preferred ways to get close to the backwater life in Kerala is the houseboat stay. In the early days houseboats, which is also known as Kettuvallom, were used for the transport goods (a standard kettuvallom can hold up to 30 tones) 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 houseboat 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 local and eco friendly; bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. The main wood used is “Anjili”. There are houseboats with fully furnished single room to six rooms. All of them have a living area with comfortable chairs, kitchen and bedroom with attached toilet. In addition there is a separate rest room for the crew. Many of the boats are equipped with solar lighting, chemical toilets and outboard engines. The crew includes a chef, and two oarsmen. The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour.

The Houseboat Ovenight package will be like : You can checkin the boat at any time after 1200 hrs and boat cruise till 2 pm, then anchor for lunch. Again around 3.30 pm cruise starts and by 5.30 pm it will be anchored in a safe place for the night stay.  Next day morning around 7.30 – 8 am cruise starts and drop you at nearest Jetty around 8.30 – 9 am. Our car will be there when the boat arrives.

We had included Lunch, evening tea / snacks, dinner and next day breakfast in the package. If you wish to taste any special cuisines of Prawns, Lobster etc – just inform the boat people they will buy it locally and cook for you (will cost extra, please check rate before buying). Also if you wish to buy any snacks / medicine please do it before leaving from main land, as there is no good shops on the boat cruising route.

The Deluxe Houseboats are Air-conditioned houseboats and air-condition is in operation only during the sleeping hours (09 PM till 06 AM). Since houseboats are stationed in the bank of the backwater during the night, the problem of mosquito and water borne insects do come up hence you are kindly requested to carry mosquito and insect repellent along with you. The choice of food in the houseboat is very limited and mostly basic south Indian meal is served. The quality of the houseboat cannot be compared with the quality of the rooms in the hotel where you are staying. The rooms are basic and small. The main concept of the houseboat is to explore the backwater beauty of the region at the closest to nature.

The next higher category boats are Premium Houseboats, in which you will get full-time Air conditioning in the bedroom.

Next higher category is Luxury Houseboats, Luxury boat’s front area is glass-covered and full time air conditioning.  Furniture and fixures are more luxurious. Also, there will be 2 non-vegetarian dishes in the food menu. (one chicken & one fish item)

The water used in the toilet is taken from the well on the banks of the lake, so it may little salty / hard water. Mineral water is used for cooking and drinking.

Houseboat night stay scheduled Program 

Normal food Menu included in Tariff

Note : Now there is a fixed anchor place for each houseboat at 5.30 pm. It is based on the power source at the main land for taking Electricity to work Air conditioner, there may be other boats also nearby. Earlier days Air-conditioner was working in Generator and at that time boat can be anchored at anywhere, even in the middle of the lake also but now boats will be anchored at a particular place near to main land.

Evening Activities (5.30 pm to 6.30 pm):-

Evening walk -walk through the village, agricultural farm visits. Fishing (with prior request)

Also if you wish to buy any snacks/medicine, drinks etc.. please do it before leaving from main land, as there is no good shops on the boat cruising route.