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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.
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The Houseboats of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether. Once they ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the kettuvalloms have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay.
A two deck houseboat on cruise on the backwater
It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.
The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms ( houseboats ) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew - usually a cook, guide and oarsman.
Houseboat Tariff |
Route |
Standard Houseboat 02 pax |
Standard Houseboat 04 pax |
Deluxe Houseboat 02 pax |
Deluxe Houseboat 04 pax |
A/C Deluxe Houseboats 02 pax |
A/C Deluxe Houseboats 04 pax |
Alleppey Round |
5000/- |
7750/- |
6500/- |
10500/- |
8000/- |
12500/- |
Alleppey- Kumarakom |
5500/- |
8250/- |
7000/- |
11000/- |
8500/- |
13000/- |
Alleppey- Thotapally |
6250/- |
8750/- |
7500/- |
11500/- |
9500/- |
13500/- |
Alapuzha - Alumkadavu |
7750/- |
11750/- |
9500/- |
14500/- |
10500/- |
16500/- |
Kumarakom - Round |
5750/- |
8500/- |
7500/- |
11500/- |
8500/- |
13500/- |
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