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 flavor.
Houseboat night stay scheduled Programe.
Activity | Scheduled Time |
Check-in and welcome drinks | 12.00 PM – can check in any time after 12 |
Cruise | 12.00pm – 1.30pm |
Lunch | 1.30pm – 3.00pm (anchored) |
Cruise | 3.00pm – 5.30pm |
Tea & Snacks | 4.00pm |
Anchored for night stay | 5.30pm |
Evening Walk | 5.30pm – 6.30pm |
Dinner | 8.00pm – 9.00pm |
Breakfast | 8.00am |
Cruise | 8.00am – 9.00am |
Check-out | 9.00am |
In AC Deluxe Houseboats, the Air Conditioner is installed in the bedroom and it will switch on from 9 PM to 6 AM only.
Next higher category is Premium. In Premium Boats, full time Air Condition will provide in bedroom.
Next Higher Category boat is Luxury. In this boats, front area is glass covered and Air Conditioned. If you book Luxury boat, you will get full time Air Condition in front Living area and there will not be the disturbance of mosquitos, insects and flies. Also there will 2 additional non veg dishes in the food menu.
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 village, agricultural farm visits. Fishing (Please ask for fishing rods to the crew)
Normal food Menu included in Tariff
Welcome drink | Lime juice /Tender coconut / Soft drinks & fruit basket . | |
Lunch | South Indian | Meals (Ponni rice or plain rice),Fish fry, Thoran, Mezhukkupuratti , Sambar ,Rasam , Papad, Curd, Pickle, Salad |
North Indian | White rice, Chapatti, Tadka Dal, Fry, Vegetable sabji, Bindi Fry, Papad, Curd, Pickle, Salad | |
Evening tea with snacks | Banana fry / Onion pakavada | |
Dinner | South Indian | Plain Rice, Chappathi,Dal, Chicken curry, Veg Kurma, Curd, Pickle |
North Indian | White rice,Chappathi,Tanduka Dal Fry ,Aloo gobi,Bindi Fry/Bindi Masala/Tomoto Fry ,Curd, Salad | |
Breakfast | Idly chutney sambar / Appam Stew or Egg Roast/ Poori Baji/ Puttu kadala/ Bread butter jam |
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.