Kerala houseboats or kettuvallam are mainly the country boats or rice boats which includes a wide section of Kerala Tourism. This practice of house boat, precedes back to the tradition of employing boats for the transportation of food items and other goods from the backward and isolated remote villages of Kerala to popular towns like Alleppey, Kollam, Cochin and Kottayam. Gradually with the arrival of modern techniques and further development pushed these kettuvalam towards extinction and therefore the practice ceased to exist anymore. However with new and modified ideas pouring in, the trend of kettuvallam has rekindled and has eventually bloomed into a much successful endeavor.
The modern day moving houseboats is one of the major tourist attractions. These houseboats cruise around the spectacular Kerala backwaters providing one with a captivating experience. The entire journey moves past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves making it an unusual experience.The houseboats or kettuvallam are primarily made up of wooden material, mainly woods of ‘Anjili trees’, and are of 20-25 meters in length and 4-5 meters in breath. The unique design of the boats imparts an exotic feeling along with a rare experience. The Kerala houseboats are the improvisations of the ancient country barges with much modification and innovation. The facilities provided and the standards of comfort are pretty high, making it a luxurious journey.
There remains a vast choice amongst the package one would like to affiliate varying between, single bedroom, double bedroom and triple bedrooms in standard, deluxe and luxury categories with air conditioned or non A/C facilities. The prices also vary accordingly, ranging from Rs. 7000/- to Rs. 16,500/- as per one’s requirement. The prices are standardized for a stay of 22hrs duration.These houseboats need to be booked beforehand and during the ride, the navigator, the cook and the service staff accompanies the tourists. Freshly cooked meals are offered, with options of veg and non-veg as per person’s preferences, and the fish they cook is freshly acquired from the lake. The kitchen of the houseboats is famous for their tradition food.
The abundance and availability of varieties of fishes along the Kerala backwaters make it the entire experience anauthentic one. The toilets and washrooms are equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Houseboats on the higher range class, also offer onboard game activities, which include, chess, carom, scrabble, playing cards etc. Life-savers and safety jackets are also essential elements found on board. High standards of hygiene and professional expertise is been maintained and the service providers are also thoroughly trained. Such wonderful packages are often taken up by newlywed honeymoon couples, also by families and friends groups. The romantic environment seems to talk for itself. The wondrous houseboats seem to provide the perfect setting for a perfect holiday, which essentially paves the way for a remarkably wonderful lifetime experience.