A Cruise along the palm fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today.  In this world of simple pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves.

The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi (Cochin) Port.  The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the backwaters.

Houseboats :

The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of  Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.

Once these Rice Barges ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities.  But in the recent times, the ketuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay.

Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood.  Unbelievably it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam.  Jackwood planks are joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashewnut shells.

There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat 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. 

Pleasant Journey :

Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms or 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, a Captain, and an Oarsman.

The kitchen in the houseboat or ketuvallam is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food.  The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala cooking.  Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the economy of the village. 

Luxury A/C Houseboat :

The Luxury A/c Houseboat includes the following facilities :

Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel.