Houseboat Stay

Houseboats known as Kettuvallam in Kerala are widely used in Alleppey of Kerala for transport purposes from old times. These houseboats have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls. Each houseboat is constructed using the ancient principles and techniques of boat building by the local carpenters using Anjili wood.

Coir ropes are used for tightening the wooden planks together. The traditional Houseboats are mainly used for promoting Kerala tourism. In the Malayalam language, kettu means to tie and vallam means boat - the two together make the local name kettuvallam.

From ancient times these boats are used to transport man and material. Especially the Rice and spices are transported in the backwaters of Kerala between Kuttanad and Cochin. Houseboats are available in different shapes and sizes according to the necessity and requirement. A standard 100 feet long houseboat can carry 30 Tonnes of load, also it can hold 3 full load lorries at a time.

But these boats are slow-moving. Motorized road, rail, and air transportation scored over the slow and staid country boat, with people opting for speed. A Kettuvallam is about 100 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle.

The materials that go into the making are local and ecofriendly, bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, carpets, etc. The main wood used is Anjali (Artocarpus Hirsuta). There are houseboats with a fully furnished single room, double room, and triple rooms.

Peoples may use these as a quarter also. To explore the old-style transportation vehicle in the backwaters of Kerala and a pleasant stay in the houseboat you must visit Alleppey with your family and friends.

You can visit Houseboat from 6 AM to 6 PM but for staying in houseboat it will charge for a team of 5 members between Rs 9500 to Rs 14000 depending on the facilities you want to avail.