Houseboats in Kerala have a distinctive place in the state economy. Natives have monetized through the backwater bounty of ‘God’s Own Country’ by offering thrilling and relaxing rides on the houseboats or Kettuvallam. Kettuvalam term was derived by joining Kettu (tied with ropes) and vallam (boat). It has come to dominate the rich cultural heritage of Kerala by being one of the most popular means of transporting cargo over the years, in the past. Kettuvalams with thatched roof covering the wooden hulls have been a common sight for villages fringing the backwaters for many centuries.
Houseboats in Kerala have a distinctive place in the state economy. Natives have monetized through the backwater bounty of ‘God’s Own Country’ by offering thrilling and relaxing rides on the houseboats or Kettuvallam. Kettuvalam term was derived by joining Kettu (tied with ropes) and vallam (boat). It has come to dominate the rich cultural heritage of Kerala by being one of the most popular means of transporting cargo over the years, in the past. Kettuvalams with thatched roof covering the wooden hulls have been a common sight for villages fringing the backwaters for many centuries.
A house boat is about 67 to 90 feet in length and has a width of around 13 to 18 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”. new house boats are made of marine steel.
KERA has air-conditioned deluxe/premium houseboats. The house boats have fully furnished 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms with sundeck, upperdeck with comfortable furniture, kitchen and toilet with WC. All houseboats are fully insured, with all certifactiosn for authories and functioning with own lanidng are at punnmada lake.
Each houseboat has a three member crew – a chef, driver & cabin assistant. The cuisine is traditional Kerala flavor with the local specialties; delicious local fish (Pearlspot – Karimeen). There are single bedroom houseboats for couples or single family and two bedroom houseboats for four people or 2 families, 3 bed room for 6 people or 3 families, and 4 bed for 8 people or 4 families.
