Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 kms of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. Before the trucks became popular, the main cargo transportation was through backwaters by 'Kettuvalloms'. Kettuvallom means, ‘stitched boat’. They are 70 / 90 foot long, 30 tons capacity, made with wooden planks joined and stitched together with coconut ropes and painted with cashew nut oil outside.

In earlier days, boatmen rarely stopped along the waterways for meals. Their diet consisted of freshly caught backwater fish, like karimeen (pearlspot) and kalangi (barramundi, an estuarial and fresh water game fish found also in Australia), non-perishable staples such as lentils and local large grain "red" rice, and inexpensive spices - coriander, ginger, dried chillies, turmeric, and black mustard seeds.

These they carried in ungrounded form to retain their freshness, crushing them into a spice paste with a stone "rolling pin" on a matching flat stone plate. Added into the paste was a liberal measure of grated coconut, which was also the source of the boatmen’s cooking oil. Meals were prepared on an earthen stove, fuelled by coconut shells, at the stern of the Kettuvallom, with the spice paste roasted slowly in earthen pots. The fish was added only in the later stages of preparation. Their vegetable and fruit diet consisted on the few things available such as yam, breadfruit, raw mango, and jackfruit (and its seeds), which grow in great abundance along the waterways.

Houseboats are converted ‘kettuvalloms’. They are designed for comfortable cruise and overnight stay. The boat has one / two / three bath attached double bedrooms with modern comforts, a very spacious living cum dining room, sundeck, an upper deck and a kitchen. The bedroom is air conditioned. The living room is open to the nature. The Houseboats are of premium category (Golden Star - approved by Department of Tourism, Kerala State).

The boat is constructed by Eco-friendly materials like bamboo mat, Arecanut trees and coir. A distinctive feature of the kettuvallom is the design suggesting the possible Chinese influence.

The boat moves by an out board engine of 25 HP (which do not make much noise), enroute visiting villages to see coir making, tea shops, paddy fields, temples, beaches etc till sunset. At night the boat is anchored at a beautiful and quite part of the lake. And morning you wake up to see many fishermen working around.

Boarding

There are many boarding points and routes to choose from depending on your time, budget and itinerary. The boarding points are Kumarakom, Alleppey, Thottappally and Alumkadave near Kollam (Quilon). See the map above. Alleppy is 2 hours drive from Cochin International airport and 1½ hours from Cochin. Kumarakom is 4 hours drive from Periyar. Thottappally is 5½ hours from Periyar and 3½ hours from Kovalam beach. Alumkadave is 2½ hours from Kovalam beach.

Meals

Though based on the tradition of fish and vegetables, in keeping with the demands of a cosmopolitan clientele, the cuisine served aboard our houseboats features a far more sophisticated menu than a kettuvallom. The ethnic meals are prepared on board by a personal cook and fish delicacies like white prawns, pearl spotted fish, crabs and mussels are the specialties. The meals include lunch, evening coffee or tea with snacks, dinner and breakfast.

Staff

In our each houseboat total three staff which includes a cook and two crews. The cook will also act as the captain of the house boat and the tour escort.

Routes

Alleppey Round
Cruise through Punnamada lake, Vembanade lake and narrow canals. Visit 'R' block (Paddy fields below sea level), 'C' block and Marthandam Kayal paddy fields etc.
Anchoring at Vembanadu Lake

Alleppey - Kumarakom
Cruise through Punnamada lake, Vembanadu lake and narrow canals. Visit 'R' block, 'C' block and Marthandam Kayal paddy fields and Kumarakom bird sanctuary.
Anchoring at Kumarakom Lake

Alleppey - Thottappally
Cruise through Punnamada lake and Paliathuruthy river. Visit Chavara Bhavan, Kainakary Village, beach etc.
Anchoring at Thottappally (Pamba river)

Alleppey - Alumkadave
Cruise through Punnamada lake, Vattakkayal, Paliathuruthy river and Thottappally kayal and Kayamkulam kayal. Visit 'R' block, 'C' block, Chithira kayal and Marthandam paddy fields, teashops, beaches villages and coir making villages.
Anchoring at Vattakayal & Kayamkulam Lake

From 01 October 2010 to 31 March 2011 (Except 20 December 2010 to 05 January 2011)

Includes all meals and taxes.

Check in: 12.00, Check out: 09.30

From 31 March 2011 to 30 September 2011

Includes all meals and taxes

Check in: 12.00, Check out: 09.30