Kerala house boats

History




House boats are renewed versions of Kettuvallam that were famous in Kerala in olden times. House boats are a major attraction of Kerala tourism, Kettuvallam was actually used to carry good in olden times, and standard kettuvallam can hold around 30 tons from Alleppy to Kochi and they lasts for more than hundred years.

Kettuvallam is made of planks of jack would, the wood is held together by coir, not a single metallic material is used in the construction of Kettuvallam. The planks wood held together by coir is then coated with black resin extracted from boiled cashew kernels and there is rest room at the end portion of the kettuvallam constructed of bamboo and held together by Coir. This room was for cooking on board and to accommodate the crew.

Present




By the time of machines Kettuvallams give way to modern trucks. Kettuvallam lost it prominence in transports system with the coming of modern trucks which are faster means of transport. As these kettuvallams were on the verge of Extinction, innovative Malayalees find a way to re innovated the kettuvallams by constructing special rooms for travelers.
They converted the age old Kettuvallams in to House boats of today, they took care to use only the natural materials like bamboo mats etc to construct House boats. They done the roofing with areca nut wood, coir mats and wooden planks for flooring and wood of coconut trees and coir for bed and solar panels were use for lighting.
Kettuvallams of today are comparable with any of the modern day Hotels, with furnished bed rooms, balcony, etc...Most of the House boats of today are powered by engines.

Facilities




The most important tourist's attraction of Kerala is, the inland water ways, lakes lagoons etc and the greenery in the southern parts of Kerala. Journey in House boats ensure a incredible journey through the Back water like Vemabanatu lake which is the biggest Like in Kerala There are around 500 house boats in Kerala, mainly in Alpuzha and Ernakulum.
House boats are classified in to three Standard, Deluxe and Luxury; house boat journey includes accommodation, special Kerala dishes being served on board. There are categories of house boats available for tourist; there are Air-conditioned House boats, non Ac, single bed room double room etc. You can choose accordingly. Some of the major Boat cruises in Kerala are short house boat cruises in and around Allaepy, kunarakom and Kollamand Overnight Boat cruise from Alleppy to Kottayam, alleppy to Thottapally etc. The guests have the choice to stop for sightseeing in midst of the journey,

Safety




House boats of Kerala are gaining popularity day by day among domestic as well as international tourists. Consequently the numbers of house boats plying in back waters of Kerala are increasing, in order to assure the safety of tourists Govt of Kerala has Categorised the house boats depending on the facilities available in to Gold Star and Silver Star
House boats which full will all the essential conditions and five of the ten optional conditions are classifies as Gold Star and those satisfying Essential condition are classified as Silver Star

Major House boats Providers

There are many groups proving house boat facility in the back waters of Alleppy, prominent among them being

• Muthoot Back water Cruises
  Address
  Muthoot Back Water Cruisers,
  Near pallathuruthy Bridge, AC Road
  PH: 9446096884, Email:me.mlhs@muthoothotels.com
  Home: www.muthoothotels.com


• Lakes and lagoons,
  402-B/VIII, "Keerthi",
  Punna mada, Avalookkunu PO
  Naz Tourism group,
  Palma Verde Tours Pvt. Ltd


• Kumarakom Water Transport Company Pvt.Ltd
  Kumarokam North
  Kotayam 689 566
  PH:+914812524900
  Email:reservationklr@thepaul.in
  www.kumarokamhouseboat.com


• Lake Shore Place, Kumarakom
  Kotayam
  PH:+914812565661
  Email:info@lakeshorepalace.in
  www.lakeshorepalace.in


• River N lake Back Water cruise
  Chheppunakal PO
  Kumarakom
  Kotayam 686563
  PH: +914812525797
  Email:mail@houseboatah.com
  www.houseboatah.com