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Kettuvallom (House Boat) is a country boat that was used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvalloms went off the scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Kettuvallom is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters

Traditionally, the houseboat was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam. Anjili tree (Botanical name: Artocarpus Hirsutus) are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells

The Kettvalloms (houseboats) of Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring upto 80 feet in length, retrieved from being lost to the state altogether.

Soma Houseboats operated by Somatheeram Beach Resorts Group, Kovalam, offers the opportunity of a life time to view the scenic beauty of Kerala by traversing the backwaters. Soma Houseboats are mini-mobile cottages. Most of them have two cabins, including a sit out, sundeck, bedroom and private bath. Interior is fully covered by wooden panels. To assist the tourists, the Houseboats have guides and a crew of experienced hands

The boat services have been laid off with the developments taken place in the transport services in the recent past. Today these giant 80-foot long crafts have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A Kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook.

The boat services have been laid off with the developments taken place in the transport services in the recent

Providing the charms of the backwaters of Alleppy with its fleet of 15 well furnished houseboats, Alleppy Tourism Development Co-Operative society Ltd. extends all support to tourists interested in backwater tourism.The materials that go into the making are all local, Eco friendly, bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour with the local specialities; delicious fish and prawns. There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people.
A ride in the houseboats through the backwaters of Alleppey would give a chance to understand the culture and life of Kerala and also can experience the rich beauty of nature.

Lakes Lagoons is the one and only ISO 9001 - 2000 certified houseboat tour company in Kerala. A professionally managed company with a fleet of more than 10 luxury Houseboats, Lakes & Lagoons offer the best in backwater cruise journeys.
The pure ethnic cuisine served in the houseboat is a specialty of Lakes & lagoons. The menu includes steaming fresh cooked rice, curries with locally grown organic vegetables, pearl spot (Karimeen) fry, the starchy cassava (Tapioca) and fish curry - a veritable tropical feast for your palate.
The house boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and western styled toilet. In addition, there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey give the guest first hand experience of the life style, toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years.

The pioneers in houseboat operations having single, double, three and four bedroom houseboats, Pulickattil for the first time in history introduced five-bed room houseboat with conference hall which offers panoramic view of the backwaters.The sail-steered, wind powered boat takes the guests along the enchanting paddy fields, picture square river - banks and remote hamlets to provide glimpses of Alappuzha and its rural face. A class apart from ordinary houseboats, these boats give all the luxuries one get from a rich traditional Nalukettu, the traditional wooden houses of Kerala.A traditional swing bed, ritual hanging lamp, spacious sit out and bedrooms, carved furniture, travelers library, miniature handicraft emporium, health work mat, fishing facility, marbled floors etc. are some of the specialties.
Furniture in these house boats are designed like that of a Nalukettu. Its architecture re-livens the woodcraft in palaces, and the entire furniture is hand carved - the floor is aesthetically finished in rosewood.

Rainbow Cruises, the pioneers in houseboats having Gold Star certification, with a fleet of ten boats is the best for a floating holiday on the backwater highways of Kerala, experiencing the picturesque villages, paddy fields and rows of coconut palms swaying in the wind. The real Kerala could be experienced here.
The fleet comprising of Premium A/c, Deluxe A/c and Deluxe Non A/c houseboats are equipped with every luxury and safety measures. The English speaking crew, including a personal chef is at service round-the-clock.
While eyes feast on the endless expanse of water, one can satisfy his taste buds with a variety of Continental, Chinese or Indian delicacies. With one or more bath attached bedrooms, open lounge, deck, kitchen etc and furnished lavishly, every modern convenience is added to it. Running water, all through the trip, sparkling clean fittings, on board mobile phone connection and an eco-friendly method of waster disposal are some of the specialties.

Tourindia has pioneered the development of backwater tourism by introducing first Kettuvallam (Rice Boat) for comfortable cruise in the canals. These houseboats are known for its unique design, use of local material like bamboo poles, coconut finer ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. These boats have single room, double room, triple room configuration with, sun deck and private balcony with comfortable chairs. The rooms are fully furnished with attached bathrooms with shower, wash basin and flushing WC with tiled floor.
Each boat has a fully equipped kitchen and an experienced cook to prepare authentic Kerala cuisine with sea food specialties and fresh vegetables. The guest can go for short expedition on cycle or the modified bullock carts which are available to take you higher and higher to enjoy the beauty of village scenarios.