2009-01-27T21:42:00.000-08:00

About House Boat…

A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a human dwelling.

The houseboats in Kerala, south India, are huge, slow-moving, exotic barges used for leisure trips. They are a reworked model of Kettuvallams (in the Malayalam language, Kettu means "tied with ropes", and vallam means "boat"), which, in earlier times, were used to carry rice and spices from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. Kerala houseboats were considered a convenient means of transportation.

The popularity of Kettuvalloms has returned in the function as major tourist attractions.

Such a houseboat is about 60 to 70 feet (about 18 to 21 meters) long and about 15 feet (about 5 m) wide at the middle. The hull is made of wooden planks that are held together by ropes of coconut fiber; the usual wood is 'Anjili'. The roof is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The exterior of the boat is painted with protective coats of cashew nut oil.

House Boat Cruise

Board on to the HOUSE BOAT from KUMARAKOM or ALLEPPEY

KUMARAKOM: East banks of Vemabanadu Lake BACK WATERS. A village with coconut lagoons and paddy fields.
ALLEPPEY: West banks of Vemabanadu Lake BACK WATERS with coconut lagoons and paddy fields. One of the most fascinating beaches; which is parallel -3 Km- to the Backwaters is an added attraction.

Check in to the Houseboat at 12.00 Noon from ALLEPPEY or KUMARAKOM. With the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers criss-crossing it, Kumarakom/Alleppey is referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world. This backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. House boat cruise through narrow canals- Pathiramanal Island Virgin villages-paddy fields-historical places - Temples - Snake boat Coconut beer shops(Toddy shops) ---- R Block Islands - Kuttanad Village etc. Distance covered on each day will be 35 to 40 km on an average/Day. Enjoy spectacular lush green paddy fields, where you may enjoy an unique nature, life style of village people and their activities like Coir roping, Toddy tapping etc. Meals served will be of typical Kerala cuisine or innovate as per your taste and style.

Common Menu: (The below Menu is our suggestion only. You may innovate the same as per your taste and style). Lunch : Boiled/Basmati Rice, vegetables, fish fry/curry, salads, pappad. Evening: Tea / coffee with snacks. Dinner : Rice, chapathy, vegetable curries and chicken. Breakfast: Bread, butter, jam, and eggs to order or Kerala style Break Fast. (All meals are included in the package) (All meals will be provided in the House Boat.)

You may enjoy the splendid sunsets, Waxing moon lights, dreaming stars and of course the delicious foods cooked and served by us.

[ You are mostly invited to our kitchen in the House Boat, to learn and try the list of ingredients and instructions for making something, especially a traditional food dish of KERALA for the dinner or for the Breakfast. If you are satisfied; don’t forget to note down the recipe and try it in future.]

NB:
1.) 06.00 pm to 07.00 am- Boat will Anchored & it will be idle in the lake. (As per GOVT. Rule- Village people need to put the net in the lake for fishing).
2.) Air condition will function in the bed room from 08.00 PM till 07.00 AM only .
3.) There will have no Television in the Houseboat

Overnight Stay in the Air Conditioned Luxury - House Boat. Non A/C is also available with cut down price.

Disembark from the Houseboat at 10:00 AM after breakfast

For Reservations and Kerala Tour Packages please contact:

Spice Holidays,
1st floor, Narayani Building
Pullepady Cross Road, Cochin-18

Ph: 0484-4023813, 4023979
Mobile: 0-9447777574, 9895011572,
9249560242, 9746145768

Email: munnartravels@gmail.com, martin@spiceholidays.com

Websites: www.munnartour.com, www.keralaholidays.org