House Boat Stay In The Backwaters of Kerala

The Houseboats of Kerala are a new addition to the travel and tourism of the state's backwaters. These crafts, measuring up to 120 feet in length, retrieved from the age old cargo vessels of the State. Once they ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, these big vessels have been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect and decay. But like the phoenix it again raises to the attention of the modern world, with a difference – this time the cargo is comfort and rippling relaxation. It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Curiously enough, not a single nail is used in their making of a houseboat. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in house boat construction. Today, an innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with them their makers.

The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country barges, which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone by. Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms (houseboats) are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly, merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew of 3 men, usually a cook, guide and oarsman. The ?Anjali wood? is used for this purpose. Normally our houseboats are of an average 70 ft long and 15 ft width in the central section. Some of the attractive houseboat packages in Kerala are:

Aleppey Houseboats
Alleppey is the citadel of House Boats: There are some 120 of them, well maintained and perfected as luxury liners here. The crew cooks on board, and most often, their meals included delicious pearlspot fish caught straight from the water. A portion of the House Boat had bamboo roofing, and that was where the crew would rest. You will be enjoying the finest Kuttanadan delicacies when you saunter down the backwaters. You will be lounging in the best-furnished cabins with a view you cannot find anywhere else in the world, and the entire milieu is ecological. Fresh food, cooked in inimitable Kuttanadan style is the rage of the international tourists.

Kumarakom Houseboats
The premium attraction of Kumarakom is obviously the backwaters here. A ride through these backwaters will be an unforgettable experience for you. From single to multiple ? lots of packages are available and you can have your choice. You can enjoy the traditional Kerala meals while enjoying the fine trip through the gorgeous backwaters of Kumarakom. Fresh cooked meals along with the unique ?Karimeen fry? will satisfy your gourmet.

Kollam Houseboats
The eight hour water cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha is considered to be the longest backwater cruises in Kerala. The long hour journey through the backwaters will be a cherishing memory filled with the stunning beauty of the backwaters. On your way, enjoy the beauty of Chinese fishing nets; get excited with the sights of lotuses and water lilies, which is sprouting out of the water. A ride in a House Boat is the most stunning experience you could ever float into, or get floated into. And, nothing like it, if it rains while you are cozy inside the luxurious House Boat. It will be the most magical moment of your life. You could watch millions of drops of water splashing and pounding on the rhythm of the falling rain like you never had in all your life.