The Kettuvallams or Kerala houseboats in the Kerala backwaters are one of the prominent tourist attractions in Kerala. Are you looking out for luxury on water ? Then here it is, the luxurious kerala houseboats. Kerala houseboats were traditionally called Kettuvallam which meant a boat made of wood.

The Kettuvallams or Houseboats were traditionally used as grain barges, to transport the rice harvested in the fertile fields alongside the backwaters. Thatched roof covers over wooden hulls, 100 feet (30 m) in length, provided protection from the elements.

Kerala houseboat design incorporates the olden and the modern charm to offer unique experince to the tourists on their Kerala houseboat tours. Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have become floating cottages having a sleeping area, with western-style toilets, a dining area and a sit out on the deck. Most tourists spend the night on a house boat. Food is cooked on board by the accompanying staff – mostly having a flavour of Kerala. The luxurious Kerala houseboats are well furbished with eco-friendly interiors. The houseboat crew includes a captain, a cook and an Oarsman.

The department of tourism in Kerala offers two classifications under luxurious houseboats namely Gold Star and Silver Star.

A sojourn in Kettuvallams, the House boats of Kerala, offers a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of the God’s Own Country. One can cruise in it through the palm-fringed backwaters, throughout a night in waxing moonlights.

Kollam, Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi (Cochin) make up the major part of the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The cruise takes you through various beautiful lagoons, canals, and scenic waterways fringed by palm tress. On the way, observe the water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, temples and coconut groves.

We can sum up the experience of staying in Kettuvallams in one word – absolute.