Kerala Houseboats

The idyllic cruises on the Kerala houseboats present a perfect vacation to the tourist who desires to combine luxury and nature. Maps Of India brings you information about these floating havens.

Construction of the Houseboats:
The Houseboats in Kerala, also called the Kettuvalloms are an improvisation on the traditional barges used to transport rice, coconut and other commodities of local trade. With time and the advent of motor boats, these barges fell into decline. With a sharp increase in tourist activity in the state these Kettuvalloms have been skillfully restructured and reconstructed to make luxury cruise boats. These are constructed by tying together jackwood planks with coir rope and then coating these logs with a black resin-like substance made by boiling cashew nuts. This resin gives the boat it buoyancy and makes it extremely safe to sail on. Nails are not used in the making of these barges but the traditional means of boat making still accomplishes quite a lot without the nails.

The Accommodation:
The interiors of the houseboats have been done up to provide the guests with utmost luxuries and present a rustic yet comfortable ambience. The walls and ceilings of the houseboats are made up of exquisitely carved wooden logs. Large, airy windows ensure you do not miss out on the natural beauty of this state during your cruise. The romantic settings are enhanced by use of fiber optic lights whose intensity can be adjusted to suit the guest's needs.

Terracotta handicrafts, soft carpets and elegant paintings make one forget that these are the interiors of a boat.

The open lounge or the upper deck is fitted with a high tech music system and equipment or activities like fishing etc is available on hand.

Amenities In The Houseboats:
The bathrooms in these luxury vessels are fitted with high quality fittings including a shower and wash basin. You could even ask for a Jacuzzi fitted houseboat. Water heaters are available on most houseboats. The living quarters of the houseboat (bedroom etc.) are fitted with split AC units. Lifesaving devices and safety jackets are available on board as a guard against any eventuality. The kitchens are clean and spacious equipped with modern equipment and fridge and usually fire proofed.

Classification:
Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats classifies the highest ranking houseboats as Gold Star and Silver Star. However, private operators may classify them as AC/ NON AC or luxury and deluxe.

The crew of a houseboat usually consists of a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman.