Kettuvallam, the traditional houseboats of India glide over the backwaters, the way a swan glides over a lake. In the bygone eras, the Kettuvallams were the main mode of transport for ferrying cargos from the inner villages, isolated by the backwaters, to the town. With the advent of roads and modern modes of transport, these traditional house boats lost their importance and were on the brink of abandonment.

Thanks to some great mind, the idea of using these house boats for tourism purposes took birth. The Kettuvallams after being renovated, with either one or two bedrooms, and attached bathrooms and a kitchenette, is now the star of tourism in the backwaters. An open lounge adds a plus point to the features of these houseboats.

The house boats of Kerala or Kettuvallams are gigantic country crafts, each of them being 80 feet long. The construction of these boats is done very meticulously and requires great skill. “Kettuvallam” gets the name “Boat with Knots” because the entire boat is held together with knots of coir. The boat is built by tying big planks of jack-wood together with coir, not even one nail is used for its construction.

Entire clans of artisans used to build these house boats. After tying the planks of wood together, the boats were coated with an acidic black colored resin obtained by boiling cashew kernels. These boats are so strong that they were used to carry up to 30 tonnes of rice and spices before the modern mode of transport came into existence in Kerala. If carefully maintained, these boats can last for the generations to come.

The renovation of the Kettuvallams into houseboats is done with the focus on keeping it eco-friendly. Only natural materials are used. The roof of the houseboat is made up of bamboo mats, sticks and the Aracanut tree’s wood. Wooden planks and coir mats make up the floor, while the wood of coconut trees and coir are used for the beds. One portion of the Kettuvallam is covered with Bamboo and coir and serves as a resting place and kitchen for the crew.

Each houseboat employs a crew consisting of a cook, and two boats men or oarsmen. Some house boats are equipped by 40 hp engine in addition to the oarsmen. The cook is the captain of the boat and backs up as a guide too. Delicious meals are cooked onboard with the cuisine being purely traditional and supplemented by fish caught from the backwaters.

Traditional lamps give out light creating an atmosphere of village life amidst modern comforts. Houseboats with solar lighting are also available.

More than 120 Kettuvallams can be seen dotting the backwaters of Kerala. It is an opportunity, of seeing village life from the Kettuvallams as you sail by. Not only are their various interesting sights to be seen from the houseboats, the peaceful surroundings drain you of all your worries and make you feel peaceful and rested as never before.

Various other facilities in the Kettuvallams make your vacation a wonderful experience. A balcony in the houseboat provides you with a perfect spot for fishing – you can even catch your own dinner! If you want to have a party then many houseboats can be linked together to make boat trains as you sail along.

According to the accommodation, the Kettuvallams are divided into 3 types. There is a single room accommodation, suitable for two people. The double room boat can accommodate up to 4 people. For larger parties there are bigger houseboats available. Two or more Kettuvallams can be linked together as a boat train too.