Keralas backwaters have become a must do thing in your visit to Kerala. Taking a boat trip on this intricate system of rivers, canals, lakes and lagoons you will have to adjust to travel in a floating pace, drifting in perfect silence with the villages, paddy fields and coconut groves. There is a different Kerala along these backwaters throbbing in its own unique culture. For you as a visitor to Kerala it can be an incredibly different experience just floating on these waters in a Kettuvallam enjoying this unusual representation of Keralas life. You could travel right up to Cochin or Kollam through the backwaters. A beautiful backwater spot accessible from Alleppey is Kumarakom, which is breathtakingly green.

Alleppey (Alapuzha) – Also known as the Venice of the east is situated along the canals and is situated on the confluence of Vembanadu lake Keralas biggest backwater and the Arabian sea offering a setting like nowhere else in the world. Alleppey is known as the Venice of the east because of its intricate maze of backwaters, canals and bridges. A fascinating fact about Kuttanadu a village in Alleppey is that cultivation is done below the sea level imitating the famous dykes of Holland.

Nehru trophy snake boat race – This famous race on Vembanadu lake in Alleppey takes place on every second Saturday of August each year with chundan vallams (snake boats) competing for the trophy. Each boat is over 30m long with a raised prow like head of a snake and carries over 100 rowers.

As you travel forward in your luxurious and comfortable house boats travel back wards in time to places where the way of life has not changed and where everything is still built by hand, made by hand and created by hand.

House Boats (Kettuvallams) – Kettuvallam is a large floating structure with high loading carrying capacity, was part of Keralas cultural and heritage over the past years. For centuries Kettuvallam has been roaming in the back waters transporting people and materials to different destinations. It was the important mode of transport in coastal Kerala just because of its accessibility to remote areas. As years passed the scene changed gradually. Motorized road scored over the slow and staid country boat with people opting for speed over charm.

Kettuvallam is made of a serious of wooden planks tied together using coconut fibres stuffed in between. Mostly jack wood is used for building Kettuvallam. These boats could measure up to 90 feet in length. Today these goods carriers have been adapted to make the most exciting tourism product in India. The luxuriously furnished and designed houseboat has two or more bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchen and a crew comprising of cook, driver and an engine controller.

House boats of classified star category A/C & Standard Electrified Non A/C House Boats, built to specifications of department of tourism, Government of Kerala.

The following rates are applicable to boats with one bedroom, two bedroom & three bed room provided with solar power Fans and lights and bio chemical toilets. Tariff for group and students available on request

• All the above rate are for one night stay and cruise.
• Meal plan applied as on A.P.A.I / Full board basis (i.e.: inclusive of breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• The menu is normally fixed. Any changes or specifications in the menu may be advised in advance.
• No Airport / Station transfers are included in the above rate.
• Normal Check in time: 12 hrs & Check out time: 10:00 am (will be followed strictly in season) Please note that the stay mentioned for one night is for 22 hours not for 24 hours.
• All electrically operated luxuries in the houseboat will be restricted from wastage of supported cells & A/C operates on a fuel monitor.
• Beverage charges and any cook to order will be extra on actuals.
• The boat will be anchored in the lake or canals during night and will not cruise after 17:30 hrs.
• Any claim of dispute will be subject to the Alleppey jurisdiction only.
• These rates are not valid from 1st December to 15th January.
• Tariff does not change with out prior notice