Alleppey Houseboats, Kerala Backwaters and other Experiences not to miss.
Experience life on the Alleppey houseboats. Feb 25, 2020
The Backwaters of Alleppey have been used for centuries by local people for transportation, fishing and agriculture. Today backwater tourism can be added to the list as people flock to the Kerala backwaters after the monsoon to experience life on the Alleppey houseboats and to see some of the surrounding village life for themselves.
Kerala houseboats were once used to transport fish, rice and spices but are now being converted into a floating hotels or rooms where people can enjoy a night or two out on the water.
The Kerala backwaters was something that was on our bucket list for some time. We planned to go two years ago but after our Goa travels our train was delayed and all our plans unravelled. This trip to India we made Kerala a priority and staying on an Alleppey boat house was a must!
We put together this post to write about our own Alappuzha boat house experience and answer all the questions we had while planning our trip. Hopefully this post will help you plan a memorable Kerala boat house adventure and tie up all the loose ends you unsure about. Experiencing the backwaters of India was an experience we certainly will never forget!
The kettuvallams 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, providing protected from the elements. At some point in time, the boats were used as living quarters by the royalty. 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 houseboat. Food is cooked on board by the accompanying staff – mostly having a flavour of Kerala. The houseboats are of various patterns and can be hired as per the size of the family or visiting group. The living-dining room is usually open on at least three sides providing a grand view of the surroundings, including other boats, throughout the day when it is on the move. It is brought to a standstill at times of taking food and at night. After sunset, the boat crew provide burning coils to drive away mosquitoes. Ketuvallams are motorised but generally proceed at a slow speed for smooth travel. All ketuvallams have a generator and most bedrooms are air-conditioned. At times, as per the demand of customers, electricity is switched off and lanterns are provided to create a rural setting
Ketuvallams are motorised but generally proceed at a slow speed for smooth travel. All ketuvallams have a generator and most bedrooms are air-conditioned. At times, as per the demand of customers, electricity is switched off and lanterns are provided to create a rural setting
Regular ferry services connect most locations on both banks of the backwaters.[5] The Kerala State Water Transport Department operates ferries for passengers as well as tourists. It is the cheapest mode of transport through the backwaters.
Kuttanadu is a region covering the Alappuzha and Kottayam Districts, in the state of Kerala, India, well known for its vast paddy fields and geographical peculiarities. The region has the lowest altitude in India and is one of the few places in the world where farming is carried around 1.2 to 3.0 metres (4 to 10 ft) below sea level. Four of Kerala's major rivers, the Pamba, Meenachil, Achankovil and Manimala flow into the region. Kuttanadu is historically important in the ancient history of South India and is the major rice producer in the state. It is also well known for its boat races.
Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala is at the heart of the Backwater tourism with hundreds of kettuvallams plied on it and numerous resorts on its banks. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake. The lake has become a major tourist attraction
The major occupation in Kuttanadu is farming, with rice the most important agricultural product. This activity gives the area its moniker of "The Rice Bowl of Kerala". Large farming areas near Vembanad Lake were reclaimed from the lake. In 2013 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations formally declared the below-sea-level farming system in Kuttanad as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems