Different Types of Alleppey Houseboats

From having simply, a deck and a kitchen, Alleppey houseboats have undergone massive makeovers to form various kinds of luxury houseboats or Kettuvellams. Originally, they were used to transport commodities such as rice, spices, etc. from one port to another across Kerala waters. Segregated based on various kinds of needs, sizes and prices, these boats now form a major tourist attraction. The tourism industry in the State offers various Alleppey houseboat packages and rates for this Alleppey Boat service has attracted several global tourists. Here are the different kinds of Kerala houseboats for you to consider.

Much like the way we rate appliances or hotels based on the quality of their service, durability, attractiveness and cost, these Alleppey boats can also be classified based on their quality in the measurement of stars.

Know more on Booking a houseboat.

• Gold Star Boats:

These boats are luxury boats, used for commercial or tourist purposes. Often used by honeymooners and vacationers, they are ideal for a two-day reprieve from busy everyday life.
Read more on romantic houseboats for couples.

• Silver Star Boats:

These boats are what are commonly called standard quality. Though not as attractive as the Gold Star one, these boats provide state of the art services and facilities for a knocked down price.

• Palm Green Boats:

Ideal for one day tours or hourly boating activities, these boats allow you to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala’s waters within or sometimes lesser than a day without spending too much from your pocket. Being houseboats, these are better alternatives than smaller boats as they allow you to rest whenever you please, without having to travel under the scorching noon sun.

Apart from this broad classification of Alleppey boats, based on quality and cost, they can also be divided based on their size, shape, and accommodation. Here are a few classifications of the boats based on the above-mentioned criteria:

• Upper Deck Boats:

The most luxurious Kerala houseboats fall under the upper deck category with excellent services and latest electronic gadgets available while on the water. These boats are mostly used for corporate meetings and services with the upper decks filled with enough number of rooms to be occupied by the expected number of officials. Several top-notch companies use these houseboats to conduct day-long meetings as this allows the employees to rest, have refreshments and continue the meeting without interruptions or delay. The cuisine prepared in these houseboats is done so keeping in mind the needs of the businessmen and high-class society. Due to the availability of business-class facilities and benefits such as air conditioning, these boats are most preferred by white-collar companies. One interesting feature of these boats is that in order to decrease pollution caused by motor engines or air conditioner, instead of using petrol or diesel to fuel them, these boats use a bio-septic tank to power generators which help run the boat. Since they are mostly meant for the wealthier class, these boats are pricey but are affordable for a relaxing weekend or vacation.

• Kettuvellam Rice Boats:

As mentioned before, the first ever use for these Alleppey houseboats was to carry commodities such as rice, oil, spices and other condiments across different ports in and around Kerala’s waters, via various trade routes. These boats were used by tradesmen for their comfort while traveling with goods. Nowadays these houseboats are used for historical journeys and tourism purposes. They are usually made of coconut or jack-fruit wood, contain one or two bedrooms on deck and are ideal for one-day tours or boat-pooling.

• Punting Boats:

To have naturally driven boats like the punting houseboats existing in today’s tech-savvy world is indeed a wonderful thing. Built like a traditional Kerala residence with jack-wood, these boats have two-three rooms on either of the corners with the kitchen in the center and two flat panels on opposite sides for the oarsmen to row the structure. They show that the true culture of Kerala is still preserved in the depths of its practices. Punting boats account for a slow, full experience of the soothing Kerala waters with time-consuming activities like fishing, bird-watching and enjoying being one amongst nature. A bit more luxurious than the Kettuvellam boats, these Kerala houseboats are ideal for vacationers and couples on a longer holiday as they come with a cook, house help, and two oarsmen and due to their slow pace.

• Speed Boats:

There isn’t a more cost-effective way to travel through Kerala’s soothing lakes than through speed boats. If you’re a person who enjoys group activities, then speed boats your ideal choice. Meant to accommodate about forty-fifty people once, these boats give you a one-day quick tour of Alleppey without burning a hole through your pockets. These houseboats are also the fastest way to explore the state via water.
Read more on guidance for houseboat tour.

Houseboats are quite famous and can be found in various parts of the world. But none of them are as appealing as Alleppey houseboats. Customers avail them via various Kerala houseboat packages and tours to explore its waters which are usually combinations of the boats and their facilities given here.