Locally known as 'kettuvallam', traditional rice barges are made by tying jackwood planks together with coir rope, and then coating them with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells.
Today, these 24 metre long crafts have been converted into simple, furnished houseboats. Travelling along the complex network of brackish lagoons, lakes and canals that make up Kerala’s backwaters aboard a houseboat is an excellent way to explore the region at a leisurely pace, taking in wildlife sightings and greeting locals as you go.
OUR OPINION:
A wonderfully relaxing way to see the backwaters, rich birdlife and local activity. The crew usually speaks a little English, but they’re not able to speak at a conversational level. Please note that due to insects, lights are kept to a minimum at night. Those that are on have a low voltage, so it can be difficult to read.
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Photos of Keralan Houseboats (Rice barges)
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![Houseboat Backwaters]()
Houseboat Backwaters -
![Keralan Houseboats / Rice barges, backwaters]()
Keralan Houseboats / Rice barges, backwaters -
![Traditional houseboat cruise]()
Traditional houseboat cruise -
![Air-conditioned boat, Keralan Houseboats / Rice barges, Alleppey]()
Air-conditioned boat, Keralan Houseboats / Rice barges, Alleppey -
![Keralan Houseboat/Rice barge, Backwaters]()
Keralan Houseboat/Rice barge, Backwaters
Rooms
The houseboats usually feature one or two en suite bedrooms, making this a very personal and intimate experience. Cold showers are available, and the crew can provide you with a bucket of warm water on request. Air conditioning can be turned on in your bedroom at night to make sleeping conditions more comfortable.
Location
The houseboats can take a variety of different routes, all taking in the beautiful scenery of the backwaters.
Food and drink
A chef will be on board your houseboat to cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. You’ll typically board your houseboat for lunch and cruise the backwaters until the boat moors just before dusk, after which you can tuck in to dinner on the deck. As lights lit on the deck at night attract insects, dinner is usually served early. In the morning you can enjoy breakfast before disembarking.
While the boats don’t have a licence to sell alcohol, you’re welcome to take your own if you wish.
Facilities and activities
Each houseboat has an open lounge and a deck, where you can relax as you take in the passing scenery. They also have a kitchenette, and the crew on board consists of a captain and a chef.
Tour ideas in The Backwaters
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Keralan Houseboats (Rice barges) as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
The Backwaters and nearby places
- Mararikulam 7 miles away
- Cochin 30 miles away
- Kerala 39 miles away
- Kothamangalam 42 miles away
- Thekkady & Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary 59 miles away
- Munnar 62 miles away
- Kovalam 89 miles away
- Palakkad 89 miles away
- Madurai 124 miles away
- Ooty 133 miles away