Alleppey Houseboats

Locally known as a Kettuvallam, these iconic vessels were originally traditional wooden rice barges used to transport spices and grains across the massive backwater network. Today, they are beautifully redesigned into floating boutique stays featuring private bedrooms, attached modern bathrooms, a common front dining lounge, an upper deck (on select boats), and an onboard kitchen.

The quality, interior finish, and amenities vary across four main market tiers: ​Standard / Budget: Basic, clean rooms with essential amenities and simple home-cooked meals. Best for backpackers or budget-conscious travelers.

To ensure smooth operations and proper boat preparation between trips, all operators adhere to strict maritime timelines: ​Overnight Cruise: Check-in is at 11:30 AM and check-out is at 9:00 AM the following morning (includes a full day of cruising, dinner, and a short morning cruise).

By strict government maritime law, all motorized houseboats must anchor safely by 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM and cannot move again until 8:00 AM the next morning. Any emergency issus boat will moving at any time.