greenodyssey
Tour Services
Services Offered
House Boats
The houseboats of today - huge, slow moving, exotic barge used for leisure trips - are the reworked kettuvalloms of olden times. The original kettuvalloms were used to carry tonnes of rice and spices - a standard kettuvallom can hold up to 30 tonnes - from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only - not even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallom can last for generations. A portion of the kettuvallom was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked on board and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local cuisine is served by the Kuttanad localites, on board. Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - are also used by large groups of sight-seers.
Motor boat Cruise
We The green Odyssey Organizes motor boat cruise for the tourists at Cochin, Alappuzha and Kumarakom.
Hotel Reservation
We The Green Odyssey arrange accommodation facilities in hotels of all categories for individuals as well as groups in any part of India.
South Indian Tour package
We organize tour packages based on various themes like - religion, culture, honeymoon, hill station, beach, wildlife etc. We take into consideration the budget and time of our customer before constructing any kind of tour package. Besides, we also offer customized tour packages, in which we help our customers, design their tours according to their interest.
Car/Coach Rentals
We provide car and coach rental services including economy, premium and luxury class vehicles that will provide the best of comfort and luxury.
Air/Train Ticketing
We also provide air/train -ticketing facility to any parts of India and at any time. Just let us known the place and time and we will do the rest as soon as possible.
Ayurveda
Kerala’s equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), are best suited for Ayurveda’s curative and rejuvenations packages. In fact today, Kerala is the only state in India with practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.We arranges Ayurvedic rejuvenation programs for the tourists from all over the world.
Homestays
One of the many fascinating experiences for visitors to Kerala is without doubt the Home Stays. These are literally home away from home, allowing you to get close with the host family and the community that lives in an area.
Tucked away in misty plantation hills, amidst cool coconut groves, circled by backwaters, by the side of sun drenched beaches or in villages with distinct characteristics; home stays in Kerala offer you one of the most favoured means by visitors to enjoy and experience the culture, lifestyle and flavours of the land and its people.
Village Back water Cruise (Country Boat)
Backwaters are an amazing phenomenon of Kerala - a necklace of lagoons, lakes, canals and rivers that run through the length of this beautiful land. Infact much of Kerala's uniqueness lays in its backwaters - found nowhere else in the world.
Honeymoon Package
Kerala has been emerged as a Paradise for honeymooners, because of its beautiful Beaches, Lakes, Backwaters, Hill stations, houseboats etc. We offer you a world of choice for your romantic honeymoon holidays, romantic vacations.
Conference Booking
We The Green Odyssey arrange Conference facilities in hotels of all categories of groups in Kerala.
Art Forms
Kerala is home to a stunning variety of art forms. 'Kathakali' the most popular art form in which the entire body is used to portray a story. The Kathakali artistes wear elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up.'Mohiniyattam' the dance of enchantress and 'Kalaripayattu' the amazing martial art.
Trekking
The mountain ranges of Kerala offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the shimmering waterfalls cascading down in glee, like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in Kerala amidst the world’s most beautiful places.
Guide Services
Odyssey India is embedded with a bunch of smart and elegant guides who are proficient in many languages.
Kerala House Boats
Kerala House Boats
Kettuvallam
The Kettuvallom or 'boat with knots' is so called because the entire boat is held together with coir knots only - not a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of huge planks of Jack wood (Artocarpus hirsuta) or 'Aanjili' and joined with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.
A portion of the Kettuvallom is covered with a canopy made of the wood from the areca nut tree and bamboo mats and coir and served in the old days as a rest room and kitchen for the crews. Kettuvalloms were formerly used for the transport of goods like rice, spices and coir from the isolated villages of the interior to the towns.
A Kettuvallom, which measures from 20 - 25m in length and from 4m - 4.5m across, can hold up to 30 tons of cargo. Two men punting at each end with long bamboo poles moved these huge barges. With the advent of roads, bridges and modern transportation, these Kettuvallom gradually disappeared from use. There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were involved in Kettuvallom construction.
House Boats
The house boat of today is an an innovative version of its Kettuvallam ancestor.While converting Kettuvalloms in to house boats,care is taken to use only eco-friendly and traditional materials,retaining the bamboo mat roofs and coir mat floors.As in the old days,kerosene lanterns are used to give a romantic touch even though solar lighting is equipped.
The design incorporates the best of the old and the new.Even while retaining the strong traditional flavour,the standards of comfort and convenience are very high.In choosing your house boat you have the choice of single,double or triple bed rooms in standard,air-conditioned or non a/c deluxe or luxury categories.
House boat with a mini coference hall is the best choice for those who want to enjoy their meetings and get together.Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying,they are comfortably furnished with an open lounge,one or two or three bath attached bed rooms and a kitchen and with a upper deck for more privacy.
Fetures of House boat
Traditional construction of jackfruit and bamboo, with arched grooves and projecting 'sit-outs' to conjure up images of a floating Sydney Opera House!
- A friendly crew of 3-4 to propel the boat, untangles passing water lilies, buy and cook dinner and generally pamper you
- One, two or three double-bedrooms per boat.
- Solar panel for refrigeration, cooling and lighting up the interiors.
- Shower cubicle and flush toilet with running water.
- Fully equipped kitchen.
- Catering to suit all diets.
- Refrigerated drinks available, including 'Thrilling chilled' Kingfisher beer.
- Collection from (and drop-off at) the door of any waterside hotel.
- Sun deck with a mattress.
- Eco-friendly furniture is used wherever possible.
- Fishing rod for recreation
- Mosquito nets/Mosquito repeller in bedrooms.
- Clean and high quality linen, blankets, towels, and kitchenware, etc.
- Cold storage for beverages and perishable food.
- Bio-chemical toilets with W/c and hand shower.
- Boat operated with silent engine (In board).
Cruise
You can choose at Kollam,Alumkadavu,Thottapally,Alappuzha,Thottapally and Kumarakom spend a day or several ,cruising to your destination,Pausing to take in local sites.
Routes
You can board at Kollam (Quilon), Alumkadavu, Thottapally, Alappuzha (Alleppey),, Kumarakom and spend a day or several, cruising to your destination, pausing to take in local sites.
Crews
The crew includes a captain, an engine driver and a cook, with optional English speaking guide.
Cuisine
The cuisine is traditionally Keralan (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian). Ethnic meals are prepared on board by your personal cook.
Kerala House Boats Read More »