Kettuvallom or houseboat is a country boat that was used in the early days for transporting goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. It is usually about 67 ft in length and has a width of around 13 ft in the middle. The materials that are used in its making include bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats, and carpets. The main wood used is 'Aanjili'.
Now, Kettuvalloms are a popular tourist accommodation on the backwaters of Kerala. Single bedroom houseboats for two people and two bedroom houseboats for four people are also available. Sundeck, private balcony with comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with modern amenities are characteristic features. In addition there is a separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used for lights.
