MV Vaikundam has nine well-appointed cabins with attached washrooms on the lower deck and, a well-functional kitchen, air-conditioned and exquisitely set dining hall and bar with lounge on its upper deck.
MV Vaikundam is a boat whose hull was modelled on the traditional Kettuvallom or rice barges of the past. The rooms are made using wooden panels with wall papering, wood panelling, sparkling wooden flooring and the upper deck has some bamboo matting with bamboo poles for roof, following some of the traditional practices but contain all modern amenities. The superstructure uses a lot of teak and jack wood with a lovely polish and sheen.
The wooden hull of the boat on the upper segment is made by joining planks of local wood ‘Aanjili or, Wild Jackwood,’ using strong coir rope on the segments above the waterline. The wood is coated with a caustic black resin made by boiling cashew kernel and fish oil. The wood is periodically treated with the Neem oil and Fish oil. This is the traditional style called Kettuvallum.
- Size mini
- Style Classic
- Type river
No Individual Tipping for any on shore and offshore crew. Envelopes will be put in your cabin, the evening before the day of departure and you could tip the crew, the naturalist and if you’ve used the Massage facilities as per the policy in the cabin folder.
The lower deck has nine cabins with the first cabin being the deluxe cabin and the balance eight being superior cabins. All cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite washroom and toilet facilities.
Each cabin has 3 windows. 8 cabins have twin beds, only one cabin offers double bed. All cabins have a wardrobe, dresser, and side tables. The toilets have hair dryers, toileteries while, the cabins have coffee/tea makers.
Deluxe Cabin
Superior Cabin
Upper Deck
- Sun Deck
- Bar
- Lounge
- Buffet Table
- Store
- Massage Room
- Staff Room
- Kitchen
- Solar Panels
- Hot Water Tank
Main Deck
- 1x Deluxe Cabin
- 8x Superior Cabins
- Cockpit
- Toilet
- Machine Room
- Generators
Facilities on board
- Well equipped kitchen managed by experienced Chef and service team.
- Buffet Menu: Traditional Indian cuisines Vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian food using locally available fresh products.
- Beverages: Authentic Indian Wine and beer is available onboard – prior notice is required.
- A special chef’s meal is arranged serving Kerala Cuisine with fresh catch of seafood in a traditional style on a banana leaf.
The following cooking demos curated by our onboard chef can be organised on prior request:
- Food in Toddy Shops
- Street Food of Kerala
- Ayurveda Inspired Cuisines
- Kerala Dumplings
Dining
On-Board Highlights
- The boat has two decks. The upper deck offers the open sun deck with a 360 degree view, an air-conditioned bar with lounge and an air-conditioned restaurant seating 22 guests. There is an Ayurvedic massage room on the upper deck too with male and female masseuses available.
- There is a small onboard library
- Indian and international cuisine is offered on board in the restaurant
- The lower deck has nine cabins with the first cabin being the deluxe cabin and the balance eight being superior cabins. All cabins are air-conditioned with en-suite washroom and toilet facilities.
- Each cabin has large picture windows, have twin beds in 8 cabins and double bed deluxe cabin, wardrobes, dresser and side tables.
- The electricity is run 24X7 and there is always running hot and cold water with heated water through a solar heating system. The running water is generated from the river with a water generator which does both filteration and reverse osmosis.
- In addition to the crew, there is an on-board destination manager, chef and service team, altogether twelve people to take care of eighteen guests.
On Board Experiences
- Live Music: Local instrumentalists of the Thamburu, Flute and Tabla can be arranged on request and extra charges
- Art: Local mural painters can be invited aboard for demonstration on request
- Entertainment: Board game and playing cards selection
- Shopping: Onboard outlet to buy coir coasters,wooden caparisoned elephants and fresh spices.
- The destination manager gives talks on the destinations being visited
Sun Deck
Lounge & Bar
The upper deck offers an air-conditioned bar with lounge.
In order to experience the ancient holistic health practices which are still prevailing, we recommend the following off-board wellness experiences:
- Yoga & Meditation for inner wellbeing – A professional Yoga master will demonstrate the basics.
- Authentic Ayurveda: A traditional doctor, gives a talk on Ashtangahridayam – the practical, user friendly interpretation of Ayurveda, compiled by the great Sage Vagbata that’s extensively used in Kerala.
- The Vaidyars/ traditional Ayurveda practitioners of Kerala are proficient in this most contemporary treatise of Ayurveda which many scholars consider an advancement over the earlier samhitas of Charaka and Sushruta, the pioneers of Ayurveda. The medicines are hygienically prepared using the herbs locally available.
- Guests can choose to get a massage recommended by a doctor.
Health & Spa
Wellness programs available on board are:
- Abhyangam – Oil massage all over the body. Good for muscular agility and easy joint movements. (60 minutes session).
- Shirobhyangam – Oil massage of head and shoulders. Good for movement of neck and shoulders. Also improves tranquillity. (30 minutes session).
- Paadabhyangam – Oil massage of calf muscles and plantar region. Improves leg movement. Good for general health as plantar pressure points are activated. (45 minutes session).
- Shirodhara – Pouring of oil in thin line on the forehead. Calms down the nerves. Brings tranquillity. Good for sleep and brain function. (45 minutes session).
- Udvarthanam – Massage with herbal powder, which help in reducing excess fat. (60 minutes session).
- Kateevasthi – Oil pool over the spine. Improves the health of back bones and spinal muscles. (45 minutes session).
- Greevavasthi – Oil pool behind the neck. Improves the health of neck bones and muscles. (45 minutes to 1 hour session).
- Januvasthi – Oil pool on knee. Improves the health of knee bones, muscles and ligaments. (45 minutes to 1 hour session).
- Nasyam – Clearing of nasal track using herbal medicine (25 minutes session).
- Kizhi – Massage for spine, joints and pressure points using heated NJAVARA rice of medicinal value /husk/herbal leaves bundled in small piece of muslin cloth (1 hour session).
- Back massage (30 minutes session).
- Head and Shoulder massage (30 minutes session).
- Foot massage (30 minutes session).
- Herbal face pack massage (60 minutes session).
Please note that there are no children's facilities on board MV Vaikundam.
Locally Immersive Experiences
Visit a village creche and engage with the children as they narrate their stories. Spend some time with them and we hope that both our guests, and the children use the time to mutually learn from each other.
Meet the women of the village who are getting empowered through the mission, “Kudumbha Shree” to take care of the economic and social development of rural villages. This mission is aimed at enabling the women to be healthy, safe, and self-reliant to strengthen their family income and letting the benefits of the democratic governance reach the common people through their active participation.
Meet the farmers and fishermen and watch the indigenous practices being followed practiced.
Visit local houses and get deeper understanding of the living culture. Guests get the chance to watch cooking practices and also have hands-on experience.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Villages and Meeting Craftsmen
Aranmula, A Heritage Village
Aranmula - a heritage village on the bank of Pampa river.
The village preserves various traditional art & craft of Kerala, such as mural painting, wooden Snake boat building, handloom weaving and many more. Among these, the most outstanding craft is the Mirror of Aranmula, locally known as Aranmula Kannadi, which is made of an alloy.
These mirrors have a cultural significance in Kerala. It is regarded as one of the eight auspicious objects displayed during religious festivals or auspicious occasions and ceremonies. The unique feature of this mirror is that the 100% reflection of the image is taking place from the surface, unlike in the normal mercury mirror, The handicraft of mirror making, using a secret combination of specific metals in certain ratio, is an indigenous skill of a family of Aranmula, being handed down through the descendants of Vishwa Karma – the mythological god of craftsmanship.
Mannar village: at a foundry in the village, you get the chance to watch the bell-metal casting of traditional locks, cauldrons, and traditional lamps, which are of daily use in temples and houses.
Witnessing Life by the River at its Simplest and Most Beautiful
On the journey through Kerala’s backwaters, it’s possible to visit a number of beautiful villages. We encourage travellers to witness this laid-back and peaceful life, occupied with coir making, fishing and shell harvesting.
Partaking in Ancient Healing Treatments
Explore the interiors of Kuttanad
The expanses of land in Kuttanad were reclaimed from the lake for paddy cultivation when the region was severely hit by famine during the colonial period. These paddy fields are at the lower altitude than the sea. Dykes are built around to protect them from flooding of saline water during the tides.
Here we also get the chance to witness a traditional folk dance performance known as Kaikottikali by the local village girls.
Elephant Stables
Our guests have the opportunity of heading off on a full day excursion by road to Konni Elephant Camp. Once there, guests will be able to feed the gentle giants banana, jaggery and coconut.
Add On: After spending time with the elephants , guests can proceed to Aranmula- a heritage village on the bank of river Pampa. Aranmula is famous for ancient temples, the art of metal mirror making, traditional snake-boat building, mural painting and architecture. The metal-mirror making, especially, is an indigenous art, known only to a few families in the village creating a superior mirrow with a top surface reflection.
Kumarakom Sanctuary Boat Safari
Nestled on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a wonderful paradise of lush green jungles along the waterways next to the lake. The canals are rich with avian life and one ends up seeing a very wide varieties of water and land birds here. From Kingfishers to Fishing Eagles, from Indian Darters to Large Cormorants, from Parakeets to Gulls and hundreds of species of birds. The place just comes alive with the sounds and sights of birds in the early morning and evening hours. A great destination to take a canoe for a lovely boat safari.
Day excursion
Witness Traditional Dances
From folk dances to ancient rituals, on our cruising holiday we make sure our travellers experience the truly unique side of Kerala.
We visit an ancient sacred grove where serpents are worshipped. Guests are allowed to walk inside and even see the rituals going on. We also watch unique rituals of the Sacred grove such as Pulluvan Paatu- recital of certain hymns with the accompaniment of a single string instrument and a drum made of clay and leather, by a tribal community. This is one of the rituals considered as powerful to invoke the Serpent gods to seek blessing for the devotees. Devotees from far and wide come here seeking blessings for protection from health issues, especially fertility issues.
Guests get the chance to watch the solo performance of Mohiniattom and group folk performance -Kaikottikali, a folk-dance performance by the village girls.
Of course, no trip to Kerala is complete without watching a Kathakali performance. You’ll recognise this one from the photos. Kathakali is traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays
stories from epics. It is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and make-up.
Kalaripayattu, A Traditional Martial Arts Performance
Our journey begins with action. Before we embark on our cruising adventure, guests get to witness a Kalaripayattu performance. This is an ancient traditional fighting system that originated in Kerala. The word “kalari” means battlefield and “payattu” refers to “become trained” or “ to practice”. Thus traditionally people practising this art form were those who were trained for the battlefield. This form of martial arts is considered as the mother of all martial arts in the world.
Temples & Culture Centres, Exploring Vaikom
Vaikom is located in Kottayam–the land of natural rubber latex and spices.
Vaikom gained prominence in the history of Kerala during the Indian independence movement when unity was of utmost importance.
The Vaikom temple area also witnessed the civil rights’ movement against discrimination. At a time when class separation was prominent, Vaikom temple dedicated itself to equality for the socially and financially underprivileged. Everyone was allowed to enter the temple and use the public spaces around the temple.
Our journey brings you closer to the Vaikom temple and it’s wonderful history and architecture. The architecture of temples in Kerala is unique in that they are based on the ancient science of construction and geographical features of the land. As per the traditional architecture, each element of temple represents an element of the human body and a temple is not only a space for spiritual enlightenment but also the venue for harmonious social networking.
We also visit the cultural center in Vaikom to watch traditional dance performance Kathakali, the traditional dramatic and mimetic dance form, which plays stories from epics. It is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature, and make-up.
Craftsmen of villages
The Aranmula village that we visit during the multiple nights cruising, preserves various traditional art & craft of Kerala, such as mural painting, wooden Snake boat building, handloom weaving and many more. Among these, the most outstanding craft is the Mirror of Aranmula, locally known as Aranmula Kannadi, which is made of an alloy.
These mirrors have a cultural significance in Kerala It is regarded as one of the eight auspicious objects displayed during religious festivals or auspicious occasions and ceremonies. The unique feature of this mirror is that the 100% reflection of the image is taking place from the surface, unlike in the normal mercury mirror, The handicraft of mirror making, using a secret combination of specific metals in certain ratio, is an indigenous skill of a family of Aranmula, being handed down through the descendants of Vishwa karma – the mythological god of craftsmanship.
The Mannar village is the hub of foundries where the guests can watch the bell-metal casting of traditional locks, cauldrons, and traditional lamps, temple and church bells, which are of daily use in temples, churches and houses.
Snake boats of Kerala
Snake boats are designed for swift movement through all types of waterways- lakes, canals or rivers. The villagers preserve traditional skill in building Snake boats. The snake boats of the village that we visit -Aranmula- are known ‘Pally Odams’, (Divine vessel). In Aranmula these vessels are used only for ritualistic regatta being held annually on that last day of the harvest festival- Onam (August/September).
The know-how to build Pally Odam is vested with a few members of communities (Vishwakarma) of the region who have inherited the skill to convert a log of wood into fascinating art pieces which live through generations. They possess the knowledge to understand the quality of any wood and the methods of treating the wood using organic substances. They follow the principles of Vedic architecture, which they learn from their ancestors, working with them from childhood days onwards.
Snake boat races are popular during Onam. However, on request, guests can participate in mock races that can be arrange on chargeable basis.
Traditional boat building
As the guests stroll along the picturesque village surrounded by paddy fields, they get the chance to see traditional wooden boat building practices, stitching together wooden planks using coir rope and caulking using cotton and natural resin.
Coir Village
Guests get the rare chance to visit the coir spinners and handloom weavers of a riparian village. Coir and coir products are major exports of Kerala, are of much relevance today than ever before when plastic has become a global menace. People of this village are major suppliers of this cottage industry.