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.

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.

Please note that there are no children's facilities on board MV Vaikundam. 

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.

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

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

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.