Overview

The tranquil village of Kumbalangi is famous for village tourism. So as you can expect, this village offers tourists an ideal village life experience. During your day tour, you will enjoy backwaters cruises, get to meet villagers and visit farms. You will also enjoy beautiful sights of fishing, toddy tapping and coir-making. The Kerala style lunch and evening snacks with tea will make sure the experience feels complete.

Detailed Itinerary

At the Cochin Warf, you will see our representative waiting for you with a signboard. For easy identification, you will be given identification badges. You will get into the bus or cab after which our tour guide will brief you with an overview of the tour. Our tour guides are accredited by the Kerala Tourism Department. We have guides who can speak English, Arabic, German, French and other languages. So depending on your preferred language, we can arrange a suitable tour guide.

A complimentary drinking water bottle will be given to you at the start of the trip. Then, we will drive to Kumbalangi Village. Once you reach Kumarakom, you will be served tender coconut water or some other local drink as a welcome drink.

Kumbalangi is famous for village tourism. So it promises great visuals and experiences for travellers wanting the ideal village experience. During your day tour in Kumbalangi, you will see beautiful sights of colourful shikkara boats and simple traditional canoes cruising slowly through the serene backwaters. As you enjoy your boat cruise, the delightful village scenes and the scenic view of the backwaters are sure to please you.

Apart from the beautiful sights that you will get to see, you will also enjoy the following experiences.

Boating or Canoeing:

A canoe is a simple wooden boat, pointed at both ends, It is rowed with a single-bladed paddle. Since it is small in size, a canoe can take you to the narrowest of the canals in the backwaters and you can, therefore, explore the backwaters to a great extent. It is quite an experience. But if canoeing is not possible, then you can definitely enjoy a boat cruise. The relaxing boat cruise will allow you to absorb the scenic beauty of Kumbalangi. You will see interesting village scenes, other colourful boats and get a picturesque view of the backwaters.

Crab Farm Visit:

The crab farm in Kumbalangi has two varieties of crabs – the red ones and the green ones. Both varieties are famous for their nutritional value and great taste. At the crab farm, you will learn many exciting details not only about crab meat but also about crab catching.

Kerala Style Lunch:

After a few activities, you will be served lunch in an authentic Kerala style. Upon request, we can arrange for the lunch to be served on a banana leaf so that you can have the traditional experience. And then after lunch, you enjoy some other exciting activities.

Coconut-related activities:

Kerala’s coconut trees add marvellous beauty to the land. It is interesting to note that the state of Kerala produces 45% of India’s coconuts. The speciality of a coconut tree is that you can use every part of the tree in some way or the other. From the husk, you can make coir and use the coir to make handicrafts. The leaves can be used to make doormats or baskets. Even the shell is used to make ladles and big spoons. The fruit, of course, can be eaten or processed to make hair oil and cooking oil. During your tour in Kumbalangi, you will see the harvesting of coconuts, dehusking of coconuts, extraction of coconut milk, coconut processing, broom making from coconut leaves and yarn making from coconut fibre. These activities are an interesting sight to watch, and it’s quite thrilling to see how the tree is used in so many different ways.

Coir Making from Coconut Fibre:

The coir products of Kerala are ideal take-home souvenirs. You will simply love them. Something else you will love is watching the process of making these coir products. In fact, you can also see how coir is made from coconut fibre using weaving wheels. Most local women keep themselves busy during the day, making coir and coir products.

Agriculture Farm Visit:

The farms of Kumbalangi grow various crops, including coconut, toddy, banana, different spices, and many other fruits and vegetables. They may also be housing rabbits, ducks, and hens. A visit to the farm at Kumbalangi can be a refreshing experience.

Chinese Fishing Nets Operation:

Just the sight of Chinese Fishing Nets is quite beautiful in itself. But since the operation of these fishing nets is a unique method of fishing, watching the operation can intrigue any traveller who hasn’t seen it before. At least four men are required for the operation of a single fishing net.

Clam Meat Processing:

Many locals are involved in clam meat processing as a means of livelihood. Usually, men collect clam fish from the waters, and the women steam it to separate the meat from the shell. It is an interesting sight to watch. After the process is done, they go to the market and sell the meat.

The Casting of Fishing Nets:

A Kerala fisherman will throw fish food, usually grated tapioca, in the waters and when the fish come to eat; he casts his net and catches all the fish at once. The casting of nets requires great skill and is an interesting sight to watch. It is definitely a must-see activity.

Fishing Using Fishing Rods:

The shallow regions of the backwaters have a great variety of fish; so it is ideal for fishing. With a simple fishing rod, fishing line and a hook, you can catch much fish. Earthworms are usually used as bait for the fish. Using a fishing rod requires a little bit of skill, but it is definitely a fun activity.

Tuk-Tuk Rides:

Kerala’s tuk-tuks are simply adorable to look at. But the real experience of a tuk-tuk is when you enjoy a ride in it. Tuk-tuks are quick, and more interestingly, the skills of the driver would really impress you, seeing how they can just take the tuk-tuk anywhere and everywhere.

Toddy Tapping:

A toddy tapper climbs right to the top of a coconut tree to collect sap. Then, the sap is fermented to make toddy. Climbing a coconut tree requires great skill and Kerala’s toddy tappers have mastered that skill. Watching the scene is quite a visual. Toddy tapping takes places in mornings and evenings only.

After enjoying the many relaxing activities at Kumbalangi, you will enjoy a refreshing cup of tea along with hot and yummy Kerala snacks. Then, we will drop you back at the Cochin Port on the cab or bus.