Kumarakom, Kerala, India

Kerala, India

With a population of 33 million people, Kerala is located in the south of India on the Malabar Coast. The vast geography of beaches, canals, rolling hills and rugged mountains has created a culture rich with history. There are remnants of Jewish settlers dating back to King Soloman and Chinese immigrants who arrived centuries ago bringing with them fishing nets which are now a feature of the canals and shorelines in Kerala. Kerala holds the highest literacy rate in India. Kerala’s economy is reliant on the production of natural resources such as rubber, pepper, coconut, tea and coffee, many work hard reliant on successful crops, praying for a season of agreeable weather, but Kerala has a relaxing, laid back charm that simply cannot be missed.

Kumarakom Backwaters

Some places are best done by foot, street strolling, so can you experience places as locals do and you find the most fascinating hidden wonders behind  quintessential concealed alleys, out of site from the average tourist. This journey is ‘street strolling’ with a difference. Kumarakom, is part of the Kuttanad region, which is made up of many islands and canals. To really explore the backstreets of the backwaters the ‘street stolling’ must be explored by boat. Many people who visit this region hire the increasingly popular houseboat, however, to truly witness the inner workings of the canal communities exploring the backwaters should be done on a local fishing boat.

By fishing boat, you have the opportunity to discover smaller canals where you will witness the real communities, children swimming in the canals, babies enjoying their morning baths, women completing their daily laundry. Teenagers will be seen with buckets collecting the water for the house before meeting up with their friends for the journey to school.  It is through wandering the canals of the backwaters you will see, that although the villages are not rich with possessions, they are rich with community and spirit. They rely on each other, they help each other from as little as sharing a meal that is delivered to the entire village, door by door to sharing knowledge and expertise to improve production. I had the opportunity to meet a woman who weaved mats from palm fronds, she explained to me that the mats had become very popular with local 5 star yoga retreats that she could no longer keep up with demand.

On the canal itself, you can witness the village fisherman heading out to Vembanad Lake early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon. As well as experiencing fishing on the canal itself from the fishing boat. Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India, measuring at 96 km in length and 14 km wide. It is from this lake that the network of canals flow. Aside from the human geography of the region, the flora and fauna of the region is also best experienced by fishing boat. There are many species of birds that roost in the vegetation along the canal. In the smaller canals, hibiscus trees form canopies over the canal which give a closer look at the birds and wildlife which call the canal home. If you are lucky you will also see the local cows also taking their morning bath in the canal, or cooling themselves from the heat of the day in the afternoon.

To experience the village life of Kumarakom or for more details contact Responsible Tourism Travel, Phone +91-481-2523097 or email.

In Kumarakom, there are a variety of Hotels from budget to luxury depending on your preference.