As part of Responsible Tourism initiative, the Kerala tourism department is organizing tour packages that enable the tourists to explore experience and enjoy the village life of Kerala. In this package we are going to spend a day in the villages of Kumarakom. The place is an abode to a wide variety of flora and fauna and has well developed agriculture and fishing practices.
For booking, Contact us Gramika Tours :09995809975, 09745482028, 0471-3084500
Timings | 09.00am to 05.30 pm |
Tariff | 50us$ per pax (2500 INR) (minimum 2 pax) |
Package include | Cost of transportation, Guide fee, Community contribution,& development fund, refreshment, Lunch and complementary gift pack |
Package does not include | Boating, cycling, additional beverage and purchases
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Package highlights |
· Traditional Coir making · Country boat riding · Valaveeshal · Farm house Visit · Toddy Tapping · Traditional Kerala Meal · Screw pane weaving · Coconut leaf weaving · Paddy Field Visit · Bird watching |
Traditional coir making
It is a unit meant for women, specializing in manufacturing of coir and coir products. Here we can see not only the detailed process involved in coir making but the social association which binds the women folk for their livelihood needs. Coir and coir product making involves several steps and here we offer you to experience all the methods that are adopted for the making of coir. Thus through this rural traditional coir making unit, we are have a demonstration of coir making.
Country boat ride
Country boat ride is really a wonderful experience. This canal is an enchanting picnic spot which looks like mirror and this experience is truly exhilarating. This cherishing ride not only to enjoy the nature but to see the lively community in the banks of canal. Thus let’s realize how the life of local community connected with back waters.
Traditional Fishing (Valaveeshal)
We will reach the lakeside to see the conventional fishing using nets. While seeing the catch, we can even choose our preferred ones, which will get cooked and served then and there. The traditional fishing is practiced in this region. Such orthodox practice receives wider attention in the present context mainly because of its adherence to ‘sustainability’ principles. Here the visitors can participate in the fish catching process if they wish so. On the way we can see another traditional fish catching method popularly called as ‘vella veeshal’. Vella veeshal has some of the remarkable methods using tender coconut leaves which are tied in ropes. Once such ropes are thrown into the water we can see fishes like pearlspots coming closer to the leaves and lying upside down. Meanwhile the waiting fishermen will jump into the water and catch the fish alive and then carries it to the boat.
Farm house Visit
Joychan is the secretary of the local farmers association and the ward member of the local Panchayat also. He will enlighten us about how Responsible tourism is benefitting the local community through organized agricultural practices. We can taste the locally grown bananas along with tender coconuts here.
Toddy tapping
Toddy tapping is not only an attraction but an activity which produce a rhythm to nature. This systematic and cumbersome process of toddy tapping offers some enjoyable moments to guests. The process of climbing the palm/coconut and tapping the toddy is an amazing view and experience. Thus let’s understand the special skills one needs to have to undertake this activity. Toddy – sweetful local drink produced through toddy tapping gives us a cherishment. Besides this we will be revealed with the techniques of coconut tree climbing and the climber will demonstrate it for the benefit of us.
Traditional Kerala Meal
It is the most delicious part of the grand festival Onam. Onam sadhya is so elaborate meals with all together 11 dishes of currys with rice and payasam,a typical kerala dessert. Traditional Lunch makes us feel the taste of traditional Kerala food style. Different types of traditional food can be had from the canteen in the village. Here we are served with a sumptuous lunch with boiled rice, sambar, aviyal, koottukari, pickle, papad, thoran, rasam, payasam and served in a plantain leaf, all part of a traditional malayali meal –Sadya. Tapioca and fish curry a tasteful local cuisine can be ordered here. Instead of using readymade ingredients, they use natural products in food items. Wood is used for lighting and cooking.
Screw pane weaving
This activity is Sosamma’s house, exceptional for the traditional craft activity she and her family are involved in. Using one of the locally abundant resources the ‘screw pine’, they make amazing crafts in the form of mats, hats, bags, files, etc. To the interest and amazement of many among us, she will explain the minute details of such a wonderful traditional art with live demonstration. Screw pane weaving is interesting to observe the art of weaving the screw pane leaves and here you can also find an incredible opportunity to try your skills with screw pane leaf weaving.
Coconut leaves weaving
The name Kerala implies the land of coconut trees. The most interesting feature of coconut tree is that there is hardly any parts of the tree go without any usage. Weaved coconut leaves are used for thatching houses and fences. It will be interesting to observe the art of weaving the coconut leaves and here you can also find an incredible opportunity to try your skills with coconut leaf weaving. we will briefly stop at Leelamani’s house to see her skills in coconut leaf weaving. Amazed by the swiftness and perfection in weaving, we can listen to her about the process in which a raw coconut is getting converted into frames, which is used widely for roofing and boundary making. In order to understand the nitty-gritty’s in coconut leaf weaving, you need to try it out and our host Leelamani will teach us the basics.
Paddy field visit
Our journey continues and this time through the paddy fields. This grand experience of walking through the paddy field becomes more memorable because of the teeming bird life attached to the fields. A gift will be waiting for you just after this journey which leaves glittering memories of Kerala village.
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