5 Activities Within & Out side of the Property

1) Relax at the pollution free air with more oxygen, Nature helps, You de-stress, spending time on the bank of the lake, among nature, is very good for your mind body and spirit.

2) Marvelous scenery of drifting of Houseboats, motorboats, fishermen’s boat and speedboats.

3) Sun Set at the evening and the Moon Set at the early morning.

4) Maximum breadth and length of Lake Vembanad.

5) View the unique type of fishing called Vellavali for catching of the fish called Karimeen (Pearl spot), if you are lucky.

6) The Unique Experience of Rain & Monsoon Season

a) During monsoon, rain comes from the west, north west, south west, and south east, is very attractive and this unique experience is very much visible from the lake facing cottages.

b) The unusual sound of the wind prior to the rainfall for quite a long time the rough waves in the lake, the great struggle of life and death by the fishermen in their small country boat to save their life and their precious catch of fish of the day, fading sky and the land on the opposite side of the lake and the beautiful changing colour of the sky will be unforgettable and the greatest experiences of the best backwater beauty.

7) Watch the sky, stars, moon, fireworks on the opposite side of the lake in Temples and Churches at Alappuzha district, experience the breeze, sound of the waves in the lake and the unique natural sound of the lake at night.

8)During night switch off the light at the Porch for the maximum enjoyment at the night.ng tie in a wooded area is good for your mind, body

Walkers Path, for enjoyment & pleasure walking

a) Morning or evening, you may use walkers path on the side of the boundary walls of the property, by experiencing, Vertical farming of Passion Fruits, Fruit Trees, Spices, Medicinal Plants, Vegetation, goose, Stingless Bee Colonies and also the Biogas Plant, Vermi composting, E M Compost, and Water harvesting plant.

b) You may have your pleasure walking through the floodlight walkers path even at night, among the nature with pollution free air and more oxygen.

Basketball Court, Shuttle Court, Table Tennis & Caroms

a) We have a single side Basket Ball Court, Shuttle Court and Activity Hall with Table Tennis & Carroms. We provide you light during you play at night, but fan will not be provided at the Activity Hall to control our electricity charges.

b) There will be a user’s fee, for any one or all of the four items, which will be Rs 250 for a family or the same group. If you need necessary, fan and more lights then you will have to pay extra charge of Rs250 for up to 3 hours.

Fishing from the Lake

You can catch fish with Fishing Rod in the early morning, and also by using other fishing net, in the night, you may get lot of small and bigger fish, but you should release it back to the lake for preserving the growth of fish.b) You can contact at the reception for the fishing rod and other accessories for catching the fish, there will be a user’s fee of Rs 50, per fishing rod and its bait.

Butterflies & Birds

You can experience lot of butterflies and birds around the property. Certain plants, vegetables are attracting the butterflies. Most of the butterflies are visible in the morning. Birds can be seen in the fruit trees during morning and evening in the property, also on the side of Lake Vembanad, during morning and evening.

 Small Stingless Honey Bee (Meliponiculture)

a) We have at present 16 colonies of Small Stingless Honey Bee. They are part of biodiversity, these bees are local species, perfectly adapted to the environment. They are the main pollinators and produce incomparable quality honey, strong flavor, slightly acidic. Royal jelly is even incorporated into honey and This honey has great medicinal value. It’s super food! “The high rate of humidity is a source of frequent chemical conversions that generate a significant production of hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid, two powerful antiseptic “.

b) We will take you the class for maximum half an hour about Honeybee Keeping and also we will open the colony for you to see the inside activities of the colony, for less than 3 minutes. The fee will be Rs750 for a family or for the same group. We sell the colony and also the honey as per the availability. You may check the price with the Office Manager.

Yoga Practices and Classes

 We do arrange Yoga Practices/ Classes within the property if you inform in advance. Wellness through Yoga. Meditation, Pranayam, Stress relief,Kundalini Yoga · Karma Yoga · Bhakti Yoga · Vinyasa · Hatha · Ashtanga,Proper Exercise-Asana,Proper Breathing – Pranayama,Proper Relaxation- Savasana, Proper Diet- Vegetarian.Positive Thinking and Meditation Vedanta and Dhyana Karma Yoga (selfless service) is acknowledged as a means to inner purification, ego removal and spiritual growth.

Fruit trees, spices, medicinal plants & vegetation in the Property

a) You can view the vegetation and the fruit trees, by walking through the walker’s path within the property.

Vertical farming of Passion fruit, Bell Fruit (ചാമ്പക്ക) Jackfruit, Pineapple, Pappaya, Plantain, Jamun (ഞാവൽ പഴം) Cashew Fruit, Coconut, Lemon, Supporta, Mango Trees, Bilumbi (ഇരുമ്പന്‍ പുളി),Star Fruit (ഇലുമ്പി), Rose Apple Tree (ഞാറപ്പഴം) Cocoa , Luvika (ലോലോലിക്ക), Spondias Pinnata (അമ്പഴം), Soursop(മുള്ളാത്ത), Custard-Apple  (ആത്തക്കാ) Jamaican Custard Apple(ചുവല ആത്തക്കാ) litchi , Pomegranate (മാതളം), Mangostin, Mini Orange, Guava (പേരയ്ക്ക )  Red Guva (ചുവല  പേരയ്ക്ക)  Mulberry, Rambuthan, Pappaya

b) Spices

Pepper (കുരുമുളക്) Nutmeg (ജാതിക്ക), Ginger (ഇഞ്ചി)Turmeric (മഞ്ഞള്‍)Cinnamon, (കറവപ്പട്ട മരം) Tamarind (പുളിമരം) Malabar Tamarind (കുടംപുളി) Coriander (മല്ലിയില) പനികൂര്‍ക്ക, കച്ചോലം,ആര്യവേപ്പ്, All spices, Mint Leaves, Bay Leaf (കറുവാപ്പട്ട ഇല), Curry Leaves, Mint leaf,Cardamom (ഏലം) ( Not in the Property),Clove (ഗ്രാമ്പു) ( Not in the Property),Tamarind (പുളിമരം) Coriander ( മല്ലിയില ) Mint Leaves / പുതിന ഇല

c) Vegetation

Drumstick (മുരിങ്ങ) (മുരിങ്ങയില) ,Spinach 1 (ചീര),Spinach 2 (കുപ്പച്ചീര),Spinach 3 (തഴുതാമയില),Spinach4( സാംബാര്‍ ചീര),Plantain (വാഴക്കുല),Banana (വാഴപിണ്ടി),Banana (വാഴക്കുമ്പ്),Lady’s Finger (വെണ്ടയ്ക്ക) Brinjal (വഴുതനങ്ങ),Bitter Gourd (പാവയ്ക്കാ) ,Ivy gourd (കോവല്‍),Drumstick tree, Coccinia Grandis (കോവല്), Pappaya, Mango.

d) Tubers (കിഴങ്ങുകള്‍)

Tapioca(കപ്പ) Elephant foot yam(ചേന) Purple Yam (കാച്ചില്‍)Yam (ചേമ്പ്)Yam(ശീമചേമ്പ്)

e) Trees

Mango Tree, Tree,Apple Champa Tree,Coconut Tree,Areca nut Tree,Elanji Tree, Cashew Fruit Tree, Jamun Tree, Bullet Wood Tree ( ഇലഞ്ഞി ),  Mangrove(കണ്ടല്‍വൃക്ഷം) Rosewood (വീട്ടി / ഈട്ടി മരം) Teakwood (തേക്കുമരം)  മഹാഗണി Alstonica, Sandle Wood (ചന്ദനം) Neem Tree(ആര്യവേപ്പ്)

f) Medicinal and ayurvedic plants

Basil (തുളസി),Henna (मेंहदी) (മൈലാഞ്ചി)  Runny Nose(രാമച്ചം)Touch Me Not ( ) Youkkali ( ) Mukkutti /മുക്കുത്തി, Aloe vera (കറ്റാർ വാഴ) ലക്ഷ്മിതരു ( Simarouba glauca) Soursop (മുള്ളാത്ത) Neem Tree(ആര്യവേപ്പ്), Alstonia venenata (അണലിവേഗം), centella ( കുടവനെല) Betel Leaf (വെറ്റില) (Paan Ka Patta)  പനികൂര്‍ക്ക, കച്ചോലം

Activity Hall for Marriage Functions & Other Engagements

There is an activity hall, which is suitable for the gathering of more than 100 people, it can be used for the get-together during night and also during the rainy season.

Cultural activities at the evening

we can arrange as per the prior requirement, cultural activities such as songs, Group songs, classical songs, dance, Shingarimelam, Kadhakali, Ottamthullal etc.

Ayurvedic Massage & Treatment

Ayurvedic whole body massage, treatment, facial etc can be arranged as per your prior request.There are  Ayurvedic massage and treatments connected to Hotels and Resorts in Kumarakom. According to your budget you can choose one. We will provide you the information for the advance booking. It’s better to book early for getting the services in time

Country Walk

a) Nalupank Houseboat Terminal 5 Kms

Go straight from ILC and take right turn and go straight,Its around 5 kms  to nalupank houseboat terminal,lot of greeneries on the way and you can experience real village life on both the sides of the road. There is a Christian Catholic Church, The Navanazreth Holy Family Church on the right side of the road and after three kilometers There is a Sri Muthen’s Nada Mahadeva Temple. Main Idol—Siva

b) Kumarakom market through tourism road 3 km

Go straight from ILC and take left turn and go straight then take right turn to the tiled road, go straight and turn left to the market junction and turn right for reaching to the Family Super Market.The major part of the road is by tiles, interesting to walk, but you have to be careful as two wheelers use to travel in a rash and negligent manner. You can see the Kumarakom Police station and the Kumarakom market junction, you can have purchases over there and there is a Family Super Market just in front of Attamangalam Jacobite Church, on the side of Kumarakom Kottayam Road

c) Kumarakom Boat Jetty and the Cross on the Lakeside 3 Kms

Go straight from ILC and take left turn and go straight then take left turn to the main road go for around 100 meters and take left turn into the small road before the bridge on the main road. Then You will see the small Govt. Boat Jetty and you can go through the small road to the west and you will see lot of houseboats are parked and at the dead end of the Lake you can see the famous cross built by the Illikkalam family.

Visit to Moolepadam & 900 Paddy fields by Shikara

Hundreds of weaver birds constructing their nests can be seen in coconut trees and other trees on the bund of the paddy fields of Moolepadam & 900 Paddy fields. Over there lot of red water lilies in the canals of Moolepadam is another beauty.

Birds Sanctuary Visit 

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is situated at the north of Kumarakom. on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the Kerala Backwaters the bird sanctuary is a favourite haunt of migratory birds.

Fishing At Kumarakom

Guests can have their pick from fishing with nets, angling and handpicking of clams.

Angling

The canals running across the village as well as the shallow waters of Lake Vembanad offer great opportunities for angling. With patience and a little bit of skill, you are sure to have a fairly good catch as well as a lot of fun taking part in a traditional village activity. The traditional angling gear consists of a simple fishing rod, a fishing line and a hook. The popular bait, earthworms, Tapioca, wheat powder Plastic items etc.

Fishing Using Bow and Arrow

Bow fishing using special archery equipment was once common in Kumarakom and the Kuttanad areas. The bow has a reel fixed to it, which in turn is connected to the arrow with a line. Once the fish is shot with the pointed arrow, the archer pulls the line and arrow using the reel and takes his catch. The arrows used were heavy as they were made of iron; the line was of nylon.

Fishing With Nets

When fishing in shallow waters, the fishermen set up artificial reefs or bushes on the muddy bottom of the lake and canals and keep fish food (flour or tapioca balls) on them. When the fish bite, the bushes tremble and the waiting fisherman can throw the net for a good catch. 

This type of fishing is now a rarity in Kumarakom, However, catching fish by throwing food (grated tapioca) into the water and then trapping the fish with nets or bamboo traps is common. The three main types of nets used in the area are the koruvala (trawl net), the veesuvala (casting net) and the cheenavala (Chinese net).

Fishing With Bamboo Traps

Another common method of fishing in Kumarakom is bamboo trap fishing. This technique is good for small canals and paddy fields.

A kind of basket made of bamboo is used for this type of fishing. The basket has one conical closed end and a wide opening at the other. This trap device is called koodu (cage) by the natives.

The trap is placed in the narrowest area of running water. The part of the canal towards the back of the trap is blocked with twigs or mud. The fishes enter the trap through its wide mouth. They cannot escape as the other end is closed. The trap is then lifted from the waters for the catch. Sometimes, in paddy fields, the fishermen throw the fish food and when the fishes gather, they are caught by covering them with bamboo traps.

Vellavali

Vellavali, a method of fishing used to catch Karimeen (Pearl Spot) is common in Kumarakom. This method requires expertise in fishing and swimming. 

First, a piece of coir rope, about a km long, is shaped into an inverted U. Tender palm leaves are attached to the rope and then two fishermen tie the ends of the rope to their waists while standing in water in bright sunlight. The men then walk through shallow waters using poles. The palm leaves tied to their waists shine in the water. The light reflected from the leaves scares the Pearl Spot and they hide in the muddy areas. At this time, expert swimmers, who have been following the two men in country boats, dive into the muddy water and catch the prized fish with their bare hands.

Ferry Service

a) Kumarakom – Muhamma

b) Muhamma – Kumarakom

c) Allappuzha —- Kottayam

d) Kottayam —- Allappuzha

Visit the Farms & Other Interesting Places

a) J-Yes Farm Neendoor

• It is 25 Km away from ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages at Kumarakom and can be reached in 45 minutes time. Ph 0481 2712828; M 80863-94882

b) Palakkari Fish Farm at Vaikom

• It is 30 Km away from ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages at Kumarakom,
• Ph  0482 9273314; M: 9440993314

c) Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park

• It is 27 Km away from ILLIKKALAM Lakeside Cottages at Kumarakom.
• Ayamkudy-Kaduthuruthy Road Building No. XV/175 A, Kerala 686613

Other Places of Interest

d) Thanneermukkam Bund  –  20 KM away

e) Aruvikkuzhy Water Falls –   35 KM distance

f) Elephant Training Center  — 83 Kilometers ( Konni & Kodanad)

Contact details:Phone: +91 468 2247645

Visit Religious Places

• The Navanazreth Holy Family Church — Half kilometer away
• Juma Masjid at Thazhathangadi –10 KM distance.
• Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple 12 Kms away,
• Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple –110 Km.(3.5 hours)

ILLIKKALAM  Lakeside Cottages

www.klcottages.com
Mob: 9495735152,9447024234