Kumarakom on the banks of lake Vembanad has been cut off from the rest of the world and getting there is more than half the fun.

Muted as the dawn itself, the alarm cry of a solitary pond heron breaks the early morning stillness as a dugout canoe, paddled by two fishermen, glides across the water at a determined but unhurried pace. The scene is idyllic, the mood dreamlike.

Hidden among the palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanand, at the mouth of the Kavanar River, Coconut Lagoon Heritage Resort is set on an abandoned coconut plantation in the very heart of these fascinating backwaters, and has been designed to give visitors an authentic insight into Kuttanad life. The resort can only be reached by boat -–a ferry leaves from one several “mainland” embarkation points at scheduled times throughout the day – and its accommodations consist of individual cottages called tharawads, the traditional wooden house of Kerala.


LEISURE ACTIVITES

Sunset Cruise There can be few better ways to adjust to the pace of backwater life than to spend the waning hours of the afternoon just watching the sun go down.

Backwater Cruises A relaxing boat trip through the maze of canals adjacent to Coconut Lagoon is a fascinating experience and a delightful way to get a closer look at life in the backwaters.

Bird Sanctuary On the southern bank of the Kavanar River, immediately opposite Coconut Lagoon, is a small bird sanctuary, where numerous species of birds, including darters, bittems, brahminy kites, marsh harriers, teals and several varieties of herons roost.

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