Cochin homestay accommodation

The beautiful home of Byju and Lyma is located on the banks of the backwaters in Kumbalangi village, approximately 10 kms from the outskirts of Kochi (Cochin), Kerela. Set in rustic, sylvan surroundings, the house is close to the heritage zone of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry.

This is the ideal home for someone looking for a quite retreat near Kochi, not too far from the city but away from the noise and pollution. Local and traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine are prepared in the family kitchen and you too can join in with the cooking! Please ask for any foods you or your children may require such as milk, eggs and fruit.

The house itself and the cottage are tiled and constructed in the Keralan style, and white washed with natural lime, a local product. The small garden slopes gently away into the backwaters. The farmland around the house has coconuts, areca nuts, 12 varieties of mango, pepper, pineapple, mangroves and various medicinal plants. 

Our most prized possession is a 200 year old mango tree called "Chandanakaran" locally, the biggest tree in the village! From here you can closely watch the half nude toddy taper climbing the coconut palms and learn how the local brew is made and even taste it! Or walk a few steps through the lush green coconut garden, sit by the backwaters in tranquillity and peace, or take a boat on the water to a neighbouring village and learn about crabs, prawns and copra making. Also try the Chinese fishing nets, the soul bread of local fishermen. Or sit by the water in tranquility and peace, read a book or relax!

You can hire a 3 wheeled cheaper Autorickshaw and travel around the village or get a glimpse of the heritage colonial structures from the European era in Cochin. You can still travel a long way by a taxi and spare a day with the Hindu family living in a 350 year old Nalukettu house and listen to their stories and beliefs and visit their family temple and Sacred grove with its snake God.  If you again wish to meet and experience other homestay familes and surroundings at entirely different destinations in Kerala I can guide you, indeed!

The rustic charm of this village ambience is sure to leave an indelible impression as you say goodbye to Kochi - the queen of the Arabian Sea.

We have 2 accommodations where you can experience authentic keralan family life and enjoy a relaxed stay.

The lake view room is in one wing of the prime house where host family stays. Twin/double beds,antique furniture, veranda facing garden and backwaters, ensuite bathroom with hot water, easily accessible to the host.

The cottage on backwaters is a renovated coconut farm house used by the family for the last three generations for processing coconuts and coir making. It is more spacious, pristine, quiet and relaxing. Large room with twin/double beds ( 2 extra beds on request),veranda all around, walk in toilet, roof open shower with solar water heater, kitchenette, refrigerator etc. self contained,50 meters away from host's residence, more private and comfortable. Easy to handicapped and less moveable persons. Self catering option also available.

• Clean and tastefully furnished rooms with antique furniture
• Kerala cuisine vegetarian & non-vegetarian breakfast & dinner
• All assistance in airport pick up, other transfers and arranging tours to anywhere in kerala
• Assistance in shopping especially textiles,jewellery,antiques & spices
• Ayurvedic treatments by qualified doctors
• Yoga
• Dentistry, other medical needs
• Wildlife trekking & birding tours
• Internet & laundry
• Houseboat

• Sunset boating on the backwaters in a country boat with Peter
• Visit to Prawn farm & other local family - catch prawns and cook with the family
• Watch the local fishermen (with their Chinese fishing nets) and toddy-tapers at work (and maybe try out the local brew!).
• Visit the nearby cloth weaving using the traditional 'Charka'.
• Visit the heritage town of Cochin - St. Francis church, Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Antiques & Spices Market, Kathakali show.
• Cycling through the village
• Visit to hill palace of Kochi Raja and try a keralan veg. lunch / masala dosa at a restaurant
• Early morning trip to elephant training centre, elephant taking bath, have breakfast with a Namboothiri family
• Keralan cuisine cooking programmes conducted on special request.
• Visit the 350 year old Nalukettu house (ancient Keralan style) where a traditional Kerala Hindu family resides and visit the kavu (sacred grove) with its snake god.
• Take a train journey to Alleppy, the 'rice bowl of kerala' and roam around paddy field, ancient church,snake boat,beautiful backwaters and countryside
• Spend a day in the beautiful non touristy sandy Beach, visit another homestay - Swim and relax
• Go for a day visit in the house boat or full day village tour with a group - lunch and tea included
• Visit to spice plantation and meenachil river - learn about spices the manual pollination of vanilla, vermiculture and organic farming (pepper, tea, coffee, rubber plantations).

The homestay is situated in Kerala at Kumbalangi, a village 10 Kms from Fort Kochi. This idyllic place is just 45 kms from the main International airport at Kochi, an hour's drive away. The nearest railway station at Ernakulam is only 14 Kms away. The buses travel regularly on the National Highway 47 passing through Thoppumpady - a stone's throw from the homestay.

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