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 is 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.

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.

• 2 twin bed rooms with the village facilities attached
• European toilets, hot water
• Clean and tastefully furnished rooms (antique furniture) 
• Kerala cuisine vegetarian & non-vegetarian breakfast, lunch & dinner
• All assistance in transfers & organising cultural tours/activities
• Assistance in shopping especially antiques & spices
• Ayurvedic treatments by qualified doctors
• Internet & laundry
• Houseboat

• Boating on the backwaters, cycling, birding, and visit the traditional Nalukettu & Anthakaranazi beaches. 
• Watch the local fishermen (with their Chinese fishing nets) and toddy-tappers at work (and maybe try out the local brew!).  
• Visit the nearby coir making facility, try cloth weaving using the traditional 'Charka'.
• Learn about crab & prawn farming, the manual pollination of vanilla, vermiculture and organic farming (pepper, tea, coffee, rubber plantations).
• Keralan Cuisine cooking programmes conducted on special request.
• Visit the heritage town of Cochin - St. Francis church, Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Antiques & Spices Market, Kathakali show.
• 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.
• Travel to Teekoy at the foot hills of Vagamon and the source of Meenachil river immortalised by Arundhati Roy in her book 'The God of Small Things'.                                                     
• Trek up to the Illickal Peak, swim in natural pools, visit Poonjar Palace, and view the sunset from a 30 acre rock.
• Witness the sunrise in a paddy field, roam around the village, meet the rural folk, study the unique farming techniques from the 'Rice bowl of Kerala'.
• Stay on a deluxe house boat, enjoy the beauty of the country side & backwaters, and visit ancient Champakulam Church.

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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Ours is the first and the only Backwater Homestay in this village and in Cochin. The Kerala people are very friendly and helpful - this is a home away from home where you can enjoy and really get to know a local family and community. 

You will experience a backwater destination far from the normal tourist trail, and we only offer two double rooms to preserve the livelihoods of the host family & villagers, and the environment.

The house and the premises are preserved and maintained by using local material and local workmen. The house itself is tiled and constructed in the true Keralan style.  The fish, prawn, crab, coconut oil, vegetables, and fruit are all produced locally. The farmland around the house has coconuts, areca nuts, mangoes, pepper, pineapple, jackfruit and mangroves, and various medicinal plants.

The homestay is inspected and approved by the Department of Tourism, Kerala.