Village tourism is the latest fad in the tourist circuits of Kerala. Though the fast pace of commercialization and modernity waves in Kerala have literally wiped off many villages, still there are a few villages where nothing has virtually changed over the years! People still lead a simple and carefree life , going about their daily business, having a hearty laugh with their friends and enjoying the simple pleasures that their village offers. Kumbalangi village tours are excellent options to take a peek into the charm of village life at its best. It is not just a delightful holiday option but also a nostalgic trip to the heart of the Kerala hinterlands for the new generation youth to experience the life style, the culture and the traditional farming practices.
Lying between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Kumbalangi was described as the ‘Paradise of the Earth’ by Lonely Planet. Though Kumbalangi is located just five kilometers from the city of Kochi, it remains blissfully serene and old fashioned. Easily accessible by road, Kumalangi is a world of its own, cut off from the maddening mayhem and crowd of the city.
The Kumbalangi tourism village, the first of its kind in the country offers an unforgettable experience for the visitors. From the traditional farming activities to Chinese fishing nets, fish farms, village cuisines, coir looms and local boat building, nothing has been changed by modernity here .
Cited by the United Nations Development Programme as an Endogenous Tourism Center, Kumabalgi model village has been grabbing the headlines all over the world for its innovative theme. Located amidst endless stretches of backwaters, Kumbalangi offers a rich kaleidoscope of village life and a small island populace who lives in tune with Nature, depending on it for survival.
This model eco tourism village has set a benchmark by building rain water storage tanks and water drainage system, which has brought back the greenery and the fish wealth back to the village. The project, which has become a great success in recent years focuses on self reliance through cultivation and optimum utilization of natural resources.
So if you fancy a laid back holiday theme that will take you back in time to a traditional Kerala village, do not look beyond Kumbalangi model village. Try your hand in fishing in the brooks or harvesting the paddy or enjoy a traditional Kerala luncheon with many village cuisines. No matter whatever you choose to do, a day at Kumbalangi will be something that you would love to talk about all your life!
Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam Junction, about 25 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 40 km away.
