Guided Kayaking with Village Life, Local Food & Cooking Class

Package Summary

During a kayaking tour, you can explore the scenic backwaters of Kerala at your own pace. There is an option of a morning tour and an option of an evening tour. The morning tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy sunrise views and a 1 hour cooking class followed by lunch. The evening tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy sunset views and a cooking class followed by dinner.

The kayaking tour is special because you get to paddle the kayak on your own. As you paddle the boat, you can enjoy beautiful views of colourful birds, blooming lilies (seasonal) and lush greenery of coconut palms. During the tour, you will also get an opportunity to experience the local life of Kerala.

Detailed Itinerary

Our guide will wait for you at the check-in point for the tour which is the Cheepunkal Bridge at Kumarakom. Please reach the point on time via a tuk-tuk or a taxi. At the meeting point, the guide will give you safety jackets and some important safety instructions for the kayaking tour. He will also conduct some basic warm ups to train your muscles. Then he will direct you to the kayak.

You will enjoy paddling the kayak on your own. The guide will be following on another kayak, giving you all the needed assistance during the tour. The whole tour, which includes kayaking, local life experiences and a cooking class, lasts for about 6 hours. The main highlights of this package are:

Self-paddling:

If you are an adventure traveller, you will simply enjoy paddling the kayak while the guide follows along on another kayak.  You need to know that paddling the kayak requires a bit of muscle strength. You got to be prepared for that. As you paddle the boat, you can explore the scenic backwater canals at your own pace and absorb the great natural beauty around you.

Kerala style breakfast and snacks:

If it is a morning tour, then you will get to taste a typical Kerala breakfast spread. The breakfast delicacies are rich in local flavours. But if you choose the evening tour, you will be served hot and delicious Kerala snacks along with tea or coffee.

Bird Watching:

Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of native and exotic birds. So if you are a bird lover, the village would seem nothing less than a paradise. Birds like egrets, herons, owls and cormorants are very commonly spotted in Kumarakom. The tranquil environment and scenic views of the backwaters are made even more beautiful because of the delightful chirping of these birds.

Watching the Casting of Fishing Nets:

During the kayaking tour, you will get an opportunity to watch Kerala fishermen at work.  It is an amazing sight to watch a fisherman cast the huge fishing net perfectly into the waters.  Capture it in slow-mo if you can! If you think you’re good at photography, you may be able to capture an amazing shot of the fisherman casting the net!

Cooking Class:

After the kayaking experience, we arrange a 1 hour Kerala cooking class for you to attend. A Kerala cuisine expert helps you learn the secret ingredients and cooking techniques that give the local cuisine its unique taste. The explanation is simple and you will easily be able to re-create the Kerala delicacies in your own kitchen. If it is a morning tour, the cooking class is followed by lunch. And if it is an evening tour, the cooking class is followed by dinner.

The kayaking tour is a beautiful experience, especially for travellers who love adventure and are interested in Kerala cuisine. The scenic views, the delightful chirping of birds, the local village experiences and the delicious food make the whole experience truly memorable.