Traditional Kerala Lunch on Banana Leaves with Sunset Cruise

Detailed Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary: 

The traditional lunch on a banana leaf with a sunset cruise starts at 2:30 PM, when you join us at our place at the Canoe Kerala dock in Kumarakom. The experience begins as we take you through the lunch platter served on a banana leaf. We have a hearty meal together with local stories, and then, after the meal, we set out for a slow cruise, chasing the sunset over the backwaters.

Our cruise experience is a Responsible Tourism initiative that empowers our local community by boosting the local economy. Our canoe operators are local experts who are not professionally trained guides. They have a deep knowledge about the local neighborhood but not much about the world beyond that.

Let’s take a tour around the important features of this package: 

Refreshing Welcome Drink: 

On your arrival, we will welcome you with some fresh fruit juice or tender coconut water according to our Indian tradition. The tall glass of a freshly made drink would surely dissolve your weariness and leave you feeling energized. 

Traditional Kerala Lunch on a banana leaf: 

We will take you through a unique experience of enjoying a traditional Kerala meal served on a banana leaf. We encourage you to try eating the food with your hand, as we do here in Kerala, so that you can truly feel the essence of the food items served on the platter. We offer multiple meal options to choose from—Vegetarian, Vegan, or Non-Vegetarian—as Kerala cuisine is blessed with a bounty of natural produce fresh from the farms. Our lunch experience is accompanied by stories and warm conversations, much like being at home and sharing a meal with your family.

Canoe or Shikara with a canopy 

After the wonderful lunch experience, we will set out for a slow cruise in a shaded canoe or shikkara, which are perfect for navigating the narrow canals of the Kumarakom Backwaters. This slow cruise will allow you to absorb the vivid natural surroundings and observe local livelihoods unfolding along the banks of the canals.

Watching the casting of fishing nets: 

When you take a sunset cruise, you might get a chance to view the local fishers at work. You'll be impressed by the level of proficiency of the fishers in casting a net into the water. If your camera allows it, take a slow-motion video of the event.

Bird Watching: 

Many lovely birds may be found in and around Kumarakom, including herons, lesser whistling ducks and cormorants. If you want to see them up close, bring your binoculars. Taking a sunset cruise is a beautiful way to catch a glimpse of these awe-inspiring birds. It's like watching a painting come to life!

Sunset View: 

Just as the evening starts winding down, you might get to observe one of the most memorable sunsets of your life. The canoe, the majestic Vembanad Lake, and the magical sunset create an ethereal vista here, and we are truly grateful to share this with you on the cruise.

Visit to a local tea shop: 

Our cruise comes to an end with a visit to a local tea shop. You can get to see how a cup of ‘chai’ is getting prepared with Indian spices and feel the sweet aroma when you hold the warm cup with your hands. The tea shops here bustle with tea and conversation-loving people and you can enjoy having a chat or two with the local neighbors.