It had been a long time that me and my wife had travelled to the lush green natures. **Kerala backwaters - kumarakom** was one place that we were planning from a quite long time.
Eventually we planned a 3 days 2 nights trip to this amazing place on a weekend. We travelled by train kanyakumari express from Bangalore to Kottayam. From kottayam we had booked a taxi to the resort in kumarakom which is 30 mins drive.
We booked **Waterscapes Resorts owned by KTDC (kerala tourism development corporation)** , one of the best places we stayed. It has 3 types of cottages we choose to be in Lake view cottage which faces the lake with a balcony. The location of this resort is just too good. its built on the banks of Vembanad lake (backwaters). The restaurant is a floating one which is extended on to the lake. Each cottages are situated at distance from one another surrounded by greenery and water canals. Food is good, more towards the south Indian style . They don’t serve alcohol but yes the consolation is they serve beer.
Day 1. Boarded the train at 9.30 pm in Bangalore and reached kottayam at 11am and next day morning. Taxi was ready by 12 we checked into the resort.
We got fresh and had some food in the same restaurant, note that there are nearby restaurants around expect for Taj , raddisson which may need a taxi to go there. Spent some time around the resort. Its definitely beautiful location to go around, by 5.30pm we had booked for ayurvedic massage in the same resort and for 3 hrs we got good massage. It costed 6k for both. They had a buffet ibn the dinner. The meal was had good variety of veg and non veg.
Day2. We had planned for day cruise in the house boat. We booked one with single bedroom lobby area and boarded from the hotel itself. They charged 6k between 11 am to 6pm. After 6.30pm they stop as per the government regulations. This was very good experience. It was deluxe houseboat with all luxuries. We had 3 staff one a driver, service boy and a cook. They cruised along the backwater s and canals, prepared some good lunch as we had informed them in advance, what we need.
It is always better to go see and then book the houseboat there itself instead of booking through the agents as we may get cheated. Staying in the houseboat overnight is also possible except for the mosquitoes and insects around, which would love to accompany.
Day3. There were some local sightseeing locations around which did not interest us. I had one of my frnd residing 40kms away from there in a place called Mavalikera. He picked us up and visited there. We had never been to a village, and the hospitality of these people were way beyond the city people. The house was located on the bank of river and it was a farm house. The food was 100% kerala style, which we had not tasted before, too good.
End of the day we boarded the train in the local station. Luckily The same train passes this place also.
Reached Bangalore early morning 7am. We were fresh to get back to work on Monday morning, thanks to the train journey, definitely comfortable.
*Best points*
*1. ****Waterscapes is definitely a worth place to stay (Costs 16k for 3days 2 nights including breakfast. It may be cheaper in the OFF season). *
*2. ****Good food and people/staff*
*3. ****Excellent location surrounded by lake, thick green trees, canals and bird sanctuary*
*4. ****Calm Backwaters makes you truly relax. *
*5. ****Excellent houseboats almost like a 3 star hotel*
*6. ****Best to commute in train as this train runs daily, and comfortable. This place is also well connected by roads. *
*7. ****Ayurvedic Massage is a must to experience. *
P**oints to take care.*
*1. ****Do not book the house boat until you see it. *
*2. ****Vegetarians need to take care as they may have less choice of food.*
*3. ****Don’t try to order food to the cottage as they will take an hour atleast to get back. *
*4. ****It was December and we were sweating away to glory. Place is definitely not cold. Its quite humid. Evenings are cool and pleasant*
*5. ****Best suited for honeymoon and group trips.*
*Note that Allepy and Kumarakom are the either side, that is opposite banks of this vembanad lake. This is a common backwater lake for Allepy and kumarakom. *