1. Activities Inside Illikkalam Lakeside Cottages

Life at Illikkalam Lakeside Cottages moves with the rhythm of nature, guided by the unhurried flow of Lake Vembanad and the long-held traditions of Kerala’s backwater living.

Nature, Air, and Lakeside Serenity

The air here is clean, rich with oxygen, and wrapped in greenery. Simply relaxing by the lake eases the mind, body, and spirit. The calm surface of the water sets the scene for drifting houseboats, motorboats, fishermen’s boats, and speedboats. The full breadth and length of Lake Vembanad become part of your everyday view.
When evening arrives, the sun sets over the water, and in the early mornings the moon often sets as dawn begins. On certain days, guests may witness the unique fishing technique called Vellavali, used to catch Karimeen (Pearl Spot), a specialty of this region.

Rain and the Monsoon Experience

Monsoon season at Illikkalam is something people remember for years. Rain arrives from the west, northwest, southwest, and southeast, gathering strength across the lake. From lakeside cottages, guests can watch the sky change color, the distant land blur in the rain, and the fishermen struggle bravely in their small country boats to save both themselves and their day’s precious catch.
The wind announces the rain well beforehand with its unusual, rising sound. Waves turn rough, the sky darkens, and the experience becomes a living portrait of backwater life at its most dramatic and unforgettable.

Night by the Water

Nightfall brings a set of gentle pleasures. The breeze moves across the lake, the waves speak softly, and the natural sounds of the water become distinct. The sky, stars, and moon shine clearly when lights on the porch are switched off. Fireworks from temples and churches in Alappuzha district often glow across the lake, creating reflections that linger on the water long after they fade from the sky.

Walkers’ Path

The property has a pleasant walkers’ path along the boundary wall. Morning and evening are particularly refreshing, though the area can also be enjoyed at night under floodlights.
Along the way are vertical farming structures growing passion fruit and other crops, fruit trees, spices, medicinal plants, and general vegetation. You will also find geese, stingless bee colonies, a biogas plant, vermicomposting areas, E.M. compost, and a water-harvesting system.
Walking here gives a close view of sustainable methods and traditional agricultural practices.

Sports and Indoor Games

A single-side basketball court, a shuttle court, and an activity hall equipped with table tennis and carrom boards are open to guests. Lighting is provided at night, though fans are not operated in the activity hall to control electricity usage.
A user fee of Rs. 250 applies for any one or all of these four facilities per family or group. If you need fans and additional lights, an extra Rs. 250 will cover up to three hours.

Fishing from the Lake

Fishing with rods is best in the early morning, and nets can be used at night. Many small and large fish can be caught, though they must be released back into the lake to preserve fish growth.
Fishing rods and accessories are available at reception for a user fee of Rs. 50 per rod, including bait.

Goose Feeding

The geese on the property are lively companions. Watching them swim and bathe in the pond is simple entertainment, and guests may feed them grass and other suitable foods.

Butterflies and Birds

The area attracts many butterflies, particularly in the morning, thanks to plants and vegetables that draw them in. Fruit trees bring birds during the morning and evening, both on the property itself and along the lakeside.

Stingless Honey Bees (Meliponiculture)

Illikkalam maintains 16 colonies of stingless honey bees. These local species play an important role in biodiversity and pollination and produce a slightly acidic, strongly flavored honey rich in medicinal value. Royal jelly is naturally blended into the honey, which contains hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid—two powerful natural antiseptics created through constant chemical transformation in the high humidity of the region.
A half-hour class on beekeeping is available, including a brief (under three minutes) opening of a colony to observe the bees’ activity. The fee is Rs. 750 per family or group. Colonies and honey are sold depending on availability, with prices provided by the Office Manager.

Yoga Practices and Classes

Yoga sessions can be arranged in advance. These include meditation, pranayama (breathing practices), stress relief techniques, Kundalini Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and Ashtanga.
The practices follow traditional principles: proper exercise (asana), proper breathing (pranayama), proper relaxation (savasana), proper vegetarian diet, positive thinking, and meditation (Dhyana). Karma Yoga—selfless service—is emphasized as a path to inner purity and spiritual growth.

Fruit Trees, Spices, Medicinal Plants, Vegetation, and Tubers

Walking through the property reveals a diversity of crops and plants.

Fruit Trees & Vertical Farming:
Passion fruit, bell fruit (ചാമ്പക്ക), jackfruit, pineapple, papaya, plantain, jamun (ഞാവൽപഴം), cashew fruit, coconut, lemon, sapota, mango, bilimbi (ഇരുമ്പന്‍ പുളി), star fruit (ഇലുമ്പി), rose apple (ഞാറപ്പഴം), cocoa, luvika (ലോലോലിക്ക), spondias pinnata (അമ്പഴം), soursop (മുള്ളാത്ത), custard apple (ആത്തക്കാ), Jamaican custard apple (ചുവന്ന ആത്തക്കാ), litchi, pomegranate, mangosteen, mini orange, guava, red guava, mulberry, rambutan.

Spices:
Pepper, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, tamarind, Malabar tamarind, coriander, allspice, mint leaves, bay leaf, curry leaves, cardamom (not in the property), clove (not in the property).

Vegetables & Greens:
Drumstick (tree and leaves), several types of spinach (ചീര, കുപ്പച്ചീര, തഴുതാമ), sambar greens, plantain, bananas, lady’s finger, brinjal, bitter gourd, ivy gourd, coccinia grandis, papaya, mango.

Tubers:
Tapioca, elephant foot yam, purple yam, yam (ചേമ്പ്), and sheema-chena varieties.

Trees:
Mango, apple champa, coconut, arecanut, elanji (bullet wood), cashew, jamun, mangrove, rosewood, teak, mahogany, alstonia, sandalwood, neem.

Medicinal & Ayurvedic Plants:
Basil (തുളസി), henna (മൈലാഞ്ചി), ramacham, touch-me-not, youkkali, mukkutti, aloe vera, lakshmitharu (Simarouba glauca), soursop, neem, alstonia venenata, centella (കുടവനെല്ല), betel leaf, and several more including പനികൂര്‍ക്ക and കച്ചോലം.

Activity Hall for Functions

The activity hall can seat over 100 people and is suitable for gatherings, celebrations, and events, especially at night or during the rainy season.

Cultural Activities

Evening cultural programs—songs, group songs, classical music, dance, Shingarimelam, Kathakali, Ottamthullal, and more—can be arranged with prior notice.

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2. Activities In and Around Kumarakom

Kumarakom and its surroundings offer a wealth of natural, cultural, and traditional experiences, all within comfortable reach of Illikkalam.

Houseboats, Shikaras, Motorboats, Country Boats & Speedboats

Cruising through the Kumarakom and Alleppey backwaters can be arranged for durations of two to eight hours. Boats can start from Illikkalam Lakeside Cottages or other nearby points within an 8 km radius.

Ayurvedic Massage & Treatment

Authentic Ayurvedic massages, facials, and treatments connected to reputable hotels and resorts in Kumarakom are available. Guests may choose according to their budget, and advance booking ensures timely service.

Country Walks Nearby

a) Nalupank Houseboat Terminal – 5 km
Walk straight from Illikkalam, take a right, and continue for 5 km. The route passes lush greenery and showcases true village life. Along the way are the Navanazreth Holy Family Church and, after three kilometers, the Sri Muthen’s Nada Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

b) Kumarakom Market – 3 km
Walk straight from Illikkalam, turn left, then right to the tiled road, and proceed toward the market junction. The path is attractive but requires caution due to fast two-wheelers. Landmarks include the Kumarakom Police Station and the Family Super Market near Attamangalam Jacobite Church.

c) Kumarakom Boat Jetty and the Cross – 3 km
Walk straight from Illikkalam, turn left, go straight, then turn left again before the main-bridge. A small government boat jetty appears first, followed by a road lined with parked houseboats, leading to the cross built by the Illikkalam family at the dead end of the lake.

Visit to Moolepadam & 900 Paddy Fields

A shikara ride reveals hundreds of weaver birds building nests in coconut and other trees along the bund. The canals here are filled with red water lilies, adding color to the vast paddy landscape.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Located north of Kumarakom on the banks of Lake Vembanad, this sanctuary is a favored resting place for migratory birds and a quiet haven for nature viewers.

Fishing Traditions in Kumarakom

Fishing remains a central part of local life.

Angling:
Canals and shallow lake waters are ideal for angling with a basic rod, hook, and line. Popular baits include earthworms, tapioca, wheat flour, and even plastic pieces.

Bow-and-Arrow Fishing:
Once common in Kumarakom and Kuttanad, this technique uses a bow fitted with a reel and an iron arrow tied to a line.

Fishing with Nets:
Fishermen set up artificial reefs or bushes on the lakebed, adding food such as grated tapioca. When fish gather, nets are quickly cast. Though less common now, methods like koruvala (trawl net), veesuvala (casting net), and cheenavala (Chinese net) are part of local heritage.

Fishing with Bamboo Traps:
The bamboo koodu trap is placed in a narrow waterway, with the rear blocked using twigs or mud. Fish enter the wide end and cannot escape. This method is also practiced in paddy fields.

Vellavali:
A traditional technique for catching Karimeen. Two fishermen walk through shallow waters under bright sunlight with an inverted U-shaped coir rope decorated with tender palm leaves tied around their waists. The reflected light startles the fish, driving them into the mud. Expert swimmers then dive into the muddy water and catch the fish by hand.

Ferry Services

Regular ferry routes include:
a) Kumarakom – Muhamma
b) Muhamma – Kumarakom
c) Alappuzha – Kottayam
d) Kottayam – Alappuzha

Farms and Other Interesting Places

a) J-Yes Farm, Neendoor – 25 km (45 minutes)
Ph: 0481 2712828, M: 80863 94882

b) Palakkari Fish Farm, Vaikom – 30 km
Ph: 0482 9273314, M: 94409 93314

c) Mango Meadows Agricultural Theme Park – 27 km
Ayamkudy–Kaduthuruthy Road, Building No. XV/175 A, Kerala 686613

d) Thanneermukkam Bund – 20 km
e) Aruvikkuzhy Waterfalls – 35 km
f) Elephant Training Centers (Konni & Kodanad) – 83 km
Contact: +91 468 2247645

Religious Places

• Navanazreth Holy Family Church – 0.5 km

• Juma Masjid at Thazhathangadi – 10 km

• Thirunakkara Mahadevar Temple – 12 km

• Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple – 110 km (approx. 3.5 hours)

Transportation

Cars and autorickshaws are available anytime. Illikkalam is just 2 km from the Kumarakom Government Boat Jetty Bus Stop, where buses to Kottayam, Alappuzha, Cherthala, Kochi, and Ernakulam can be boarded.