Tourist Destination - Kumbalangi

Kumbalangi is a picturesque little village in central Kerala close to the suburbs of the port town of Kochi. It has a vast stretch of backwaters connected by interlocking waterways to the whole of Kerala. It is an ideal getaway location for tourists from all over the world. What makes it more interesting to visit Kumbalangi is that it is a virgin landscape unspoiled by the excessive presence of tourists. Here you can enjoy the calm, serene and tranquil surroundings that make it ideal as a haven, away from the din and tumult of the city. The local inhabitants are simple and warm who depend on nature for their survival. A day in Kumbalangi can be a memorable experience and a relaxation for the mind. Kumbalangi is rich with exotic local cuisines, boat building, and masonry, manually operated coir looms, fish farms etc.

Kumbalangi is the first model tourism village in India. Covering an area of 16 sq. km, with a strength of population of about 35,000, the place is divided into Kumbalangi, Kallanchery and Anjilithara sectors. The language spoken is Malayalam. Vast stretches of serene backwaters, an ideal setting for country boat cruises, indigenous fishing, crab farming, and prawn culture are all available in plenty at Kumbalangi and has led the Kerala Tourism Department to select it as the first model tourism village of the State.

Fishing village

kumbalangi-fishing Now Kumbalangi is fully prepared to earn the benefits from its natural beauty and the specialties of a unique village life. Warm and friendly village folk - farmers, fishermen, and boatmen - await to take the travelers to the sea and paddy fields. In the evenings, the travelers experience an exceptionally soothing atmosphere by walking along the mangroves in the smooth freshness of the cool wind.

The village project is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism spot. The model village is a veritable treat to its visitors with the famous Chinese fishing nets and many other sights to savor. Kumbalangi has several ecosystems like mangrove ecosystems and backwater ecosystems that are rich in resources. The project is aimed at the promotion of preservation and conservation of the environment. Mangrove conservation of the “Panchayat” is an example. The heritage houses and exotic local cuisines are maintained and used for tourism purposes. The project also proposes to save its magnificent culture, traditional occupation such as crab farming (Njandu Krishi), various fishing methods, coir production etc. Kumbalangi once was the center of 'Vykom coir' production. The model village is being developed along eco-friendly principles, as part of the Kerala Tourism Eco-Initiative, Eco-Kerala.

Access

By Road
As Kumbalangi is close to the heart of Cochin city, reaching there would pose no problems whatsoever. An innumerable number of buses, both private and KSRTC, ply towards Kumbalangi. Private buses are available from Ernakulam south bus stop every 15-20 minutes.

By Rail
The nearest station is at Ernakulam, about 25 km from Kumbalangi. Kochi has 3 stations, Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town, and Cochin Harbour Terminus. Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction.

By Air
International Air Port is at Nedumbassery, near Aluva, about 40 km away from Kumbalangi, Kochi.

For more information on the country’s first model tourism village, visit kumbalangi.kerala.com