Philipkutty’s Farm, Kumarakom South India

Philipkutty’s Farm, Kumarakom
Price Guide: ££
Location
Philipkutty’s Farm located on an island in the backwaters of the Vembanad Lake, is a unique homestay experience that provides a true essence of Kerala’s backwaters. The Philipkutty family will welcome you into their beautiful lake side cottages, prepare home cooked meals and share their traditional way of life. The farm can be accessed by road upto the opposite bank of the river, and then a short vallam (country boat) ride along the rural backwaters takes you right to the doorstep. The Cochin International Airport is about 1.5 hours journey. The town of Alleppey is 27 kms and Kottayam is located 20 kms away.
Introduction
Prominent members of the local Syrian Christian community who once owned most of the property on this island, the Philipkutty’s are a caring family. Vinod Mathew, the grand daughter of Mr. Philipkutty and her mother – Aniamma, now looks after the farm and the many guests that keep returning to this wonderful holiday retreat each year. This is a homestay with a difference as although you are sharing your meals and lifestyle with the host family, you stay in one of three separate waterfront villas located on the banks of the tranquil Vembanad Lake. Part of Philipkutty’s attraction is what it lacks: there is no a/c, no phone and no TV in any of the villas. TV and telephones are available at the family residence, should the need arise. Sitout on your private verandah and watch as life moves by ever so slowly in these quite backwaters. Villagers rowing by in their canoes loaded with coconut husks or vegetables on their way to the market, children going to school or women washing clothes at the edge of the waters. Set sail yourself and visit the village across the waters, stop by at an ancient church or Hindu Kovil, or just stay home and learn to cook a traditional local meal with Aniamma who will by happy to share her secret recipes.
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Accommodation
There are three wonderful heritage villas all located on the banks of the backwaters surrounded by flowering trees. These spacious villas are named after popular local birds and flowers and each consists of a private sitout, bedroom, living space with a work desk and beautifully designed bathroom with h/w shower. Intricately carved antique doors and windows, terracotta floors, and wooden ceilings adorn the buildings. Interiors are tastefully furnished with priceless antiques including twin or double beds dressed in crisp white linen, a wardrobe, writing table and chairs. Old photographs and local fabrics give the villas a homely feel. Each villa has a refrigerator and tea / coffee making facility. Overhead ceiling fans and cooling lake breezes helps to keep the rooms airy and comfortable. There are no televisions by choice.

Chempakam: is a spacious family villa designed along the lines of a typical village home with a central courtyard, two bedrooms at each end with both opening out on to the lake, and separate living and dining area in the centre. All rooms open out to the sandy courtyard that is wonderful for children to play about.

Mandharam and Ahokam: Two separate one bedroom villas with attached bathrooms, living room, and sit-out.
Facilities
Meals are served in a beautiful thatched pavilion, on stilts, overlooking the farm with views of the backwaters. The pavilion opens out on to a small, neat courtyard under an old mango tree. Meals are cooked at the main Philipkutty family house closely supervised by Vinod and Aniamma. Being of Syrian Christian origin, the home cooked meals have an authentic flavour that is typical to this area of Kerala. Discuss your preferences as you arrive and delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals will be prepared using fresh organic vegetables and spices from their own gardens and fresh seafood brought to the doorstep daily by the village fisherman. Special Ayurvedic massages are organised upon request. Guests are also welcome to learn Kerala cuisine.
Excursions
The 50 acre farm is unique as it is on reclaimed land from the Vembanad Lake and is two meteres below the level of the lake. This working farm, practices sustainable and organic methods of farming and cultivates coconut, bananas, nutmeg, pepper, cocoa and vanilla. The farm canals are filled with jumbo prawns (scampi) and Peal Spot (Karimeen) fish which is prepared into a famous local dish cooked in a banana leaf. Visit the farm, go cycling or do a nature trek. The family boat (a traditional Vallam) is always available to take guests on sunset cruises, boating along the backwaters, fishing, or across to the opposite bank to visit a village, local temples and churches.
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