When: Anytime

Length of stay: A weeklong itinerary is provided but stays of any length are welcome.

Number of guests: Our house has two en-suite rooms. For larger groups, we can provide other homestay options in the area.

Fee (as of June-2006): For 2 PAX Bed & Breakfast: From GBP 40.00 per Day( INR 3200). Contact the host for a precise quote. Certain tours and activities cost extra, as given below.

LOCATION:
Gramam, the peaceful and beautiful home of Byju and Lyma, is located on the banks of the backwaters, in Kumbalangi village about 10 Kms on the outskirts of  Kochi (Cochin), well connected to the heritage zone of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. The backwater lagoons surround this area. Large numbers of Chinese Fishing Nets which abound here greet the visitors. This idyllic place is just 45 Kms from the main International airport at Kochi - an hour's drive away. The nearest railway station at Ernakulam is only 14 Kms away. The buses ply regularly on the National Highway 47 passing through Thoppumpady - a stone's throw from Gramam.

ACCOMMODATION:
The house itself is tiled and constructed in the Keralan style. The small garden slopes gently into the backwaters. The farmland around the house has coconuts, areca nuts, mangoes in profusion - 12 varieties in all - pepper, pineapple and mangroves, besides various medicinal plants. But the most prized possession is a 200 year-old mango tree called "Chandanakaran" locally, which incidentally is the biggest tree in the village. The rustic charm of this village ambience is sure to leave an indelible impression as you say goodbye to Kochi - the queen of the Arabian Sea. Gramam offers two en-suite rooms which are tastefully furnished and with private entry. The bathrooms have modern plumbing and Western style toilets.

ACTIVITIES:

• Boating on the backwaters in a country boat
• Cycling through the surrounding countryside
• Visit the Chinese fishing nets (maybe try your hand also at fishing along with the local fisher men)
• Watch the toddy-tappers at work (maybe try out the toddy)
• Visit the nearby coir making facility at the village 
• Learn about crab farming and prawns farming 
• Visit the 350 year old Nalukettu house( ancient Keralan architectural style) where a traditional Kerala Hindu family resides and visit the kavu (sacred grove) with its snake god
• Keralan Cuisine Cooking Classes (and trying it out in the family kitchen!)
• Or simply relax in the coconut grove at Gramam !

SERVICES:
We offer the following services:

• All assistance in transfers
• Organising package tours to anywhere in Kerala
• Organising cultural tours, programmes, & temple tours
• Assistance in shopping especially antiques
• Ayurvedic treatments by qualified doctors
• Internet
• Laundry

Sample Tour Package

Day 1 -arrival at Cochin airport/railway station.transfer to Gramam homestay-relax- evening heritage zone/kathakali-stay at Gramam (all meals)

Day 2 - visit traditional Nalukettu/nearby fishing village/Anthakaranazi beach/potters village,elephant watch - relax - stay at Gramam(all meals)

Day 3 - transfer to Teekoy at the foot hills of Vagamon and the source of Meenachil river, immortalised by Arundhati Roy in her book 'THE GOD OF  SMALL THINGS'. stay at Vanilla County, a plantation theme homestay (all meals)

Day 4 - trek up to the Illickal Park- visit Poonjar Palace or relax in a serene, unpolluted and eco-friendly country side. stay at Vanilla County (all meals)

Day 5 - proceed to Kuttanad, a village below sea level in Alleppy - relax- village walk, canoe ride, paddy farming-relax at Homestay- Green Palm Homes (all meals)

Day 6 - check in at a deluxe House Boat-enjoy the beauty of country side, backwaters- visit ancient Champakulam church - relax in House Boat (all meals)

Day 7 - back to airport/railway station.

More Destinations and Homestays

Kottayam - Kottayam is known as the land of latex (signifying the importance of rubber estates), lakes (lakes abound in this district) & letters (being the first district in the country to achieve 100% literacy). The river Meenachil, made famous by Arundhati Roy in her novel God of Small Things,  meanders on through this beautiful central highlands and plains. Indeed this is the place to really taste the very essence of Central Travencore (the old kingdom, now known as Kerala) 

Alleppey - The old spice capital of  Kerala, made famous due to its garlands of canals and lakes.  The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and tributaries along its banks weave a 'magical necklace of water'. These water bodies called 'backwaters' in the local parlance is the very essence of Alleppey - a place to watch the incredibly beautiful countryside and the lives of the people. It  has now developed into a world class destination with its myriad resorts and houseboats.   

Munnar - Munnar has an average altitude of 5000’ (1500 metres) above MSL. It is essentially a tea-town, founded by the British towards end of the 19th century. The high altitude, cool weather and copious rainfall make this destination ideal for plantations like tea and cardamom. There are a few National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries around Munnar – Eravikulam National Park & Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary. 

Thekkady - Thekkady Wildlife sanctuary (also called Periyar Tiger Reserve) is a Tiger Reserve. The entire Park covers hills and verdant forests extending over an area of 777 sq. km . It will be no exaggeration to say that this Park is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India. Here, in the crisp, cool air of the Western Ghats you will experience wilderness and abundant wildlife first hand. 

Kumarakom - Kumarakom is near Kottayam in Central Kerala and on the banks of the  Vembanad Lake - part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and tributaries along its banks weave a 'magical necklace of water'. Kumarakom has now developed into a world class destination with its myriad resorts and houseboats - and a place to watch the incredibly beautiful countryside and the lives of the people - their farms, activities like duck rearing, shell collection and rice farming.